Held annually for 64 times since 1946, the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon is losing a major sponsor after March 1, 2009. Kyoto-based electronic parts maker ROHM Co., Ltd. has stated that it will no longer be a sponsor of the marathon after the 64th race on March 1, 2009. The company had shouldered about half the cost [...]
Posts under ‘Otsu’
Otsu Matsuri
Held on Oct. 11-12, 2008, this is another major float festival in Shiga where they display and pull ornate floats along the city streets. I went to see both the festival eve called Yoimiya when they display the floats on the streets at night. The floats are lit up with lanterns and musicians also play. [...]
Monkeys plague Sakamoto, Otsu
Wild Japanese monkeys have been invading residential areas in Sakamoto in western Otsu, making a mess of backyard gardens. Saikyoji temple’s cemetary is also a favorite spot for the monkeys where they eat flowers and edible offerings. The city of Otsu announced that they captured 29 of the monkeys by March 26, 2008. Based on [...]
Biwako Bunkakan shuts down on March 31, 2008
The Lake Biwa Cultural Museum (Biwako Bunkakan 琵琶湖文化館), shaped like a castle on the shore of Lake Biwa in Otsu, closed on March 30, 2008 after 47 years. Admission was free on the last day. The museum opened in 1961 and served as an art museum, centering on Buddhist art, and aquarium for lake fish. [...]
Millennium of the Tale of Genji
Otsu is celebrating the Millennium of the Tale of Genji 源氏物語千年紀 (Genji Monogatari Sennenki) with various exhibitions and events mainly at Ishiyama-dera temple from Mar. 18 to Dec. 14, 2008. An event venue called Genji Yume-kairo 源氏夢回廊 (main path leading to the temple entrance) at the temple has a few temple buildings holding various exhibitions related to [...]
New train station names in Otsu
Two train stations on the JR Kosei Line have been renamed: Nishi-Otsu Station (西大津駅) changed its name to “Otsu-kyo” 大津京駅 on March 15, 2008. This is an attempt to have people recognize that Otsu was once the capital of Japan. Ogoto Station (雄琴駅) changed its name to “Ogoto Onsen” おごと温泉駅 on March 15, 2008. This is an [...]
Event notice: Shiga ALT art exhibition at 琵琶湖文化館
Shiga’s Assistant Language Teachers (mainly English) are having an art exhibition at the Biwako Bunkakan. About 16 teachers are exhibiting paintings, photography, etc., during March 20-23, 2008. It is on the 1st floor of the museum. Hours: 9 am – 5 pm. Free admission. I also have my Lake Biwa Rowing Song pictures on display [...]
Governor Kada sings in English
なんと嘉田知事も飛び入りして英語版「琵琶湖周航の歌」を歌う！光栄でした。 On Oct. 20, 2007 (Sat.), an event called Umizukuri Boat Festa 湖づくりボートフェスタ was held. It was a dragon boat and canoe race between Otsu (near Ishiyama) and Ogoto. After the race ended, a mini concert featuring cute kids playing the よし笛 reed flute (made from reeds in Biwako) was held in Ogoto (Opal) [...]
Emperor and Empress visit Shiga
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Shiga Prefecture for the first time in 13 years during Nov. 10-13, 2007. The main reason was to attend the 27th Zenkoku Yutaka na Umizukuri Taikai (National Convention to Make Bountiful Oceans 第２７回全国豊かな海づくり大会) held in Otsu. On the first day, they visited a nursing home called Care Town Karasaki in [...]
Biwako Shimin Regatta
This coming Sunday, there will be a citizens’ regatta (rowing boat race) on Seta River near Seta Karahashi Bridge. It will be all day long from 9 am to 4 pm. Many rowing teams will race down the river for 250 meters. The 本部 (headquarters) will be on the east side of the river near [...]
Visited Otsu International Goodwill Association
During the past 2 weeks, I’ve been visiting most of Shiga’s cities to introduce our Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD to the local Boards of Education, international organizations, tourist associations, public libraries, etc. Today, I went to Otsu and visited the Otsu International Goodwill Association 大津市国際親善協会 for the first time. They have a very nice [...]
Seta Rowing Club
ボート体験教室 This past Sunday, I visited the Seta Rowing Club 瀬田漕艇倶楽部 near the Lake Biwa Rowing Course 琵琶湖漕艇場. They offer a 2-hour rowing lesson every Sunday during non-winter months. First they show you a video about rowing. Then they teach you how to use the rowing machine called “ergo.” Then we boarded a sleek race [...]
Otsu’s summer festivals
For the first time, I went to see the Otsu Natsu Matsuri last month. I was surprised to see the new Shiga Governor Yukiko Kada. I got a good picture of her dancing too: http://photoguide.jp/pix/displayimage.php?album=369&pos=13 I also went to see the Biwako Fireworks for the first time. I was very upset by the many barriers [...]