2 open air activities of Shiga / Lake Biwa

24th September, 2020

9:30 JR Otsu station

We arrived at Otsu Station in Shiga Prefecture at 9:30 am, which is conveniently only 9 minutes away from Kyoto Station via the JR train system.Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established. Omi was a neighbor of Nara and Kyoto, at the junction of western and eastern Japan. During the period 667 to 672, Emperor Tenji founded a palace in Otsu. Although in current times, the prefecture is known as Shiga, you can see the old province name very prevalently in location names as well as their revered Ōmi Beef, one of the most well known beef brands in Japan along with Kobe Beef.

10:00 Arrive at Marina Club Revre

MARINA CLUB RIVRE is located only 30 minutes away from Kyoto and one hour away from Osaka using the JR Kyoto line and Kosei line. Take one step further for more fun and quality time.Transfer available from JR Katata station.

10:15~12:00 Sailboat (including instruction)

At the Marina Club Rivre, you can try a multitude of water based activities including SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding), wind sailing and yachting. We chose the latter for our activity this time around and took off in a yacht with a very experienced captain. While riding around the lake, he pointed out various points of interest such as Omi-Fuji, the tallest mountain in the area. After a bit of instruction, passengers are also allowed to pilot the yacht around the lake.

12:00~13:00 Omi beef BBQ

The Marina Club Rivre also offers lunch packages as well. We went with the Omi Beef package but they also offer a chicken set as well.

Omigyu (Omi beef) Set Menu (locally produced)

Oumigyu is considered to be among the top-three types of Japanese "wagyu" beef, together with Kobe beef and Matsuzaka beef. It has been recognized as a type of wagyu beef for over 400-years. Please enjoy this delicate, tender, and delicious beef.

Tankai chicken Set Menu (locally produced)

If you love chicken, we recommend our locally-produced Tankai chicken. The male chickens tend to be leaner, while the females tend to be tender, well-balanced, and moist. Both have a deeply satisfying taste. Enjoy the various textures and consistencies of your chicken, perfectly complemented by our fresh vegetables.

13:20 Arrive at Moriyama Giant Rental Cycle store

Cycling around Lake Biwa is famous cycling route for beginner cyclist in Western Japan. Known as "Biwaichi", this route aims to show riders the more local side of Shiga. ne can expect to run into all sorts of temples, shrines and lovely locals who are keen to share their slice of Japan with you.

Giant Store Biwako Moriyama was opened at Marriott Hotel, so there is no lack of accomodation for those wishing to travel leisurely around the lake.

As the Biwako Ohashi Bridges, which connect Otsu City and Moriyama City in Shiga Prefecture, will mark their 50th anniversary this year, a commemorative ceremony will be held on September 28. The 1.4-kilometer-long southern bridge will be pedestrianized for the first time since its opening. The anniversary will be celebrated through events such as 1,000 people holding hands while standing in a row on the bridge and others.

The first Biwako Ohashi Bridge was opened on September 28, 1964 as a "bridge of dreams" connecting the west coast and the southern and east coasts of the lake in order to contribute to industrial development and promote tourism at Lake Biwa. In 1980, pedestrian and bicycle lanes were installed. In response to increased traffic, a new bridge was constructed on the north side in July 1994, making a total of four lanes. Currently the bridges are run by Shiga Prefectural Road Public Corporation. More than 30,000 cars per day cross the bridges.

Ukimido

The Ukimido, the "floating temple hall" at Mangetsuji Temple, is famous for being featured in one of the Eight Views of Omi, "wild geese returning home at Katata." The current structure is a recreation that was erected in 1937, and then underwent repairs in 1982, yet it fully retains the atmosphere of the original construction. The Kannondo in the temple grounds also contains an Important Cultural Property in the form of a statue of Sho Kannon.

⇒Back to Moriyama Giant Rental cycle store

16;30 Depart from Moriyama

17:30 Check-in at Hotel Koo

The accommodation is very nice and modern. You feel away from the city. It can be a bit noisy during the day, but if you want to relax at night it's perfect for you. I stayed alone and it was a bit too big for me, but if I ever go to Shiga, I would definitely go with a friend or 4.

Autumn Leave in Shiga

Hyakusaiji Temple

2BCB95295FB34D44A402415393BCDE90.jpgNear the entrance was a giant, bear tree when we went, which I am sure would be beautiful when spring comes. However nearby there are plenty of red, maple trees to appreciate. After a short walk past the entrance, there is a large pond filled with koi. There are a few colorful ones, but the majority appeared to be black. The fish are quite feisty and there is fish food nearby that you can pay for. I would recommend trying to feed them if there is fish food that you can purchase. Of course, the pond is situated around plenty of colorful trees, so there is a beautiful view all around the it.

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Further up the path, there were a lot of yellow and orange leaved trees when we had gone. That is not to say there were not any red leaves at all, but rather the temple had the most variety of leaf colors among the temples I have visited for autumn leaves. Near the top was also giant bell that people could ring, so feel free to try it. Near the mountaintop you could hear monkeys sometimes, and if you're lucky enough you might see one too.

Kyorinbo Temple

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My first impression of entering Kyourinbou was how colorful the leaves were even at the beginning of december. The walking path was filled with autumn leaves, which made me constantly stop to take pictures. Although the walking path is not particularly long, the scenery rivals that of any larger temple. There was nearly nothing that I did not want to have a picture of when I went.

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Situated near the center of the path was a shrine facing the pond. While there were a decent group of people sitting crouching and taking photos, I would not say that the area felt crowded. The pond has a terraced, moss-covered rocks that are right in front of Japanese maples trees. Watching the leaves fall and float in the pond up was a one of the kind experience.

(Author : Robin Zhang / JCMU student, 2019)

Do you know what is "Kuzumochi"?

Kuzumochi are a clear Japanese jelly of kuzu, sugar and water. Kuzu is starch from the Japanese Arrowroot plant. Japanese people known as a summer sweets.

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Asamiya Tea Matcha Kuzumochi - It is a rich matcha bean jam kudzu-mochi made with 1200 traditional Japanese flavors and scents, "Asamiya tea", one of Japan's five most famous teas, and Yoshinohon-kudzu.

"Asamiya tea" is characterized by a refreshing taste and a refreshing throat.
Please enjoy the scent of matcha and the texture of "slippery / smooth".

CIMG4232.JPGYamamotoen offers international shipping. For more details, please contact them by email using the following template.

E-mail : info@yamamotoen.co.jp

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Fujii Honke Sake Brewery was established in 1831 and sole brewery to make and provide sacred Sake to the Japanese Imperial Court and shrine all over Japan because of the Inperial Niiname Harvest Festival.

04981s.jpgLake Biwa is surrounded by mountains and is known as one of the ancient lakes of the World, It's unique geographic character makes the local weather and water ideal for sake brewing and rice cultivation.

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This sake called "Kyokujitsu Kirara" made by very traditional ways and it was a gift for world leaders at G20 summit held in Osaka, 2019.

Also, Their Sakagura Brewery building is registered Tangible Cutural Property, it 700 years old! Over 8000 visitors a year come to Sakagura Brewery tours to learn how to make Sake traditionally.

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Fujii Honke Sake Brewery offers international shipping. For more details, please contact them by email using the following template.

E-mai : info@fujiihonke.jp

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The Ota family can trace their family tree back to one Dokan Ota, a samurai and Buddhist monk from the 15th century. They are said to have started this sake brewery after the end of the old feudal system in order to make use of the high-quality Omi rice harvested from their large number of rice fields.

Developing into a fully-fledged brewery as a result, they continue to send delicious sake out into the world today.

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Junmai Daiginjo is a A levels Sake, its special designations are specified by the Japanese government, and also a all Sake brewery's best offering.

Ohta Shuzo Brewery offers "Dokan" which includes beautiful wooden box making it ideal for a special gift. Price would be 720ml : 2100 yen, 1800ml : 5,500 yen ex.tax and shipping fee etc.

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Visit their website to see more Sake products : http://www.ohta-shuzou.co.jp/

They are happy to selling for overseas customers, so please contact via e-mail with following details : got1641@ohta-shuzou.co.jp

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Are you looking for a unique and high-quality handbag?

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Kobo IMURA creates tailor-made handbags featuring a beautiful spiral stich on the handles.

All the handbags was made by locally famous artisan called Ms Imura.

DSC_0266.jpgMost unique one is a "Biwa Leather Bag" and inspired by waves of Lake Biwa, Shiga prefecture.

Well-crafted, light and roomy and come with a shoulder strap. The perfect handbag for daily use.

スパイラルびわレザー.jpgPlease visit their website to browsing another type of handdbags : https://atelier-imura.jp/

They are happy to selling for overseas customers, so please contact via e-mail with following details : imura@mx.bw.dream.jp

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Funazushi is traditionally made with a kind of Japanese carp fish called Nigorobuna, unique to Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. Recently known as a very expensive fermented food, and the recipe dating back over 1000 years....

What is funazushi? It's the oldest (means not fresh) sushi you've ever eaten. Honestly, its year old Sushi!!! Watch this video to know about Funazushi and supplier "Shiseian".

Take a leap of faith and try Shiseian's delicious funazushi as the store offers casual and modern variations at an affordable price.

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The taste like cheese, and good for your health because it's made by fermented food.

Price : 1080 yen ex. shipping fee etc.

Visit their website : http://www.shiseian.com/

They are happy to selling for overseas customers, so please contact via e-mail with following details : kanta@shiseian.com

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There are some different types of sake, and the following special designations are specified by the Japanese government. It depends on rice polishing or alcohol level, name will be different as "Dai-ginjo shu", "Ginjo shu" and "Junmai shu".

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Complicated?

But this Shironeko offers Ginjo-shu, which means a sake with toned down acidity levels. This type of sake is perfect for first time sake drinkers.

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The japanese word "shironeko" itself means white cat in Japanese, but why this Sake called "white cats"? From ancient time, there are so many mice in the Sake brewery. As everybody knows, cats love to catch mice. Almost Sake breweries are protected by this natural hunters against mice problem.

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Ideal gift for cat lovers!

720㎖ 1,380円
300㎖ 680円
ex. tax and shipping fee

Website : http://www.shigasakari.com/

E-mail : omi@shigasakari.jp or shigasakari@gmail.com

They are happy to selling for overseas customers, so please contact via e-mail with following details.

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Nunobikiyaki pottery is known as the modern version of Ryokusaitoki pottery which was originally created during the Heian Period (794 AD - 1185).

It was not until 1,000 years had passed that Ryokusaitoki was reborn as Nunobikiyaki, unique for its elegant colours.

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Nunobikiyaki pottery ware are mostly tableware, plates, cups, bowls, vases, umbrella holders and other everyday items with the rich colors of Nunobikiyaki.

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The artist of Nunobikiyaki, Mr Kojima recommened a Cherry blossom rice bowl tableware.

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For Nunobikiyaki orders and inquiries, please contact via e-mail : jimu@nunobikiyaki.jp

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3. Cheese Funazushi / Kunsaido

Old and new.

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Funazushi is traditionally made with a kind of Japanese carp fish called Nigorobuna, unique to Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. Recently known as a very expensive fermented food.

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"Cheese Funazushi" - A new type of Funazushi that's is based on the concept of easily bringing Shiga's traditional food culture to the dining table today. Also its affordable price.

This masterpiece, with the light and smooth texture of its compressed cheese filling, goes perfectly with alchol even wine.

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Visit the website : http://kunsaido.com/

For more information, please contacct via e-mail : kunsaido@gmail.com

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