LAKE BIWA, Shiga prefecture.
We arrived at the Biwako Ryokusuitei at Otsu-shi in Shiga Prefecture on lake Biwa after a slow drive down the coast …on the slow winding country road and then things sped up along the Lake Biwa shores. It was drissly so we enjoyed the onsen on the deck and then prepared for the feast to follow.
The next morning it was off to Mount Hiei and the Hieizan Enryaku ji Temple complex via the Cable train Enryakuji that departs from Sakamoto down near the lake. it has been running for over 100 years and is the longest such cable railway and steepest in the world. It was wet and misty up the mountain so not much view to see but the effect was amazing and made the experience of wandering around in the mist through the temples all the more interesting.
The monks were off to lunch and had a good chant along the way and it was all very interesting if not a bit weird when then ended up going into the 5 star hotel arround the corner!
There was a real mix of simple and elaborate shrines and temples on the mountain but the big pull-card was shrouded in coers as they went about its renovation. so no photos of one of Japan major temple sights, but this is what is looks like below.
There were stunning other buildings of the nobility in nthe temple zone as well as simple family shrines and major monestary complexes.
When the mist cleared on our way back down to the lake the view opened up and was spectacular looking out over japans largest lake.
Back in Sakumoto we visited another vast temple complex, the Shiroyamahime-jinja Shrine and Mikoshi Shuzoko Gate which was adjacent to the sakumoto residential district with some very fancy traditional homes and cherry blosson streets
We called this shrine the five bears but in reality each shrine was built to enable blessings for cettain outcomes that you can give offerings for. The little one was for safe journies and another was to keep your children safe.
Sakumoto blossoms in full bloom.
Below is the view from our room and Onsen tub looking over the lake to Mount Oike.
We took a drive over to the other side of the lake to Hachiman Moat in Osugicho as it was regarded as one of the best Cherry blosson sights in the area but what it also delivered was the utmost charm with its waterways, buildings, bridges and essence.
Not far away was La Collina, Omihachiman as amazing and very unique confectionary and food events location run by the Taneya group and its Club Harie operation that produces the world famous rolled cakes called Baumkuchen, based on the German style log cake but with super thin concentric rings..
The main building is made from mud and straw with a living grass and tree roof and and amzing foos truck style service in the grounds. we enjoyed all it had to offer and some.
On our way back we spotted another Cherry blosson canal and stopped to absorb it as it was spectacular.
On our last day in the region we decided to pop into Kyoto for the day as it was just a 30 min drive from where we were staying. We timed it early as Kyoto is over run with tourists at sakura time so it was critical we found a parking location that gave us quick, in and out options. We chose to be near the famous stillted Kiyomizu-Dera Temple as it is super popular and though we would get in early… a good theory but is was already busy at 8.00am. But it was ok and we managed to avoid the crazy crowds and explored further into the Seikanjirozancho shopping streets without any hassle.
The Kodai-ji Temple was partly under restoration but we enjoyed what was open as we had missed it last time and got to see the stunning cherry tree in full bloom as well as some other delightful buildings in the gardens
The Kodaiji Park was very popular with the Japanese for wedding and Geisha photos so we snapped a few of the poses as it was very amausing to see the show that was being put on.
The Maruyamacho district was full of beautiful temples and of course the famous Maruyama Park where we stopped for a nice lunch before wandering the park and streets .
The park was full of people but was a easy to navigate around all the photography being taken. The very old 400 year old trees were in full boom and after a nice time enjoying the lovely sunshine.
Next stop was the massive San-mon Gate with its purple banners and rainbow colloured flags surrounded by cherrt blossoms that acceses the vast Chion-in Temple complex up the hill.
One of the highlights was the upper and lower garden which were a haven of quietude in amongst the throng of humanity which was just 40m away and we had this space virtually to ourselves as most people went straight up the hill.
There were about 10 different temples in the complex but the Hojo gardens and temple residences were another lovely escape that delivered so much.
We continued our walking tour and this time to the Biwa canal which we have visited before to see the fantastic blossom display along the shores where the massive Heianjingu gate and shrine is positioned.
It was now time to head back to our Onsen and soak our wearly feet and get ready for our departure onto part 3 of this trip and the Shinkassen from Kyoto to Atami. the drive back was easy and we were very happy with our decision to visit Kyoto again as there really is only one place like Kyoto.