The Nagahama Plum Tree Bonsai Exhibition started in 1952, and has now become the number one plum tree bonsai exhibition in Japan in terms of both history and scale, as well as a much beloved annual springtime tradition in Kansai.

The Nagahama Hikiyama Festival is one of the Three Great Float Festivals of Japan, and is a designated Important Intangible Folk Culture Property of Japan.

Biwako Backroads offers a series of guided tours for inbound tourists, based out of Maibara Station in Shiga Prefecture.

Shinki Bus Tours LIMON provide easily accessible, fun bus trips.

An English garden located in Maibara.

10,000 hydrangeas flower on the banks of Lake Yogo, creating an enchanting sight.

This region was known as a key port in waterway travel, surrounded by the unique yet steep terrain of the Okubiwako area.

This small island, with a circumference of just 2km, is located in the offing of Lake Biwa, approximately 6km from shore.

More than 10,000 fireworks, focused in the always impressive star mines, beautifully illuminate both the summer sky and the stunning Lake Biwa.

Facilities based in the Kohoku water bird park, the largest habitat for wild birds in the prefecture.

Kohoku Mizudori Station is located inside a water bird park that is visited by a variety of wild birds throughout the year.

In May, the route taken by the Shizugatake Lift passes beautifully blooming fringed iris.

Sugatani Onsen is famous for its hot spring waters, which the generals of the warring states period would often visit for extended periods.

Imohei’s kintsuba (red bean paste wrapped in wheat-flour dough) are carefully cooked using three types of sweet potato paste and mochi rice flour.

A drive course located 2km from the Sekigahara IC on the Meishin Expressway, 17km in length and reaching all the way to Mr.

Experience authentic pottery making using a potter’s wheel and coloring ceramics.