The New Year’s Bells and Ceremony to Exorcise Evil are annual traditions for New Year’s Eve at Hieizan.

With its connection to the opening poem of the famous collection known as the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, Omi Jingu Shrine plays host to the “Karuta Opening Ceremony,” based in the Japanese card game.

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.

In the Heian Period (794 – 1185), the Saio (Princess) travelled from Heian-kyo (modern Kyoto) to Ise in order to become a priestess at the shrine there.

As spring blooms once again it is joined by the 1,200 cherry trees in the vicinity of Hikone Castle, marking the most beautiful time of year to visit the castle and its grounds.

The “Sanno (Mountain King) Festival” is one of the three major Lake Biwa festivals.

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.

This festival includes a historical pageant that proceeds through the traditional city streets, with a large number of onlookers taking in the vast array of gorgeous outfits.

A horse racing ceremony held at a shrine with a long connection to horses.

A display of yabusame (mounted archery) by the Takeda School from the Japanese Traditional Archery on Horseback Association.