While many are unaware of this, Shiga Prefecture, next to Kyoto, has a wealth of national treasures and cultural properties! Starting from Mt. Hiei to the temples in the Sakamoto area, Ōtsu is the city for a day tour destination with spots that are rich in history and culture. To make your visit more memorable, […]
Enman-in: The Temple to Enjoy Japanese Cultural Activities Read More »
The city of Ōtsu has many stunning scenery and one of them is at the northern Ōtsu close to Biwako Bridge (琵琶湖大橋). The view of the worship hall of Mangetsu-ji Temple Ukimi-dō (満月寺 浮御堂) sticking out of Lake Biwa is one of the Eight Views of Ōmi (近江八景). Because of its fame, it is a
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The Seta River (瀬田川), south of Lake Biwa, is the only waterway from which the lake’s water can flow. The river stretches all the way to Kyoto and Osaka and has the 260-meter Seta no Karahashi Bridge (瀬田の唐橋) built across it. Not only is the bridge an important military and transportation hub, but it is
Seta no Karahashi Bridge and One of the Eight Views of Ōmi Read More »
Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, is undoubtedly the top tourist destination in the country. But because of its popularity, the city center is packed with hundreds of thousands of tourists. So, if you want to enjoy the traditional side of Japan without being surrounded by strangers, visit Mt. Hiei, located on the border between Kyoto and Shiga
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Takebe Shrine (建部大社), close to Seta no Karahashi Bridge (瀬田の唐橋), was the most important shrine in Ōmi Province. Why? Because it has Yamato Takeru no Mikoto (日本武尊) enshrined as the main god. While that might not mean much to you, we still think that Takebe Shrine is still worth a visit. There are a couple
Takebe Shrine: The Shrine That Was on the 1,000 Yen Note Read More »
Because of the large number of cultural properties, Ōtsu is probably the most visited city in Shiga Prefecture. But unlike its neighboring cities in Kyoto, vegan-friendly restaurants are hard to come by in Ōtsu. So, if you are a vegan/vegetarian or will travel with one, refer to the below list for where to dine when
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Ōtsu, the capital of Shiga Prefecture, is filled with rich cultural and historical elements. What many aren’t aware of is the fact that Ōtsu was once Japan’s capital. Although it only lasted for five years, we are sure after you admire the scenery of Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, it won’t be hard to understand
Ōtsu – A City that Has a History and Stunning Scenery Read More »
Just a 30-minute train ride away from Kyoto, Mii-dera Temple (三井寺), formally Nagarasan Onjō-ji (長等山園城寺), overlooks the gorgeous Lake Biwa, is the headquarters of the Tendaijimonshū sect (天台寺門宗). It has been a renowned temple since its establishment, which occurred during the five years when Ōtsu was the capital of Japan. In addition to its rich
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Traveling further south from Seta no Karahashi Bridge (a bridge that appeared in many historical took place) in Ōtsu City, you will find Ishiyama-dera (石山寺). The temple is one of the three Kannon sanctuaries in the Heian period (the other two are Kyoto‘s Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) and Nara‘s Hase-dera (長谷寺)). Another title earned by the temple
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You probably assume that all the shrines in Japan would have a minimum of a few centuries of history. However, this isn’t the case for Ōmi Jingū (近江神宮), close to Lake Biwa in Ōtsu City! Although it was founded only in 1940, the shrine’s location and the god enshrined hold some important Japanese history dating
Ōmi Jingū – A New Shrine with a Long History Read More »