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The prefecture of Shiga is in the middle of Japan; Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, lies at its center. It is surrounded by Mt. Ibuki to the northeast, the Suzuka Mountain Range to the east, Mt. Hira-san and Mt. Hiei-zan to the west, and the Shigaraki Mountains lie to the south.Biwako Quasi-National Park includes Lake Yogo, Mt. Ibuki, Mt. Hira and Mt. Hiei; it extends over one-sixth of the area of Shiga. Shiga has a number of scenic beauty spots, including Omi Hakkei, or eight scenic views of Omi, which resemble views of Lake Tungtinghu in Hunan, China. As it stands at a trading crossroads between western and eastern Japan, civilization has flourished in this area since the earliest times. There are a number of precious heritage sites, including Hiei-zan Enryaku-ji Temple, designated as World Cultural Heritage, Hikone Castle designated as a national treasure, and many famous Buddhist images. Shiga is one of the richest areas in Japan for national treasures and important cultural properties.
You can also enjoy Shigaraki ware pottery, noted for statuettes of raccoon dogs, Otsu-e pictures with their vivid colors, and other traditional arts and crafts. Delicious food treats include traditional sushi, with fermented freshwater fish called "Funa-zushi," which has been enjoyed since the 8th century; also try Omi beef to tempt your palate. Not to be missed is the Hikiyama-matsuri Festival where decorative floats parade through the city in spring.
This course leads you through the valleys of Kyoto from Kurama-dera Temple to Kibune-jinja Shrine. You take the Eizan Railways train from Demachi Yanagi up to Kurama Station. Here, the souvenir stalls are decorated with images of a strange goblin-like creature or Tengu, standing out alongside rows of quiet rustic dwellings. Continue along the narrow old streets and into the trees up to Yuki-jinja Shrine, where on October 22 the area comes to life for the sparkling Kurama Fire Festival-one of Kyoto's most famous. You continue hiking on upwards, following a beautiful trail up to Kurama-dera Temple. On the way down, stop at the small Oku-no-in Maoden Temple before continuing to Kibune-jinja Shrine, dedicated to the God of Water, the deity worshipped for centuries by farmers. If you are feeling tired, there's a bus that will take you to Kibune, up to Kibune-guchi.On your way back, you stop off at Kurama Onsen (hot spring), where you can soak in the open-air bath while gazing at the misty Kurama mountains in the distance. Around you, weary hikers relax in contented silence before returning home.
It takes one hour by bus from Kyoto to Ohara. Just up the hill, past the souvenir stalls with their brightly colored boxes of cakes, sweets and plastic gifts, is Sanzen-in Temple. Crowds of people come here in autumn to capture the perfect shot of the changing leaves on the mountainside and to admire the beautiful Yusei-en Garden. In the rainy season, you walk through the famous hydrangea garden in the quiet drizzle as spring eases into summer. From here, you walk to Hosen-in Temple. As you enter the tatami room, you feel like you are watching a living picture as you peer out of the wooden frames of the old building into the bamboo garden and hills beyond. Cast your eyes upwards in the main hall and you'll see the macabre blood-stained ceiling taken from Fushimi-jo Castle. Leave a little time for a short rest and to try the bitter Japanese tea and sweet cakes on offer, before heading off to try your hand at Kusaki-zome (vegetable dyeing) or to watch Shiba-zuke (pickled cucumber) in one of the traditional workshops.
