The wooden statue of Matsuo Basho enshrined in the Okinado of Gichuji Temple has a nyoi staff, one of the Buddhist instruments. Hosen-e is the ceremony to change the nyoi staff to a white fan. Chomu, the monk who revived Mumyo-an hut, founded the ceremony in 1769. On the day of the Hosen-e ceremony, haiku […]
This is an event held since 1956 to announce the coming of spring at Lake Biwa. In the event, prayers for safety on the lake are offered; the blessing of water is appreciated; and the environmental protection of the lake is appealed for. At the water parade on the lake, the mayor and the honorary […]
This is a festival held at Omi Jingu Shrine and Iwai Shrine that have a deep connection with Emperor Tenji. According to The Chronicle of Japan, Emperor Tenji used a water clock and announced the time to the citizens in Otsukyo by bells and drums for the first time in Japan on April 25, 671 […]
This is a festival of Hirano Shine, the enshrined deity of which is Seidai Myojin, also known as the deity of Kemari [ancient football game of the Imperial Court]. It is said that Kemari was originally from China and came to Japan with Buddhism in the Asuka Period [between the late 6th and early 8th […]
This summer festival takes place at Karasaki Shrine. It is also called Nagoshi no Harae where people’s impurity is purified and prayers to be able to spend the hot summer healthily are offered. On the day of the festival, visitors write their name on a person-shaped piece of paper and breathe on it with their […]
This is a festival of Takebe Taisha Shrine, the Shinto shrine with the highest rank in Omi. This great festival provides a spectacular sight of the Seta River in summer. The cruise of the sacred palanquins on pleasure boats is a unique characteristic of the “city of water”, Otsu. This cruise derives from the event […]
This is a festival of Tenson Shrine and is famous for being one of the three major lake province festivals. Under the autumn sky, each of 13 splendid hikiyama festival floats displays their ingenious mechanical doll in each area and cruises the whole city with their musical accompaniment sounding “Kon-chiki-chin”. According to The Record of […]
This is Shinozu Shrine. It has been worshipped as the local deity of Nakanosho Village. The year of the foundation is not clear; however, a tag with construction information stating the year 1456 was found. It means that it had already been built in the mid-Muromachi Period [the mid-15th century]. Its enshrined deity is Susanoo […]
This is former Biwako Hotel. It was built in 1934 as the first international tourist hotel in the prefecture to attract foreign tourists. It was designed by Okada Shin’ichiro who is famous for the design of Tokyo Kabukiza. It is a reinforced concrete construction, yet its appearance looks like a shrine or temple. Many prominent […]
This is Karasaki Shrine. It is one of the auxiliary shrines of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. It was reportedly founded during the reign of Emperor Jito [in the late 7th century]. Its enshrined deity is Wakemasahime no Kami. The shrine used to be called Wakemasahime Shrine, and the deity was widely worshipped by women, as it […]