Explore Kansai: Shiga has much more to offer than the Great Lake

Ask typical Japanese about Shiga prefecture and I bet you get the 1st reply of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. And the 2nd reply? Don't expect more. Of course, Kyotorite knows more than Lake Biwa on Shiga prefecture as Kyoto and Shiga are neighbors.

I have been to Osaka much more often than to Shiga, as Shiga doesn't have much more things than Kyoto except the Great Lake. I have been to northeast of Shiga, notably Nagahama city and Hikone city. The reason I have been to Nagahama was that Nagahama has micro-brewery, and the fact that Nagahama had magnificient castle had nothing for me.

Today, I visited the southwest of Shiga, just 20 minutes or so from central Kyoto, at Ishiyama-dera and Mii-dera temple, both of which are included in the 33 Buddhist pilgrimage of western Japan. The best or worst thing about visiting there was that I have not seen single convenience store in my itenerary. That's quite difficult if you live in urban Japan. It could be better if cell phone would become unavailable due to the lack of access point.

I learned that Ishiyama-dera had a long history, actually longer than most of Kyoto temples, and autor of "the tale of Genji" had imagined the virtual world that later had been translated into the world first long novel at this temple. From the top of the temple premises, the good view of Seta river that flows from Lake Biwa can be seen.

Then Mii-dera also had a long history. Actually it origin dates back to Nara period, the period even before Kyoto became the imperial capital. From the top of this temple premises, the good view of Lake Biwa can be appreciated. And unknown to me, the temple has played central role of abacus development in Japan. There is stone monument describing the contribution of this temple to abacus development. Shiga was known as Omi in the old days, and Omi is famous for merchant. That may be because they can do math quickly with abacus.

Finally, if you are from American state of Michigan, you get a sister in Japan. Michigan state and Shiga prefecture has been sister states for decades. What they share? The Great Lake(s), obviously.