One factor behind this is the presence of Enryaku-ji Temple, which is the head temple of the Tendai sect.

In such a temple-rich culture of Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, we have compiled temples where you can experience practices such as Zazen meditation and copying sutras.

Otsu City is located a short distance away, about 10 minutes by train from Kyoto Station, covering only two stations.

Why not try experiencing these hidden temples?

About Zen Sitting Meditation(Zazen)

What is Zen sitting meditation(Zazen)?

Zen means a person’s heart, and people practice Zen sitting meditation to face yourself and to rethink yourself.

Zen sitting meditation is a Buddhist practice method sitting in a correct posture and unites the spirit.

The effect of Zen sitting meditation is that if you concentrate on posture and breathing in a quiet environment, you will be able to relax by removing distracting thoughts.

And by focusing on breathing, you can increase your concentration.

It seems that you can gradually do it at first even if it is difficult.

Recommended Clothes When You Practice Zen Sitting Meditation

When you practice Zen sitting meditation, you keep sitting with your legs crossed for almost an hour.

So, relaxed pants are recommended, not tight pants.

Also, Zen sitting meditation is practiced barefoot.

Clothes that can be handled immediately such as socks are desirable.

How to Make Reservation

You can reserve on the website of each temples.

However, some of temples don’t have foreign language page.

And even if there was a English page, sometimes we cannot find a page for reservation.

If you couldn’t find page for reservation in your language, please ask hotel’s reception you stay.

Recently, I found some web site where you can make reservations.

Enryakuji Temple Lodging (Otsu City)

It seems you can add Zazen meditation or copying sutras experiences as options to your shukubo experience.

Both experiences are available for 1,100 yen each, and for the copying sutras experience, everything including brush, ink, inkstone, and paper will be provided. Please check the timing at the reception.

The Zazen meditation is scheduled for 11:00 AM for the morning session and 2:30 PM for the afternoon session. Advance reservation is required for Zazen, so please be aware.

From the rooms, large communal bath, and the restaurant where you can enjoy shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine), you can have a panoramic view of Lake Biwa, and the night view is also highly praised.

Additionally, guests staying here can enjoy free admission to Enryakuji Temple, so don’t forget to inform the pilgrimage sites that you are a guest.

In the vicinity, there are many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, making it a journey with much to see besides the shukubo experience.

Basic Information about Enryakuji Temple Lodging

Enman-in (Otsu City)

You can experience various aspects of Japanese culture, such as tea ceremony and tosenkyo, besides Zazen, sutra copying, and Buddha copying.

Each experience costs 2,450 yen, but there’s a special plan where you can choose two experiences for 4,600 yen.

For Zazen, chairs are available for those who are unsure about sitting on the floor.

There’s also a lodging experience, where you can choose two Japanese culture experiences.

There are room-only plans and plans with meals included for dinner and breakfast, choosing between vegetarian cuisine or kaiseki cuisine.

As a lodging bonus, you can participate in the morning service at 7:30 am for free, and also visit the Important Cultural Property designated Chinden and Mitsui’s famous garden for free.

Enman-in, one of only 17 Monzeki temples nationwide, is a temple with a history of about 1,000 years. A Monzeki temple is a temple where members of the imperial family or other distinguished families serve as the head priest.

Basic Information about Enman-in

Saijo-in (Otsu City)

On the second Sunday, a Zazen session is held as part of the Hoen no Kai.

The sessions typically involve Zazen meditation, a Dharma talk, and prayers.

As dates may change, it is recommended to check the schedule on the official website before visiting.

Although it seems not primarily aimed at tourists, the temple aims to be easily accessible to visitors without any formalities.

During the Naviyaka Festival held in June, there are events such as a temple market with food trucks and dedicatory drum performances.

The temple offers a variety of Goshuin (temple stamps), which can also be purchased by mail.

Basic Information about Saijo-in

Ansho-ji (Otsu City)

Zazen sessions are held irregularly on Sundays. You can check the official website for announcements regarding session availability.

In addition to prior reservations, same-day registration is also possible, starting at 12:30 PM, with the session beginning at 1 PM.

The experience lasts about 30 minutes, starting with a 15-minute explanation followed by 15 minutes of Zazen meditation.

Since children can also participate, it could be a valuable experience for families.

While held irregularly, there are also sessions for sutra copying and drawing Buddha images, so those interested should check the official website.

Located near Lake Biwa, it’s a great spot to enjoy along with sightseeing and strolling.

Basic Information about Ansho-ji

Miidera Temple (Otsu City)

Miidera Temple, with a history of over 1200 years, has a vast precinct containing many buildings that include national treasures and cultural properties.

You can experience Zazen meditation in the Kannon-do and Tang-do halls.

Although online reservations are required 7 days in advance, guidance is provided to suit beginners, the elderly, and everyone in between, ensuring that anyone can participate with confidence.

Sutra copying and Buddha drawing experiences are offered at the Kannon-do, Tang-do, and Bimyoji temples. While reservations are required 7 days in advance for Kannon-do and Tang-do,

at Bimyoji, up to 6 people can participate without a reservation from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

There are also unique experiences like Yamabushi training, wrist rosary making, and special viewings of the private national treasure Kyakuden.

Furthermore, Myogon-in is opened as a shukubo (temple lodging), offering an exclusive plan of renting out the entire building to a single group per day.

Special experiences, such as special viewings of the national treasure Kyakuden and Zazen, are available exclusively for overnight guests.

With its vast precinct, it seems like you could enjoy a full day here.

Basic Information about Miidera Temple

Denkoin Temple (Otsu City)

A sutra copying session is held once a month at 1:00 PM.

For those busy in the morning, the afternoon session might be a more accessible time to participate.

With the station within a 5-minute walk, the temple is easily accessible, and nearby spots such as parks on elevated grounds and Lake Biwa are perfect for strolling.

Also, with supermarkets close by, locals could possibly participate in sutra copying sessions in between errands.

Founded in 1560, this historic temple offers a wonderful experience where you can forget the daily hustle and bustle and calm your mind.

Basic Information about Denkoin Temple

7 Temples You Can Experience Zen Sitting Meditation in KyotoThe ancient city of Kyoto which attracts tourists from all over the ...

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Kyoto Holy Land Pilgrimage to the Stage of K-ON!Why not enjoy Kyoto while both sightseeing and making a pilgrimage t...

It is an extremely influential work that sparked the light music boom and became a social phenomenon. It is a moving story that depicts the adolescence of the light music club (Houkago Tea Time) consisting of Yui, Mio, Rik-chan, Mugi-chan, and Azunyan, with laughter and tears.

We’ll introduce the former Toyosato Elementary School in Shiga Prefecture, which served as the model for Sakuragaoka Girls’ Private High School.

K-On!01｜AN-JATRABRIDGE

K-ON! Season2 01｜AN-JATRABRIDGE

K-ON! Movie 01｜AN-JATRABRIDGE

What is K-ON?

K-ON! is the story of a light music club at a private high school for girls in Sakuragaoka: Hirasawa Yui (Yui), Akiyama Mio (Mio), Tainaka Ritsu (Ritsuchan), and Kotobuki Tsumugi (Mugi-chan) form a band and start from scratch while the club is in danger of being closed.

When they are in their second year of high school, they welcome a new student, Azusa Nakano (Azunyan), and the total of 5 students depicts the formation of the Light Music Club to their graduation from high school, with both laughter and tears.

The image shows, from left to right, Mugi-chan (keyboard), Azunyan (rhythm guitar), Yui (lead guitar and vocals), Mio (bass guitar and vocals), and Rik-chan (drums), who form a band called Houkago Tea Time (HTT).

Former Toyosato Elementary School in Shiga Prefecture, the Stage of K-ON

This is the old school building that served as the model for the private Sakuragaoka Girls’ High School that appears in K-ON.

It is located in Toyosato Town, Inukami-gun, Shiga Prefecture.

Designed by the famous architect William Merrell Vories, the school building was once called “the best elementary school in the East,” not only for its exterior but also for its ingenuity in many other areas.

Therefore, even if you are not a K-ON fan, you can fully enjoy this school building.

It is also portrayed in the work in a way that is not too at odds with real life.

Below, we will show you in an easy-to-understand manner, alternating between the anime images above and the actual photos below.

Former Toyosato Elementary School: Main gate of Sakuragaoka Girls’ Private High School (anime)

This is the main gate of the school building.

Frankly speaking, it looks so splendid that it is hard to believe that it is an elementary school.

Passing through the main gate, you will reach the entrance of the school building.

In the foreground is the fountain that was also depicted in the animation.

The fountain is drawn slightly more compact.

In the animation, water does not come out of the fish in the center of the fountain.

This is the principal of Sakuragaoka High School, which has appeared in many works.

The form is exactly the same.

As you can see in the photos above, most of them are so faithfully reproduced that you cannot distinguish between the animation and the real one.

Former Toyosato Elementary School in Shiga Prefecture (corridor)

Let’s start with the hallway.

It is a wooden building, so it has a taste and gives us a nostalgic feeling.

There was a mirror on the right side in the foreground, so perhaps this is the place where the animation and the photograph coincide.

The smell of the wooden structure is somewhat nostalgic, and the place is full of emotion.

For those who graduated from elementary and junior high school, this feeling of the hallway is nostalgic.

Next is the stairway with the characteristic rabbit and turtle figurines.

Are the rabbit and the turtle in the animation really there?

I thought so, but when I actually visited the former Toyosato Elementary School…they were there!

Incidentally, the Hare and the Tortoise is really based on the anecdote, “The Hare and the Tortoise.

The hare and the tortoise start a competition. At first, the tortoise is slow and the hare is fast and has a tremendous lead.

Next we will sneak into the important place, the club room!

Former Toyosato Elementary School (club room) in Shiga Prefecture

Now, it’s time to sneak into the clubroom where the members of Houkago Tea Time spent their youth!

When we actually entered the room, we found that it was a reproduction of the anime with pots for tea time.

It was probably contributed by a K-ON fan.

Visitors were free to write on the blackboard.

Everyone has written their own messages on the blackboard.

I thought it was wonderful because it felt like a space created by everyone.

Next is the place where Mio sang “Pyua Pyua Heart” for the fan club members.

If you are a K-ON fan, you may remember this scene vividly.

This is the place where the shy Mio sang enthusiastically for her fans and made the high school girls, her fans, melancholy and distressed.

As you look at the photos, you may have been able to recall a place with many spectators as in the anime.

These are the photos of the author who made a pilgrimage to the holy place of K-ON.

Information on the former Toyosato Elementary School Holy Land Pilgrimage

On Saturdays and Sundays, the office and other facilities are locked, but the tour itself is possible.

Anyone is free to write on the blackboard in the light music club room on the third floor.

Pilgrimage notebooks are also available for visitors to pick up and write in.

Basically, it is safe to bring in props, except for dangerous ones.

As mentioned above, since the museum is a town complex, there is no charge to visit or enter.

A tourist information center is also open in the former library (now a gallery).

Notes on the former Toyosato Elementary School

About the former Toyosato Elementary School

Currently, the former Toyosato Elementary School is used by the town people on a daily basis as a town complex.

Incidentally, on the day I visited, an event was being held with the town people.

There are many K-ON fans who come here to make a pilgrimage to the holy place.

Let’s try to behave moderately so as not to disturb them!

Also, try to be quiet because part of the school is used as a library.

The hallways of the school building are also very slippery, so please be careful.

About the third floor of the former Toyosato Elementary School

The school wishes to remain faithful to the anime for the benefit of K-ON fans.

Please do not do graffiti more than necessary, especially on anything other than the blackboards in the 3rd floor club rooms, as it is totally prohibited.

Also, there are many goods donated by K-ON fans throughout the school.

Of course, taking these items home without permission is also prohibited.

The former Toyosato Elementary School is the best space created by everyone, so please observe moderation and good manners.

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In addition to historic buildings and culture, Kurokabe Square is lined with shops that will satisfy travelers with souvenirs, gourmet food, and glass art classes.

As for glass, it is also one of the largest exhibition areas for glass art in Japan.

More than 30 years after its birth, about 2 million people visit here every year, so why not enjoy sightseeing in Nagahama?

Kurokabe Glass Pavilion is the gateway to the world of glass

Nagahama was born about 400 years ago as a castle town under Hideyoshi Hashiba (later Hideyoshi Toyotomi).

It was, and still is, the center of the town, and the tourist attraction “Kurokabe Square” is a group of traditional buildings built from the Edo period to the Meiji period.

A typical building is the Kurokabe Glass Shop, which was a bank from the Meiji era.

Various items, from traditional glassware from Europe and other countries around the world to modern designed accessories and glasses, are on display and for sale.

The Kurokabe Glass Shop, which is typical of a former bank, and the atmosphere created by the world of glass will fascinate visitors.

Since the opening of the Kurokabe Glass Shop, the old streets around it have developed into a charming area of glass shops, studios, galleries, restaurants and cafes, and is now the best sightseeing spot in northern Biwako area.

Behind the Kurokabe Glass Shop, there is the Kurokabe Glass Studio.

Works are displayed on the first and second floors (see photo), and the prices are reasonable.

At the back of the first floor, there is a glass blowing studio where you can see the artisans at work.

You can see the glassworks of artisants, which are constantly changing it forms.

Let’s take a look at the Kurokabe Experience Classroom

One minute north of Kurokabe Glass Shop on North Country Road.

There is a black wall experience class.

There are seven different types of classes available here, ranging from those that require advance reservations to those that can be booked on the day of the class.

The Sandblasting Classroom and the Gel Candle Classroom are available at any time, so reservations are preferred, but you can make a reservations on the day.

Young children can also enjoy the experience with their parents.

The photo shows the sandblasting class.

This class is designed for elementary school students and above, and takes only one to two hours to complete.

Using a masking sheet, you can mold pictures and letters onto glassware such as glasses.

Even if you are not good at painting, you can design your own with the templates.

Once your design is determined, the staff will spray sand at high pressure to frost the glass.

Finally, remove the masking tape and your original design is complete.

It’s easy to make a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Nagahama Sightseeing With Stained Glass Experience is also Popular

Reservations are recommended for any of the Kurokabe experience classes that have fixed times.

Many of the classes are very popular, so it’s best to book early on weekends and during tourist season.

One of the most popular classes is the “Stained Glass Class,” which many people sign up for in groups.

The location is in the Stained Glass Pavilion.

During the class, you can make what you like such as a photo frame, mirror, table lamp.

The class takes 90-120 minutes. The experience of using colorful glass plates and a soldering iron is a rare one.

At the Kurokabe Music Box Museum, you can decorate a music box with a decorative music box at the “Decorative Music Box Workshop”.

In addition to the experience, there are many other music boxes on display and for sale, which will delight your eyes and ears.

The photo shows a large disc music box board.

The depth of the sound and the beauty of the playing is exceptional.

I highly recommend listening to it!

Other fun classes are held every day, such as a glass blowing class, a glass ball making class, and a glass fusing class where glass parts are melted together on a glass plate at high temperature to make glass vessels.

You Can’t Miss the Food at Kurokabe Square

The popularity of Kurokabe Square is partly due to the variety of specialty foods available at 96 Cafe (Kurocafe), a casual style cafe which is available in the morning, at lunchtime, and during coffee hours.

A popular lunch item is the Omi chicken and egg omelet rice (900 yen tax not included).

The thick slices of bacon from Shiga’s famous Ibuki Ham and the fluffy texture of the Omi chicken omelet are exquisite.

If you want to enjoy a luxurious lunch or dinner, come to Biwako Restaurant ROKU.

You can enjoy a course meal using seasonal ingredients from Shiga in a modern Japanese restaurant converted from a machiya.

The photo shows one of the courses, “Omi beef crepinette hamburger steak”.

Kurokabe AMISU, a Collection of Shiga’s Specialties

Diagonally across from the Kurokabe Glass Shop is the Kurokabe AMISU, which offers a wide variety of Shiga specialties.

The building is attractive, but the layout of the store is also impressive.

Above all, the selection of products is astonishing.

Surrounded by mountains on all sides and centered on Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture has an unparalleled climate and history, and is therefore rich in agricultural and processed products.

Among them, I recommend “Asamiya Tea“, which has one of the oldest histories in Japan.

It is one of the five most famous teas in Japan and has one of the oldest history in Japan.

Its price is also top class, but you will be surprised by its astringency and taste.

Other blessings of Lake Biwa include “tsukudani”.

The shop also stocks a wide range of local sake from Shiga, making it an unbeatable choice for sake lovers.

This souvenir shop has a connection with about 100 producers, so you will find a lot of great products here.

We introduced Kurokabe Square, which led to its recognition as one of the biggest tourist attractions in northern Biwako area.

This is a town where modern glass artisans are active with history and culture as their foundation while utilizing the old streets.

This is a sightseeing spot that combines creativity and a sense of sightseeing.

Information of Kurokabe Square

Address: 12-38 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture (Kurokabe Glass Shop)
Access:
Train: 5 minutes’ walk from Nagahama Station on the JR Biwako Line
Car 15 minutes from the Nagahama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
Parking: use the parking lots around JR Nagahama Station

The information is current as of July 2020. Please check the official website for the latest information.

How about taking a leisurely trip to enjoy the beautiful nature of each season, traditional merchants’ houses and warehouses while swinging on a “Japanese-style rowing boat”, which is said to be the slowest boat in Japan?

Hachiman bori(a moat), which has contributed to the development of the town as a transportation center since the time of Hidetsugu Toyotomi in Edo period, has been beautifully revitalized and has become a peaceful scenery for people to enjoy.

Please experience the “Ship of Wish Come True”, which is popular for movie locations and weddings!

Hachiman bori is a tourist highlight that traces the history of Omihachiman!

The history of Hachimanbori begins when Hideyoshi’s adopted son, Toyotomi Hidetsugu, built Mt.Hachiman-yama Castle.

The Hachiman moat, which was built as a part of the castle’s moat and connected to Lake Biwa, became a key point of trade for merchants, and Omihachiman developed as a commercial town.

20 Sightseeing Spots of Shiga PrefectureRecommended must-see sightseeing spots when you visit to Shiga! O...

Hachiman bori was a symbol of merchants for a long time, but as time went on, traffic was replaced by land routes, and around 1965, the area was reduced to a puddle of sludge.

The administration planned to reclaim it and turn it into a parking lot, but the youth chamber and the citizens stood up and brought it back to its current beauty!

Thanks to that, Shiga has the Hachiman bori and the canal today.

Nowadays, Hachimanbori has been selected as one of the first important national sceneries, and has developed into a highlight of Omi tourism that is used for movie locations and weddings.

Please come to “Hachimanbori,” which has been exposed to a new light for more than 400 years!

After passing through the big torii of Himure Hachiman-gu Shrine and crossing the Haku-un Bridge, there are many shops and Japanese sweets shops that are popular for their baumkuchen, and the area is very crowded with tourists!

Japanese all know “Tobita-kun”, the boy who jumped out of the way.

Here in the Hachiman bori area, you can see many kinds of “Tobita-kun”.

The “Tobidashi Tobita” originated in Higashiomi City, which is next to Omihachiman City, and “Tobita-kun” in various costumes can be seen here and there around Hacchobori.

The photo is a “Tobita-kun” of old merchant style.

“Tobita-kun” holding an eel.

There are various “tobita-kun” such as “the boatman Tobita”, so please try to find them.

The “Ship of Wish Come True” is the slowest ride in Japan!

There are several boats on the Hachiman bori Tour, but the only one that uses an old-fashioned paddle boat is the “Ship of Wish Come True(Negai joju no Fune in Japanese)”.

Boarding ticket at “Gallery Space Shinmachi-hama” in Shinmachi-hama.

Hachiman City is famous for its Hachiman-gawara (roof tiles), and there are tile objects at the entrance to the gallery.

Also, when you buy a ticket, please use the Pochi bag with a five-yen coin when you visit “Onegai Jizo-sama”.

Gather again at the ticket office 10 minutes before the boarding time, and be guided by the boatman to the boarding area near the Meiji Bridge.

The wide stone steps seen in the photo were used as a unloading area for ships.

The Japanese boats used are small rowing boats that can hold six or four people.

As the boatman paddles the oars, he explains in detail the history of the Hachimanbori and the birds and plants that live in the area.

The creak of the tower and the sound of water.

You can enjoy a 35-minute boat ride with the light shining in the ripples on the water, cherry blossoms and irises in spring, small water plants and fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in autumn.

It’s sure to help you relax and forget about the hustle and bustle of life!

Enjoy the streets of the trade town of Omihachiman from a boat!

Around the Meiji Bridge, you can enjoy an emotional view of the old-fashioned merchant houses and white-plastered, blackboard-walled warehouses of the Hachimanbori from a boat.

“Hachiman bori” continues to have an emotional atmosphere, but the reason why it is still able to enjoy such a beautiful landscape is because of the steady cleaning work of local residents.

A moat with no water flow can quickly become stagnant, and if left unchecked, it can give off a bad smell, so they drain the water and clean it every year.

When you put that in your mind and look at the scenery, it makes you feel even more impressed!

A rowing boat is operated by a boatman who paddles a single oar.

The length of the oar is about 4 meters.

The rhythm of the paddling and the comfortable swaying of the paddling will make you feel like you’re in a daze…

Please be careful not to miss the beautiful scenery.

By the way, the boat trip in a rowing boat takes about 35 minutes, but it may take longer depending on the weather and conditions, so please allow plenty of time for your trip.

Also, good to take a leisurely stroll along the Hachiman bori

Near the shrine gate of Himure Hachiman, the stone-paved lanes around the Shirakumo Bridge and Meiji Bridge are beautiful, and it is recommended to stroll around after a boat trip.

The sunlight filtering through the trees along the moat is gentle even in the hot summer, so you can forget about your hectic life and heal from the bottom of your heart.

The photo shows a small shopping mall called “Hachiman bori Stone-Tatami no Koji“.

This is a new tourist commercial facility that has been recreated as a traditional townhouse(machiya), with a line of shops such as Sennaritei (Omi beef), Kimura (sweetfish shop) and a variety of small goods.

This is Sukiyaki at Sennaritei, located in Ishidatami no Koji.

You can find them at the restaurant on the second floor, but on the first floor you can also find croquettes and processed Omi beef products that are perfect for souvenirs.

Omihachiman, a town you want to visit again

We introduced “Hachiman bori”, which is the slowest ride in Japan, a paddle boat ride.

In Omihachiman City, you can also enjoy boat trips, such as a trip on a houseboat with an engine.

There are also many recommended spots such as a stroll along Shinmachi-dori, the Omi merchant street, so please visit.

This information is as of November 2019.

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Let's See Charms of Ninja at "Ninja Village" in KokaLocated in Koka-City, Shiga-Prefecture, "Ninja Village" is an amusem...

Shigaraki Railway is the third sector railway, 14.7km long, connecting Shigaraki Station in Shigaraki, the pottery city famous for “Shigaraki pottery”, one of Japan’s six ancient kilns, to Kibugawa Station, the connection station between JR Kusatsu Line and Omi Railway.

From the train window, passengers can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons, such as fresh greenery and autumn leaves, which soothes the mind of the passengers, and “rice field art” can be enjoyed depending on the season.

Why don’t you enjoy a 24-minute train ride on the Shigaraki Railway, which runs through the beautiful nature?

Shigaraki Station, the first station of Shigaraki Railway

Shigaraki Station, the first station of the Shigaraki Railway, is the only manned station on the Shigaraki Line.

There is a two-way, two-sided, two-track platform, and passengers only use the platform on the station building side to get on and off.

In front of the station, there is a large raccoon dog, about 5 meters high, that greets visitors.

You will also be dressed in seasonal costumes.

A variety of railway goods are available at the station’s kiosk.

We recommend the “rail objet” that looks like a “rail that doesn’t fall” or “rail that didn’t fall” that would please students taking entrance exams and the “lucky ticket” to bring happiness that was prayed for at Shingu Shrine in Shikaraki Ichinomiya.

On the other side of the platform, which is connected to the railway crossing, there are many raccoon dogs, which are famous for Shigaraki, lined up in a row.

The Dai-Ichi Otogawa River Bridge, a must-see for railway fans

On the platform of Shigaraki Railway, a Shigaraki-yaki raccoon dog is placed to give passengers a charming appearance.

The photo shows Gyokukeijimae Station, the closest station to Gyokukeji Temple.

A 3-minute walk from Gyokukeijimae Station, the Dai-Ichi Otogawa River Bridge is locate.

It is the first full-fledged prestressed concrete (PC) bridge in Japan built in 1954, which is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan.

Gyokukeijimae Station is also the closest station to the Hora Suspension Bridge, which is a recommended photo spot for Shigaraki Railway.

The suspension bridge is narrow, so be careful not to disturb other passersby when taking pictures.

Shigaraki Railway’s oldest “Kumoi Station” and former Ise “Hikumo Shrine”.

The station building of the Shigaraki Railway’s Kumoi Station is the only one left since the Shigaraki Line opened in 1933 (Showa 8).

The quaint wooden station building has been used for filming dramas and other events.

Located about a 5 minute walk from Kumoi Station, Hikumo Shrine is a rare shrine where the Shigaraki Railway tracks cross the approach to the shrine and the torii.

What’s more, the level crossing is a “Class 4 level crossing” that is no alarms or cut-offs, so some people may feel the scenery of good old Japan.

The origin of the shrine is said to be the “Koka Hikumo Shrine” at former-Ise, where the fourth emperor’s daughter “Yamato Hime-no-mikoto” of the 11th Emperor Taruhito traveled from Yamato to seek the shrine of Amaterasu-omikami and stayed there for four years.

The main hall, built in 1691 (Genroku 4), has been designated a tangible cultural property by the government.

In the solemn atmosphere of the old shrine, you will be able to think in the past.

The photo shows the wrapping train “SHINOBI-TRAIN” SKR No. 312, which passes through the level crossing of Hikumo Shrine like a “ninja run”.

The 2019 “Ushikai Rice Field Art”

The “Rice Field Art” is a series of giant pictures and letters made from different colors of rice, using the rice paddies as a canvas.

The “USHIKAI Rice Field Art” is carried out by local people in the rice paddies of Ushikai, Mizuguchi-cho, Koga City, with the hope that “more people will ride the Shigaraki Railway“, and 2019 will be the fifth year of the event.

In 2019, the event is tied in with the biggest music event in Shiga Prefecture, the Inazuma Rock Fes, which will feature the Inazuma Rock logo and an illustration of Tabo-kun, the official character of the Inazuma Rock Fes, on the rice paddies.

The rice field art can be seen from inside the train from Shigaraki to Kibugawa in about 12 minutes from Shigaraki-gushi Station in the direction of travel

And from Kibugawa to Shigaraki in about 2 minutes from Kibugawa Station in the direction of travel, on the left.

The last stop, Kibugawa Station, is a hub for the Shigaraki Railway, the JR Kusatsu Line, and the Omi Railway’s Mizuguchi and Komono Lines.

There are no Shigaraki Railway ticket booths at Kiiokawa Station, so you have to pay for your ticket on board.

USHIKAI Rice Field Art can also be visited on foot from Kibugawa Station.

However, it only looks flat, not three-dimensional.

You can see that the rice field art is viewed from inside the train.

It is forbidden to enter the railroad tracks.

Introducing a great deal on tickets!

How did you like it?

Here are some of the best deals on Shigaraki Railway tickets.

One is the “Rice Field Art Free Ride Ticket (1 day ticket)”, which costs 920 yen and is limited to the day of use and you can ride as many times as you like on Shigaraki Railway.

However, they are not sold in the train, so if you take the train from Kibugawa Station, you should take the train to Shigaraki Station and buy it at Shigaraki Station.

Please take this opportunity to enjoy a trip on the Shigaraki Railway.

This information is current as of July 2019.

20 Sightseeing Spots of Shiga PrefectureRecommended must-see sightseeing spots when you visit to Shiga! O...

MAP

The houses are all around 100 years old and historic.

Jiyujin Inc. and Taniguchi Kourten, the artisan of Shiga, have reborn them into the modern age with the pursuit of design and comfort.

What is the meaning of the name “Shopping Street Hotel” and how the dormant, empty townhouses were reborn.

SEKAI HOTEL, A Whole Town is Hotelized to Experience Japan, OsakaRecently, many of tourism service developments are taken place, bein...

I’ll show you all about it in a nutshell!

What is a Shopping Street Hotel?

Shuttered shopping streets have become a problem throughout Japan.

In order to revive them again, Hotel koo was born in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.

Seven vacant machiya houses scattered around the shopping arcade have been renovated and reborn as machiya hotels that combine design and functionality and are comfortable for people living in the modern world.

The hotel is integrated with the shopping district, and by staying there, you can learn about the food and other things in the shopping district, which is the role of transmitting information about the shopping district.

The front desk, “Omiya”, is located along the old Tokaido Highway.

You can see similar townhouses here and there, some of which have been registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties.

In the lounge, there’s an espresso machine, herbal water, and homemade cookies kneaded with Asamiya tea from Nakagawa Seimori-do, a long-established tea shop in the shopping district, so you take a break while checking in.

I’m glad they offer free beer and other alcohol after the evening!

Luxurious stay in a single building in a suite!

The best thing about the Hotel Koo is that all the buildings are suites, so the more people you have, the less you have to pay.

The five buildings – Maruya, Kagiya, Kojiya, Man-ya, and Suzuya – are scattered around the arcades of the shopping district.

Kagiya is located in an alley behind Omiya along the old Tokaido Highway, and Kojiya is in an alleyway next to a shopping arcade.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t take much time to get to Omiya from each building, as the shopping street runs parallel to the one side of the old Tokaido.

While the house is a good old-fashioned townhouse with latticed windows and earthen walls intact, all kinds of building materials such as frosted glass with retro patterns, old wood and stucco are used in a stylish way to make it comfortable for modern people who are used to convenience.

The plank flooring is so comfortable on bare feet that you want to feel its warmth and feel its texture, so much so that you want to spend time barefoot without slippers or socks.

The furniture is mainly from Scandinavian designers and companies such as “Fin Yule” and “Nana Ditzel”.

Once you actually use it, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to use as well as how well designed it is.

In addition, by using the space well, such as the atrium, it is made to feel more spacious even though it is only 75.4 to 99.9m2.

All bedrooms have twin beds, and the capacity can be increased to four or five guests by putting futons in the Japanese-style room.

There are two toilets on the first and second floors, so even a large number of people can rest easy.

For travelers who want to stay in a townhouse at a reasonable price

For those who want to stay in a machiya at a more reasonable price, not all suites are luxurious, there are hotel-style rooms in which a spacious machiya is divided into guest rooms.

This is the front building, “Omiya”, and the second building, “Chaya”, which is next to the front building and has 8 rooms.

Both wings have their own lounges, so you can always enjoy a freshly brewed latte or espresso.

”Chaya” is also an attractive place where you can look out over the Japanese garden created by Hisaya Ogino, who is proud of his many achievements in Kyoto.

And since both houses are built along the old Tokaido Highway, you can enjoy the powerful Hikiyama(a Floats drawn during the festival) from the guest room with a view of the highway during the “Otsu Festival,” a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural asset.

Meals can be tailored to suit each travel style

The restaurant is on the first floor of the “Omiya” in the front building, but dinner will not be served until after April 2019, so you can’t eat in the facility yet.

In the meantime, you’ll be eating at Japanese cooking restaurants around the shopping district.

Ask them when you check in, and they’ll introduce you to a recommended restaurant according to your wishes and budget, such as Omi beef.

There are also a lot of popular restaurants, so it’s definitely better to ask them to make reservations when you check in.

You can have breakfast at the Omiya restaurant.

Specify your desired time in 30 minute increments from 8:30am.

It’s the latest from 10:00, so if you want to relax, you can sleep over.

The content focuses on traditional Omi side dishes such as raw yuba and red konnyaku.

Of course, it’s all organically grown ingredients cooked in an uncured style.

Hojicha ochazuke with eel and plenty of condiments has a relaxing taste.

It warms you up from the belly and wakes you up.

One option is to eat breakfast at a shop in the shopping district rather than at Omiya.

I especially recommend the fruit sandwiches and avocado sandwiches from Maruni Fruit Shop, which has been in business since the beginning of the Taisho era.

It’s a warm, nostalgic flavor.

You can also rent a townhouse with a kitchen (bring your own condiments or buy them in the neighborhood), so you can stay overnight and cook for yourself.

The shopping street has everything from a grocery store to a butcher’s shop, and there is also a supermarket where you can get most of the things you need.

How about shabu-shabu for dinner with Omi beef from Gen-sanso Honten, one of the best-established butcher shops in Shiga Prefecture?

Let’s discover the charm of Otsu that only you can!

If you notice, you can feel the history here and there in Otsu.

For example, Kofudo Kanpo, which is famous for its manjuu (steamed bun) across from Maruya.

Around the shopping arcade, there are many old establishments established in Edo and Meiji period, such as Hirai Shoten, a sake brewery, and Yaoyo, a pickles shop designated by the Imperial Household Agency.

Also, the first shop of the nationally famous “Kano Shojuan” is actually located right by the shopping street.

Kano Shojuan’s sweets, “Amo”.Sweets wrapped in sweet azuki beans

Sonjo-ji Temple, the head temple of the Tendai sect, is also well known as “Mitsui-ji Temple”.

It’s a little far on foot, but it takes about 10 minutes by train or 15 minutes by the Keihan bus.

Lake Biwa is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Otsu, but there are actually many other things to see and do in the city.

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“Hotel Koo” is also the best place for sightseeing in Kyoto!

How was “Shopping Street Hotel Koo“?

It takes 10 minutes to JR Kyoto Station (2 stations) and about 9 minutes on foot from JR Otsu Station to the “Omiya” in the front building.

In addition, the Kyoto’s Subway Tozai Line is connected to the Keihan-Kyoto Line, a streetcar running next to the shopping area, making it easy to get to Sanjo!

The nearest stations are “Biwako Hamaotsu” and “Kamisakae-cho”, both of which are about a 5-6 minute walk from each building.

In other words, it’s also a great hotel for sightseeing in Kyoto or for business trips to Kyoto!

By all means, please stay at “Shopping Street Hotel Koo” and find your own unique trip.

This information is current as of September 2018.

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There are facilities, including ninja house that is full of Japanese traditional mechanical devices, a pond of Mizugumo (ninja water-walking shoes), and a dojo (training hall) of throwing stars.

If playing wearing a rental costume, you can also soak in ninja or “Kunoichi (female ninja)” feelings.

Why don’t you enjoy the world of Koka ninja that all ages from children to adults can enjoy?

“Karakuri (Japanese traditional mechanical devices) house” and “Ninja Museum”

Koka-ryu style is the one of the most famous styles of ninja art, alongside with Iga-ryu style that is located in a place separated by a mountain.

And it is a general term of a school of ninja art style that is inherited in the region of Koka of Omi Province.

As the center of Koka-ryu style ninja art, ”Koka fifty-three families” were local samurai fifty-three families in Koka, and they formed the self-governing organization that was called as “Kokagun Chusou”.

Unlike Iga-ryu style managed with a hierarchical relationship, they managed various decision making and problem solving by a council system.

“Ninja Village in Koka” is a hidden village that is surrounded with wild forest of the foot of Suzuka-yama mountain, and as there is no place where can overview the whole village, it emits indeed atmosphere of Ninja village.

When you enter the village, let’s try going firstly to “Karakuri (Japanese traditional mechanical devices) house” and “Ninja Museum”.

You can hear the detailed explanation of staffs who wrapped themselves with ninja costumes.

“Karakuri (Japanese traditional mechanical devices) house” is a folk house of about 180 years ago that was the former Fujibayashi family, which was dismantled and was reconstructed in a different place.

Fujibayashi-clan is also known as an editor of “the Bansenshukai (the book of ninja)”, which is the most famous as a manual of ninja art.

Inside of the “Karakuri house”, there are many karakuri, including a complete reversal, a pitfall, and hidden stairs.

“Collection of ladders” of Ninja Museum Is the Masterpiece

“Ninja Museum” is a house of the former Okada family, which was reconstructed in a different place.

The Okada family served to Oki-clan, which was the one of the Koka twenty-one families.

As the Koka twenty-one families was the most trusted amongst the Koka fifty-three families that they received kanjo letters (letters commending distinguished achievements in a battle) from Sasaki Rokkaku-clan, who was the former lord.

The age of the house is thought as late Edo Period, and it transmits the representing style of folk houses of Koka.

The highlight at Ninja Museum is the exhibit of “climbing tools” that were used when ninja climbed up on a castle wall and a stone fence, etc.

Ninja used various kinds of ladders, including “a knotted ladder”, “a long ladder”, and “a winding ladder”.

Especially, a knotted ladder is a superb tool, which can be disassembled in pieces when they carry, and which can be reassembled easily wherever just with ropes and woods.

A winding ladder can be carried in compact style together with other goods as it can be folded, and its style is applied even today to some “a fire escape rope ladder”.

A manual of ninja art “the Bansenshukai (the book of ninja)” is also exhibited

Often, in a period drama of ninja, there depicts the combats over the manuals, but the information cannot be easily stolen from the scrolls, as the secret heart of ninja art, etc. is transmitted by the oral tradition.

Also, “the Bansenshukai (the book of ninja)”, which is said as the one of the three major secret books, alongside with “Seininki (True Path of the Ninja)” and “Ninpiden”, is the manual of ninja art that was written in the coded messages.

Let’s Transform to Koka Ninja with “A Rental Costume”

At the recommended spot for photo shooting, there is “a hand of the great image of Buddha”.

It is the hand of the great Buddha, which was used in the filming location of “the great Buddha hall on fire” in “Iga Ninpocho” of Kadokawa Pictures.

At “Ninja Village in Koka”, there is also “a rental costume”, with which you can transform to ninja.

Fees of the rental costume are 700 Yen for children and 1100 Yen for adults.  Hoods are 200 Yen separately.

After changed to a ninja costume, let’s try shooting photos, forming a hand seal of “Ninja pose”.

By the way, “ninja costume” is said generally as black, but originally it is thought as an intermediate color like reddish brown.

Also, there are attached eight to ten pockets of big and small, and ninja concealed and carried a blinding spray and a throwing star in these pockets.

“Ninja Dojo(Training Hall)” that You Can Experience For Free

What you can experience with free of charge is “Ninja Dojo”.

There are nine barriers, which are a pond of Mizugumo (ninja water-walking shoes), a well with a hidden through passage, a walk on a bridged tree trunk, a climbing up on a steep, a tightrope walking, a walk along the wall, a walk sideways along the fence, going over the fence, and climbing up the stone fence.

When you clear all the barriers, you will be given a scroll of “ninja full proficiency license”.

At the popular water-walking device “an art of Mizugumo”, you will soak till your shins in the water, so you would be better to roll up the pants hems.

At “an art of Mizugumo”, it is important to go forward slowly and not to rush.

If you fail, you will completely soak in the water, so please prepare change of clothes for sure.

Where you can enjoy throwing stars of real size is Koka-ryu style “dojo of throwing stars.”

You can experience feeling the real weight.

A fee for challenge is 300 Yen for eight throws.

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“Sarutobi Sasuke”, one of the Sanada Ten Braves, was Koka ninja

“Shinobi-jinja Shrine” is a shrine where enshrined ninja who passed away without a fame.  Daikokuten (Daikoku Sama) is enshrined in its front.

It is built in early Edo Period, and it is Koka Daikokuten that is said as the Japan’s number one of wooden made.

It brings luck, including prosperity of business, , success and good luck in life, and also good marriage.

Let’s worship there by all means.

Near Shinobi-jinja Shrine, there is the monument of “the birth place of Sarutobi Sasuke” of Koka ninja, also the one of Sanada Ten Braves.

Although Sarutobi Sasuke is an imaginary person, it is also said that Kozuki Sasuke, Shimotsugeno Kizaru, was a model.

For souvenirs, various kinds of throwing stars and ninja swords, etc. are recommended.

By the way, the former Fujibayashi house (karakuri ninja house) and the former Okada house (Koka Ninja Museum) of “Ninja Village in Koka” were accredited as “The Villages of Secret Arts -The Real Ninja of Iga and Koga-” of Japan Heritage in 2017 as the composition of cultural treasure.

When you visited to Koka, why don’t you try playing in the world of Koka ninja at “Ninja Village in Koka”, the ninja’s amusement park?

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Basic information of Ninja Village in Koka

Retro station and rice field art! Shigaraki Railway's JourneyShigaraki is located in Koka city in Shiga prefecture. https://ja...

Address: 394 Oki, Koka-Town, Koka-City, Shiga-Prefecture

Admissions: Adults 1100 Yen, Junior high and High school students 900 Yen, Children 800 Yen, Toddlers 600 Yen

Opening hours: 10AM to 4PM (Varies depending on seasons/ To check opening hours, please call at 0748-88-5000.)

Access: Free shuttle services available from the north exit of Koka station of JR Kusatsu Line

Please check and confirm the latest information on the official website.

In Shiga Prefecture, there is a cherry blossoms viewing spot where will be the best season during such a period.

It is the “MIHO MUSEUM”, located in mountains of Koka-City.

Cherry blossoms of MIHO MUSEUM is glamorous, and especially when you view them from inside of a tunnel, it is fantastic!

Why don’t you try enjoying the last cherry blossom viewing in Kansai at MIHO MUSEUM?

MIHO MUSEUM is For the Last Cherry Blossoms in Kansai

MIHO MUSEUM is the art museum located in mountains of Shigaraki-Town, Koka-City, Shiga-Prefecture.

It opened in 1997 for the purpose of storing and exhibiting the collection of Mihoko Koyama, who is the founder of the spiritual organization, Shinji Shumeikai.

Actually, this MIHO MUSEUM is known as the one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots of Shiga Prefecture in spring, and as you can see here, in every year, during the season of cherry blossom blooming, there are crowded with many cherry blossom viewing tourists.

In addition, as Shigaraki-Town where MIHO MUSEUM is located is surrounded by mountains, the spring arrives later than to other regions.

So, you can still fully enjoy cherry blossoms here even when the best season finished in the plain region.

The best season of cherry blossoms of MIHO MUSEUM is from middle through late April.

Please indulge yourself by all means with cherry blossoms that bloom at the very last in Kansai.

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The main building of MIHO MUSEUM is located in the place where is further beyond one mountain from the reception building that is attached to the car parking.

As a result, it is necessary that all the visitors have to walk along the road that leads from the reception building to the main building.

But, as there are planted many cherry blossom trees along the road, these make eyes of visitors enjoy.

The Fantastic View From A Tunnel

When you proceed the road that leads to the main building, you will see a tunnel that goes through the mountainside.

You will then walk through this long tunnel to the main building.

When you entered to the tunnel, please look back from inside of the tunnel to the direction where you came from.

You can view the fantastic landscape as you see here.

This landscape is one of the points to see of MIHO MUSEUM.

So, many tourists enjoy viewing from inside of the tunnel.

Cherry blossoms Are Beautiful Even When Started Falling

For those who visit during when cherry blossoms started falling, please look also at roots of cherry blossom trees.

All around there are growing mosses naturally, and uncountable petals of cherry blossoms are scattering on these.

Such a sight is also beautiful.

If you shoot photos together with stepping stones, stepping stones become a good accent.

If you are a camera-fan, please try shooting a photo from each angle of your thoughts.

Views From An Electric Vehicle of MIHO MUSEUM

At MIHO MUSEUM, there always operates an electric vehicle between the reception building and the main building.

It takes just about 10 minutes by walk to the main building, but if you say that it is a bit hard for me to walk….., let’s ride on an electric vehicle.

As the running route of the electric vehicle is the same route as of walking, you can view relaxed and slowly the line-up cherry blossom trees, while sitting at ease.

It may be a good plan differently as walking when going and using the electric vehicle when returning.

Of course, as it is a place where is surrounded with natural fields and mountains, you can also view flowers of seasons, including torch azaleas besides cherry blossoms.

The Main Building of MIHO MUSEUM

After passing through the tunnel, there appears a big suspension bridge that crosses over deep valleys.

After crossed over it, you reach to the main building finally.

Let’s visit to also the main building after enjoy cherry blossoms.

The designer of the main building is Ieoh Ming Pei, a Chinese-American architect.

He is an architect who designed the glass pyramid that situated in front of the Louvre Museum.

The ceiling that put together complexed and the frames of walls show the distinctive interior, and in addition to lined-up cherry blossom trees, the constructive design of the main building and the in-building exhibitions that are collected from all over the world are worth seeing.

How did you like it?

As it is the cherry blossoms of the art museum, it is very thankful that you can enjoy these together with the collections.

It is also a good point that you can enjoy once again cherry blossoms in full-bloom, which already finished blooming in the plain region, isn’t it?

Please enjoy the last cherry blossoms in Kansai at MIHO MUSEUM.

Information of MIHO MUSEUM

Address: 300 Tashiro Momodani, Shigaraki-Town, Koka-City, Shiga Prefecture

Access:About 15 minutes from JR Kyoto Station.

Then, catch Teisan Bus number 150.

About 50 minute ride by a bus from JR Ishiyama station

* The best season of cherry blossoms is from middle of April through late April.

Please check and confirm the latest information at the official website.

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Other than classics, there are also hidden sightseeing spots that are known only among locals!

Not only Lake Biwa!  Shiga Has Many Sightseeing Spots

Shiga Prefecture expands as if surrounding Lake Biwa.

There are numerous spots scattered round, which gather high attention even among in Japan, including “Hikone-jo Castle” of the national treasure, and “Hieizan Enryakuji Temple” of UNESCO World Heritage.

Besides spots like “Kurokabe Square” that utilizes historical constructions and the good-old “Suigo Meguri Omihachiman (Boat Tour on Omihachiman Moat)”, there are lined up with popular spots among young generation, including “The Biwako Terrace”, a mountain resort that overlooks Lake Biwa,  and “La Collina Omihachiman”, a complex facility that gathers attention.

If you visit around not just classic spots but also hidden sightseeing spots, you can surely fully enjoy the broad appeals of Shiga!

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple / Otsu City

“Hieizan Enryakuji Temple”, the head temple of Tendai sect, was opened by Dengyo Daishi, Saicho.

It consists of three towers and sixteen valleys, and there are several hundreds of temple halls and buildings scattered around.

It is also a scenic spot, where you can view Lake Biwa under your eyes and where in west you can overlook townscape of the old Capital Kyoto, and it is registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, with being highly regarded the history and tradition of 1200 years.

Cable cars and driveways are well developed among Hieizan Mountains, so you can easily enjoy observing the temples of course, and also walking in the nature and exploring historical sites.

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The Biwako Valley, The Biwako Terrace / Otsu City

“The Biwako Valley” is located where you go riding on the superb view ropeways to the summit of 1,100 meter elevation.

Next to that summit station, “the Biwako Terrace” was opened in 2016, where you can fully enjoy the superb view of Lake Biwa.

From the terrace of wooden deck, you can overlook the Japan’s number one lake from south to north, so it is so popular among ladies as you can shoot instagrammable photos!

At cafes and restaurants, you can enjoy dishes and original desserts used products particularly of Shiga Prefecture, and there are fulfilled with activities, including Zip Line Adventure, adventure play grounds, and dog run parks.

It is opened as a ski resort in winter, and you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding, while viewing the superb view of Lake Biwa.

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Hikone-jo Castle / Hikone City

The castle was completed by Naotsugu and Naotaka, who inherited the last wishes of Naomasa, the founder, over for nearly 20 years of time.

It is designated as the national treasure, together with Himeji-jo Castle, Matsumoto-jo Castle, Inuyama-jo Castle, and Matsue-jo Castle.

Inside the castle, there are still existing the same appearances of that time, including the castle tower of three layers of chalk, corner towers of the importance cultural treasure, Genkyuen Park as a garden of suburban residences, and an inner moat and an intermediate moat.

The houseboat tour around on the moats is also one of popular attractions.

Ishiyama-dera Temple / Otsu City

“Ishiyama-dera Temple”, the 13th holy site of the Saikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

* The pilgrimage of thirty-three temples dedicated to Kannon (the deity of compassion) scattered around the Saikoku (west Japan) region.

It is the temple of Kannon faith, miraculous for easy delivery of a child, for fortune-happiness and prosperity, and for good marriage.

In the spacious temple ground, there are numerous temple halls built on wollastonite that is the natural monument, which is the origin of the temple name (The name of “Ishi” means a stone.  Since wollastonite is stones, it is the origin of name of “Ishi”.), and there are lined up in the landscape with the main temple building that is the national treasure, and two-story pagodas, etc., and these harmonize with nature.

It is also known as the place where Murasaki-Shikibu started writing “Genji Monogatari“, and is also famous for the scenic place of plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and the moon.

* Genji Monogatari: The Tale of Genji (a classic work of Japanese literature written by Murasaki-Shikibu.)

Oumi Jingu Shrine / Otsu City

“Oumi Jingu Shrine” is the shrine where Emperor Tenji (626 to 672), who built Capital Otsu-kyo, is enshrined.

It also has the history as the origin place of time-system of Japan.

As it was said that the Emperor Tenji, who set roukoku (water clock), announced the time for the first time to nationals, June 10th has been enacted as “the Time Day”.

On June 10th, “Roukoku-sai Festival”, to which gather people related with clocks and watches of nationwide, is held.

At a corner of the shrine ground, there are also “Oumi Jingu Shrine Clock and Treasure Museum”, where exhibit clocks of in and outside of Japan and treasures collected at Oumi Jingu Shrine.

Also, Emperor Tenji left the tanka-poem at the beginning of “Ogura Hyakunin-isshu (the Ogura Anthology of One Hundred Tanka-poems by One Hundred Poets)”.

As the result, Oumi Jingu Shrine is also called as “Karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards) hall of fame”.

There have been held tournaments of competition for Japan’s number one Karuta championship, and it is also popular as the sacred place of “Chihayafuru” that became also a movie.

* Tanka-poem by Emperor Tenji:

Coarse the rush-mat roof

Sheltering the harvest-hut

Of the autumn rice-field;

And my sleeves are growing wet

With the moisture dripping through.

– Quoted from “University of Virginia Library Japanese Text Initiative, Ogura Hyakunin Isshu 100 Poems by 100 Poets”

Hachiman-bori boat cruise / Omi Hachiman City

“Suigo Meguri (boat tour on moat)”, the specialty of Omihachiman sightseeing and one of eight famous sites of Lake Biwa.

It is said that it started by imitating graceful play of imperial court for healing fatigue in the Sengoku world by Nobunaga Oda and Hidetsugu Toyotomi.

You will tour around by a houseboat the moats, where reed colonies and farms and fields show expressions by four seasons.

There are several boat companies, and besides four places of Kitanosho-Town, Maruyama-Town, Shirao-Town, and Nakanosho-Town, there is also Osugi-Town boat boarding place that tours around Hachiman-bori moat, the famous place.

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Azuchi-jo Caslte Ruins / Omi Hachiman City

In the Tensho 4 (1576), Nagahide Niwa completed the Azuchi-jo Castle over with about three years by an order by Nobunaga Oda.

After Nobunaga was defeated at the incident of Honnoji Temple, it was burnt out together with the castle town, and today, stone walls and base stones remind of looks of that time.

It is located on the top of Azuchi-yama Mountain of about 200 meter elevation, and it takes about 25 minute walk to the tower castle ruins from the entry point of mountain.

In the castle ruins, there remain so-told samurai residence ruins of Hideyoshi Hashiba and of Toshiie Maeda.

Kurokabe Square/ Nagahama City

“Kurokabe(black wall) Square” is an area with characteristics of good-old elegant townscape, along Hokkoku Kaido Road.

With its center of “Kurokabe 1 go kan/ Kurokabe Glass Shop”, which was utilized the building of Dai-hyaku-sanju-ginko bank, Nagahama branch, which was built in the Meiji 33, there are lined up with about 30 facilities, including glass shops, galleries, glass workshops, experience classes, restaurants and cafes.

It is a charm that you can also enjoy experiencing glass workshops, including blown glass and stained glass.

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Lake Biwa Museum / Kusatsu City

“Lake Biwa Museum” is an experiencing style museum, where you can learn history of Lake Biwa and relationship between people and living things, with the theme of “people and the lake”.

It is proudly one of the largest classes in Japan as exhibits of living things of fresh water.

The tunnel aquarium of fresh water fish, the real-size diorama that reproduced the state around the lake in ancient times, and Baikal seals that you can see only in here, are must-sees.

Also, you can taste black bass dishes and catfish dishes in a restaurant.

Taga Taisha Shrine / Taga Town

”Taga Taisha Shrine” is the number one taisha shrine of Shiga Prefecture, where enshrine Amaterasu Omikami and the parents, Izanagi No Mikoto and Izanami No Mikoto.

As Gods of long-lives, good marriages, and warding-off of evils, it has been worshiped by many people since the past, and is still loved with a common-name of “Otaga-san”.

It is said that faith of Hideyoshi Toyotomi was deep, and it is told that Taiko-bashi Bridge and Okushoin-teien Garden in the shrine ground was built by his dedication, with praying for healing sick of O-Mandokoro, his mother.

Lake Biwa Hana-Funsui (water fountains like flowers) / Otsu City

Located on the offshore breakwater of Otsuko Port, a gateway of Lake Biwa, it is the water fountains of the world’s largest class with 440 meter horizontal length.

It spouts up to the height of 40-meter, which is equivalent height of 10 stories building, while changing in various shapes by time.

After the sunset, it will be illuminated in three colors of green, orange and white, so it is also popular as a nightscape spot where you can enjoy romantic water shows.

La Collina Omihachiman / Omi Hachiman City

Since its establishment in 1872, “Taneya”, a confectionery maker, transmits always innovative and delicious Japanese western confectioneries to people, including baumkuchen of “CLUB HARIE”.

“La Collina Omihachiman” is a complex facility that consist of facilities of that Taneya group, including shops, cafes, and farms.

In the site reproduced the original landscape of Omi, there are lined up beautiful buildings, named as “Kusayane (thatched roof)” and “Kurihyappon (100 chestnut trees)”, which are designed by Mr. Terunobu Fujimoto, an architect.

MIHO MUSEUM / Koka City

”MIHO MUSEUM” was designed by Mr. I.M. Pei, who is known to the world for the glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum in Paris.

It also gathered attention of worldwide as “Louis Vuitton” held a show here in 2017.

The approach to the museum building is based on a motif of Arcadia world drawn by Tao Yuanming, a poet of the Eastern Jin dynasty.

Such approach leads you to go to the museum building, through a road of line-up weeping cherry blossom trees, a tunnel of shining in silver color, and a suspension bridge that crosses over a deep valley.

Besides it has permanent exhibitions of famous treasures of ancient art from Egypt, West, Central, and South Asia, China, and Japan, there are held special exhibitions by seasons.

MIHO MUSEUM of Cherry blossoms, Easy to Visit From KyotoThe season of cherry blossoms comes to an end during middle of throu...

Shigaraki Toen (Pottery Park), Tanuki-mura (raccoon dogs village) / Koka City

Shigaraki gathers attention as it is the stage of dorama in 2019 in Japan.

“Shigaraki Toen Tanuki-mura” is the village of Shigaraki pottery, where 10 thousand raccoon dogs welcome you, including a giant raccoon dog.

In the village, you can enjoy pottery experience, using potter’s wheel of full scale, and also, hand-builds and decorating experience.

And in addition, you can also enjoy observing a kiln, shopping, and dining, etc.

The electric potter’s wheel course of the most popular requires reservation.

It is also possible to make the raccoon dog of the good-old Shigaraki pottery.

Delicious dining of a clay pot rice that cooked in a clay pot of Shigaraki pottery is also charm. (Reservation needed)

To reserve a tour visit “yutour”.

Retro station and rice field art! Shigaraki Railway's JourneyShigaraki is located in Koka city in Shiga prefecture. https://ja...

Business hours

9AM to 5PM.  Opens everyday (Closed on or around the New Year’s Day)

Ukimi-do Hall / Otsu City

During the Heian Period, Genshin, Keishin Sozu of Hieizan Yokawa, with praying for traffic safety on the lake, built “Ukimi-do Temple”, the temple of Rinzai sect.

It is officially called as “Kaimonsan Mangetsuji Temple”, and inside of the Kannon-do Hall, there is rested the holy Kannon sitting statue, an important cultural treasure.

It is also famous as “Katata no Rakugan”, one of the eight scenic spots of Omi, and the beauty of Odo Hall, floating on the lake, has been loved by many painters and cultural people, including Basho Matsuo.

Also, Ogoto Onsen is close.

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Shirahige Jinja Shrine / Takashima City

“Shirahige Jinja Shrine” is the oldest shrine in Omi, which gathers attention as the vermilion‐lacquered big torii gate standing in the lake is a superb view.

Enshrined God is Sarutahiko no Mikoto, and it is known as God of good long lives, also worshiped as God of leading the way of all the people in the world, including good marriage, many children, good luck and fortune, success in study, traffic safety, and sailing safety.

During Reitai-sai Festival on September 5 and 6, names are given to those babies who became two years old by traditional Japanese system.  And “Naruko Mairi” will be held for praying babies’ growth of healthy and safely.

Metasequoia Namiki Avenue / Takashima City

About 500 Metasequoia trees are lined up along the avenue for about 2.4 kilometers.

It is now rapidly growing attention as a superb view spot.

The landscape, created by Metasequoia trees, of which height reach to some 12 meter, of cone shaped, and by the avenue extending straight, is also selected as “New-Japan’s most 100 beautiful avenues with trees” by Yomiuri Shimbun (the newspaper publisher).

The beauties by four seasons, including early summer of fresh green, deep green of summer, autumn leaves of autumn, and appearance of snow covered in winter, fascinate those who visit here.

The old halls of Toyosato Elementary School / Toyosato Town

These are the old halls of “Toyosato Elementary School”, designed by William Merrell Vories, an American architect.

In 1937 (the Showa 12), Mr. Tetsujiro Furukawa, who was a senior managing director of “Marubeni”, a trading company, and who was from Toyosato Town, donated them.

It was called as “the education halls of fame of chalky” and  “the best elementary school in the eastern world” at that time, and it is also registered as the national registered tangible cultural treasure.

In recent years, it achieved popularity as a sacred place of the animation film “K-ON!”, and it is also possible that you observe the school buildings.

Shiga Holy Land Pilgrimage to the Stage of K-ON!K-ON! is a four-frame manga by Kakifly that was adapted into an anim...

Shiga Nogyo Koen Blume no Oka (farm park) / Hino Town

While take good advantages of nature around Kitayama Hills, in the farm park “Blume no Oka“, villages of medieval Germany is reproduced.

In the flower field, the main facility, there bloom profusely flowers by four seasons, including mainly canola flowers in spring, sunflowers in summer, cosmos in autumn.

And you can also enjoy playing with grazed sheep and goats.

It is the spot where you can enjoy completely all day long with your families and couples as there are fulfilled with cooking experience of pizzas and cakes, etc., as well as with outdoor playing equipment.

Koka Ninja Village / Koka City

“Ninja Village” is the modern style of ninja village, located in Koka City, which is a ninja village, standing in a line with Iga.

In the site like a hidden village as used to be, there are scattered facilities, with the center at “Ninja Museum”, where introducing the real states of Koka samurai warriors by real tools and some references.

Such facilities are including a trick house, a pond of Mizugumo (ninja water-walking shoes), and a dojo (training hall) of throwing stars.

Wrapping actually your body with ninja costume, you can enjoy ninja experience, such as climbing up on the stone wall, and walking on the edge of a fence, and when you clear the nine barriers, you will be given a scroll of ninja full proficiency license.

There is no charge to experience ninja and there will be announce.

* May be canceled due to bad weather or congestion

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Shiga’s Attraction Map

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Lake Biwa SUP Experience and Shirahige Shrine Visit in Takashima

In fact, I live in Kyoto and sometimes go to Shiga, but the number of tourists are totally fewer.

Still, Shiga has good places like follows.

Let’s visit Shiga instead of visiting busy Kansai area.

Cycling Metasequoia Avenue

image by travelzaurus.com

Metasequoia avenue is in North part of Shiga where more than 500 of trees are standing.

The avenue continues for 2.4 kilometers.

The sight of avenue is simply overwhelming.

Since Japan has 4 seasons, the avenue changes its face in each season.

It’s worth to see in any season.

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The nearest station is JR Makino Station where it takes about 1 hour from JR

Kyoto Station.

From JR Makino Station, you can borrow bicycles.

It takes about 10 minutes to get metasequoia avenue by bicycle.

After that, just go through the avenue with the metasequoia.

Biwako Crusing

From Otsu Port, “Michigan Cruise” is leaving.

The name of the ship is from Michigan in America.

Since Shiga prefecture is friendship sister city with Michigan, the ship was named “Michigan Cruise” with hope to be a signal as international goodwill.

The theme of Michigan Cruise is “extraordinary”, so the interior of the ship attract you with thick and luxurious details such as carpets, chandeliers and doorknobs.

During the cruising which is 60, 80 and 120 minutes, stuff hold shows.

120 minutes course is night plan, so you can also night view of Biwako.

Lake Biwa Cruising Tour and Chikubu Island from Nagahama or Imazu Port

Please check it here(official site) for more infomation.

What to Do around Osaka CastleAlthough Osaka Castle is famous for tourist as a destination for tra...

Ogoto Onsen

image by fr-kansai.sblo.jp

Ogoto Onsen area is close to Kyoto:it takes 20 minutes by JR Train from Kyoto Station to Ogoto Onsen Station.

There are some hotels that have open-air bath with the room.

Soaking you body in a bath makes you forget the daily accumulated fatigue.

Note that there are sex trade shops area in Ogoto, so please avoid if you are with family.

Ogoto Onsen Hotels and Attractions In ShigaAlthough Shiga prefecture is next to Kyoto, not so many tourists vis...

Biwako Valley

image by travel.navitime.com

Biwako Valley’s nearest station is Shiga Station which is on Kosei line.

From Shiga Station, ropeway takes you to top of the mountain.

You can overlook Lake Biwa at the terrace since the it is at 1,100m above sea level.

There are activities in Biwako Volley too, so they would make you excited.

9 Attractions Of Biwako ValleyIf you love amusement parks or have kids that do, you should definit...

Summary

There are still many of amazing palces in Shiga that are not known by tourists.

It might be because the image of Shiga is weak.

Actually, many people wouldn’t think of tourist places when they are asked “what do you come up with about Shiga prefecture”.

Hope Shiga would be famous for tourism.

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