Hina-matsuri doll festivals in Shiga 2013

Hina-matsuri dolls (雛祭りの雛人形) are being displayed at various locations in Shiga to celebrate Girl’s Day on March 3. On the weekend of Feb. 23-24, 2013, Gokasho in Higashi-Omi is having… Read more

Summer 2012 in Shiga Prefecture

Japan has re-entered the age of nuclear power, starting with Shiga’s backyard. Despite widespread opposition, the Japanese government has given the green light to restart the Oi nuclear power plants in… Read more

Golden Week festivals in Shiga

This page is outdated. See the latest version here: https://shiga-ken.com/blog/2017/04/videos-of-golden-week-festivals-in-shiga/ Golden Week is Japan’s spring vacation from late April to early May with a string of national holidays. April 29… Read more

Shiga’s Internet TV channels

I didn’t find out until recently that the Shiga Prefectural government has finally created a YouTube account where they are posting videos. They should’ve done this a long time ago.… Read more

Hino Matsuri 2011

On May 3, 2011, Hino in eastern Shiga held its annual Hino Matsuri festival. This is a major festival of floats with sixteen ornate floats and three portable shrines paraded… Read more

Shiga fireworks in summer 2010

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… Read more

Ito Miki places 12th in freestyle moguls

ITO Miki, native of Hino, Shiga Prefecture, placed 12th in the finals of the women’s freestyle moguls competition at the Vancouver Winter Olympics on Feb. 14, 2010. She looked quite… Read more

Shiga Olympians off to Vancouver

Among Japan’s athletes competing in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, two are from Shiga Prefecture. ITO Miki (伊藤みき) hails from Hino, Shiga and Vancouver is her second Winter Olympics after… Read more