Seian University of Art and Design

I recently visited Seian University of Art and Design in western Otsu (near Ogoto Onsen Station on the JR Kosei Line) for the first time. (In Japanese. the university is called Seian Zokei Daigaku 成安造形大学.) I was… Read more

NHK Shiga TV news videos

I’m very pleased to see NHK TV’s Shiga news Web site providing video clips of their 6:10 pm evening TV news program. Before, they only provided a short text summary… Read more

London Olympic medalists from Shiga Prefecture

Big congratulations to Shiga-native and Shiga-based Olympians who won medals at the London 2012 Olympics. They include Olympians who made history as being Japan’s first Olympic medalist in their sport.… Read more

Otsu BOE in hot water over student’s suicide

I disdain mentioning the bad and corrupt side of Shiga Prefecture which no doubt has its share of corrupt, inept, incompetent, or unsavory officials, authorities, school teachers, etc. But the… 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

Hina-matsuri doll festivals in Shiga

Updated: Feb. 15, 2017 Hina-matsuri dolls (雛祭りの雛人形) are being displayed at the following locations in eastern Shiga to celebrate Girl’s Day on March 3. Gokasho, Higashi-Omi: Normal hina ningyo dolls are displayed… Read more

Naomi Koshi, Otsu’s new woman mayor

Otsu’s mayoral election was held on January 22, 2012 with Naomi Koshi (越 直美) defeating two-term (8 years) incumbent Mayor Makoto Mekata (目片信) by almost 10,000 votes. The 36-year-old Koshi… Read more

New Year’s worshippers in Shiga

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