Things To Do
Take a tour of Hikone Castle
Shiga, Japan
During the period of the revolution in Japan known as the Meiji Restoration in 1868, most of the castles in the country were destroyed. They were considered as unwanted reminders of the feudal past. Hikone Castle, too, was on the list for demolition. Howe...
Mieke Aarsman
Jul 03, 2024
Travel Tips
Lake Yogo in the Late Fall
Shiga, Japan
I've made it a rule to take a walk around Lake Yogo every afternoon in order to keep fit. Today, I happened to find that the ground at a small lakeside park was just like a red carpet of fallen leaves. The landscape matched very well with the blue surface...
Yoshi K.
Dec 26, 2022
Travel Tips
A Half Day Walking Tour along Old Hokkoku Street in Central Nagahama, Shiga Pref.
Shiga, Japan
Sightseers can savor retro-inspired atmosphere of the central area in the old castle town. Nagahama started blossoming after Hideyoshi had based here in 1574 AD. Since the district faces Lake Biwa (hence, playing a role of good shipping port) and was loca...
Yoshi K.
Dec 26, 2022
Travel Tips
[ Motion Picture] The Fall Foliage at Keisoku-ji and Shakudo-ji Temple of Kohoku Area
Shiga, Japan
Both of the temples of Keisoku-ji (鶏足寺) and Shakudo-ji (石道寺) used to be two of the biggest and mightiest Buddhists Meccas built at Kodakami-yama mountain (己高山) in Heian period (about 1,200 years ago). Since the area was believed most peaceful and divine p...
Yoshi K.
Dec 20, 2022
Travel Tips
Shiga, welcome to my state! (my prefecture!)
Shiga, Japan
I was born and grown up in Shiga, which is located in the center of Japanese Archipelago. Shiga has played important roles in Japanese history because it's located next to Kyoto which had been the capital of Japan and where the Japanese emperors had lived...
Tomoe S.
Nov 02, 2022
Travel Tips
Hikonejyo Castle in Shiga
Shiga, Japan
About 400 years ago, Japan was in the war period. Many castles were built for the warlords. Just after Tokugawa Shogunate was established, construction of a castle was begun in Hikone, Shiga. During war period, castles were built to govern the country ...
Tomoe S.
Aug 14, 2022
Travel Tips
Gregariously Blooming Yellow Flowers at around Lake Yogo
Shiga, Japan
Re: Gregariously Blooming Yellow Flowers at around Lake Yogo Until I came back to my hometown, I had never known that there is such a special spot where that gorgeous yellow flowers grow in clusters and bloom from late Apr. to the middle of May, at around...
Yoshi K.
Jun 09, 2022
Travel Tips
Smelts Fishing at Lake Yogo
Shiga, Japan
The fishing has now become a winter feature at around Lake Yogo. Since it was a bit warmer day than usual on that day, the result was not necessarilly good and the size of the fish was not so satisfactory, either. They say that the full-scale season will ...
Yoshi K.
May 02, 2022
Things To Do
8 Amazing Shiga Sightseeing Spots
Shiga, Japan
Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, Koka Ninja Village, the birthplace of ninja, Hikone Castle, a National Treasure, with impressive views, and finally a boat ride through the waterways of Shiga. If you are planning a trip to Japan, and are in and around the...
Luke Kinsella
Apr 28, 2022