Shiga News – by Philbert Ono Rotating Header Image

Takashima

Heavy snowfall in Shiga

Feb 4th, 2012
by philbert.
No comments yet

Lake Yogo with deep snow.

Shiga and the Japan Sea Coast (especially Niigata Prefecture) got a heavy dump of snow during Feb. 2 and 3, 2012. Nagahama and Imazu (Takashima) in northern Shiga have gotten over 70 cm of snow. On Feb. 3, some 160 troops from the Ground Self-Defense Forces were dispatched to Imazu to help remove snow. The last time they dispatched military personnel for snow removal was 31 years ago in Jan. 1981.

On the morning of Feb. 3, people in central Nagahama, such as in Kurokabe Square, were busy shoveling snow. Maibara and Hikone also got a good amount of snow. Some 35 kindergartens and elementary and junior high schools in Nagahama and Maibara canceled classes on Feb. 3 due to hazardous roads. Meanwhile, 105 schools either delayed the start of classes or canceled afternoon classes.

Snowy and icy roads are also causing car accidents. During Feb. 2-3, about 300 accidents occurred mainly due to road slippage. Twenty-two people were injured. Higashi-Omi, Hikone, and Omi-Hachiman saw the most car accidents with 76, 63, and 50 accidents respectively.

People are also getting injured while shoveling snow off their rooftops or falling into roadside gutters hidden by the snow. Some agricultural greenhouses also collapsed under the snow, even as south as Kora town.

The snowfall’s peak is passing, but shinkansen trains are being delayed between Nagoya and Kyoto on Feb. 4.

Take extra precautions when traveling to or in Shiga. Be very careful when walking on icy surfaces. Beware of cars that cannot stop due to road slippage. And don’t forget about the Hong Kong flu that’s going around. A very high number of cases have been reported in neighboring Gifu, so take precautions especially for the kids and elderly. Stay safe this winter.

Email

Shiga fireworks in summer 2010

Jul 22nd, 2010
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

Here’s the fireworks (hanabi) schedule for Shiga Prefecture in summer 2010 listed by date:

July 17, 2010
Echigawa Gion Noryo Hanabi Taikai in Aisho, 7:30 pm – 9:20 pm
Along the Echigawa River bank near Miyukibashi Bridge. If rained out, to be postponed to July 18.
愛知川祇園納涼祭花火大会
More info: 愛荘町秦荘観光協会／愛荘町愛知川観光協会　TEL：0749-37-8051
http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~e-machi/new/hanabitaikai.html

July 24, 2010
Kashiwabara-juku Yaito Matsuri fireworks, 9 pm – 9:20 pm
Near JR Kashiwabara Station in Maibara.
柏原宿やいとまつり
More info: 中山道柏原宿やいと祭実行委員会　TEL：0749‐57‐0256
http://yaito.kashiharasyuku.com/

Aug. 1, 2010
Hikone Dai-Hanabi Taikai at Matsubara Beach, Hikone, 7:45 pm – 8:30 pm
30-min. walk from Hikone Station. If rained out, to be postponed to Aug. 4.
彦根大花火大会
More info: （社）彦根観光協会　Phone: 0749-23-0001
http://www.hikoneshi.com/event/?itemid=641

Ogoto Onsen Noryo Hanabi Taikai in Ogoto Port, 8 pm – 8:30 pm
20-min. walk from Ogoto Onsen Station. Fireworks can be seen from most ryokan in Ogoto.
おごと温泉納涼花火大会
More info: おごと温泉観光協会　Phone: 077-578-1650
http://www.ogotoonsen.com/sightseeing/hanabi/

Omi-Imazu Furusato Natsu Matsuri, 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Climax of Imazu’s summer festival starting from 1 pm.
近江今津ふるさと夏祭り　やっさ！今津！！２０１０
More info: 近江今津ふるさと夏まつり実行委員会事務局 Phone: 0740-22-2108
http://www.takashima-kanko.jp/new/20100620_613.html

Hachiman Tenbin Matsuri in Omi-Hachman, 7:30 pm
At Kitanoshosawa area. Shuttle buses provided.
八幡てんびんまつり
More info: 八幡てんびんまつり事務局　Phone: 0748-32-6654
http://tenbinmaturi.hp.infoseek.co.jp/

Aug. 5, 2010
Nagahama Kita-Biwako Hanabi Taikai at Nagahama Port, 7:30 pm
10-min. walk from Nagahama Station. Very crowded so go early to save a spot or pay 3,000 yen for special seating. If rained out, to be postponed to Aug. 9.
長浜・北びわ湖大花火大会
More info: 長浜市観光振興課　Phone: 0749-65-6521
http://nagahamashi.org/news/hanabi2010.html

Aug. 6, 2010
Biwako Dai-Hanabi Taikai at Hama-Otsu and Nagisa Park, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
This is the big one, but prime viewing areas all charge admission of about 4,000 yen (even for children above age 3). The free area is farther away and terribly crowded. People are no longer allowed to save a place with vinyl mats, etc., until the fireworks day. Would you believe people saved a viewing place on Nagisa Park as early as 2 weeks before the fireworks day? If rained out, to be postponed to Aug. 10.
びわ湖大花火大会
More info: びわ湖大花火大会実行委員会　TEL:077-511-1530
http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/hanabi/index.html

Aug. 7, 2010
Makino Summer Carnival at Makino Sunny Beach in Takashima
マキノサマーカーニバル２０１０
More info: 四季遊園マキノ交流促進協議会事務局　Phone: 0740-28-8002
http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/search/event_12577.html

Ujisato Matsuri Summer Gathering in Hino
Fireworks is the climax of this summer festival (bon dance, etc.) held in the northern parking lot of Hino Town Hall.
氏郷まつり「夏の陣」2010
More info: 日野町イベント実行委員会　Phone: 0748-52-6562
http://www.town.shiga-hino.lg.jp/contents_detail.php?co=cat&frmId=1386&frmCd=4-15-2-0-0

Kotonarie Summer Festa in Higashi-Omi’s Hibari Park
Part of an illumination festival.
コトナリエサマーフェスタ２０１０
More info: 東近江市湖東商工会　Phone: 0749-45-2571
http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/search/event_373.html

Aug. 9, 2010
Ishiyama-dera Sennichikai and Setagawa fireworks, 8:30 pm – 9 pm
Fireworks along the Seta River near Ishiyama-dera. 10-min. walk from Ishiyama-dera Station on the Keihan Line.
石山寺千日会と瀬田川に煌く炎のページェント
More info: （社）石山観光協会　Phone: 077-537-1105
http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/search/event_304.html

Aug. 16, 2010
Somagawa Natsu Matsuri near Kibukawa Station, Koka
Fireworks are part of the summer festival with taiko drummers and lantern floating on the river.
杣川夏まつり
More info: 甲賀市観光協会　Phone: 0748-65-0708
http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/search/event_301.html

Aug. 17, 2010
Setagawa River Hanabi Taikai at Seta River in Otsu, 7:50 pm – 9 pm
Near Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge. Short walk from Karahashi-mae Station on the Keihan Line. Fireworks will climax a waterborne festival on boats.
瀬田川花火大会
More info: 瀬田川流域観光協会　Phone: 077-537-1105
http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/search/event_303.html

Aug. 25, 2010
Kinomoto Jizo Dai-ennichi fireworks near JR Kinomoto Station
木之本地蔵大縁日　8月22日（日）～25日（水）（花火は25日のみ）
More info: ふるさと夏まつり実行委員会　Phone: 0749-82-5902
http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/search/event_12358.html

Email

Golden Week 2010 in Shiga

May 18th, 2010
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

We saw fine weather during Golden Week in Shiga from late April to early May 2010. I went to see a slew of festivals in Shiga during this time. I traveled to Maibara, Ryuo, Tsuchiyama (Koka), Takashima, Yasu, and Kora. I’m trying to see all the major Golden Week festivals in Shiga. The problem is, many of them are held on the same day and at the same time. It will still take me a few more years to see them all, but after this GW, I can say that I’ve see more than half of them.

Here’s what I saw during Golden Week 2010 in Shiga Prefecture (in chronological order):

Photos: Sakata Shinmeigu Yakko-buri Procession 坂田神明宮の蹴り奴振り

Photos: Yuge Fire Festival 弓削の火祭り

Photos: Kenketo Matsuri Festival and Odori Dance ケンケト祭・踊り

Photos: Omizo Matsuri Festival 2010 大溝祭

Photos: Shichikawa Matsuri Festival 2010 七川祭

Photos: Hyozu Matsuri Festival 兵主祭

Photos: Takatora Summit in Kora 2010 高虎サミットin甲良

Email

Attn: JR Tokaido and Kosei Line users

Mar 15th, 2010
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

On March 13, 2010, Japan Railways implemented revised train schedules. Note that there are now fewer train runs on the JR Tokaido and Kosei Lines in Shiga and Kyoto. JR has eliminated train runs which saw low ridership. If you use these two lines, you should refer to the revised train schedules and trash the old one.

On the Tokaido Line, the last train from Kyoto Station to Yasu Station now leaves at 12:34 am instead of 12:58 am. In the mornings and evenings of Sundays and national holidays, there is one less train run going from Yasu to Maibara and from Maibara to Yasu. (So four fewer train runs on Sundays and holidays.)

As for the Kosei Line between Kyoto and Katata Stations, the four train runs per hour between 10 am and 2 pm on weekdays will be reduced to only three train runs per hour in both directions. Between Kyoto and Omi-Maiko Stations, there will be one less train run in both directions in the evenings during both weekdays, Sundays, and holidays.

The Kusatsu Line and Hokuriku Line are not affected by cuts in train runs (although the train schedule may be different from before).

Email

Shiga movie: Satoyama (里山)

Aug 8th, 2009
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post



A full-length movie filmed in Shiga Prefecture called Satoyama (里山) will be released to theaters in Japan from Aug. 22, 2009.

In July, I was invited to a movie screening in Tokyo. The movie is a narrated documentary showing how people in Shiga interact and coexist with nature. The term “Satoyama” literally means “Human habitat and Mountain.”

A farming couple growing mushrooms on numerous tree branches, a honeybee keeper making sweet honey, etc. Besides people, the film also shows fantastic scenes of insects, birds, boars, and other wildlife. A pair beetles wrestling and one loses by being flung off the tree. A bird plunging into the river water to catch a small fish in its beak (shown in slow motion). Amazing how the photographer was able to plant the camera at the right places.

It is a very beautiful and engrossing film. The cinematography is first-class and the movie has won several international awards. Much of the movie was filmed in Takashima (probably Kutsuki) and Maibara. Shiga photographer Imamori Mitsuhiko also appears in the movie showing kids around the wilderness. The movie was produced by NHK and it was originally shown on TV as an “NHK Special.” Parts 1 and 2 of the Satoyama TV series were re-edited and combined with additional footage to make this fantastic movie.

See the movie trailer at the official Web site: http://satoyama.gyao.jp/

The Japan Times also published an excellent article about the meaning of the word “satoyama.”

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090823x1.html

Email

3rd Imazu Regatta

Sep 13th, 2008
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

The 3rd Imazu Regatta was held on Aug. 17, 2008. Imazu Jr. High and Takashima High rowing clubs and people from Kyoto also rowed. I donated copies of the Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD as one of the prizes. They played the song during the regatta.
http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=704

Email

Adogawa and Nakae Toju

Sep 13th, 2008
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

Visited the Nakae Toju museum in Adogawa for the first time. There’s also a nice Michinoeki called Toju-no-Sato Adogawa. Bought some Adoberry jam and cakes. Good stuff. It also has a nice folding fan museum. Great place to buy gifts from Shiga. Highly recommended. 
Photos here: 
http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=110

Email

Photo exhibition at Imazu Public Library

Jul 3rd, 2008
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

I’m holding a photo exhibition now at Imazu Public Library near Omi-Imazu Station (West exit). It will be until July 30. 

I’m showing photos of the Imazu Jr. High School Rowing Club’s rowing trip on Biwako which I took last Aug. (also see the above note). I also have photos of Biwako Shuko no Uta. 

Imazu Library site: 
http://lib.city.takashima.shiga.jp/iliswing/we/tosho/shoukai/imadu/imadu.html 

Also, on Aug. 17 at Imazu, the 3rd Imazu Regatta will be held. This is a rowing race which anyone can participate, even non-experienced rowers. You can even go there alone, and they will put you together with other people to row on the same boat. The race course is only 500 meters. More details at their site: 
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~t-imazurowing/

Email

Harie one of Japan’s 100 Best Spring Waters

Jun 10th, 2008
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

On June 5, 2008, the Ministry of the Environment announced Japan’s 100 Best Spring Waters of the Heisei Era (平成の名水百選) and four of them are in Shiga Prefecture including one in Takashima: Harie-no-Shozu (針江の生水) in Shin-Asahi. The 100 locations were selected based on the water’s quality, volume, and how well it was used and preserved by the community.

Photos of Harie here.

Email

Hakodate-yama and Kunizakai Ski Resorts for sale

Oct 20th, 2007
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

In Oct. 2007, Ohmi Railways announced that it is looking to sell the Hakodate-yama Ski Resort in Imazu and Kunizakai Ski Resort in Makino (both in Takashima) due to a drastic drop in skiers in recent years. They also plan to sell Hikone Prince Hotel in Hikone.

Update: All three of these facilities have since been sold.

Email

Stray dogs rejected in Imazu

Oct 8th, 2007
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

On Oct. 6, 2007, a dog lovers organization in Osaka drove two truckloads of stray dogs to Imazu, intending to keep them at a facility there. But they came across 250 residents sitting on the road leading to the facility to protest the move. The trucks arrived at past 1 am, and after 8 hours, they turned back. Among the road sitters was the mayor of Takashima.

Email

Rowing with Imazu Jr. High School Rowing Club

Aug 19th, 2007
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post


On Aug. 8, 2007, I went rowing on Biwako (琵琶湖周航) with the Imazu Jr. High School Rowing Club from Nagahama to Imazu. It was a very hot and sunny day with little wind. Almost 50 club members and three teachers went on this rowing trip. 

I was allowed to join them. Every Aug., they row from Imazu to Nagahama, stopover in Nagahama, and row back to Imazu. This year, they couldn’t row from Imazu to Nagahama due to high waves. So on Aug. 7, they took a bus to Nagahama and stayed overnight. 

They used six rowing boats including two fixed-seat boats (フィックス艇) made of wood. These two fixed-seat boats are replicas of the same type of rowing boat used by Oguchi Taro when he wrote the song “Biwako Shuko no Uta” 90 years ago. I really wanted to try rowing on this boat on Biwako to see what it was like. 小口太郎の気分になりたかった。 

This fixed-seat boat has long been obsolete so it is quite rare to be able to row on one. Competitive rowing boats today all have sliding seats which make it easier to row. So fixed-seat boats have fixed seats which don’t move. And compared to modern rowing boats which are very narrow and light (made of fiberglass, etc.), fixed-seat boats are wider and heavier (wood), making it harder to row and slower. 

But it was fun rowing with the jr. high students (more girls than boys). The fixed-seat boat looks very sleek and beautiful cuttting through the waters of Lake Biwa. I really like the design. It was like rowing on a classic piece of art. 

The two replica boats were donated to Imazu where they are stored in a large boathouse. The first one is named “Chiaki/Taro” and the second is called “Yodo.” 

See more photos here: 
http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=589

Email

Lake Biwa Cruise and choir contest

Jul 8th, 2007
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

We had a fun time in Imazu during the weekend of June 16-17, 2007. On the 16th (Sat.), there was a 3-hour Lake Biwa Cruise to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Biwako Shuko no Uta. Jamie and Megan Thompson sang the English song in the chartered boat and also on Chikubushima.We also introduced and sold the CD on the boat and quite a few people bought it. In the evening, we attended a lecture about the song and also a dinner reception where we met the mayor of Takashima. I gave him a free copy of the CD.

Photos: http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=581

Newspaper (Kyoto Shimbun):
http://photoguide.jp/pix/displayimage.php?album=587&pid=17364

On the next day Sunday, the Thompson sisters sang the song at the Biwako Shuko no Uta choir contest in Imazu. We also sold the CD there. There were 25 choirs from Shiga, Hokuriku, Kyoto, etc. Each choir had to sing two songs, one must be Biwako Shuko no Uta, and the other can be any song. The 1st place prize was 100,000 yen.

We could also experience rowing on the same type of boat used by songwriter Oguchi Taro 90 years ago. The local junior high school kids took us for a boat ride on Biwako near Imazu Port. Great fun.

Photos: http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=582

On June 19 (Tue.), e-radio (FM Shiga) introduced our CD and song on an afternoon radio program hosted by Chiho Ono (not my relative). I was in Tokyo so I couldn’t listen to the program, but a few of our friends have told us that they heard it. I think that was the first time a radio station played the song from the CD. Thanks to Chiho.

And on June 24 in Hikone’s Viva City Hall, Jamie sang the song at an international event organized by a local int’l exchange organization called VOICE. We were able to introduce and sell the CD there as well.

Enjoy!

Email

Lake Biwa Rowing Song now on CD

Jun 17th, 2007
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

On June 16, 2007, the English version of Shiga’s most famous song, Biwako Shuko no Uta 琵琶湖周航の歌, called Lake Biwa Rowing Song, was issued on CD.

Available for 800 yen at the Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan museum in Imazu.

Email

Event notice: Biwako Shuko no Uta choir contest

Jun 17th, 2007
by philbert.
Comments are off for this post

第１１回「琵琶湖周航の歌」音楽祭合唱コンクール 

私が作成した「琵琶湖周航の歌」の英語版がまた公の場で歌われます。 歌の発祥地である滋賀県高島市今津町は、毎年の6月にこの歌の合唱コンクールを開催していて、今年はアメリカ人のJamie and Megan Thompson姉妹がゲストとして午後12:15に出場して英語版を歌う予定です。関西、近畿、北陸地方などの様々なコーラスが参加します。 

そして、会場内で英語版CDも発売されます。 

入場料は500円。コンクールは午前10時から始まるが、姉妹は何時ごろに出るかまだ分かりません。 分かりましたらまたお知らせします。 

高島市民会館　滋賀県高島市今津町中沼１丁目３番地１ 
（JR湖西線近江今津駅から徒歩5分。駅構内に観光案内あり）TEL: 0740-22-1764 

同時に今津町にある琵琶湖周航の歌資料館に英語版の写真展も開催されます。5月22日〜7月1日 
（このお知らせを自由にメール、ブログなど転送・転載してもOK.) 

The 11th Biwako Shuko no Uta Choir Contest will be held on June 17, 2007 at Takashima, Shiga. Various choirs from the Kansai, Kinki, and Hokuriku regions will participate to sing two songs: Biwako Shuko no Uta and one other song. 

Jamie and Megan Thompson have also been invited to sing my English version of the song. The contest starts at 10 am and lasts all day. The Thompsons will sing at 12:15 pm. Please come if you can. Imazu is a lovely place to visit as well. 

Place: Takashima Shimin Kaikan, near Omi-Imazu Station on the Kosei Line. Get out the East Exit. The station also has a tourist info booth.

Email
← Earlier Posts