On Dec. 11, 2025, Otsu Matsuri's hikiyama float festival held in October officially added as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage to "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan." It joins the Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri already listed. Congratulations! My video here: shiga-ken.com/blog/2014/10...
Illustrated review of the Japan Games (Koku-spo) held in Shiga for the 1st time in 44 years in Sept-Oct. 2025. #国スポ2025 shiga-ken.com/blog/2025/10...
Shiga Prefecture has produced its first Nobel Prize winner in scientist Sakaguchi Shimon ( #坂口志文 )!!! He is from Nagahama!!! He is one of three winners of this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Enjoyed watching the Shiga women's hockey team playing Yamanashi at OSP Hockey Stadium near Mt. Ibuki in Maibara for the 79th Japan Games (Koku-spo). Shiga men & women's teams have both advanced to the semi-finals on Oct. 3. Good luck! #わたSHIGA輝く国スポ #ＯＳＰホッケースタジアム shiga-sports2025.jp/kokuspo/comp...
Opening Ceremony of the 79th Japan Games (formerly the National Sports Festival of Japan) (国民スポーツ大会) was held today at Heiwado HATO Stadium in Hikone in the presence of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Athletes from all 47 prefectures will compete in many sports until Oct. 8. shiga-sports2025.jp
Basic guide for descendants of immigrants from Shiga who want to find their long-lost Japanese relatives: shiga-ken.com/blog/2025/09...
Jellyfish Pavilion ceramic tiles
Only about 2 months left to see Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. If you're in Shiga, don't miss this historic world event. Being part of Kansai, Shiga also has a presence at the expo in multiple forms and places. Here's an illustrated list of Shiga things and people at the expo: shiga-ken.com/blog/2025/07...
Umi no Schole (湖のスコーレ)
In Nagahama, visited a new shopping facility called Umi no Schole (湖のスコーレ) with a large store, cafe, courtyard, bookstore, gallery, workshop for hands-on activities. Across from the Hikiyama Museum. Great place to hang out. In late July, it held the "Meet India" event. shiga-ken.com/blog/2025/07...
On June 27, 2025, the Higashi-Omi municipal government approved a subsidy of ¥1 million to build a giant kite for the Giant Kite Festival currently suspended since 2016 due to a tragic kite accident in May 2015. It could well restart in 2026. Fingers crossed... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6DM...
Lago Otsu
LAGO Otsu ( #LAGO大津 ) is a new cafe and confection shop on the Lake Biwa lakefront in Otsu. Another popular and unique cafe by Omi-Hachiman-based Taneya. Read about it here: shiga-ken.com/blog/2025/05...
In Maibara, Rosa&Berry Tawada is holding their #Hikarium winter illumination 4:30 pm–8:30 pm till Feb. 11, 2025. See Shaun the Sheep too. ¥2000, closed Tue & New Year's. There's an English Garden, but no English website/pamphlet. See live blackface sheep only during the day. rb-tawada.com/hikarium/
Noppei udon noodles
Biwa masu trout
In winter, noppei udon noodles at Momijiya restaurant in Nagahama is the way to warm up. Huge mushroom atop a bowl of udon noodles in thick broth. Side order of biwa masu salmon trout too. Roe too. Yummy! #のっぺいうどん #ビワマス #茂美志や Map: maps.app.goo.gl/xpsWz5uAp6hF...
Menu: www.momiji-ya.jp/menu.html
