Shiga Quiz

Updated: July 26, 2023

Take the Shiga Quiz and see how much you know about Shiga Prefecture!

Shiga Quiz has 100 wide-ranging questions covering Shiga’s culture, history, historical figures, art, and major sights and products. It’s a long quiz that may require 45 min. or longer to complete. However, there’s no time limit to finish the quiz.

You will see 25 questions per page. After answering 25 questions, click on “Continue” at the page bottom to see the next page. If you don’t see the “Continue” button, it means you have not answered all the questions. Scroll backward to answer any unanswered questions.

A few questions have many answers (as many as 20!) to choose from. On older browsers, the questions might not be displayed in the proper order.

For newcomers, this quiz is also designed for you to learn the basics of Shiga Prefecture.

This quiz requires no registration and no fees. You shall remain anonymous and no personal data about you will be collected. Quiz authored by Philbert Ono.

There is also the shorter and easier Shiga Image Quiz with 50 questions.

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Shiga Quiz (Ver. 1.10)

Shiga Prefecture is...

home of Shiga Kogen Highland resort.

where the Shiga toxin was discovered.

a ski resort in Nagano, Japan.

one of the 47 prefectures of Japan.

Shiga Prefecture is on ________ island.

Hokkaido

Honshu

Shikoku

Kyushu

You can easily find Shiga on a map of Japan by looking for...

Mt. Fuji.

a large lake near the middle of Japan.

Narita Airport.

Noto Peninsula.

Shiga's most prominent natural feature is...

Chikubushima, a sacred island in northern Shiga.

Mt. Hiei, one of Japan's most sacred mountains.

Mt. Ibuki, one of Japan's 100 famous mountains.

Lake Biwa.

Lake Yogo, a pretty lake in northern Shiga.

Seta River in Otsu.

Shiga is next to all these prefectures except...

Fukui, famous for dinosaurs.

Gifu, famous for cormorant fishing on Nagara River.

Kyoto, famous for Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Mie, home of Ise Jingu Grand Shrines.

Nara, home of the Great Buddha at Todaiji temple.

Shiga Prefecture is in the _______ Region of Japan.

Tohoku

Kanto

Tokai

Hokuriku

Kinki

San'in

Shiga Prefecture is famous for all the following except:

Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake.

Koka/Koga ninja.

Enryakuji Temple, headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect.

Hikone Castle.

Funazushi fermented fish.

Omi beef.

Tanuki (raccoon dog) statues.

Hiko-nyan, Hikone's official mascot.

Azuchi Castle in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman.

Fushimi (Momoyama) Castle.

"Shiga Prefecture" in Japanese is called:

Shiga-to

Shiga-do

Shiga-fu

Shiga-ken

Shiga-cho

Shiga-shi

What is Shiga's old name?

Nagahama (長浜)

Omi (近江)

Otsu (大津)

Sekigahara (関ヶ原)

Totomi (遠江)

The population of Shiga is about:

500,000

1.4 million

2.5 million

3.1 million

5 million

Shiga's cities and towns are all the following except:

Aisho (愛荘町)

Higashi-Omi (東近江市)

Hikone (彦根市)

Hino (日野町)

Koka (甲賀市)

Konan (湖南市)

Kora (甲良町)

Kusatsu (草津市)

Maibara (米原市)

Moriyama (守山市)

Nagahama (長浜市)

Omi-Hachiman (近江八幡市)

Otsu (大津市)

Ritto (栗東市)

Ryuo (竜王町)

Taga (多賀町)

Takashima (高島市)

Toyosato (豊郷町)

Yamashina (山科区)

Yasu (野洲市)

The correct pronunciation of "Hikone" (name of a city) is:

Hee-KOHN

Hee-KAHN

Hai-KOHN

Hee-KOH-nay

HICK-wan

The correct pronunciation of "Maibara" (name of a city) is:

MAY-berry

MAY-berrah

MY-berrah

MAH-ee-bah-rah

MY-barrow

When traveling to Shiga via shinkansen bullet train, you should get off at...

JR Hikone Station.

JR Kusatsu Station.

JR Maibara Station or JR Kyoto Station.

JR Nagahama Station or JR Otsu Station.

JR Otsu Station.

JR Ritto Station.

All these train lines run through Shiga except:

JR Biwako Line

JR Hokuriku Line

JR Kansai Main Line

JR Kosei Line

JR Kusatsu Line

JR Tokaido Line

Tokaido shinkansen bullet train

Keihan Railways

Ohmi Railways

Shigaraki Kogen Railway

Tourist information centers are in the following train stations in Shiga except:

Ohmi Railways Echigawa Station in Aisho

JR Hikone Station (also near Hikone Castle)

Ohmi Railways Hino Station

JR Kinomoto Station

JR Kusatsu Station

JR Maibara Station (bicycle rental station)

JR Moriyama Station

JR Nagahama Station.

JR Omi-Hachiman Station

JR Omi-Imazu Station

JR Otsu Station

JR Sekigahara Station

JR Takatsuki Station

The Koka/Koga ninja was from where in Shiga?

Hikone

Koka

Konan

Kora

Ryuo

Yokaichi

Commonly decorating shop and restaurant entrances in Japan, the auspicious tanuki (raccoon dog) statue is originally from...

Tarobo in Higashi-Omi.

Toriimoto in Hikone.

Shigaraki in Koka.

Shimoda in Konan.

Karahashi in Otsu.

This common roadside sign in Shiga...

indicates a crosswalk in a school zone.

reminds children to run to school so they won't be tardy.

encourages children to play outside instead of staying home and playing electronic games.

points the way to the nearest children's playground.

cautions drivers to watch out for kids who may suddenly dart out on the street (chasing after a ball, etc.).

encourages children to run and exercise regularly to be healthy.

Hikone's official mascot Hiko-nyan is:

A sibling of Hello Kitty.

A white rabbit with horn-like ears.

A white beckoning cat (maneki-neko) wearing a red samurai helmet with gold horns.

A cat with bull horns.

This ubiquitous sign in Shiga indicates...

a pet shop specializing in birds.

a peace park.

a chain of pachinko parlors.

a local chain of supermarkets and department stores.

a local bank.

The following are true about Lake Biwa except:

One of the world's oldest lakes formed 4 million years ago.

Japan's largest lake.

Named after the Biwa lute.

Home to 17 endemic fish and 30 mollusk species and subspecies found nowhere else.

Covers one-sixth the total area of Shiga.

Water surface area (669.23 sq. km) is larger than Tokyo's 23 wards (626.7 sq. km).

235 km (146 mi.) of shoreline. Takes 3 days to bicycle completely around. About the same distance as going from Otsu to Hamamatsu (Shizuoka).

Surrounded by mountains, Lake Biwa is like a giant bowl collecting water from 118 inflowing rivers.

Seta River in Otsu is the only outflowing river.

Water supply for 14 million people in the Kyoto and Osaka area via the Lake Biwa Canal.

A major scuba diving spot.

Has white-sand beaches like at Omi-Maiko.

Has about 23 attached lakes that are smaller bodies of water connected to Lake Biwa.

Inspired artists like Hiroshige ("Eight Views of Omi") and Oguchi Taro who composed "Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song).

Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu is the best place to learn all about the lake (in English).

Shiga's geographical areas are named according to their direction around the lake. Kohoku (northern Shiga 湖北), Koto (eastern Shiga 湖東), Konan (southern Shiga 湖南), and Kosei (western Shiga 湖西).

Lake Biwa scenery includes all the following except:

Ukimido Floating Temple (Mangetsuji) on the lake in Otsu.

Shirahige Shrine's torii in the water off Takashima.

Chikubushima island in Nagahama seen from Kaizu-Osaki in Takashima.

View from Mt. Shizugatake in Nagahama.

Omi-Maiko beach in Otsu.

View from Mt. Hiei in Otsu.

View of Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki from Imazu in Takashima.

Okino-Shiraishi Rocks.

Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms in Takashima.

Biwako Ohashi Bridge between Moriyama and Katata in Otsu.

Swan maiden in Nagahama.

Torii on Chikubushima.

One of Japan's three great shrines dedicated to Benzaiten (Benten), the goddess of music, water, and anything that flows, is where in Shiga?

Chikubushima island in Nagahama.

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Otsu.

Okinoshima island in Omi-Hachiman.

Okino-Shiraishi Rocks in Takashima.

Takeshima island in Hikone.

Ukimido Floating Temple in Otsu.

The following are true about bicycling in Shiga except:

Cycling around Lake Biwa is popularly called "Biwa-ichi" in Japanese. An abbreviation for "Biwako Isshu" (琵琶湖一周), meaning "going around Lake Biwa."

Bicycles can be rented at major hotels and many train stations in Shiga. High-end bicycles can be rented at Maibara Station (Biwako Isshu Rental Cycle) and Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel (GIANT STORE Biwako-Moriyama) in Moriyama.

It takes at least two or three days to bicycle around Lake Biwa. (Photo: Tsuzurao-zaki at the top of Oku-Biwako Parkway.)

The cycling route around Lake Biwa is flat except for northern Nagahama (Oku Biwako Parkway or Route 512 and Route 303).

Marked with banners, "Biwaichi Cycle Stations" at convenience stores, etc., may provide restrooms, food and drinks, tire pumps, and a courier service to ship your bicycle home.

Crossing the Biwako Ohashi Bridge between Moriyama and Katata is a short cut to cycle around the lake. Otherwise, go on the longer route around the South Basin (Otsu).

Cycling around the lake's South Basin (Otsu) is also very scenic along the lakeside path. (Photo: Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge in Otsu.)

Besides going around the lake, there are many short cycling routes in Shiga's interior for the casual tourist. (Photo: Azuchi.)

Bike paths on regular roads are marked with blue arrowheads (nationwide in Japan).

Dedicated bike paths may have red pavement. Pedestrians and cyclists may share the same path.

Many rental bicycle shops allow you to ride and return the bicycle to another rental shop (usually along the same train line).

In 2022, about 150,000 people cycled around Lake Biwa annually. (Photo: Maibara beach.)

Shiga has a World Heritage Site at...

Azuchi Castle ruins.

Chikubushima island.

Enryakuji Temple.

Hikone Castle.

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine.

Lake Biwa.

Miidera Temple.

Nagahama Castle.

Enryakuji Temple is on a sacred mountain called...

Biwako Valley in Otsu.

Mt. Hakodate in Imazu, Takashima.

Mt. Hiei in Otsu (and Kyoto).

Mt. Ibuki in Maibara.

Mt. Mikami (nicknamed Omi-Fuji due to its conical shape).

Mt. Sawayama in Hikone.

Shiga has 22 buildings that are National Treasures. Among the 47 prefectures, this is the ____ highest number of National Treasure buildings in Japan.

second

third

fourth

fifth

sixth

Which castle in Shiga is a National Treasure?

Azuchi Castle in Omi-Hachiman.

Hikone Castle in Hikone.

Minakuchi Castle in Koka.

Nagahama Castle in central Nagahama.

Odani Castle In northern Nagahama.

Zeze Castle in Otsu.

All these Buddhist temple buildings in Shiga are National Treasures except:

Chojuji's main hall in Konan.

Enryakuji Temple's Konpon Chudo main hall in Otsu.

Kannondo Temple's Karamon Gate in Nagahama (Chikubushima).

Ishiyama-dera's Tahoto pagoda in Otsu.

Jorakuji's main hall and pagoda in Konan.

Kongorinji's main hall in Aisho.

Miidera's Kondo main hall in Otsu.

Saikyoji in Sakamoto, Otsu.

Saimyoji's main hall (and pagoda) in Kora.

Zensuiji's main hall in Konan.

All these Shinto shrines in Shiga are National Treasures except:

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine's Higashi Hongu Honden Hall in Otsu.

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine's Nishi Hongu Honden Hall in Otsu.

Mikami Shrine in Yasu.

Namura Shrine's Nishi Honden hall (center) in Ryuo.

Osasahara Shrine in Yasu.

Taga Taisha Shrine in Taga.

Tsukubusuma Shrine in Nagahama (Chikubushima).

Which garden or park in Shiga is this?

Bunka Zone Garden in Otsu.

Genkyuen Garden in Hikone.

Hokoen Park in Nagahama (plum blossoms).

Hyozu Taisha Shrine's garden in Yasu.

Jizogawa River in Samegai, Maibara.

Mishima Pond in Maibara.

Mizunomori Aquatic Plant Park in Kusatsu (water lilies).

Nagisa Park in Moriyama (rapeseed blossoms).

Nigori-ike Park in Konan.

Shakunage Gorge in Hino (Rhododendron).

Takatora Park in Kora.

Zeze Castle Park in Otsu.

The Koto Sanzan Temple Trio in eastern Shiga are the following except:

Saimyoji (西明寺) in Kora.

Hyakusaiji (百済寺) in Higashi-Omi.

Eigenji (永源寺) in Higashi-Omi.

Kongorinji (金剛輪寺) in Aisho.

The Konan Sanzan Temple Trio (all National Treasures) in Konan city are the following except:

Zensuiji (Efficacious Water Temple). 善水寺

Jorakuji (Constant Comfort Temple). 常楽寺

Chojuji (Long Life Temple). 長寿寺

Rakuyaji (Oak Field Temple). 櫟野寺

Shiga's most beautiful buildings that are not National Treasures include the following except:

JR Aburahi Station based on a ninja design on the JR Kusatsu Line in Koka.

Old Biwako Hotel, now the Biwako Otsu-kan in Otsu.

Gansan Daishi or Gyokusenji, a Buddhist temple of the Tendai Sect in Torahime, Nagahama.

Hiyoshi Toshogu in Otsu, the inspiration for the more famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko.

Lake Biwa Canal Aqueduct with water flowing from Lake Biwa to Kyoto.

Namura Shrine's Romon Gate in Ryuo, Shiga. Important Cultural Property.

JR Notogawa Station in Higashi-Omi.

Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama based on a Shinto shrine design.

Toyosato Elementary School in Toyosato.

Actor Harrison Ford once visited this home in Shiga:

Ando House in Nagahama built in 1905 with a room designed by Rosanjin. 安藤家

Itoh Chube'e Memorial House in Toyosato. Chube'e was the founder of the Itochu trading company. 伊藤忠兵衛記念館

Keiunkan, a former guesthouse originally built in 1887 to accommodate Emperor Meiji when he visited Nagahama.

Koka Ninja House/Estate in its original location in Koka. 甲賀流忍術屋敷

Former Nishikawa Residence, a large Omi merchant home in Omi-Hachiman. 旧西川家住宅

Toju Shoin Study where 17th-century Confucian philosopher Nakae Toju lived and taught in Adogawa, Takashima. 藤樹書院

Tsuchiyama-juku Honjin lodge in Koka.

Former residence of William Merrell Vories and wife Makiko in Omi-Hachiman.

Former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru (外村繁邸) in Gokasho, Higashi-Omi.

Shiga's nationally-designated traditional townscapes and cultural landscapes include the following except:

Gokasho Kondo Omi merchant homes in Higashi-Omi.

Hachiman-bori Canal area in Omi-Hachiman.

Harie district in Takashima with natural spring water supplying homes.

Sakamoto, temple town at the foot of Mt. Hiei in Otsu.

Samegai-juku former lodging town on the Nakasendo Road in Maibara.

Sugaura, lakeside village in Nagahama.

Suigo reed-lined waterways in Omi-Hachiman.

This famous delicacy of Shiga is...

catfish mixed with cheese.

mustard-soaked fish slices.

funazushi fermented fish.

fish guts.

Other famous local food and drinks from Shiga include the following except:

Omi beef.

ayu sweetfish from Lake Biwa (tempura).

catfish from Lake Biwa.

Biwa (masu) salmon from Lake Biwa.

red devil's tongue (aka konnyaku).

Omi-cha tea grown in Tsuchiyama, Koka.

noppei udon in Nagahama (big mushroom on udon noodles).

yaki-saba somen in Nagahama (mackerel on somen noodles).

Salad Roll (sarada-pan) made in Kinomoto, Nagahama.

ubaga mochi made in Kusatsu.

Adoberry confections made in Adogawa, Takashima. Adoberry is similar to boysenberry.

Club Harie's baumkuchen cake (Club Harie photo).

Monaka confection (wafer sandwich with sweet adzuki) from Taneya.

Funazushi Pie cookies made in Moriyama.

ito-kiri mochi made in Taga.

Ibuki Milk from Maibara.

UCC canned coffee (with screw-on caps) made in Echigawa.

sake rice wine (many brands in Shiga).

yahei hot chili peppers (super hot!) grown in Konan.

Shiga's traditional crafts include all the following except:

Bin-temari threaded balls made in Aisho.

Hikone butsudan (Buddhist altars) made in Hikone and Maibara.

Shigaraki-yaki pottery made in Shigaraki, Koka.

Omi-jofu hemp fabrics made in Echigawa, Aisho.

Hama chirimen silk fabrics made in Nagahama.

Yoshibue reed flutes made in Omi-Hachiman and Takashima.

Unpei-fude (雲平筆) calligraphy brushes made in Takashima.

Takashima folding fan ribs (senkotsu) made in Takashima.

Shimoda-yaki pottery in Konan.

Kami-nyu woodcarving in Maibara.

Natural indigo-dyed fabrics in Konan.

Hikone folding screens.

Other great souvenirs from Shiga include the following except:

Beckoning cat (maneki neko) dolls.

Hiko-nyan merchandise.

Lake Biwa pearls.

Otsu-e merchandise.

Die-cut postcards from post offices in Shiga ("gotochi form cards"). (These postcards might no longer be available. New editions have not been produced in recent years.)

Shiga postage stamps sold at post offices in Shiga.

Omi fans (made with Takashima bamboo ribs).

Tanuki (raccoon dog) statue (all sizes) from Shigaraki.

Wooden prayer tablets (ema) from Shiga shrines or temples.

The following are true about Lake Biwa pearls except:

In the famous Man'yoshu (万葉集) poetry collection from the 8th century, a poem mentions Lake Biwa pearls as "shiratama" ("white balls"), used as a metaphor for women (Book 11, Poem 2445).

Fujita Masayo (1885–1969, 藤田昌世), who worked at Mikimoto Pearls, successfully cultivated Lake Biwa pearls in the 1920s by inserting a small "piece" (mantle tissue) into the mussel to trigger the pearl formation. (Photo from Mikimoto Pearl Museum.)

Saltwater pearls are produced by oysters, while freshwater pearls come from mussels. The Lake Biwa pearl mussel (Hyriopsis schlegelii イケチョウガイ), endemic to Lake Biwa, was found to be best suited for freshwater pearl cultivation.

It takes three years for the Lake Biwa pearl mussel to grow large enough to produce pearls. Then it takes another three years for the mussel to produce pearls.

The main difference between freshwater Lake Biwa pearls and saltwater pearls (like Mikimoto) is that Lake Biwa pearls have thicker pearly layers, making it more lustrous.

Today, many Lake Biwa pearl farmers cultivate freshwater pearls for a worldwide market.

Shiga's popular shopping places include all the following except:

Aeon Mall Kusatsu in Kusatsu.

Kurokabe Square in Nagahama.

Mitsui Outlet Park in Ryuo.

Mondecool next to Nagahama Station.

Pieri Moriyama in Moriyama.

Oh! Me Otsu Terrace (former Otsu Parco) in Otsu. (Image from Wikipedia.)

VIERRA Otsu.

Viva City in Minami Hikone.

Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road and Yobancho Square near Hikone Castle.

Costco in Higashi-Omi.

Roadside stations (michi-no-eki) and other shops in Shiga selling local produce and gifts include the following except:

Agri-Park Ryuo in Ryuo. 道の駅アグリパーク竜王

Azai Sanshimai-no-Sato in Nagahama. 道の駅浅井三姉妹の郷

Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza in Otsu. 道の駅びわ湖大橋米プラザ

Club Harie (Western confections, especially Baumkuchen). (Photo: Hikone branch)

CocoShiga in Nihonbashi.

Ibuki-no-Sato in Maibara. 道の駅伊吹の里

Kohoku Mizudori Station in Nagahama. Includes a bird-watching deck. 道の駅湖北みずどりステーション

Mizuumi-no-Eki Oishiya Ureshiya (Mitsui Outlet Mall Ryuo South Mall 1st floor). 湖の駅おいしやうれしや

Taneya (Japanese confection shop) in Shiga's major cities. たねや

Toju-no-Sato Adogawa in Takashima. 道の駅藤樹の里あどがわ

Mizuumi-no-Eki Hama-Otsu in Hama-Otsu A-qus at Otsu Port. 湖の駅浜大津

Shiga's most popular shrine for New Year's prayers (hatsumode) is...

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Otsu.

Mikami Shrine in Yasu.

Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.

Omi Jingu Shrine in Otsu.

Taga Taisha Shrine in Taga.

Tarobo Shrine in Higashi-Omi.

Japan's 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots includes two places in Shiga. One is Hokoen Park (top photo with Nagahama Castle), and the other is...

Hachiman-bori Canal in Omi-Hachiman.

Hikone Castle.

Kaizu-Osaki in Takashima.

Lake Biwa Canal in Otsu.

Mishima Pond in Maibara.

Omi-Fuji Karyoku Park in Yasu.

Mt. Toragozen in Torahime, Nagahama.

Zeze Castle Park in Otsu.

Which float festival in Shiga is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage?

Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri in central Nagahama held annually on April 14–16.

Minakuchi Hikiyama Matsuri in Minakuchi, Koka held annually on April 19–20.

Hino Matsuri in Hino held annually on May 2–3.

Omizo Matsuri in Takashima held annually on May 3–4.

Nyu Chawan Matsuri in Nagahama (Yogo) held in spring once every several years.

Otsu Matsuri in Otsu held annually on the weekend before the second Monday of October.

Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri in Maibara held annually on the three-day weekend in Oct. around the 10th (Sports Day, a national holiday).

Shiga's fire festivals include the following except:

Katsube Shrine Fire Festival in Moriyama held annually on second Sat. of January. They burn giant straw torches.

Sagicho Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman held annually on a weekend in mid-March. They burn floats made of edible materials.

Hachiman Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman held annually on April 14–15. Giant torches of rice straw are lit up.

Yuge Fire Festival in Ryuo held annually on May 1.

Misaki Shrine Fire Festival in Aisho held annually on May 4. They burn a 5-meter pile of bamboo.

Shinoda Fireworks held annually on May 4 at Shinoda Shrine in Omi-Hachiman.

Shigaraki Fire Festival in Koka held annually on fourth Sat. in July nearest to the 23rd. Procession of torch bearers.

Hifuri Matsuri in Hino held annually on August 14–15. They toss up torches on a tree that doesn't burn.

Makino Highland Reed Torch Festival in Takashima held in August. (Photo: びわ湖高島観光協会)

Shiga's major portable shrine (mikoshi) festivals include the following except:

Sanno-sai Festival in Otsu held annually on April 12–14.

Kaizu Rikishi Matsuri in Takashima held annually on April 29.

Iba Saka-kudashi Festival going down a steep mountain in Higashi-Omi held annually on May 4.

Hyozu Matsuri in Yasu held annually on May 5.

Taga Taisha Lantern Festival in Taga held annually on Aug. 3–5.

Takebe Taisha Senko-sai in Otsu held annually on August 17.

Shiga's traditional dance festivals include the following except:

Kenketo Matsuri and Odori (National Intangible Folk Cultural Property) held annually in Tsuchiyama, Koka on May 3.

Kenketo Matsuri Festival in Ryuo held annually on May 3.

Naginata Odori Matsuri in Moriyama held annually on May 5.

Shotoku Matsuri (Goshu Ondo dance) in Higashi-Omi (Yokaichi) held annually in late July.

Hinade Shrine Sumo Odori dance in Maibara held annually on the third Monday of September.

Suijo Hachiman Shrine Taiko Drum Dance in Maibara held every five years in September.

Asahi Honen Taiko Drum Dance in Maibara held annually on October 4.

Mascot Character Festival in Hikone held annually near Hikone Castle in mid-Oct.

Ibuki-yama Taiko Drum Dance in Maibara held every five years in October (next one in 2020).

Shiga's rice-planting festivals are held as follows except at...

Hie Jinja Shrine in Konan on May 1. (Burari Konan photo)

Tarobo Shrine in Higashi-Omi on the third Sunday in May. (Tarobo Shrine photo)

Yuki Saiden rice paddy in Yasu near Mikami Shrine on the fourth Sunday in May.

Taga Taisha Shrine in Taga on the first Sunday in June.

Yanmar Museum roof in Nagahama.

Shiga's historical costume festivals include the following except:

Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession in Koka held annually on the last Sunday in March.

Minami Sanno Matsuri in Hino held annually on April 4.

Kusatsu Shukuba Festival in Kusatsu held annually on April 28–29.

Sakata Shinmeigu Yakko-buri Samurai Laborers' Procession in Maibara held annually on April 29.

Aburahi Matsuri Festival in Koka held every five years on May 1.

Shichikawa Matsuri Festival in Takashima held annually on May 4.

Azuchi Nobunaga Festival in Omi-Hachiman (Azuchi) held annually on the first Sunday in June.

Hikone Castle Festival Parade held annually on November 3 (national holiday).

Shiga's horse festivals include the following except:

Hokoku Shrine Toka Ebisu in Nagahama held annually on January 10.

Taga Matsuri in Taga held annually on April 22.

Shichikawa Matsuri in Takashima held annually on May 4.

Namura Shrine Sekku Matsuri in Ryuo held annually on May 5.

Omi Jingu Shrine Yabusame Horseback Archery in Otsu held annually on the first Sunday in June.

Shiga's history museums include the following except:

Amenomori Hoshu-an museum in Takatsuki, Nagahama.

Azai Folk History Museum in Nagahama.

Azuchi Castle Archaelogical Museum in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman.

Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song museum in Imazu, Takashima.

Dotaku (Bronze Bell) Museum in Yasu.

Hikone Castle Museum.

Ishibe Shukuba no Sato outdoor museum and Tokaido History Museum in Konan.

Keiunkan in Nagahama.

Koka Ninja Museum in Koka Ninja Village (甲賀忍術博物館).

Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu.

Maruko-bune Museum (Maruko-bune no Yakata) in northern Nagahama (丸子船の館).

Minakuchi Folk History Museum in Koka (水口歴史民俗資料館).

Nagahama Castle History Museum.

Nagahama Railway Museum near JR Nagahama Station (長浜鉄道スクエア).

Ohmi Merchant Museum in Higashi-Omi (近江商人博物館).

Otsu City Museum of History.

Tokaido Tenmakan Museum in Tsuchiyama, Koka.

Tsuchiyama Folk History Museum in Koka.

Yanmar Museum in Takatsuki, Nagahama.

Shiga's major art museums for the public include the following except:

Higashi-Omi Giant Kite Museum. 東近江大凧会館

House of Nobunaga (Nobunaga no Yakata) in Omi-Hachiman.

Nagahama Hikiyama Museum.

Otsu Matsuri Float Museum.

Biwako Bunkakan in Otsu.

Kunitomo Gun Museum in Nagahama. (国友鉄砲の里資料館)

Miho Museum in Koka (Shigaraki).

Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art (Togeikan) in Shigaraki, Koka.

The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga in Otsu.

Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama.

Famous traditional artists from Shiga include the following except:

Kano Sanraku (1559–1635), head of the Kano school of Japanese painting. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883–1959), ceramicist and painter. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Kobori Enshu (1579–1647), garden designer and tea ceremony master. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Kora Munehiro (1574-1646), carpenter and architect who started a famous lineage of shrine/temple carpenters. He supervised the building of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. (甲良宗広)

Ogura Yuki (1895-2000), Nihonga painter, especially of Japanese women.

Shimura Fukumi (1924– ), fabric dyeing and weaving artist and Living National Treasure. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Shiga's most impressive public art include the following except:

Giant Gulliver statue outside JR Takashima Station.

Woodcarving of Maibara at Maibara Station by woodcarvers in Kami-nyu, Maibara.

Kamogawa 48 Stone Buddhas in Takashima. Originally made in 1553 by Sasaki Rokkaku Yoshikata.

Kinomoto Jizo-in temple's giant Jizo statue.

Statue of Tokaido Road travelers at Tsuchiyama Folk History Museum.

Omi merchant statue in Gokasho, Higashi-Omi.

Lady Murasaki Shikibu sculpture at Ishiyama-dera.

"Pencil Tower" at University of Shiga Prefecture.

Giant tanuki at Shigaraki Station.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo and Chiyo statue at JR Sakata Station.

Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri stained glass mural at Nagahama Station's east exit.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi glass mosaic at Nagahama Station's west exit.

Sagicho float sculpture in Omi-Hachiman.

Otsu manhole depicting lake scenes including rowers, fireworks, Michigan boat, and yachts.

Ninja interactive "trick" paintings inside JR Koka Station.

Rice paddy art in northern Shiga (Maibara and Torahime). (Sadly, Torahime stopped creating this art after 2023.)

Seian University of Art and Design's outdoor art.

This kind of painting is called....

fuzoku-zu.

Nihonga.

Otsu-e.

sumie.

ukiyoe.

Woodblock artist Hiroshige's "Eight Views of Omi" (Omi Hakkei) include the following except:

Autumn Moon at Ishiyama.

Evening Glow at Seta.

Clearing Storm at Awazu.

Returning Boats at Yabase.

Evening Bell at Miidera Temple.

Night Rain at Karasaki.

Descending Geese at Katata.

Evening Snow at Mt. Hira.

Otsu boats returning.

Lake Biwa tourist boats depart from the following ports except:

Hikone Port.

Imazu Port.

Maibara Port.

Nagahama Port.

Otsu Port.

At Otsu Port, why is this paddlewheel boat named "Michigan?"

The boat was designed in Michigan.

The wife of the boat's owner is from Michigan.

The State of Michigan donated the boat to Shiga.

Named after Shiga's sister state in the U.S.

"Michigan" sounds very American, reflecting the boat's classic design.

These major tourist boats operate on Lake Biwa except:

Benten (べんてん), seats 164 on two decks. Named after the goddess Benzaiten. Launched in 1983.

Bianca (ビアンカ), seats 458 as one of the lake's largest ships. "Bianca" means "white" in Italian. Launched in 1990.

Ichiban Maru modeled after the original Ichiban Maru in the 19th century. Seats 100. River cruise on Setagawa River from Ishiyama-dera Port.

Interlaken (いんたーらーけん), seats 170 on two decks. Upper deck is open-air. Named after Otsu's sister city in Switzerland. Launched in 1981.

Lansing (ランシング), seats 46. Named after Otsu's sister city in Michigan. Launched in 1982.

Maruko-bune (丸子船), sailboat launched in Edo Period to mainly ship cargo across the lake.

Megumi, seats 200. Upper deck is open-air and panoramic. Trimaran driven by biodiesel fuel engine and solar and wind power. "Megumi" means "blessings" and the ship's name refers to the blessings of Lake Biwa. Launched in 2009.

Michigan (ミシガン), launched in 1982. Seats 787 on four decks. The lake's most famous ship with a paddlewheel and American crew members. Based in Otsu Port and named after the U.S. State of Michigan, Shiga's sister state.

Rio Grande (リオグランデ), seats 200 on two decks. Named after the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, Shiga's sister state. Launched in 1984.

Naomasa, named after Hikone Castle lord Ii Naomasa. Repainted red like his famous armor. Boat also known as Waka-ayu ("Baby Sweetfish"), seats 100.

This ship named Uminoko "Floating School" is ...

a training ship for Japanese Navy cadets.

a training ship for lake navigators.

a training ship for college students majoring in lake ecology.

a training ship for fisheries students.

for Shiga's 5th graders who go on overnight voyages to learn about the lake.

Shiga's official bird is the...

Steller's sea eagle (migrates to northern Shiga for winter).

black kite.

grey heron.

Little Grebe.

bean goose (migrates to Shiga for winter).

tundra swan (migrates to Shiga for winter).

Lake Biwa's endemic species (found nowhere else in the world) include the following except:

Lake Biwa Giant Catfish

Nigorobuna carp

Biwa salmon

Gengorobuna carp

Biwa-Yoshinobori goby

Kunimasu trout (black kokanee)

Lake Biwa's invasive species include the following except:

black bass (large-mouth).

bluegill.

freshwater jellyfish.

Northern snakehead.

red-eared slider/terrapin.

red swamp crayfish.

The following is true about reeds in Lake Biwa except:

Essential habitat for wildlife like fish and birds (especially their young) to hide from predators.

Modern development and land reclamation have drastically reduced reed beds, so Shiga is working to increase them.

Reeds act like a filter cleaning the water.

From January to March, withered reeds are harvested and used to make window screens, torches, and even flutes.

The reeds are burned in summer to make way for new sprouts.

Reeds sprout in April and grow to about 4 meters by summer.

This arrow-shaped thing in the lake is...

a pointer to the airport for airline pilots.

a rack to cultivate seaweed.

a rack to cultivate clams.

a fish trap called "eri."

an aquaculture farm to raise fish.

Shiga's highest mountain is...

Biwako Valley in Otsu.

Mt. Hiei in Otsu.

Mt. Ibuki in Maibara.

Mt. Mikami (Omi-Fuji) in Yasu.

Mt. Hakodate in Imazu, Takashima.

Mt. Shizugatake in Nagahama.

Mt. Watamuki in Hino.

Shiga's mountain ranges are the following except the...

Hira Mountains.

Ibuki Mountains.

Rokko Mountains.

Suzuka Mountains.

A legendary giant man called Daidara-botchi dug up the ground to create Lake Biwa. What did he do with all that dirt?

Created Mt. Ibuki in Maibara.

Created Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures.

Threw it up in the air which soon rained down as mud.

Created the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Created Awaji island in Hyogo Prefecture.

Created the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture.

When the legendary warrior-prince Yamato Takeru came to Shiga, what happened?

From Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge in Otsu, he fought and killed a giant centipede on Mt. Mikami in Yasu.

He used a giant sword to chop off the peak of Mt. Kanakuso-dake in Nagahama which then rolled into Lake Biwa and became Chikubushima island.

He fell in love with a swan maiden bathing in Lake Yogo in Nagahama and married her, only to be later abandoned when she floated back to heaven.

He stole Miidera Temple's bell and dragged it up Mt. Hiei in Otsu before throwing it back down.

On Mt. Ibuki in Maibara, he fought an evil god disguised as a white boar who poisoned him with a mist.

He wore a tanuki mask and started dancing on the street in Otsu and started the Otsu Matsuri.

Modeled after an ancient bronze bell (dotaku), this mascot named "Dotaku-kun" must be from:

Aisho.

Konan.

Kora.

Ryuo.

Toyosato.

Yasu.

Founded in 806 as a Tendai Buddhist temple by Shiga-born priest Saicho, Enryakuji was where all these famous monks once trained except:

Dogen (1200–1253), founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Eisai (1141–1215) who brought the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism to Japan. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Honen (1133–1212), founder of the Jodo-shu sect.

Kukai (Kobo-Daishi) (774–835), founder of the Shingon sect.

Nichiren (1222–1282), founder of the Nichiren sect.

Shinran (1173–1263), founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect.

The classic Japanese novel, "The Tale of Genji" (Genji Monogatari), was written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century supposedly at...

Chomeiji in Omi-Hachiman.

Daitsuji in Nagahama.

Gichuji in Otsu.

Gomura Betsuin in Torahime, Nagahama.

Hogonji in Nagahama (Chikubushima).

Ishiyama-dera in Otsu.

Miidera in Otsu.

Tokugen-in in Maibara.

All these famous samurai once lived in Shiga (Omi) except:

Azai Nagamasa (1545–1573). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Gamo Ujisato (1556–1595). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Ii Naomasa (1561–1602). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Ii Naosuke (1815–1860). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Ishida Mitsunari (1559–1600). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Kyogoku Takatsugu (1560–1609). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Takatora Todo (1556–1630). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Yamauchi Kazutoyo (Yamanouchi Katsutoyo) (1545 or 1546–1605). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Oda Nobunaga built and lived in which castle in Shiga?

Azuchi Castle in Omi-Hachiman.

Hachiman Castle in Omi-Hachiman.

Hikone Castle in Hikone.

Minakuchi Castle in Koka.

Nagahama Castle in Nagahama.

Odani Castle Castle in Nagahama.

Omizo Castle in Takashima.

Sawayama Castle in Hikone.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi built and lived in which castle in Shiga?

Hikone Castle in Hikone.

Kannonji Castle in Omi-Hachiman.

Minakuchi Castle in Koka.

Nagahama Castle in Nagahama.

Nakano (Hino) Castle in Hino.

Okayama Castle in Koka.

This sculpture in front of JR Nagahama Station's east entrance shows...

Azai Nagamasa and his daughter Chacha.

Ishida Mitsunari (left) and his oldest son serving him tea.

Oda Nobunaga being served water from Lake Biwa when he visited Nagahama.

Ii Naomasa being served tea when he visited Nagahama.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (left) being served tea by a young Ishida Mitsunari when they first met at a temple in northern Shiga.

In front of JR Hikone Station, this is a statue of...

Ii Naotora.

Ii Naomasa.

Ii Naokatsu.

Ii Naotaka.

Ii Naosuke.

The red samurai armor and "tic-tac-toe" crest indicate that they belong to the...

Azai Clan.

Ii Clan.

Oda Clan.

Rokkaku Clan.

Toyotomi Clan.

Did Koka ninja really walk on water like this?

Yes.

No.

The following is true about the famous Azai Sister Trio (Chacha, Go, and Hatsu) except:

Born in Odani Castle (northern Nagahama) as daughters of Lord Azai Nagamasa (1545-1573) and Oichi (1547?-1583, Oda Nobunaga's younger sister). They also had a brother named Manpukumaru. (Photo: Exhibit at the Azai Folk History Museum in Nagahama.)

In 1573, defeated by Oda Nobunaga attacking Odani Castle, father Azai Nagamasa committed seppuku in the castle. Son Manpukumaru was later executed. (Photo: Spot where Nagamasa died at Odani Castle.)

Led by Nobunaga's retainer, the three Azai sisters and mother Oichi were allowed to escape Odani Castle while it was under attack. (Photo: Exhibit at the Azai Folk History Museum in Nagahama.)

Eldest sister Chacha (1569–1615), also known as Yodo, was 19 when she became 51-year-old Toyotomi Hideyoshi's concubine. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Middle sister Hatsu (Ohatsu) married renown samurai Kyogoku Takatsugu. (Image from Wikipedia.)

Youngest sister Go (Ogo) (1573-1626) married Hidetada (1579-1632) who became the second Tokugawa shogun and gave birth to daughter Senhime in 1597 and son Iemitsu (1604-1651) who became the third Tokugawa shogun. (Image from Wikipedia.)

During the Winter Siege of Osaka Castle in 1614, Ohatsu acted as an intermediary for peace between the Tokugawa and Toyotomi Clan.

During the Summer Siege of Osaka Castle in 1615, the Tokugawa extinguished the Toyotomi Clan by forcing Yodo and her son Hideyori (fathered by Hideyoshi) to kill themselves in the castle.

Go gave birth to first daughter Senhime in 1597 who married her cousin Toyotomi Hideyori (son of Hideyoshi and Chacha). (Image from Wikipedia.)

Go had Oda Nobunaga as an uncle, Toyotomi Hideyoshi as an adoptive guardian and father-in-law to daughter Senhime, Tokugawa Ieyasu as a father-in-law, son Iemitsu who became the third Tokugawa shogun, and granddaughter Okiko who became the reigning Empress Meisho of Japan.

Go's grave is in Nagahama.

In 2011, NHK TV broadcast its year-long Taiga Drama called Go–Himetachi no Sengoku (江〜姫たちの戦国〜) (“Go–Noble Ladies of Feudal Japan") featuring the Azai sisters, especially Go.

During the Edo Period (1603–1868), lodging or post towns called "shukuba" were established along the major roads from Edo (Tokyo). The shukuba had the following basic facilities except:

Chaya tea house or eatery. (Photo: Reconstructed chaya in Konan.)

Honjin (luxury lodging for VIP travelers). (Photo: Original Honjin in Kusatsu open to the public.)

Toiyaba (travel arrangement office). (Photo: Toiyaba in Samegai, now a gallery.)

Hatago (inn for regular travelers). (Photo: Reconstructed hatago in Konan.)

Ichiri-zuka milestone marker. (Photo: Reconstructed Ichiri-zuka in Maibara.)

Petting zoo to relax travelers stressed out from all that walking.

Shoten shops for travelers. (Photo: Authentic shoten shop in Maibara.)

Waki-honjin (secondary luxury lodging for VIP travelers). (Photo: Waki-honjin in Tsuchiyama.)

Tokaido Road shukuba lodging towns in Shiga were the following except (images by woodblock print artist Hiroshige):

Tsuchiyama-juku in Koka. (People at the head of a daimyo procession are crossing a bridge over a river near Tamura Shrine during spring rains.)

Minakuchi-juku in Koka. (A summer scene of a few women drying gourd shavings to make kanpyo.)

Ishibe-juku in Konan. (A teahouse.)

Kusatsu-juku in Kusatsu. (A rest house and servants.)

Otsu-juku in Otsu. (Teahouse and cargo haulers.)

Sanjo Bridge in Keishi.

Nakasendo Road shukuba towns in Shiga were the following except (images by woodblock artist Hiroshige):

Imasu-juku in Mino. (Shows the border between Imasu and Kashiwabara. There is an inn on the Imasu side [left] and Kashiwabara side.

Kashiwabara-juku in Maibara. (Depicts Kameya, a shop selling mugwort from Mt. Ibuki used for moxa. The shop is still there, the last surviving maker of moxa cautery in Kashiwabara.)

Samegai-juku in Maibara.

Banba-juku in Maibara. (Path to a large shrine.)

Toriimoto-juku in Hikone.

Takamiya-juku in Hikone.

Echigawa-juku in Aisho. (A bridge across Echigawa River. It was toll-free. On the left across the river is Mt. Kannonji or Kinugake.)

Musa-juku in Omi-Hachiman. (A bridge of boats.)

Moriyama-juku in Moriyama. (Tea houses in spring.)

Kusatsu-juku in Kusatsu. (Crossroads at Kusatsu, between the Nakasendo and Tokaido.)

Otsu-juku in Otsu. (Hatcho-dori street and Lake Biwa in the distance.)

National Historic Sites and Special National Historic Sites in Shiga include the following except:

Azuchi Castle in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman.

Chikubushima island in northern Lake Biwa.

Gichuji Temple grounds in Otsu, site of Haiku poet Basho's grave. (義仲寺境内)

Hikone Castle (National Treasure) built by the Ii Clan in the 17th century.

Hyakusaiji Temple grounds which had numerous priest residences in Higashi-Omi.

Karasaki Shrine grounds in Otsu, famous for the huge Karasaki pine tree.

Kiyotaki Tokugen-in Temple's Kyogoku Clan gravesite in Maibara. (清滝寺京極家墓所)

Kusatsu Honjin lodge in Kusatsu where famous daimyo and other VIPs lodged as they traveled along the Tokaido or Nakasendo Road during the Edo Period.

Lake Biwa Canal in Otsu built in 1890 to supply water from the lake to Kyoto.

Omi-Otsu Palace ruins in Nishikori. Otsu was Japan's capital for five years from 667. (近江大津宮錦織遺跡)

Shigaraki-no-miya Palace ruins in Shigaraki, built as a Detached Palace in 742 by Emperor Shomu. (紫香楽宮跡)

Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama, Koka (垂水頓宮). One of five temporary palaces for the Saio princess to rest while traveling between Kyoto and the Saiku Palace in Ise during 886 to 1264.

Toju Shoin Study (drawing room) in Adogawa, Takashima where 17th-century Confucian philosopher Nakae Toju lived and taught. (藤樹書院跡)

Umoregi-no-ya where Ii Naosuke lived and studied next to Hikone Castle. (埋木舎)

All the following is true about Ii Naosuke (1815-1860) except:

From age 17 to 32 (1832–1847), Naosuke lived in Umoregi-no-ya (open to the public), a reclusive house across the moat from Hikone Castle. He trained in tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Zen, poetry, martial arts, and other arts.

Head of Ii Clan and daimyo of Hikone during 1850–1860.

In 1858, appointed by the shogun as Chief Minister (Tairo) of the Tokugawa government. (Second-in-command next to the shogun.) Photo: Naosuke statue near Genkyuen Garden.

In 1858, concluded the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the U.S. (Commodore Perry) to open Yokohama and other ports to the U.S. Similar treaties with other countries followed.

Tea ceremony master. (Tea and confection served by Naosuke's tea ceremony school students at Hikone Castle's Choshoan tea house.)

Died of pneumonia. Photo: Monument for Naosuke's poem at Hikone Castle.

Buried at Gotokuji temple, the Ii Clan's family temple in Setagaya, Tokyo. (Where the beckoning cat legend started.)

Depicted in the first NHK Taiga Drama in 1963 based on the novel "Hana no Shogai (Flowering Life 花の生涯)" by Funahashi Seiichi. Photo: Monument near Genkyuen Garden.

There is a statue of him in Yokohama at Kamonyama Park near Sakuragicho Station.

All the following is true about Omi merchants (Omi shonin) except:

They were active during the mid- to late Edo Period and from mainly Omi-Hachiman, Gokasho, Toyosato, Hino, and Takashima.

They traveled nationwide with a carrying pole to sell mainly fabrics, mosquito nets, tatami mat materials, medicines, lacquerware, and other products made in Shiga.

Their business philosophy was called "Sanpo-yoshi" (三方よし) or "Good for me, good for you, and good for everyone." It means that their business activities must be good for the seller (profit-making), buyer (beneficial products at affordable prices), and society (business and cultural development) in general.

Successful Omi merchants donated much money to shrines, temples, and public works projects to give back to the community.

In Edo (Tokyo), many Omi merchants were concentrated in the Nihonbashi merchant district.

Shirokiya, a major department store that was later absorbed by Tokyu, was founded by Omi merchant Omura Hikotaro in Nihonbashi in 1662.

Most Omi merchants returned to Shiga upon retirement.

Some of the grand homes of Omi merchants still exist and are open to the public especially in Omi-Hachiman, Hino, and Gokasho (Higashi-Omi).

You can learn more about Omi merchants at the Ohmi Merchant Museum in Gokasho (Higashi-Omi) and Shiga University's Archives Museum in Hikone.

All these nationally-known companies have founding roots in Shiga except:

Itochu Corporation, a major trading company. (Photo of company founder Itoh Chube'e's house in Toyosato.)

Keihan Railways running between Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga.

Nippon Travel Agency, Japan's first travel agency.

Omi Brotherhood, maker of Menturm chapsticks.

Prince Hotels (Otsu Prince Hotel pictured).

Seibu Department Stores (Ikebukuro Branch in Tokyo pictured).

Seibu Railway.

Takashimaya Department Store chain.

TORAY, a major textile maker.

Yanmar, major maker of agricultural machinery.

American architect and Christian missionary William Merrell Vories (1881-1964) based in Omi-Hachiman designed all these buildings in Shiga except:

Former bank building in Imazu, Takashima, now the Imazu Vories Museum.

Cable Enryakuji Station on Mt. Hiei that opened in 1927.

Former Samegai Post Office, now the Samegai Museum in Samegai, Maibara.

Former Minakuchi Public Library built in 1928 In Koka, now a gallery.

Former Hachiman YMCA in Omi-Hachiman designed in 1907. Now the Andrews Memorial Hall.

Former Toyosato Elementary School built in 1937.

Former Hachiman Post Office in Omi-Hachiman built in 1921 and served as a post office until 1960.

The Hyde Memorial Building at Omi Kyodaisha Gakuen (Omi Brotherhood Schools) in Omi-Hachiman. Built in 1931 to serve as Seiyuen Kindergarten run by Hitotsuyanagi Makiko, Vories' wife from 1919.

Hachiman Commercial High School designed in 1935. Vories taught at this school when he arrived in 1905.

Imazu Church in Takashima.

All the following is true about Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) except:

The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) was built between Otsu and Kyoto in 1890 to supply water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto which was then revitalized with electric power and a stable water supply.

A second and almost parallel Lake Biwa Canal was built in 1912 between Otsu and Kyoto to supply drinking water.

Lake Biwa Canal in Otsu starts near Miidera Temple and is well-known for cherry blossoms in April.

Water from the canal goes through the distinctive, red-brick Nanzenji Aqueduct in Kyoto.

The Lake Biwa Canal Museum is in Shiga.

Tourist boat service on the Canal between Otsu and Kyoto (Keage) will restart (first time since 1951) on March 29, 2018 on weekends until late Nov.

Shiga's most famous song is...

"Biwako Aika" (Lake Biwa Elegy, 琵琶湖哀歌), dedicated to 11 college rowers from Kanazawa and Kyoto who died when winds capsized their boat while rowing on Lake Biwa in 1941.

"Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song, 琵琶湖周航の歌) about college rowers from Kyoto who rowed around the lake in 1917.

"Goshu Ondo" (江州音頭), folk dance song originating in eastern Shiga.

"Hiko-nyan Ondo" (ひこにゃん音頭), children's folksy song about Hikone's official mascot.

"Kakekko-tobikko" (かけっことびっこ), the theme song we hear in Heiwado stores.

"Shiga Kenmin no Uta" (Shiga Prefecture People's Song, 滋賀県民の歌), Shiga's official song since 1954. (Image: Shiga Pref. website.)

"Suzuka Mago-uta" (Suzuka Packhorse Song, 鈴鹿馬子唄) about traveling over the Suzuka mountains on the Tokaido Road near Tsuchiyama, Koka.

Racehorse design on a sidewalk, this must be in...

Hino.

Konan.

Koka.

Kusatsu

Moriyama

Ritto.

Ryuo.

Famous pop culture related to Shiga includes the following except:

Chihayafuru (manga and anime) set at Omi Jingu Shrine in Otsu.

K-On! (manga and anime) set at the old Toyosato Elementary School.

Mascot characters (yuru-kyara or gotochi kyara) led by Hiko-nyan.

Inazuma Rock Fes held annually in September at Karasuma Peninsula, Kusatsu. (Photo from Wikipedia.)

tanuki statues (raccoon dog).

NHK Taiga Drama TV series (like "Go: Hime-tachi no Sengoku").

Koka/Koga ninja.

Battle of Sekigahara.

Besides Hiko-nyan, Shiga's many mascot characters include the following except:

Caffy, a Lake Biwa Giant Catfish. Shiga's sports mascot originally created for Sports Recreation Shiga 2008.

Hime Mamaru, mother firefly from Maibara. (There's also a papa firefly and baby firefly.)

Magnee, a Lake Biwa catfish and Shiga Lakestars pro basketball team mascot.

Mitsunari-kun, modeled after Ishida Mitsunari as the official mascot of the Nagahama Sengoku Taiga Furusato-haku expo in 2012.

Mori, another firefly from Moriyama.

Ninjaemon ninja mascot from Koka.

Ogoton from Ogoto Onsen hot spring in Otsu.

Otsu Hikaru-kun from Otsu. Originally created to promote the 1000th anniversary of the novel "The Tale of Genji" (Genji Monogatari) in 2008.

Sento-kun, a boy Buddhist monk with deer antlers.

Tabi-maru. a traveler from Kusatsu which was a crossroads on the old Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads.

Takumi Ponzan, a tanuki potter from Shigaraki.

Turbo-kun modeled after pop singer and Shiga's Tourism Ambassador Takanori Nishikawa (T.M. Revolution). Mascot for Inazumi Rock Fes.

These universities have a campus in Shiga except:

Biwako Seikei Sport College (びわこ成蹊スポーツ大学)

Kyoto University (京都大学)

Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology (長浜バイオ大学)

Ritsumeikan University (立命館大学)

Ryukoku University (龍谷大学)

Seian University of Art and Design (成安造形大学)

Shiga University (滋賀大学)

Shiga University of Medical Science (滋賀医科大学)

University of Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県立大学)

Hot springs (onsen) in Shiga include the following except:

Kita-Omi Resort in Nagahama (Takatsuki).

Kusatsu Onsen. (Photo from Wikipedia.)

Ogoto Onsen in Otsu.

Sugatani Onsen in Nagahama.

Who is this?

Ishikawa Mayu, volleyball player for Toray Arrows.

Ohashi Yui, Tokyo 2020 double gold medalist (women's individual 200m and 400m medley) from Hikone.

Kurogo Ai, volleyball player from Toray Arrows.

Inui Yukiko, artistic swimmer from Omi-Hachiman.

shiga-ken.com recommends the following in Shiga except:

Best rural scenery: Lake Yogo and Sugaura lakeside village

Best lake cruise: Cruise to Chikubushima island (year-round) and cherry blossom cruise to Kaizu-Osaki (April)

Prettiest cherry blossoms: Hikone Castle and Kaizu-Osaki lake shore (sakura boat cruise).

Best castle: Hikone Castle (National Treasure)

Most iconic images: Ukimido Floating Temple (Katata, Otsu), Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake (Takashima), and shinkansen train speeding past a snowy Mt. Ibuki

Most enjoyable festivals: Katsube Shrine Fire Festival in mid-Jan. (photo), Sagicho Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman (March), Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri (mid-April), Sanno-sai in Otsu (mid-April), and Otsu Matsuri (mid-Oct.)

Best traditional townscape: Gokasho Kondo Omi merchant homes in Higashi-Omi. More grand old homes are open to the public here than anywhere else in Shiga.

Best tourist attractions: Koka ninja (Koka Ninja House and Koka Ninja Village) and Biwako Terrace

Best museum: Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu to learn all about the lake in English.

Most impressive local symbols: Shigaraki's tanuki (raccoon dog), Hikone's Hiko-nyan mascot (photo), Koka ninja, Higashi-Omi's giant kite, and Notogawa's giant waterwheel

Best local food: Funazushi fermented fish (nigorobuna carp)

Best local snack: Salad Roll (sarada-pan) made in Kinomoto, Nagahama.