Hayazaki (Hayasaki) Naiko Biotope

I recently visited Hayazaki Naiko Biotope 早崎内湖ビオトープ in Nagahama and talked with a local NPO taking care of it. Hayazaki (Hayasaki) Naiko was a small lake or lagoon north of… Read more

Koka Ninja House (Yashiki)

I finally visited the Koka Ninja House 甲賀流忍術屋敷 in Koka. I highly recommend taking your foreign friends here. Most foreigners are very interested in ninja. The Koga (Koka) ninja and… Read more

Nagahama, one of Japan’s 100 Best Spring Waters

*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… Read more

Yamabiko Yusui one of Japan’s 100 Best Spring Waters

On June 5, 2008, the Ministry of the Environment announces 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… Read more

Samegai one of Japan’s 100 Best Springs

On June 5, 2008, the Ministry of the Environment announces 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. One of… Read more

Harie one of Japan’s 100 Best Spring Waters

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… Read more

Rice-planting festivals in Yasu and Taga

I went to see two rice-planting festivals in Shiga, for the first time. The first one was in Yasu on May 25, 2008. It’s held on the fourth Sunday in… Read more

Backseat buckle up!

Did you know that Shiga Prefecture has Japan’s lowest rate of people buckling up in the back seat? According to a nationwide survey conducted jointly by Japan’s prefectural police and… Read more