Updated: March 26, 2023 Here are my favorite cherry blossoms (called sakura in Japanese) in Shiga. They bloom in April, starting with southern Shiga…
Next to Kyoto, Enryakuji Temple (延暦寺) on Mt. Hiei (Hiei-zan 比叡山) in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture is now offering a rare look at its…
Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 Assist Archery (アシストアーチェリー) is the name of an archery school near JR Ishibe Station in Konan, Shiga Prefecture. I…
Koto Sanzan (湖東三山) is Shiga Prefecture’s famous trio of autumn foliage spots. The fall leaves are spectacular, contrasting with distinctive National Treasure Tendai…
Here’s the 2022 summer fireworks (hanabi) schedule for Shiga Prefecture (Shiga-ken hanabi) listed by date. Due to the pandemic, fireworks in the following…
Every April, cherry blossoms around Lake Yogo bloom quietly with little fanfare. No crowds and no noise except the breeze and rippling water.…
The town of Hino (日野町) in eastern Shiga Prefecture, Japan has always had an active movement to preserve or restore its traditional buildings,…
Besides skiing, what else can we do in Shiga in winter? Let me suggest a snow cruise on Lake Biwa. After a snowfall,…
Biwako Shuko no Uta aka Lake Biwa Rowing Song is Shiga Prefecture’s most famous song born in Imazu, Takashima. First composed by a…