The Shiga Prefectural Police Department has estimated that 1.31 million people will pray at shrines and temples in Shiga during the first three days of 2012. This is more than… Read more
Two more Golden Week (late April – early May) festival videos and photos. Held on May 4 near Notogawa Station, the Iba-no-saka-kudashi Matsuri Festival is said to be one of… Read more
Every three years, the giant kite flown at Higashi-Omi’s annual Yokaichi Odako (Giant Kite) Matsuri festival in May is replaced with a new one. And this year in 2010 is… Read more
Making national news in May 2010 was the discovery of Japan’s oldest clay figure (called “doguu” 土偶) in Higashi-Omi. Slightly larger than a human thumbnail, the tiny clay figure is… Read more
Those cute little buses you see outside Yokaichi Station and elsewhere in Higashi-Omi, called Chokotto bus, have started collecting used cooking oil from September 1, 2009. Bring an old PET… Read more
Video link: http://youtu.be/xeFw0Ld-NaU On Sun., May 25, I went to see the Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival. I got there after 1 pm, just when they were preparing to fly the giant… Read more
Chronology of Shiga Prefecture’s news bits for January-December 2007. Compiled by Philbert Ono. March 21, 2007: Hikone Castle celebrates its 400th anniversary with an 8-month-long festival lasting until Nov. 25,… Read more
As you may know, the Yokaichi giant kite is replaced with a new one every three years. This year is when they will make a new giant kite. During this… Read more