Lake Biwa article in Daily Yomiuri

A short article about Lake Biwa titled, Japan’s blue pearl / Views of Lake Biwa is in today’s The Daily Yomiuri English newspaper (Jan. 15, 2012 issue). It was written by Christal Whelan… Read more
Lip balm

Shiga’s lip balm

The drier air of autumn is here and it’s time to take out our lip balm or chap sticks. Did you know that one of Japan’s leading makers of lip… Read more

Sakura blooming in Shiga

Hanami is subdued this year due to the Tohoku disaster. In Shiga, Sakura Matsuri was canceled in Yogo (Nagahama) and the night illumination of the flowers have been canceled in… Read more

Shiga’s biggest fire festival

Video link: http://youtu.be/VcPg0WcY0Gs The Hachiman Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman is held annually on April 14-15. I saw it for the first time on April 14, 2011 when they set fire to giant… Read more

Shiga History 2010

Chronology of Shiga Prefecture’s news bits for January-December 2010. Compiled by Philbert Ono.Updated: April 27, 2025 Jan. 1, 2010: Nagahama becomes a new city by merging with six towns in… Read more

Historic ryokan in Musa destroyed by fire

A two-story ryokan called Nakamura-ya (中村屋) in Musa, Omi-Hachiman has been totally destroyed by an early-morning fire on Dec. 10, 2010. The owner/operator couple of the 200-year-old inn were sleeping… 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

Mayors of Otsu, Hikone, Moriyama, Ritto, Omi-Hachiman oppose Governor Kada’s reelection

Five city mayors in Shiga Prefecture have formed a mayor’s association (市長有志の会) to oppose the reelection of Shiga Governor Kada Yukiko and to support the election of rival candidate Ueno… Read more