Shiga prefecture & Ōtsu city guide
Ōtsu, capital of Shiga prefecture, is the
Here are our favorite times of the year to visit XXX city and XXX prefecture, while at the end of this page you will find an original itinerary to explore the city:
- In XXX, during the wonderful festival of XXX with suggestive XXX;
- In YYY to see the suggestive YYY, while also YYY.
Festival & events in XXX and XXX
Monbetsu Ryūhyō Matsuri
もんべつ流氷まつり
When: 4~5 days around February 10
[past dates: February 10~12 (2023), 8~11 (2020), 8~11 (2019)]
Where: ice sculpture at the port and other events in Monbetsu
The small town of Monbetsu is known for being "the city of drift ice" as the sea surface freezes due to the extreme cold in February.
Although this is a negative event for fishing-related activities, to revitalize the region this festival has been organized from the 60s with various events, the main one being the creation of a wonderful ice sculpture that changes theme every year.
Visit the official website (Japanese) and check this flyer of a past edition to know more.
Pic © isahaya.jinja.shrine
Ōnuma-ko Mizu Matsuri
大沼湖水祭
When: 4th weekend of July
[past dates: July 23-24 (2022), 27-28 (2019), 28-29 (2018)]
Where: Lake Ōnuma-ko, close to Nishiōshima-bashi Bridge
Festival with more than 100 years of history dedicated to all victims of water and whose main event is the floating lanterns released on the surface of the lake.
Many others events are held in the area, such as sky lanterns, stage performances, chainsaw sculptures and fireworks.
Visit the official website (Japanese) and check this flyer of a past edition to know more.
Pic © mimi37st
Best things to do in XXX and XXX
Sōya-misaki
宗谷岬
Sōya-misaki is the northernmost point of the island of Hokkaidō, in the city of Wakkanai. From here began (or ended) the pilgrimages of many writers who explored Japan.
The famous monument of the northernmost point of Japan is located on the promontory, although the The true northernmost point under Japanese control is a small desert island called Benten-jima 1 km further north.
Daisetsu-zan
大雪山
Daisetsu-zan is a volcanic group of peaks arranged around a 2 km wide caldera, source of number of fumaroles and natural hot springs. The area is one of the earliest fall colors locations of Japan.
XXX and XXX typical foods
Zangi
ザンギ
Zangi is a special frying style born in Kushiro City. It has a stronger flavor and, even if it is used with other foods, the term often refers to fried chicken.
Pic © matsumoto_maccyan
Butadon
豚丼
A specialty of Obihiro City, a bowl of rice topped with pork meat seasoned with a sweet and spicy sauce. This dish's original shop is located in front of JR Obihiro Station and is called “Ganso Butadon-no-Pancho”.
Pic © tkms0020
XXX and XXX local souvenirs
Marusei Batā Sando
マルセイバターサンド
This sweet is a product of Rokkatei confectionery store, originary of Obihiro City. Now the store has tens of different stores in Hokkaidō, and along with the famous sweet Marusei Batā Sando they also sell many different freshly made Western and Japanese sweets.
Pic © kazu_0614_ronron
Nibutani Ita
二風谷イタ
In the old days, Ainu men used makiri (small knives) to create these wooden carvings and present them to women when they were about to get married. Doing so, the man can be considered a wonderful man because he could do a dexterous job.
4 carving patterns are combined to create an original piece of art: Morew (soft spiral), Ayus (plant thorn) and Sik Noka (diamond eye-shaped) to create the main shapes, while the Ramram (fish scale) to fill the emply spaces.
Pic © kotankorkamuy_kewtum
XXX prefecture nearby destinations
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