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News & Events
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Nov. 2016
- 40th Lake Biwa Crossing
- An event held around the end of November and start of December each year, and involving crossing the stunning natural environment of Lake Biwa using the wind that blows across it from west to east. 20 hot air balloons fly over the lake, racing to reach Nodogawa on the opposite bank over the course of about one hour. This event is popular with balloon lovers from across Japan, and the number of tourists thronging the shores of the lake in order to see the colorful balloons in flight has also increased each year. Some years you can even experience going up in a balloon yourself! 【Date】December 3~4, 2016 early morning from around 6:30 【Pleace】Omi-Shirahama Beach (take-off point), Adogawa-cho, Takashima City, Shiga
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Nov. 2016
- Konan Sanzan
- Jorakuji Temple, Chojyuji Temple and Zensuiji Temple, the three long-standing Tendai Sect temples in Konan City, are collectively known as the "Konan Sanzan." All three temples date back to the Nara period (710-794). Here you can enjoy wonderful seasonal scenery that is especially brilliant during the changing of the leaves in fall. 【Jorakuji Temple】 While taking a stroll along a path overlooking the grounds, enjoy the sight of the buildings and towers beautifully decorated with crimson leaves. OPEN：9:00 - 16:00 (*Reservation required outside of fall leaves period) FEE：500yen WEBSITE：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/126 【Chojyuji Temple】 As the leaves change along the 200m path from the gates to the National Treasure main temple, it creates nothing less than a stunning tunnel of fall colors. OPEN：9:00 - 16:00 (*Reservation required outside of fall leaves period) FEE：500yen WEBSITE：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/128 【Zensuiji Temple】 Enjoy rare fall foliage against the backdrop of the National Treasure main temple. The maples near the bell tower are called "seven color crimson leaves," with the leaves changing in beautiful gradated colors. OPEN：9:00 - 16:00 FEE：500yen WEBSITE：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/127
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Nov. 2016
- Koto Sanzan
- Saimyoji Temple, Kongourinji Temple and Hyakusaiji Temple stand on the east side of Lake Biwa in Shiga. Together these three Tendai Sect temples are called the "Koto Sanzan," and each of them is a famous and historic site of more than 1000 years. Inside the grounds you can enjoy Buddhist architecture and famous gardens that fully impart the Japanese beauty aesthetic, while also taking in stunning seasonal scenery. Fall is particularly impressive, selected as one of the top 100 places in Japan for viewing of the fall leaves, and the temples always throng with visitors at this time of year. ■Saimyoji Temple 【Admission Charges】Adults \500 / Junior High School Students \300 / Elementary School Students \100 【Admission Times】8:00 - 17:00 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/221 ■Kongourinji Temple 【Admission Charges】Adults \500 / Junior High School Students \300 / Elementary School Students \100 【Admission Times】8:30 - 17:00 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/205 ■Hyakusaiji Temple 【Admission Charges】Adults \500 / Junior High School Students \300 / Elementary School Students \100 【Admission Times】8:00 - 17:00 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/182
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Oct. 2016
- Rose Gardens of Shiga
- <<Biwako Otsukan>> The venue for the "Autumn Rose Festa," during which 100 varieties and 2000 bulbs of fall roses reach the optimal time for viewing. Alongside the English garden roses, brilliant cosmos and amethyst sage also bloom in abundance. Enjoy this stunning collaboration between roses and other wonderful plants, all set against the epic backdrop of Lake Biwa. ●Address● 5-35 Yanagasaki, Otsu City, Shiga ●Access● 15 min. on foot from JR Otsukyo Station ●URL● http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/46 <<Moriyama Rose & Herb Garden>> A botanical garden spread across approximately 3,000㎡ and cultivating 82 varieties of rose and 1,300 stems. The fall roses reach the optimal time for viewing from mid-October to mid-November. They also cultivate more than 200 foliage plants across 60 different species. ●Address● 2840 Sazukawa-cho, Moriyama City, Shiga ●Access● Take a bus from JR Moriyama Station, 15 min. on foot after alighting at the "Sazukawa Minami" bus stop ●URL● http://www.moriyamayamamori.jp/spot/320
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Oct. 2016
- Pottery Wheel Ceramics Experience!
- The two Mizuguki-yaki studios allow you to experience making ceramics using a pottery wheel. Why not make your own unique piece? With locations in the popular sightseeing spots of Nagahama and Omi-Hachiman, this is the perfect way to create a memento of your visit. Even better, so long as there's an open seat you can take part at any time! *Large groups require prior registration. <<Electric Pottery Wheel Course>> Use an electric pottery wheel and the results could very well look completely professional! Backed up with support from a skilled instructor, even beginners can get in on the action. <<Manual Pottery Wheel Course>> Create whatever piece you like while using a pottery wheel driven by hand. Make something unique and completely your own! ■Togei no Sato [Capacity] 400 people [URL] http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/167 ■Hokkokugama [Capacity] 80 people [URL] http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/259
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Oct. 2016
- National Treasures and Cultural Assets of Shiga - Yasu Area -
- Shiga Prefecture boasts a trove of cultural assets. So much so, in fact, that the region ranks third in Japan for the number of buildings designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Assets. Here's an introduction to two shrines in the Yasu region. ■Mikami-jinja Shrine The main shrine at Mikami-jinja is the first National Treasure for shrine construction in the prefecture. Approximately 700 years old, it uses so-called "Mikami construction," combining shrine, temple and palace styles in one. The shrine construction is fused with numerous elements you would be more likely to see on a Buddhist temple, including a gabled, hipped roof, plaster walls and lattice windows. Though simple, its striking appearance makes it truly representative of shrine construction in the middle ages. ■Osasahara-jinja Shrine Osasahara-jinja Shrine is said to have been founded in 986, but the plaque in the National Treasure main shrine states that it was constructed in 1414. The use of a front chamber and the plane format, with a pronounced edge around the four sides and then a second edge one step lower, is common among the shrines from the middle ages that remain in Shiga. The attention to detail on the carvings is also truly breathtaking. 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/13
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Sep. 2016
- Omi Jingu Shrine Kimono Wearing Experience
- Omi Jingu Shrine is also known as the shrine of Karuta, a Japanese card game, and is the site of numerous competitive tournaments. You can even rent and wear Japanese-style outfits, kimono and hakama based on the popular Karuta-themed comic and anime "Chihayafuru." The kimono are designed to be easy to put on alone, even for a first-time wearer, and with a wide range of colors and patterns you can choose exactly the one that suits you. There are also clothes for men and children to wear, allowing families and friends to all enjoy the experience together. 【Location of Reception】Omi Jingu Shrine, Lobby of the Clock Museum 【Usage Charges】JPY1000 【Time Allowed】9:30 - 15:30 (Closed on regular Mondays) 【Other Details】 ・Please return the kimono within one hour. ・You are free to enjoy walking around the grounds and taking photos. (*You may only walk around the grounds of Omi Jingu Shrine) ・Parties of 10 people or more require a prior reservation. 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/78
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Sep. 2016
- Experience Rural Life in Shiga
- How about experiencing a home-stay or life in a farming village amid the rich nature of Shiga? You're sure to experience something that can only be found here. ■Koka City Countryside Experience Koka City offers a "Countryside Experience in the Koka Ninja Village," aimed at educational trips (school trips, outside activities) and allowing junior high and high school students to experience life in agricultural villages and home-stays. URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/337 ■Higashi Omi City Countryside Experience In Higashi Omi City you can experience traditional family businesses, cooking, planting and harvesting. Warm interaction with the household that takes you in will provide a precious experience that you can't get in the city. URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/189 ■Omi Hino Countryside Experience Requests for educational trips, training trips and just simple visits are proactively accepted. The Omi Hino Countryside Experience is also open to the general public. You can experience life in an agricultural village and a home-stay. URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/190
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Sep. 2016
- Stay in a Popular Old Folk House!
- ■Hitomi Sanso■ very special place to lodge can be found in Higashi Omi City. A place of healing, surrounded by nature. This reed thatched old house was built 300 years ago, and moved to its current location from Eigenji Dam about 50 years ago. They only accept reservations for one party of guests per day. You can enjoy homegrown vegetables, miso paste, and pickles, dishes made using local ingredients, and local sake and wine. Sitting around the hearth and sharing a wonderful time with your family and friends will surely become a treasured memory. Furthermore, the vicinity of the house allows you to enjoy seasonal scenery, with plum flowers and cherry blossoms in the spring or bathing in the nearby Echigawa River and fireflies in the summer. URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/173
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Aug. 2016
- National Treasures and Cultural Assets of Shiga - Otsu Area -
- Shiga Prefecture boasts a trove of cultural assets. So much so, in fact, that the region ranks third in Japan for the number of buildings designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Assets. Here's an introduction to a shrine and two temples in the Otsu region. ■Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the head shrine of approximately 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie and Sanno shrines throughout Japan, and has developed into the local deity of Mt. Hieizan. (2 National Treasures, 16 Important Cultural Assets) 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/93 ■Onjoji Temple Mii-dera Temple features National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets of overwhelming quality, even when considered nationally. (10 National Treasures (64 items), 42 Important Cultural Assets (720 items)) 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/84 ■Ishiyama-dera Temple Home to a large number of National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets, including a two storied pagoda and a variety of religious texts, Buddhist statues and scrolls, not to mention the wooden main temple itself which is the oldest of its kind in Shiga. The east side of the main temple also includes the room in which Murasaki Shikibu is said to have stayed while writing The Tale of Genji. 【URL】http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/108
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Aug. 2016
- Kinomoto Jizo Ennichi Festival
- An "Ennichi" is a day thought to have links to a specific deity, and the Kinomoto Jizoin Temple Jizo Ennichi is held from August 22 to 25 every year. This is one of the largest scale Jizo Ennichi festivals in Japan, and is famous across the entire country. The streets of the town are packed with more than 170 stalls, all crammed together as they seek to catch the eye of visitors to the temple, and strolling and browsing among them is another way to enjoy the Ennichi. In the temple itself there stands a massive 7m tall Jizo statue, inspiring awe in all visitors. One of the three great Jizo of Japan, it was demanded to be handed over to be melted down during the Second World War, but was successful defended by the monks. 【Date】Generally August 22 - 25 9:00 - 22:00 (17:00 - 22:00 on 22) 【Address】Kinomoto, Kinomoto-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga 【Access】5 min. on foot from JR Kinomoto Station 【URL】http://kitabiwako.jp/event/event_9406/
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Aug. 2016
- Isaki Pole Diving
- Isaki pole diving is a Buddhist rite held on the 1st of August every year at Isakiji Temple, located 9.2km to the north of JR Omi-Hachiman Station. A thick, square 13m pole protrudes out in parallel to Lake Biwa, about 7 meters above the water. On the day of the event young trainees at the temple dive boldly from the end of the pole, or drop into the water after hanging by their feet from the metal ring also attached to it. The rite is said to date back more than 1100 years, to when the monk Konryu Daishi trained at the temple. He would throw a bowl down onto the lake in order to collect charity from the fishermen below, and then dive down into the water to pick it up again. 【URL】 http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/324