Thursday, December 26, 2013

Tourism and International Exchange Bureau Department of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Labor, Shiga Prefecture Biwako Visitors Bureau Contact: Sugiyama Kimura TEL:+81-77-511-1535 FAX:+81-77-526-4393 E-mail : yuuchi@biwako-visitors.jp

http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/

This fire festival is said to have been graced by the presence of Oda Nobunaga, one of the most famous personages in Japanese history. It is the most well known festival in Omihachiman City and always has a large tourist turnout. Long ago the festival was held in January but today it is held in March to pray for bountiful crops and prosperous business. In this festival, residents from each district of the city spend two months or more making 10 floats (at the center of which is placed an effigy of the current year's zodiac* animal). One unique feature of these floats is that they are mainly made from food ingredients (rice, beans, corn, fish, seaweed). The floats are paraded through the old castle district on Saturday and on Sunday. They are rammed into each other in a ritual called the kenka, or "fight." Starting at 8 that night, the floats are lit on fire one by one, carrying the excitement late into the night. *12 Signs of the Zodiac: Twelve animals, each representing a different year in a 12-year cycle. In the Japanese zodiac, 2014 is the year of the horse.
Dates
March 15, 2014 (Sat) March 16, 2014 (Sun) 13:00 17:30 10:30 22:40

Location

Himure Hachimangu Shrine Take the JR Biwako Line to Omihachiman Station and then a local bus to Obata-cho (6-minute ride). Traffic will be restricted on festival days (Saturday and Sunday), so the closest bus stop during the festival is Obata-cho Shiryokan-mae. Omihachiman Tourism Association TEL: 0748-32-7003 URL: http://www.omi8.com/maturi/sagicho.htm

Access

Inquiries

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Tourism and International Exchange Bureau Department of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Labor, Shiga Prefecture Biwako Visitors Bureau Contact: Sugiyama Kimura TEL:+81-77-511-1535 FAX:+81-77-526-4393 E-mail : yuuchi@biwako-visitors.jp

http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/

Ceramic raccoons (Tanuki) have taken over the town! When you see ceramic raccoons all over town, that's when you know for sure you are in Shigaraki. Shigaraki is famous as one of the six oldest ceramics centers in Japan. In fact, it is said to be the oldest of them all. The simple style that brings out the feel of the earthen materials used has been a favorite of many people over the ages. The town is home to many ceramics stores, and some of them let you try your hand at crafting yourself. You can make your own original, one in a kind ceramic art!

Shigaraki has several facilities that let you experience the fun of using an electric powered potter's wheel or molding clay with your hands. (Some facilities require reservations in advance, so please check with each facility before visiting)

Paint your own ceramic piece! Same-day take home!

Pottery Promenade : An old path heading out from in front of the Shigaraki Station. Enjoy the climbing kilns, ceramic slabsset in the street, and ceramic signposts while strolling through the unique atmosphere of the ceramics capital Shigaraki!
Inquiries : Shigaraki Tourist Association E-mailinfo@e-shigaraki.org Pottery Promenade TEL0748-82-2345 FAX0748-82-2551 URL http://www.e-shigaraki.org/

Due to impact from the typhoon, trains between Shigaraki and Kibukawa are currently not in service. Substitute buses are running to make up for the suspension of train service.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Tourism and International Exchange Bureau Department of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Labor, Shiga Prefecture Biwako Visitors Bureau Contact: Sugiyama Kimura TEL:+81-77-511-1535 FAX:+81-77-526-4393 E-mail : yuuchi@biwako-visitors.jp

http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/

Hisada Kogei

Economic growth has increased the number of cars on the roads, making the number of car accidents soar through the roof. And that means accidents involving children are on the rise as well. So it's "Tobidashi Boya" to the rescue! Tobidashi Boya, who's name means "Rush Out Boy," appears on signs for traffic safety awareness. This mascot hails from Higashiomi City in Shiga Prefecture, and Shiga Prefecture has the most Tobidashi Boya signs in all of Japan! Recently, Tobidashi Boya has been gaining popularity as a character in his own right, away from his role in the educational signs. There are even three-dimensional Tobidashi Boya items now, and his popularity isn't keeping just within Japan. He has made the jump to other countries where his signs are being put up in an effort to raise traffic safety awareness worldwide. Also, you can see original "tobidashi" signs unique to each different region of Shiga Prefecture! Come and meet Tobidashi Boya in their home of Shiga Prefecture! And of course, Tobidashi Boya is still promoting safety amongst drivers today...

Tobidashi Boya hasn't changed a bit in his role as a character loved by the people as far back as 1973.

The "Keion Style Tobidashi High School Girl" is named after "Keion," a popular animation set in Toyosato Elementary School in Toyosato-cho, Inukami-gun, Shiga Prefecture.

The telephone pole blocks visibility in an area where kids might come rushing out! Drive carefully!

Walking and holding a Tobidashi Boya sign to promote traffic safety! This is to prevent the Boya from getting stolen.

And even here?!

3D Tobidashi Boya

You can even find him in places like Vanuatu, Nepal, India, Australia, Germany and Dubai! He's going around the world spreading the news about traffic safety!?

Tobidashi characters are not just boys! There are girls, too! Regional "tobidashi" signs