This web page gives basic info about the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival, the April 2026 festival schedule (illustrated), and a synopsis of the four kabuki plays performed by the four Hikiyama… Read more
For the 2026 Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri schedule, see this page. Updated: April 14, 2023 Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri (長浜曳山祭) is a major float festival held annually on several days centering on April 15… Read more
Updated: April 25, 2025 Golden Week is Japan’s spring vacation from late April to early May with a string of national holidays. April 29 is Showa Day, May 3 is… Read more
Updated: March 21, 2023 Kaizu-Osaki is deservedly one of Japan’s 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots (さくら名所100選 according to the Japan Cherry Blossom Association). During the first half of April, four kilometers… Read more
Updated: Click here for the 2026 Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri Festival Schedule. The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri is a major float festival held in mid-April in Nagahama in northern Shiga Prefecture. The highlight is child kabuki… Read more
Updated: June 17, 2020 Organized index of my videos of Shiga Prefecture on YouTube. I currently have about 90 Shiga videos on my YouTube channel (photojpn). Mostly matsuri festivals. Links go directly to YouTube.… Read more
Video link: http://youtu.be/FKchoOLG2TY Pharrell Williams scored a huge hit with his song Happy last autumn. It has since become a worldwide phenomenon with people in cities around the world making street… Read more
Updated April 23, 2014 On April 1, 2014, Japan’s consumption tax increased from 5% to 8%. This means almost everything will cost slightly more, including train fares, souvenirs (some souvenirs… Read more