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Feb. 2017

“Feel the ZEN SPIRIT”　Ascetic Training

Teachings of Zen, the starting point of Japanese culture. Learn about the spirit of Zen Buddhism, practice Zen meditation, transcription of sutras, and other Zen practices at the pilgrims’ lodgings in Enryaku-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site on Mt. Hiei. Try the healthy shojin (vegetarian) meals that are an integral part of Zen. ▼Zen Meditation 1person ：¥1,000 (before tax) Reservation Only (A reservation cannot be made for the same day.) Approx. 1Hour *Preliminary explanation takes around 20 minutes, and the actual experience lasts about 40 minutes. ▼Sutra Transcription 1person ：¥1,000（before tax） Approx. 90min. Transcribe the Hannya Sutra. 9：00～15：00 ▼Shojin Cuisine ¥1,650～¥3,300 *Reservations should be made at least three days in advance. 11：30～13：30 *An additional Enryaku-ji Temple Pilgrimage fee is required. ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Inquiry ： Enryaku-ji Kaikan Hall, within Enryaku-ji Temple （4220 Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu City） 9:00～17:00 TEL:077-578-0047 URL:http://syukubo.jp 【Access】JR Kosei Line to [Hieizan Sakamoto Station], or Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to [Sakamoto Station]. Then take the Kojak Bus displaying [Sakamoto Cable-iki] to the bus stop [Cable Sakamoto-eki]. From there, take the cable car to the cable car stop [Enryakuji-eki], and walk about 10 minutes to the temple.
Feb. 2017

Ikehara Soba Dojo Soba Making Experience

"The Ikehara Soba Dojo is located in a village at the foot of the mountains, overflowing with nature along with beautiful water from Lake Yogo. All of the instructors and staff for the soba making experience are local men and women aged 60 or more, and the proceedings have a very at-home and relaxed atmosphere. Experience making soba noodles while enjoying warm interaction with the locals, all amid the rich natural scenery of the Kohoku region. This is a valuable opportunity to come into contact with authentic Japanese culture. Furthermore, the experience takes place in a home built more than 100 years ago, letting you take a trip back in time. It goes without saying that you can also eat your delicious, freshly cut buckwheat soba right there on the spot. (Requires a separate charge of \500)" ■Soba Making Experience■ Weekdays 10:00 - 16:00 (Reservation required at least 3 days in advance) Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 10:00 - 15:00 (reservation required) ■URL■ http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/290
Feb. 2017

Yoshibuki Gallery Yuraku Japanese Tea Brewing Classroom

Yoshibuki Gallery Yuraku, located in a 250-year-old house, also holds a regular "Japanese Tea Brewing Classroom." Led by a Japanese tea instructor, the intent is to allow tourists who love Japan to experience more of traditional Japanese culture for themselves. The classroom has proven popular not only with those visiting from overseas but also Japanese people, and brings satisfaction to both those visiting Japan for the first time and those have been here many times. After the class you will be given an original tea cup made by the ceramics studio in which the class is held, along with some carefully selected Japanese tea leaves, allowing you to relive this wonderful experience and also drink some healthy Japanese tea even after returning home. Take this opportunity to experience Japanese culture for yourself. ■Charges：　Starting from 48,000yen (Including souvenirs such as original tea cup, tea leaves etc.) ■Required Time：　1 hour 30 minutes ■Other Details：　Classroom times: 13:00 - 14:30 (separate from Gallery opening times) ■URL：　http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/56
Jan. 2017

Taga Taisha Shrine Okinahajimeshiki

"The ""Okinahajime"" is held on January 3 each year at Taga Taisha Shrine. It marks the first time in the new year that Noh is performed on the shrine's stage, with Noh and Kyogen performances wishing for peace and a good harvest. The music danced to is called ""Okina,"" and this has led to the ceremony being called ""Okinahajime"" or ""first Okina"" at Taga Taisha Shrine since ancient times. Dedicatory performances are made by the Shigeyama Group in the Okura style of Kyogen, and the Katayama Group in the Kanze style of Noh, with masks used from the Taga Taisha Shrine collection. On the day, a variety of other performances are also dedicated from the Noh stages in the grounds." Date：　January 3, from 11:00 Address：　604 Taga, Taga Town, Inukami District, Shiga Access：　10 min. on foot from Ohmi Railway Taga Taisha Mae Station URL：　http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/234
Jan. 2017

National Treasures and Cultural Assets of Shiga - Koto 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 castle and two temples in the Koto region. ■Hikone-jo Castle Work started on Hikone-jo Castle in 1604, and took around 20 years to complete. The castle tower itself used materials brought from the five storey Otsu-jo Castle, and is said to have been completed in 1607. The tower is a designated National Treasure, with a combination of different roofing styles that is truly breathtaking. URL: http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/212 ■Saimyoji Temple One of Shiga Prefecture's representative examples of Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) construction, the main temple is designated as the first National Treasure. Constructed in a stunningly beautiful, highly Japanese style, it features a low gradient cypress bark roof and highly decorative curved wooden supports on all the front-facing latticed shutters and the tops of pillars. URL: http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/221 ■Kongourinji Temple "The elegant main temple was created during the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) to commemorate victory in the Mongol invasions of Japan. It is a National Treasure, while the three storey pagoda in the upper left and the gate in front are Important Cultural Assets. The ten pieces inside the main temple, including a standing statue of Acala, are all also from the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) and are Important Cultural Assets, providing a wonderful opportunity to see real history up close." URL:http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/205
Jan. 2017

Hot Spring Day Trips

An introduction to hot springs that you can just visit for the day, providing healing for body and mind while you take in the sights! ■Happuno-yu A hot spring that can be visited for the day, located right in front of Eigenji Temple and allowing you to enjoy outdoor bathing in natural hot spring water, surrounded by incredible nature. ■Agaryanse One of the largest hot spring resorts in Kansai, with one of the largest stone saunas in Keiji. The outside baths have a stunning view over Lake Biwa. -Shiga's Onsen Information- http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/enjoy/29
Dec. 2016

Castles of Omi

Due to being close to Kyoto and a key point for travel, the Omi region saw numerous battles featuring famous feudal warlords, including Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. The importance of the region also led those seeking to unify Japan to build castles here. These are a few of the castles that are truly representative of Omi. 【Hikone-jo Castle】 Hikone-jo Castle is not only a National Treasure but is also exceptionally well preserved, even if all castles in Japan are considered, and attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year. URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/212 【Azuchi-jo Castle】 Azuchi-jo Castle is said to have been the first wooden high-rise building in the world, but it was burnt down only three years after being built and now only the ruins remains. URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/157 【Nagahama-jo Castle】 Nagahama-jo Castle is where feudal warlord Hideyoshi Toyotomi spent the end of the warring states period. It was abandoned at the start of the Edo period (1603 - 1868) and is now an archeological museum featuring a restoration of the castle from its glory days. URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/277
Dec. 2016

Kannon Villages

Nagahama City in Shiga is a treasure trove of Buddhist cultural artifacts, among which many are statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva (called Kannon in Japanese). In fact, there are almost as many statues as there are separate settlements, and all of them are still reverently protected by the villagers to this day. ■Shakudoji Temple Statue of Eleven-faced Kannon (Important Cultural Property) The statue of Eleven-faced Kannon kept here, said to have been created toward the end of the Heian period (794 - 1185), is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. Carved from a single block of Zelkova wood, the crimson that remains on its lips even today is an indicator of the vivid colors that once adorned it. Admission Times：　9:00 - 16:00 Admission Charges：　￥300 URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/166 ■Keisokuji Temple Statue of Eleven-faced Kannon (Important Cultural Property) The main statue of Keisokuji Temple, a bold piece created from a single piece of Japanese cypress, still has its lacquer color basecoat intact. It is thought to have been carved at some point between the start and the middle of the Heian period (794 - 1185). Admission Times：　9:00 - 17:00 (April - November)、9:00 - 16:00 （December - March) Admission Charges：　￥500 URL：http://kitabiwako.jp/spot/spot_967/
Dec. 2016

Recuperate in a Foot Bath!

The Ogoto Onsen Sightseeing Park in Otsu City has a healing foot bath where you can wash away the exhaustion of your travels! Foot baths allow you to enjoy some of the hot spring experience without having to strip all the way down! Rather than submerging your entire body, here you only bathe your feet and lower legs, meaning you're also far less likely to get dizzy after bathing. As you have large veins in your feet, it's also a great way to warm up your entire body! The water here has a pH of 9, making it very mellow and relaxing. [Effective For] Nerve pain, muscle pain, joint pain, stiff shoulders, motor paralysis, bruises, chronic digestive disease, poor circulation, fatigue etc., also has skin beautification properties Foot Bath, Ogoto Onsen Sightseeing Park, Otsu City ■Open：8:00 - 18:00 ■Usage Charges：Free ■Access：20 min. on foot from JR Ogoto Onsen Station ■URL：http://www.ogotoonsen.com/english
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
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
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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