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.

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

≪Inquiry Template≫
　　　Your Name:
　　　Address:
　　　Country:
　　　E-mail address:
　　　Message to this supplier:

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".

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.

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.

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.

---------------------------------------

≪Inquiry Template≫
　　　Your Name:
　　　Address:
　　　Country:
　　　E-mail address:
　　　Message to this supplier

Old and new.

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.

"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.

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

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

---------------------------------------

Inquiry Template

Your Name:

Address:

Country:

E-mail address:

Message to Kunsaido :

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.

Their 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

---------------------------------------

Inquiry Template

Your Name:

Address:

Country:

E-mail address:

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.

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.

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

---------------------------------------

Inquiry Template

Your Name:

Address:

Country:

E-mail address:

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.

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

Lunch at Tsurugi Soba Noodle restaurant

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)

15:30 Back to the station by Sakamoto Cable

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

The 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).

Author : Deontae Deuce Griggs / Kansai Tourism Bureau

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 :

Japanese 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!

This 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.

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

Tight the ribbon .... and completed!

How 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!

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.

As follow, still remaining same as above old picture.

Kusatsu 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"?

"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)".

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.

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

Thsi 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.

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

This 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/

"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)

Sacred mountain in Shiga, it called Hieizan mountain.

Before you go climb that Hieizan mountain, here's our beginners guide to trekking to Hieizan Mountain.

If you are beginner to climb, please don't worry. The route where we choose, it would be great to enjoy.

But please invest your good quality of equipment and bring your enough water.

During your trek to Hieizan mountain, make sure you stay properly hydrated by drinking lots of water.

Finally, trekking is not race, so go at your own pace is most important.

Now, lets' go!

---------------

(1) Nearest station

Nearest station of Hieizan Mountain is "Sakamoto Hieizanguchi" station (Keihan Line).

From the station, just go to Hiyoshi Taisha Shine's Torii gate. It is easy access, its just follow the sign board.

It takes around 5 minutes by walk.

(2) Entrance of Hieizan Mountain Trekking

This is a Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Left side of Torii gate, there are some stairs made by stone.

This is a first step of Hieizan Mountain.

Stairs will be continued to 2nd entrance of Hieizan. Just follow the stairs until end.

From here, there is no ENGLISH sign board, so there is only Japanese sign.

But please don't worry, it is easy access to the goal called Hieizan Enryakuji temple.

Enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa and ancient stone statue, breathe in the fresh air insidethe wood, and appreciate the things that you see along the way.

(3) Way to the Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

After the stone stairs, you will be on the street vlike this.

End of this street, you can see the iron gate.

After the this iron gate, you can walk on the stone and rustic wood, but it is no quite danger way. Its just struggling to walk....

Continues to walk, you can see some statue and sign board. We've enjoyed making some stone ornaments like this ;-)

We are trying to find some place to rest, middle of the way to the top, there is a place like this.

Stone statue on the line. There is a wooden chair to sit down in front of this statue.

After the rest, we go for walk again!

If you see this sign board, it said Enryakuji temple is so close.

But it not said how long. So we need to walk....

Around Hieizan mountain and Enryakuji area called Sakamoto, it quite famous as a great stone work in ancient time. So you can see some ancient stone work in everywhere of this route.

And is you see this old wooden ruin and turtles, it will be ending your journey.

Unfortunately, from here to the goal is soooo slightly uphill.....

It must be difficult but goal is just there, you must go.

Thsi sign borard is a goal, here is a next to the Hieizan Enryakuji Kaiakan hall (accommodation).

If you are OK, please up to the Hieizan Enryakuji temple's formal gate called Monjuro to Konpon-chudo to pray.

Konpon-Chudo is a Enryakuji's main building, and undergoing some renovation and will be covered by scaffolding until at least 2026.

Watch the video to learn how Enryauji is : https://www.tokyostreetview.com/hieizan-enryakuji-temple-shiga/