I enjoyed watching Shiga LakeStars games even though they didn’t do so well during their debut 2008-09 season ending up in 5th place with a record of 19 wins and 33… Read more
Held on Oct. 11-12, 2008, this is another major float festival in Shiga where they display and pull ornate floats along the city streets. I went to see both the… Read more
On Oct. 11, 2008, I went to see the pro debut game of the Shiga LakeStars pro basketball team in Otsu’s Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium (滋賀県立体育館). As you may know, the… Read more
Wild Japanese monkeys have been invading residential areas in Sakamoto in western Otsu, making a mess of backyard gardens. Saikyoji temple‘s cemetary is also a favorite spot for the monkeys… Read more
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
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
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
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