JET Programme Series: Exploring Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture - Rochelle Lee Ling
2021/4/9
JET Programme Series: Exploring Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture - Rochelle Lee Ling
Lake Biwa (Japanese: 琵琶湖) is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located entirely within Shiga Prefecture northeast of the former capital city of Kyoto. This ancient lake is known to be the shape of a musical instrument, the biwa.
Surrounded by mountains, Lake Biwa is like a giant bowl collecting water from numerous inflowing rivers. I visited Hikone, the north basin area which had more rural and scenic views.
A walk down Yume Kyobashi Castle Road leads to cherry blossom trees in full bloom, views of parks, shrines and temples. At specific paths leading to the castle, a statue of the area’s adorable yuru-kyara mascot, Hikonyan, welcomed me to hike to the castle.
I often stopped to overlook the garden terrace, breathtaking views of Hikone city and lake Biwa even though it was quite cloudy. Genkyuen Garden plays host to a performance of a monkey show, houseboats floating and food trucks! What a treat! I enjoyed a one-person hanami party (traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers) while eating yakisoba (my absolute favorite!) There was also a nighttime viewing of the cherry blossoms, illuminating its beauty even in darkness.
My next trip will be to cycle around the lake; a term coined for this adventure is known as "Biwa-Ichi." Japan is know for their Cycling tours and has prepared and provided such areas with rest stops along the cycling route usually at convenience stores where they may have a tire pump, simple bicycle repair tools, restrooms, food, etc. Lake Biwa presents a huge field for adventure and I hope to embark on this journey as there are many other attractions and events; camping, kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, kite boarding etc. Shiga prefecture is an ideal place to visit and vacation!
JET Programme Series: Exploring Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
Surrounded by mountains, Lake Biwa is like a giant bowl collecting water from numerous inflowing rivers. I visited Hikone, the north basin area which had more rural and scenic views.
A walk down Yume Kyobashi Castle Road leads to cherry blossom trees in full bloom, views of parks, shrines and temples. At specific paths leading to the castle, a statue of the area’s adorable yuru-kyara mascot, Hikonyan, welcomed me to hike to the castle.
I often stopped to overlook the garden terrace, breathtaking views of Hikone city and lake Biwa even though it was quite cloudy. Genkyuen Garden plays host to a performance of a monkey show, houseboats floating and food trucks! What a treat! I enjoyed a one-person hanami party (traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers) while eating yakisoba (my absolute favorite!) There was also a nighttime viewing of the cherry blossoms, illuminating its beauty even in darkness.
My next trip will be to cycle around the lake; a term coined for this adventure is known as "Biwa-Ichi." Japan is know for their Cycling tours and has prepared and provided such areas with rest stops along the cycling route usually at convenience stores where they may have a tire pump, simple bicycle repair tools, restrooms, food, etc. Lake Biwa presents a huge field for adventure and I hope to embark on this journey as there are many other attractions and events; camping, kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, kite boarding etc. Shiga prefecture is an ideal place to visit and vacation!
JET Programme Series: Exploring Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives