Results matching “Shiga”

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)

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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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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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 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/