Located northeast of Kyoto, Shiga Prefecture is home to the biggest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa. But what many aren’t aware of is there are quite a few spots hidden in this less-traveled prefecture that are great for cherry blossom hunting. Many of these off-the-beaten-path places can be easily accessed from Kyoto by train.
Shiga Prefecture’s Top 12 Cherry Blossom Destinations Read More »
Although famed for the beautiful cherry blossom scenery, many places in Shiga Prefecture are worth visiting in autumn. So, if you find yourself at a loose end during fall in Shiga, head down to these spots to experience the astonishing natural wonder of these secret places!
The Best Fall Foliage Destinations in Shiga Prefecture Read More »
Kōka City, in the southeast of Shiga Prefecture, is undoubtedly most famous for Kōga ninja. But pottery lovers visit Kōka for something else. The city, home to one of the Six Ancient Kilns in Japan, has another local specialty, the Shigaraki ware (信楽焼). So in Kōga, other than the ninja decorations, the other mascot representing
The Fascinating Shigaraki Ware Attractions in Shigaraki Town Read More »
Kōka City, in Shiga Prefecture‘s southwest, is well-known for ninja because one of the three most prominent ninja martial art schools was born here. While that might be the primary reason you want to visit the city, we reckon you are missing out if you give other amazing attractions in the city a miss. This
Kōka – The Ninja, the Ceramics, and Other Fascinating Spots Read More »
A hidden gem in Kōka City in Shiga Prefecture is the Miho Museum (ミホ・ミュージアム), buried deep in the mountain at the city’s west. Precisely like the architectural design concept, stepping onto the museum’s ground is like stepping into utopia. While the bus trip from Ishiyama Station takes around an hour, you won’t regret making the
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One of the best temples to visit in Kōka is Daichi-ji (大池寺). The temple erected by Gyōki (行基) has a gorgeous garden and a torii gate almost submerged in a lake! It is quietly tucked in Shiga Prefecture‘s countryside. Not known by many people, it is a great spot to visit if you are after
Daichi-ji Temple: The Hidden Picturesque Gem Close to Kyoto Read More »
If you are after one of Japan’s most delicious mochi rice cakes, make sure Kōka Mochifuru Sato-kan Mochimochi House (甲賀もちふる里館 もちもちハウス) in Shiga Prefecture‘s Kōka City is on your itinerary. The facility is basically a rice cake workshop with a shop and a restaurant attached – it is guaranteed that the mochi you purchase or
The Best Mochi at Kōka Mochifuru Sato-kan Mochimochi House Read More »
You must have heard of the occupation of Ninja in your life. They are those people who snuck into enemies’ houses to gather information. To protect themselves, they developed a series of ninja martial arts that helped them disguise themselves and/or escape from the scene smoothly.
The Ultimate Kōka City’s Ninja Attractions Guide Read More »
Do you feel like nothing you have done recently has gone smoothly? Then, next time you visit Japan’s Kansai region, you may want to stop by Tamura Shrine (田村神社). Known for its power to help pilgrims get rid of their bad luck, it is also a popular place to pray for a safe upcoming trip.
Tamura Shrine – Where You Can Join a Unique Cleansing Ritual Read More »
While there are quite a few temples and shrines that frequently appear on the big screen, Aburahi Shrine (油日神社) in the ninja and ceramic city of Kōka isn’t just a film shooting location. Its splendid tower gate and gorgeous hallway blend perfectly with the surrounding scenery and beautiful nature!
Aburahi Shrine – A Popular Movie Shooting Destination Read More »