Arts & Local Craft
Art in Nagahama – Hub of Artisans Galore
Every year, during the first weekend of October, the Art In Nagahama art fair is held in...
November 20, 2015
Toyosato Elementary: Where History and Cool Japan Unite
English Français Located in Shiga Prefecture, Toyosato Elementary was a public school until 2001 and is renowned...
June 30, 2015
Hikone’s Eclectic Center: Ginza, Hashimoto, and Hanashobu Street
Hikone is a larger city located in Shiga prefecture close to Nagahama and Maibara. The city itself...
March 26, 2015
Rebecca Otowa – The Mixing of Japan, Artist and Woman
About a year ago I first visited the enchanting gallery ‘Kazenokobo’(風野工房) of textile artist Koji Noda and...
March 26, 2015
Plum Blossom Bonsai Trees are Blooming at Bonbaiten
This mansion was built in just three months to accommodate the last minute visit of the Meiji...
February 20, 2015
The Biwako Biennale Shows Shiga’s Strong Artistic Pulse
It still surprises me writing about it now that somewhere as local as Omi Hachiman has a...
November 25, 2014
Traditional Culture
Hiking Japan’s Hidden Sacred Mountains
Over two thirds of Japan is covered with mountains. These icons of the local landscape offer valuable resources and destinations for hikers, skiers...
August 20, 2018
A Deeper Dive into Biwako at the Lake Biwa Museum
On a recent family weekend outing, I made my second visit to the Lake Biwa Museum ( 琵琶湖博物館 or Biwako Hakubutsukan ) which...
July 4, 2018
A Slice of the Sword Life
Shiga’s small town of Gokasho is famed for offering visitors a snap shot back in time to when wealthy merchants inhabited the area....
July 25, 2016
Personalizing Your Hatsumode Experience at a Shrine or Temple
From omikuji to praying after a donation, there are many things to do during Hatsumode, your first Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple visit...
February 2, 2016
Local Cuisine & Foods
Diversity in Nagahama
Kanpai! Ganbei! Saúde! Cheers! On January 16th, I attended a New Years Party at Onion Restaurante in Nagahama. However, this was not your...
February 17, 2016
Shiga Enriched through English
As 2015 comes to a close, take a moment to stop and reflect over your Shiga highlights for the year. Where did you go? What did you do?...
December 25, 2015
10 Wonderful Ways to Enjoy the Views of Mother Lake
When receiving puzzled faces telling people you live in Shiga, throwing in a ‘Lake Biwa’ reference usually sets things straight. Lake Biwa is synonymous with Shiga, and we...
July 1, 2015
A Word of Mouth Antique Shop Restaurant that Deserves its Oral Praise
I first heard about ‘Sasa Kawanobe’ by word of mouth from a friend of mine. She spoke of a small cozy restaurant recently opened and run by a...
November 7, 2014
Outdoors & Nature
Hiking Japan’s Hidden Sacred Mountains
August 20, 2018
A Deeper Dive into Biwako at the Lake Biwa Museum
July 4, 2018
Personalizing Your Hatsumode Experience at a Shrine or Temple
February 2, 2016
Shiga Enriched through English
December 25, 2015
Yukitsuri – A Feat Accomplished through the Help of Many
December 7, 2015
10 Wonderful Ways to Enjoy the Views of Mother Lake
July 1, 2015
People & Community Life
A Slice of the Sword Life
Shiga’s small town of Gokasho is famed for offering visitors a snap shot back in time to when wealthy merchants inhabited the area....
July 25, 2016
Diversity in Nagahama
Kanpai! Ganbei! Saúde! Cheers! On January 16th, I attended a New Years Party at Onion Restaurante in Nagahama. However, this was not your...
February 17, 2016
Fujii-gumi: A Media Studio Creating Hometown Heroes and “Yurukyara”
English Français Nowadays, in lieu of "mainstream" activities, those with passion for their work have given rise to the indie genre. Here in...
July 21, 2015
Rebecca Otowa – The Mixing of Japan, Artist and Woman
About a year ago I first visited the enchanting gallery ‘Kazenokobo’(風野工房) of textile artist Koji Noda and his wife in the scenic hills...
March 26, 2015
A Quest to Reimagine Pipe Cleaner Art
Until about 5 years ago, Atsushi Kitanaka had been living and working around Kustatsu as a seasoned designer for both architecture and web...
July 16, 2014
“Art From The Lakes” Shiga – Michigan Arts Exchange Project
AFTL exhibition in Lansing, Michigan Are you a fellow Michiganian? Have you ever visited, stayed there, or made it your “second home”? Or,...
July 1, 2014
Be Wa on Youtube
Find us on Youtube, where we’ve archived a few local videos and are planning for more to come…
Looking for Local Events?
Our handmade events calendar from 2015 is still a great reference for annual festivals and activities.
Also be sure to find and/or follow us on Facebook, where we often post local event notices.
Are you a Shiga Explorer?
Our site operates on a purely volunteer basis, but if you’re living around Shiga and interested in contributing to the site with articles, photos, video content, or even just with recommendations and requests, feel free to drop us a line!