A suncatcher is a small reflective ornament and very popular especially in Europe.
Most suncatchers may include glass and be hung indoors near a window to "catch" sunlight.

Based next to the picturesque Lake Biwa is B&M Techno Service, Ltd where they offer accessories inspired by Japan's largest freshwater lake.

20180617_1.jpgTheir suncatchers are using some small Biwa pearl, this pearls are freshwater pearl made in Lake Biwa. Enjoy the beautiful blue hues of Lake Biwa's waters from B&M Techno Service's colourful designs.


B&M Techno Service is also selling more Lake Biwa series products, so please visit their website to see it : https://toharu8888.base.shop/

For more information, please contacct via e-mail : kitamura@bamts.co.jp

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Have you ever eaten eel?

Eel called "Unagi" in Japanese and very popular to eat in early summer.
If you like sushi or smoked salmon, you will love smoked eel.

The one of famous "Unagi" eel restaurant called Nishitomo in Takashima city, Shiga prefecture.

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Nishitomo is a restaurant specializing in eel and river fish cuisine. Be sure to check out their Unagi-Chazuke, a unique eel pack catered for individuals who have never tried Unagi before.

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Unagi is known for its unique flavor palate, but also for its high price. Costly to produce, Nishitomo have set out to create an affordable way to experience and savor grilled eel.

They are happy to selling for all over the world, so please contact via e-mail : support@nishitomo.co.jp

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Hiking to Hieizan- Enryakuji Temple

9:30 Meet at Keihan Line "Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi" station

I left my accomodation in Osaka City and traveled a little more than an hour by train to begin my day in Shiga Prefecture. Sakamoto- Hieizanguchi is located in Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture, so it is easily accessible from larger cities such as Osaka and Kyoto.

9:45 Start trekking

After meeting with my fellow hiking companions, we walked for about five minutes to arrive in front of Hiyoshi Taisha shrine. The stone steps next to the torii gate at Hiyoshi Taisha mark the entrance to the Mt. Hiei trekking Pilgrimage route.

Honzaka was once the main path used by those coming to worship at Hieizan Enryakuji, but with the opening of the cable car, the route has seen far less use and is not especially well maintained. This makes the hike a bit more rigid than most other popular hiking locations, but it is not impossible. If you choose to take part in the hike, you should allot 2 to 2.5 hours to complete it with ample breaks and photo opts.

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12:00 Arrive at Hieizan-Enryakuji Temple (top of the Mt. Hiei)

Lunch at Tsurugi Soba Noodle restaurant

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13:00 Tour around Hieizan Enryaku Temple

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, with its sprawling grounds across Mt. Hieizan, is the head temple of the Tendai Sect, and was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994 and as a Japan Heritage site in 2015. Conveniently located for access by driveway, cable car and all bus routes, it is comparatively easy to make it all the way to the top of the mountain. At Enryakuji Kaikan you can also experience what it's like to train at the temple, including Zen meditation and making copies of the sutras. Please inquire to 077-578-0047 (9:00 - 17:00) for more details.

Konpon Chudo, a national treasure, is a hall that was originally created from a structure erected by Dengyo Daishi Saicho, founder of Enryakuji Temple, in 788. Meeting with destruction at the hands of various disasters over the years, with each rebuilding it also increased in scale. Its current form was completed in 1642 under orders from Iemitsu Tokugawa. The statue of the Yakushi (Bhaisajyaguru) Buddha here has an eternal light placed in front of it, which has not gone out in more than 1200 years. While the building is currently undergoing major repair work, the work itself is quite a sight to see as it is being performed on a National Treasure. Don't miss this chance to see interesting restoration work underway. (The work started in 2016 and will continue for approximately 10 years)

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15:30 Back to the station by Sakamoto Cable

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16:00 Arrive at Keihan Line "Hieizan-Sakamotoguchi" station

6.jpg7.jpg8.jpgThe hotel located near Hieizan Enryakuji Temple offers character lattes like Medama-Oyaji (目玉おやじ or 目玉親父, Lit. "Eyeball Father"), or Medama-no-Oyaji (目玉のおやじ). This particular one is a major character in the GeGeGe no Kitarō franchise. Once a fully-formed adult ghost, he perished of a disease, only to be reborn out of his decayed body as an anthropomorphic version of his own eyeball. His primary role in the series is to support the main character Kitarō with his knowledge of all things yōkai(japanese spirits).

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Author : Deontae Deuce Griggs / Kansai Tourism Bureau

En route vers la Tokaido! Partie 2 : Kusatsu

Laissant la rivière Seta derrière nous, nous nous rendons à Kusatsu. C'est là que les deux grandes routes de l'époque Edo, la Tokaido et la Nakasendo, se réunissaient avant d'arriver à Kyoto, Kusatsu-juku en étant l'avant-dernier arrêt.

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Nous arrêtons d'abord à la brasserie de saké Tenjogawa, une des 33 de la préfecture, où le propriétaire nous fait visiter. Nous sommes impressionnés par la salle tempérée, où le koji est fabriqué; l'odeur de cèdre mêlée au parfum subtil du riz emplit nos narines dès que nous traversons le pas de la porte basse.

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Au fond du bâtiment, passé les larges cuves, se cache une impressionnante presse traditionnelle, couverte de chiffres qui marquent son âge.

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Notre hôte explique que ce type de presse permet de donner un goût plus pur au saké. Il nous offre ensuite d'essayer ses différentes bouteilles. Je laisse à plus expert que moi la liberté de s'en faire une idée!

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Quittant Tenjogawa, nous cheminons à pied jusqu'à Hyôsendô, un atelier de gourdes faites de calebasses.

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Cette ancienne station de la Tokaido a été immortalisée par Hiroshige dans sa série des arrêts sur la route; on peut comparer l'oeuvre et la réalité grâce au marqueur de pierre qui se dresse devant le magasin encore aujourd'hui.

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Nous passons la prochaine demi-heure à décorer notre propre gourde avec des marqueurs avant de partir avec nos nouvelles mascottes.

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De retour en voiture, nous traversons la rivière Kusatsu et nous rendons à la croisée des deux anciennes routes.

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Cette partie de la ville a gardé ses airs d'antan et de nombreux vieux bâtiments ont résisté à l'épreuve du temps. Nous longeons la rue principale qui était autrefois la Tokaido, et des élèves en vélo nous saluent au passage.

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Appréciant les œuvres d'art modernes qui ponctuent le paysage, nous nous rendons chez Taigi, une boutique d'encens.

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Là nous passons un bon moment à fabriquer nos propres nioi bukuro, des petits sachets remplis d'encens. Après avoir reniflé chacun des huit ingrédients, nous versons notre sélection dans un mortier et les mélangeons au pilon. Je choisis des parfums d'épices, que la propriétaire m'aide ensuite à insérer dans chacun des sachets.

Suivant cette expérience aromatique, nous retournons à la jonction et explorons un peu les environs. Une rivière surélevée passait ici, mais elle a été transformée en long passage où faire des promenades ou s'arrêter manger. Cependant, nous n'avons pas le temps de nous arrêter, car notre destination finale nous attend : le sanctuaire shinto de Tachiki.

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Le sanctuaire se trouve à l'autre bout du chemin qui mène à Kusatsu-juku. Près du torii se dressent des restes des anciens pèlerinages qui menaient ici.

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Les quelques bâtiments et la cour intérieure n'ont rien d'imposant, mais on y trouve plusieurs statues de cerfs, marquant sa relation avec Nara, ainsi que de nombreux arbres anciens.

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10-2.jpgC'est ainsi que notre journée se termine, dans cette petite enclave de nature.

En route vers la Tokaido! Partie 1 : Otsu

À l'époque d'Edo, deux grandes routes reliaient l'ancienne capitale, Kyoto, à la nouvelle, Edo : la Tokaido et la Nakasendo. Pour éviter les montagnes, elles devaient passer par Shiga, longeant le lac Biwa au sud. Encore aujourd'hui existent des échos de leur passé, notamment à Otsu et à Kusatsu.

1.jpgNous commençons la journée dans la capitale de Shiga, où nous visitons d'abord le pont Seta no Karahashi, qui enjambe la rivière Seta. Une courte promenade nous permet d'apprécier le paysage et de faire le plein de vitamine D. Ce pont a toujours été d'une importance stratégique puisqu'il s'agissait du lien direct à Kyoto le plus sécuritaire étant donné les vents capricieux qui soufflent du mont Hiei sur lac Biwa et déroutent les bateaux. Il a donc été détruit plusieurs fois pendant ses plus de mil ans d'existence et sa forme actuelle est moderne. Encore aujourd'hui, c'est un lieu passant, à l'ombre duquel des pêcheurs se tiennent sur la berge et où le festival Senkosai a lieu tous les mois d'août.

Pendant le festival, des mikoshi (un type de grand reliquaire portable) traversent le pont et voyagent sur la rivière. Un des mikoshi provient du sanctuaire shintoïste Takebe Taisha, notre destination suivante.

2-2.jpgOn dit que ce sanctuaire est l'un des plus anciens du Japon. Sa proximité au lac Biwa lui donne un lien fort avec l'eau, qui se reflète dans ses différents types de divinations omikuji : ici, la prédiction apparaît comme un message secret au contact de l'eau, là, elle se trouve dans un petit poisson qu'il faut pêcher!

2-4.jpg Le sanctuaire est assez grand, avec un étang et un jardin en plus des nombreux bâtiments principaux et auxiliaires.

2-1.jpgL'un d'entre eux, juste passé le pont où les carpes se rassemblent sous nos pieds, aiderait à trouver l'amour.

2-3.jpg L'endroit est paisible et nous prenons une autre bouffée d'air avant de retourner à Karahashi.

Là, nous continuons notre chemin vers la boutique de céramique Karahashiyaki Kamamoto.

3-1.jpgContrairement aux autres poteries de Shiga, celles de style Karahashi utilisent de l'argile tirée directement du lac Biwa. Cette glaise proviendrait des créatures vivantes du lac, qui insuffleraient leur énergie aux céramiques. Le style est aussi célèbre pour sa laque de couleur « bleu lac Biwa ».

3-2.jpgAprès une discussion fort intéressante avec le maître potier, nous nous dirigeons vers un atelier à part, où nous passons l'heure suivante à fabriquer nos propres tasses.

3-3.jpgLe maître est excellent professeur et nous nous amusons tous ensemble à créer. Le produit fini doit être cuit et lacqué à plusieurs reprises pendant un mois avant d'être prêt.

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Venue l'heure du midi, nous retournons sur les berges de la rivière Seta, où nous embarquons à bord du Yakatabune Shiki, un bateau-mouche exploité par Shiga Chuo Kanko Bus.

4-1.jpgLà, nous dévorons notre thé et nos boîtes repas remplies de spécialités de Shiga avant de monter sur le pont supérieur pour profiter du paysage.

4-2.jpg4-4-1.jpgPendant un peu plus d'une heure, la croisière remonte la rivière et fait un tour du sud du lac avant de revenir à son point de départ.

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La vue est, bien entendu, merveilleuse; je serais curieuse de la voir aussi de nuit, mais ce sera pour une autre fois! Pour l'instant, nous nous dirigeons vers la ville voisine, Kusatsu, où nous passerons l'après-midi.

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À suivre...

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Have you seen "Omamori" lucky charm before?

All over Japan, each shrine and temple you may drop in on sells small Omamori luck charm. They are meant to be put on or in your bag, purse, walle or whever you want, may protect or blessing.

At Tarobogu Jinja shrine, you can make your original own Omamori lucky charm by yourself like this.

Please do not worry about how to make it. Chief priest or shrine maiden will teach you how to make it and instruction board will be show you some step to complete.

So, let's see how to make your own Omamori lucky charm!

Please watch carefully this instruction board here :

IMG_20191207_135323_3.jpgJapanese only.....but please don't panic! As I said, priest or shrine maiden will teach you, but also can not speak any English. But they can show you how to do it. Easy!

IMG_20191207_135329_6.jpgThis is a set of Omamori lucky charm making. You can choose your small cloth bag and colour of ribbon by yourself.

Please write down your wish on the paper, it has enough space to write your wishes.

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And then, put it into the small bag with Tarobo-gu shrine's God's stone together.

IMG_20191207_135339_1.jpgTight the ribbon .... and completed!

IMG_20191207_140542_8.jpgHow do you think? My one is middle, and I love it so much.

Tarobogu Shrine is located about halfway up the 350m high mountain, and said to have been founded around 1,400 years ago, it is connected to warding off disaster and bringing good luck and success in business.

Visit Tarobogu Shrine and try making your own Omamori luck charm for your sourvenir in Shiga!

Address 2247 Owaki-cho, Higashiomi City, Shiga
Opening Hours 9:00 - 16:00
Open every day
Inquiries +81-748-23-1341
Access Public transportation
Ohmi Railway Yokaichi Line Tarobogu-mae Station 20 min. on foot
Website http://www.tarobo.sakura.ne.jp/

Montagne sacrée de Shiga : Mont Hiei (Hieizan)

Voici un guide pour les débutants en randonnée en montagne souhaitant monter au mont Hiei (Hieizan).

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Même si vous êtes débutant(e) en randonnée en montagne, ne vous inquiétez pas. Le parcours que nous avons pris est sympathique.

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Mais prenez des équipements de qualité et suffisamment d'eau.

Assurez-vous de bien vous hydrater tout au long du parcours.

La randonnée n'est pas une course. Marchez à votre rythme.

Bon, on y va !

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(1) Gare la plus proche

La gare la plus proche est la gare « Sakamoto Hieizanguchi » de la Ligne Keihan.

De cette gare, prenez la direction du temple Hiyoshi Taisha. Le chemin est bien indiqué.

Vous marchez environ 5 minutes.

(2) Entrée du parcours de randonnée du mont Hiei (Hieizan)

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Temple Hiyoshi Taisha. À gauche du Torii (portail) se trouve un escalier en pierre.

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C'est l'entrée du mont Hiei (Hieizan).

Montez cet escalier jusqu'à la fin.

Désormais, il n'y a que des indications en japonais.

Mais ne vous inquiétez pas. Vous arriverez facilement au temple Enryakuji.

Admirez la vue panoramique sur le lac Biwa, les vieilles statuettes en pierre, etc. tout en respirant l'air frais de la forêt.

(3) Chemin vers le temple Enryakuji

Au bout de l'escalier en pierre, vous arrivez sur cette route.

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Au bout de cette route, il y a des barrières.

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Après ces barrières, vous marchez sur un chemin non goudronné qui n'est pas dangereux mais qui est un peu difficile à marcher.

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Sur ce chemin, vous pouvez voir des statuettes en pierre, des poteaux en pierre, etc.

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À mi-chemin, il y a un endroit comme celui-ci, pour se reposer un peu.

Il a un banc en face de ces statuettes en pierre qui sont bien alignées.

Après une pause, en avant !

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Cette indication doit signifier que le temple Enryakuji n'est pas loin...

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Mais la distance n'est pas indiquée. Tant pis, il faut marcher !

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Le mont Hiei (Hieizan) et le temple Enryakuji se trouvent dans la commune de Sakamoto qui a prospéré grâce à sa maçonnerie, comme vous pouvez le constater durant votre randonnée.

Quand vous arrivez à ce bâtiment et cette tortue, vous n'êtes plus très loin de l'arrivée.

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Mais malheureusement, il reste une pente rude à monter...

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C'est dur, mais il faut y aller !

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C'est l'arrivée ! Vous êtes maintenant à côté de l'hôtel Enryakuji Kaikan.

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Si vous n'êtes pas trop fatigué(e), allez jusqu'à l'entrée principale « Monjuro » et au sanctuaire principal « Kompon-Chudo » du temple Enryakuji.

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Le sanctuaire principal « Kompon-Chudo » est en travaux de rénovation jusqu'en 2026.

Pour plus d'informations https://www.voyage-shiga.com/

Vidéo sur le temple Enryakuji : https://www.tokyostreetview.com/hieizan-enryakuji-temple-shiga/

Walking the Nakasendo, its not only Nagano and Kyoto. You can walk the most popular section in Shiga, called Kusatsu or Moriyama, as a daytrip from Kyoto. Here's our recommended route of Nakasendo in Shiga.

Kusatsu was a Shukuba-machi, mean Post Town of Nakasendo. You can see some sign anywhere in Kusatsu.

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As follow, still remaining same as above old picture.

1562120702.jpgKusatsu was a place for branching and merging with the two major highways, the Tokaido and the Nakasendo connecting Kyoto and Edo (Current Tokyo). It was also a lively place for many travelers and goods because it was connected closely to the way to Yabase port where was an important place of ship transportation of the Lake Biwa.

This is a Honjin, so do you know what is "Honjin"?

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"Honjin" was the most prestigious accommodation in Shukuba (post town) in the Edo period.

There were only one or two Honjin in Shukuba. It consists of a large land and a big building, and there were some special facilities that only the Honjin was allowed to make. "Honjin" used to refer to the "military headquarters", but later because of the meaning of "the place where the shogun is staying", it became to refer to "an accommodation facility for the exclusive use of elite of society, such as Daimyo (feudal load), Hatamoto (direct retainer of the shogun) and Kuge (the nobility)".

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More information about Kusatsu Honjin : https://www.city.kusatsu.shiga.jp/kusatsujuku/english/index.html

In Kusatsu, Shiga prefecture, you can enjoy the walk Nakasendo also Tokaido. At the Furukawa Shuzo Sake Brewery is on the route of Tokaido, you can tasting some of Japanese Sake.

1562121963.jpgJust second minutes walk from Furukawa Sake Brewery, you can see the sign board picture by Hiroshige Utagawa.

IMG_20190527_150926_9.jpgThsi building was a Japanese sweets shop and now Hyosendo's office, Hyosendo is selling Hyotan (Gourd) and it used to water bottle when people walking Nakasendo / Tokaido.

IMG_20190527_143543_0.jpgIn Spring time, there is a festival called Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri.

草津宿場祭り1.jpgThis festival includes a historical pageant that proceeds through the traditional city streets, with a large number of onlookers taking in the vast array of gorgeous outfits. The main players in the pageant strike a chord deep in the hearts of all who see them, while the rich and fabulous costumes and hairstyles clearly delineate the differences between samurai and noble cultures.

More information about Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri festival : https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/event/detail/14

Visit Shiga to walking Nakasendo and Tokaido. We are next to Kyoto and only 9 minutes by normal train.

https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/

Você já ouviu falar do Lago Biwa? Famoso entre os japoneses, ele é o maior lago de todo o Japão! No dia 27 de maio tive a oportunidade de ir com a Emilie, Coordenadora de Relações Internacionais do Canadá, em um passeio de barco por essa atração local.

O embarque foi pontual, às 11:45. Nos reunimos em um píer às margens do Rio Seta e embarcamos no Yakatabune Shiki, nome da embarcação responsável por nos conduzir em nosso passeio. O tempo estava ótimo e o barco era lindo. A recepção calorosa que tivemos, então, só aumentou ainda mais nossa expectativa e empolgação.

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Fomos gentilmente guiados ao primeiro andar da embarcação, onde já nos aguardava a mesa e um luxuoso bentô para cada um. Além dessa refeição, foi servido também matcha, chá tradicional no Japão.

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Minha primeira surpresa agradável foi ao abrir a caixa e verificar o conteúdo:

Em poucas palavras, foi o melhor bentô que comi desde que vim ao Japão. Repleto de frutos frescos do mar e cuidadosamente preparado nos mínimos detalhes, ele já bastaria para me satisfazer e fazer o dia ter valido a pena.

Mas então o barco se afastou do píer e iniciou seu percurso pelo Biwako, como os japoneses chamam o gigantesco lago.

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Tempo não era uma preocupação e por isso fomos comendo com calma, desfrutando daquele momento.

Após terminar nossa refeição, ouvimos que poderíamos ir ao andar de cima tirar fotos se quiséssemos. Foi então que nos dirigimos ao topo do Yakatabune.

Chegando lá, esta foi a primeira cena que se apresentou a nós:

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Avançamos pelo barco apenas para nos dar conta de que estamos abraçados por todos os lados pelo Biwako. O céu azul nos envolvendo, a água tranquila, o vento fresco que faz esquecer que nos dirigimos ao verão.

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É indescritível.

A embarcação avança tranquila pela água enquanto sinto o vento refrescante e observo a paisagem que parece não ter fim...

...Existem cenas que criam morada em nossa memória, e eu sabia que aquela era uma delas.

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O passeio pelo Biwako a bordo do Yakatabune foi uma experiência única: o sorriso com que nos atenderam, o conforto da embarcação, o sabor impecável da comida e toda a beleza do maior lago do Japão.

Só resta agradecer à tripulação pela experiência maravilhosa que nos foi proporcionada.

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Muito obrigado!

E até breve!

More details about Yakatabune Shiki https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/2599?active=eat

Rosa & Berry Tawada English Garden

"Rosa & Berry Tawada" in Maibara city, Shiga prefecture, is a touristic farm established by a housewife who had a gardening hobby. This well-managed English-style garden offers a wide variety of activities which can be enjoyed by locals and tourist alike!

Rose Garden/ Peak season

If you are fortunate enough to visit Kansai during late spring, you should strongly consider checking out Rosa & Berry Tawada English Garden in Shiga if only to see the roses in full bloom. The temperature and climate of Maibara, Shiga is ideal for growing a large array of flora. In the 13,000m2 garden, the indigenous trees and plants have been kept and only enhance the seven gardens on the grounds to be conscience of the harmony with the surrounding environment. Despite being in Japan, you can truly feel as though you have been transported to England. (Two vacations in one anyone?)

BBQ Area

If you are feeling a bit peckish after strolling through the garden, there are several dining options, but for summer I would recommend the outdoor BBQ area. The entire dining experience is done in a DIY fashion. You are provided a grill and utensils for cooking your food. In a farm to table move, you can select and harvest seasonal vegetables from the field and cook using them just after picking. If traveling with small children, it is a great hands-on experience for them to learn where their food is coming from. The gazebo, which can seat up to 8 people, let you enjoy the scenery in comfort.

Onsite farms

In addition to the vegetable farm, they also a sheep farm and pony farm. Petting and feeding are permitted, but please only feed them the proper food provided by the staff.

Train

You can take a sightseeing trip from the station in Spacious Lawn to the new Fairy Garden area or just before the Sheep Petting Farm. Please enjoy the approximately 1 km comfortable train ride while your body sways with the train motion and your face feels the breeze.

Fairy houses

In 2018, Fairy Garden, a Village where Fairies Live,was opened on the small hills between mountains in the north area of Rosa & Berry Tawada. Like a scene from the Lord of the Rings, these small dwellings add a bit of magic to the garden and give you a feeling of wonderment and awe. Feel free to explore the area and find the various small houses and trappings of fairies.

Shaun the Sheep

Finally, the newest attraction at Rosa & Berry Tawada English Garden is the Shaun the Sheep Farm House. This area of the park is dedicated to the beloved Shaun the Sheep- a British stop-motion animated television series. Here you can interact with life sized replicas of characters and scenes from the show!

If you are interested to check out this unique venue while in Shiga, feel free to check the link down below for times, prices and access!

(Author : Deuce Ludas Griggs, Kansai Tourism Bureau)