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 »
Hikone City on the east coast of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture is a great destination for a historical, cultural, and scenic rich short trip away from the big cities. Even if you only have half a day, you can still have much fun at the national treasure Hikone Castle and the surrounding township. But
Hikone – A City in Kansai Perfect for a Weekend Getaway Read More »
Towards the end of the Kyōbashi Castle Road, there is a temple with an unusual red gate. Sōan-ji Temple’s (宗安寺) gate stands out from its surroundings because it was moved from Sawayama castle’s (佐和山城) Ōtemon Gate (大手門). With the gate relocated in 1603, it was the only castle structure that survived the enormous fire of
Sōan-ji: The Must-Visit Temple Close to Hikone Castle Read More »
At the foot of Mt. Sawa (佐和山), not too far away from Hikone Station, there are three temples that have a deep connection with the Ii clan, which is in charge of the Hikone Domain. Because of their history, these temples are popular tourist destinations after visiting Hikone Castle. If you have more than half
Ryōtan-ji and the Surrounding Temples Related to the Ii Clan Read More »
In the south of Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture, Taga Taisha (多賀大社) is one of the most prominent shrines in the region. It is one of those shrines that can still woo you even if you are tired of visiting Japanese shrines. With a history of more than 1,300 years, it is one of the
Taga Taisha Shrine and the Parents of the Goddess of the Sun Read More »
You might have heard about the Former Nakasendō (旧中山道), one of the five major government routes of the Edo period (1603 – 1867). The once mountainous road of 534 km connected Kyoto to Tokyo and went through 7 prefectures (Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Gifu, Shiga, and Kyoto). The route constructed in 1602 has 69 post
The Old Post Towns on the Former Nakasendō in Hikone Read More »
On Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, there are a total of four islands, and one of them belongs to Hikone City‘s administrative area. Takei Island (多景島) is a small island with a circumference of about 600 meters, floating about 6.5 km off the city’s coast. Similar to Chikubu Island, which isn’t too far away, the
Takei Island – The Small Sacred Island on Lake Biwa Read More »
