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… Read more

Hokuriku Line sees little passenger increase

The Hokuriku Main Line running from Maibara Station to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Pref. converted to direct current power in Oct. 2006, enabling trains to run directly from Kyoto all… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

Lake Biwa Rowing Song music video

I created a music video for Lake Biwa Rowing Song and now you can see it on YouTube: Video link: http://youtu.be/gOUwlb6P_9s Read more

Ohmi Railways Screen Station opens

On March 15, 2008, a new train station opened on the Ohmi Railways Taga Line called Screen Station (スクリーン駅). Located between Takamiya Station and Taga Taisha-mae Station, it serves mainly… Read more

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… Read more

Koka’s English Web site

Koka finally has an English Web site: http://www.city.koka.shiga.jp/english/index.html It’s not bad. However, one common error is “Koka City.” It should just be “Koka.” If you say “Koka City,” it means… Read more