Escape to Shiga

For my first weekend here, Ryoka-san came down from Tokyo for a visit. We went by train to his parents' house in Hyogo, and then from there by car to their country house in Yogo-cho, Shiga Prefecture. Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is located at the center of this prefecture. It occupies one-sixth the total area of Shiga.

Their home overlooks the small but scenic lake Lake Yogo. Thanks to Ryoka-san and his parents' generous hospitality, I had a wonderful time.


We did a short hike up one of the hills surrounding the lake. Watch out for the spiders!

Here is a view looking down the other side of the hill.
Here is the view looking back on Lake Yogo. Lake Yogo is also the site of Japan's oldest Swan Maiden (Hagoromo Densetsu 羽衣伝説) folktale. A white swan lands on the lake and transforms into a beautiful heavenly maiden. A man sees her and falls in love. He hides her clothes, preventing her from returning to heaven. She ends up marrying the man with whom she has children. But she later finds her clothes and returns to heaven. There are various versions of this tale for Lake Yogo (and all over Japan).


We had really nice weather, but this area is known for getting heavy snowfall during the winter due to the geography of the area.