Activities Sakura Season at Kaizu Ōsaki Early - Mid Apr During early April each year, approximately 800 Yoshino cherry trees bloom in the Kaizu Osaki area for around 4 kilometers. This..
6 Culture The Battlefields of Nagahama Castle Illaura Rossiter In Shiga Prefecture in central Japan, Nagahama Castle is a great spot to visit for a dose of spring cherry blossoms. It also makes..
Culture Muddled in Miidera Arlene Bastion Getting to and around Miidera is a bit puzzling. But persevere. The temples are embedded in verdant forests, and emanate a sense..
Culture Otsu: Oddly Overshadowed Arlene Bastion Otsu has its own merits including Lake Biwa and shrines significant to Buddhist-Shinto origins. It need not be overshadowed as a..
13 Culture Culture Day Parade in Hikone Jemma King My first impression of Hikone was quiet and tranquil town with narrow windy streets and tiny cars. Then I stumbled across the towns..
12 Activities Exploring Mount Hiei & Enryaku-ji Lee Tan Hiking and exploring Mount Hiei and Enryaku-ji
10 Tenryu-ji Illaura Rossiter In Japan's former capital of Kyoto, the beautiful temple Tenryu-ji features a lovely traditional Japanese garden, and also has..
Culture Prefectural Calligraphy Exhibition Cathy Cawood Huge annual exhibition of calligraphy from all over Shiga Prefecture, held in Otsu Museum of History in February.