The Biwako Beer Boat sets sail starting from June 20 as part of a summer-only cruise plan at Lake Biwa.
You’ll get to experience the full atmosphere of a beer garden while on the water while enjoying the cool breeze of the evening air. Dine on finger food while chugging all-you-can-drink beer or order an all-you-can-eat buffet for ¥5,000 as you gaze at the gorgeous sight of Lake Biwa and the night sky. There’s also all-you-can-drink Yebisu Beer.
The name of the cruiser you’ll ride is Megumi. She’ll be initially be anchored at Otsu Port and open for business at 5:30pm. There will then be two 45-minute cruising sessions which run from 6:30pm-7:15pm and again at 7:30pm-8:15pm after which she will close for the night. You can board while ever the boat is parked at Otsu Port.
What’s better is that you don’t have to make a reservation either, just turn up. Board Megumi during the hot summer and bask in the refreshing lake air at Lake Biwa!
■Information
Biwako Beer Boat
Location: Otsu Port (3-minutes on foot from Biwako-Hamaotsu Station via Keihan Electric Railway)
Opening Hours: 5:30pm-8:15pm (Two 45-minute cruising sessions will run at 6:30pm-7:15pm and 7:30pm-8:15pm respectively)
Running: June 20, 2018-September 13, 2018 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. There are exceptions however, so please check the company website for details.
Price: ¥5,000 per person (Includes boarding fee, food and drink, and tax) *There is no discount fee for children.
Boat: High-Speed Craft “Megumi” (Approximately 122t, Capacity: 200)
No. of People: 40 maximum (*Reservations not required but you may be refused entry if the boat is full. Please make a reservation if you’re going in a group.)
TEL: 077-524-5000 (9am-5pm)
Website: http://www.biwakokisen.co.jp
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Information
DANDELION PROJECT
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DANDELION: Hikone Castle Keep*Hikone Castle is a satellite site of the NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO Project.
Dates:
November 5, 12, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 / December 3
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Hours: 18:00-20:30 (Last entry at 20:00)
Official Site: https://www.knt-ks.co.jp/ec/2020/hikone/ -
The third phase of the popular illumination event at the English Garden Rosa & Berry Tawada will be held from October 8, 2022 until February 12, 2023! One of the largest light-up events in the Kansai region, this year’s theme is ‘Evolutionary Lights!’
Let Time Pass in The Golden Forest
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Rosa & Berry Illumination 2022-2023 – Evolutionary Lights
Running: October 8, 2022 – February 12, 2023 *Closed on Tuesdays
Hours: 17:30-21:00 *Subject to change depending on the season
Venue: English Garden Rosa & Berry Tawada (Maibara, Shiga)Official Site: https://www.rb-illumi.com/
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The Lake Biwa Canal carries water from the biggest lake in Japan to Kyoto and was built during the Meiji era using the best civil engineering technology of the time. Both sides of the bank are lined with almost 200 cherry trees, making it one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots with a spectacular view leading to Onjo-ji Temple. Onjo-ji Spring Illumination 2022 Over 600 lights will be set up around the temple grounds to illuminate the cherry blossoms. The national treasures and designated cultural properties will be completely open to the public for nighttime viewing. Information
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Running: March 25 – April 10 (Dates may change depending on when cherry blossoms bloom)
Hours: 18:00 – 21:30
Location: Lake Biwa Canal
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Running: March 25 – April 10
Hours: 18:00 – 21:30 (Last Entry at 21:00)
Location: Onji-ji Temple
Admission: Adults ¥1,000 / Children ¥500
*Public transportation is recommended due to heavy congestion on surrounding roads during the event period. -
Biwako Hotel in Shiga Prefecture is now selling two original cocktails inspired by the Hyakunin Isshu poem anthology until March 4, 2022. Originally created in 2021, these drinks will be available at the Bel Lago Bar. Biwako Hotel began selling a series of Hyakunin Isshu-inspired cocktails starting in 2017 to commemorate the 1350th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Otsu. In 2019, the location opened a 100-person sweets buffet, and in the spring and fall of 2021 the hotel offered an afternoon tea set based on the 100 famous poems. By 2021, the hotel had come up with 35 cocktails, but due to the spread of COVID-19, this was put on hold. Two of the best cocktails are now back for a limited time.
Menu
Minano-gawa "Feel the love deepen over time, like the stream widening into a river as it descends Mount Tsukuba." Poem 13, Retired Emperor Yozei This poem compares the poet's ever-deepening and melancholic love to the course of the Minano River. This drink includes layers of colorful liqueurs. The delicate color of the border reminds guests of the complexity of love. Osaka no Seki "Truly, this is where travelers who go or come over parting ways--Friends or strangers--all must meet: The gate of "Meeting Hill." Poem 10, Semimaru This poem speaks of the Osaka Barrier, which was located on the boundary between present-day Kyoto and Omi, now known as Shiga Prefecture. The author, Semimaru, had a hermitage near this famed border. The mellow green color of the beverage evokes the image of a traveler passing by on a mountain road in early spring. What is the Hyakunin Isshu?
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Hyakunin Isshu Cocktail
Available until March 4, 2022 from 18:00-22:00 (Last order at 21:30)
Location: Biwako Hotel 2F Bel Lago Bar
Details: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/biwakohotel/restaurant_menu/bar_hyakunin_issyu2022_1-2/
Official Site: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/ -
NAKED’S DANDELION PROJECT is coming to Shiga Prefecture’s Hikone Castle! The National Treasure site will display the digital art on the castle’s stone tower starting November 27, 2021. This comes as a collaboration with Kinki Nippon Tourist. Since its launch in 2020, the DANDELION PROJECT has opened 16 locations around the world, with over 650,000 visitors participating in both the local and online exhibitions. The DANDELION PROJECT is inspired by the idea of world peace and hopes to help transcend barriers and connect people in an increasingly divided world. This networked initiative wants to bring this change about by planting (or installing) dandelion-inspired art around the world, while it invites people visiting these dandelion exhibits to send their prayers for peace as a digital flower in real-time. Current installations include Tokyo Tower and Saga Prefectural Exhibition Hall. Starting on November 6, 2021, Hikone Castle is now open to the public during nighttime hours. The castle overlooks Lake Biwa and is filled with 400-year-old charm. Visitors are welcome to send their wishes and prayers to the world and to hope for a better new year.
Information
National Treasure Hikone Castle Special Nighttime Opening – DANDELION Exhibition
Address:
Hikone Castle (1-1 Konkicho, Hikone, Shiga)
DANDELION: Hikone Castle Tower
Running: Weekends and Holidays from November 27, 2021 – January 30, 2022
*Hikone Castle is currently open to the public at night. The DANDELION exhibit will open on November 27.
Hours: 18:00-21:00 (Last Entry at 20:30)
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Official Site: https://naked.co.jp
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Giant 4-meter Wreath and Treehouse
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Rosa & Berry Illumination 2021 ~Hills of Twinkling Lights~
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Official Site: https://www.rb-tawada.com