Shizugatake
Shizugatake Mountain, the height of which is 421 m, and is a fine spot just between Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. The name is renowned for one of the important battles in Japanese history, together with the Seven heroes of Hideyoshi’s side, which is often called “The Seven Spears” (七本槍). In Apr., 1583 AD, Hideyoshi and Katsuie fought at around the mountain and the lakeside of Yogo, for the next heir after Nobunaga. They say that Hideyoshi’s side had 60,000 military forces and Katsuie had 40,000. Though Katsuie’s side had the upper hand at first, but soon Hideyoshi upturned the military situation. The fierce battle was clearly settled within one day, making the small lake crimson red with the soldiers’ blood.
The local people here have a custom to climb up to the top of the mountain in early Apr., in order to comfort the braves of the both sides who fought at the hazard of their lives.
Guests can use a lift service from the base to the summit of the mountain from Apr. to the end of Nov.
Lift Service to the Summit of the Mountain
Kinomoto Town along Old Hokkoku Street
Kinomoto town has been prospered as a post station town from olden days, since the town located at the intersection on Hokkoku street to Kyo and Hokkoku wakiokan, a short but an important bypass to Edo via Ogaki in an adjacent domain. Old people here used to say that it took almost one day from Imajyo in Echizen to Kinomoto, crossing over Tochinoki mountain path in the northernmost KOHOKU. There used to be many inns for tourists and “Honjin” accommodation facility for higher class samurais and court nobles. There are other historic heritages such as the site where more than several hundreds cows and horses were dealt since Muromachi period (more than 550 years ago.)
And Kinomoto is also known as a temple town of the Biggest Jizo statue in Japan (6 m tall.), which has been believed as the Buddha for eyes. That’s why there is a place for thanking for our old glasses, and the spot you can experience the perfect darkness under the floor of the temple. You must appreciate your eyes’ power once you crawl in the darkest world.
The origin of winking frogs is that these cute living creatures are sacrificing themselves for those who suffer from some diseases of eyes, too.
When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait for the days of the temple’s sacred festival in late of our summer holidays. It is of course not to pray in front of the Buddha, but to buy toys at the street stall along the approach, the cheap toys were easily broken within a day, though. Good old memories.
Kinomoto is also renowned for good Japanese Sake and Soy Sauce, which is made from fermented soy beans. There are 2 famous Sake breweries, both of which has more than 480 years history. As for Soy Sause, there are 3 breweries along the street, all of which has more than 150 years history. The reasons why Kinomoto is called as “The town of Brewage” are mainly
1) The best qualified water sprung from the Ibuki mountains
and
2) Its climatic conditions.
Local Guardian Deity for the Folks at Jyoshin-ji Temple (Jizo Buddha)
Old Hokkoku Street
Old Japanese Sake Breweries
Old Soy Sauce Breweries
Retro-cool Restaurants and Shops
High-status Shrine
Overview
- Shiga
- 18000 JPY
- 7Hours
- 1 ~ 5people
Itinerary
Meeting Point
JR Kinomoto Station- Kinomoto Guardian Deity for the Folks (Big Jizo Buddha)
- Remains of "Honjin" Accommodation Facility along Hokkoku Street
- Old Japanese Sake Breweries
- Old Soy Sauce Breweries
- Remain of the Marketplace where Cows and Horses were Dealt
- Old Tradesmen's Houses (MACHIYA) along Hokkoku Street
- Lunch at a Local Food Restaurant
- Shizugatake Mountain
- Stroll around OTO Hamlet, at the Base of Shizugatake
Ending Point
JR Kinomoto Station
What to Expect
1. To taste retrospective street scenery and “Unobtrusive but Elegant” culture of the old post station and temple town
2. To recall the military deployment and the strategy of the both sides at the fierce battle in the Provincial War Era
3. To enjoy viewing a part of Northernmost Lake Biwa and the small but mysterious Mirror Lake of Yogo from the summit of Shizugatake Mountain
Inclusions & Exclusions
[Inclusions]
Guide Fee
[Exclusions]
1) Transportation & Lift service (For Tourists): Less than 1,500 (One Thousand and Five Hundred) JPY Each at a Maximum for One Day.
2) Lunch and/or Dinner (For Tourists): Less than 1,500 (One Thousand and Five Hundred) JPY Each at a Maximum.
3) Any Unexpected Cost (For Tourists): Less than 500 (Five Hundred) JPY Each at a Maximum.
Important Information
1) The tour consists of one day excursion, starting 10:00 AM to 17:00 (5:00 PM).
2) Meeting Schedule: At JR Kinomoto Station
10:00 AM at JR Kinomoto station (Start)
17:00 PM at JR Kinomoto station: Arrive (Tour end)
3) The tour is a bit flexible, depending upon the guest’s interest, since it is an excursion-style, taking advantage of walking and public transportations such as a city bus and / or a taxi.
4) Lift service for the summit of Mt. Shizugatake is available as follows;
From 23, Apr., to 30, Nov. (Round-trip: 900 JPY)
(Others: Out of service)
5) Guests can enjoy local cuisines at a reasonable price at the downtown.
6) Peak Season: The destination spots may slightly change due to a seasonal situation, after getting an approval from the guests.
Remark
[Cancellation Policy]
1) Free cancellation – 10 days prior to meeting time
2) 50% Refund – 9 to 3 days prior to meeting time
3) No Refund – Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Book Now!
Reviews
Thank you again for all your help in making our visit to Nara so interesting and enjoyable.
Yes, I did receive your very excellent photos, they will be a wonderful memory of our family trip.
John
Thank you, John san, for your kind reply. Now I can get sound sleep....(^^♪Yoshi
Hello Yoshi,
I hope you are well. We just arrived back to our homes in Indiana and Michigan late yesterday, so today was the first time I had to open up the files you sent. Great pictures! Thank you!
We had a great trip and certainly enjoyed the time we had with you as our guide. Our visits to Hiroshima and Osaka were excellent as well.
Finally, you are welcome to use our pictures on your website or any other way that helps your work.
Brian
Kyoto Imperial Palace (Oct., 19)
Tenryu-ji temple at Arashiyama park (Oct., 19)
The bamboo forest at Arashiyama park (Oct., 19)
Nonomiya jinjya shrine at Arashiyama park (Oct., 19)
Nara Life Song Church in Tenri city (Oct., 20)
Higashimuki Shopping Street in Nara city (Oct., 20)
Todai-ji tem in Nara city [1 of 2] (Oct., 20)
Todai-ji tem in Nara city [2 of 2] (Oct., 20)
Kintetsu Nara sta. [1 of 2] (Oct., 20)
Kintetsu Nara sta. [2 of 2] (Oct., 20)
Brian san, thank you very much for your permission to use your nicest photos on my small website.Please relieve your weariness of a long journey and have a nice weekend!
(1) Sep., 30 (Mon.)
Good afternoon.
Thank you very much. The photos are well received, and I am happy to see all we have done in the past visits during our stay in Japan.
I know George and Malakai will have the best photos to show to their wives and kids and tell the stories of their trip in Japan.
Thank you very much for your accompany during our stay. We enjoyed each day learning and eating well and in good health until we left Japan.
Currently, all of us are now in Port Moresby together with George and Malakai and they will be leaving tomorrow for Kavieng.
Thank you very much for your continuous support.
Best regards
Marina San.
Thank you.
(2) Oct., 04 (Fri.)
Dear Yoshi san,
Good morning and thank you for the pictures. We arrived safely in PNG. I take this time to thank you for the opportunity to have you as
our guide through the beautiful attractions around Kyoto. We are thankful and very much appreciated the tour and your time.
Wishing you a pleasant day and success in your endeavors as a guide.
Kind regards,
George
ATTN.: 1) Dear MALAKAI KOMAI san 2) Dear GEORGE MICHAEL YOWAI san3) Dear MARINA MEOMBI sanGood day. I thank you very much for sharing your precious time with this clumsy tour guide on Sep. 23 (Mon.) and 24 (Tue.)(I thought you could go back to your sweet home safely on Sep., 26(Thu.))Thank you very much for giving me a permission to post some photos on my website.I strongly hope that all of your days in Japan this time will be unforgettably good memories.I was so glad to be able to meet all of you. I'll never forget the nicest gests from PNG.From Yoshi / KOHOKU TourSep., 28 (Sat.), 2024; 21: 30PM
Yoshi
Thank you so much for the photos, we don’t have that many family photos, so we appreciate it very much. Thank you again for taking us on such an amazing tour through Japan. We believe we were able to see a lot of what Japan offers, thanks to you. I hope you were able to get lots of rest after our adventure. 
We will treasure these photos forever, and be counting down the days until we can visit you and Kaoru-San again. Emmett was very sad to leave Japan, and I’m sure he will want to visit again!
-Wakana, Rob, and Emmett
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Yoshi
Thank you so much for your time and hospitality!
We had an amazing time in Japan and the big part of it was thanks to you! (^^♪
Rob
【Translation into Japanese (日本語)】
ヨシ
日本旅行の写真を送ってくれてありがとう！
私たちは、そんなに多くの家族写真を撮っていないのでとっても嬉しいわ。
先日は、日本の素晴らしいところへ連れて行ってくれてありがとう。再度御礼するわ。私たち、貴方達のおかげさまで日本の素晴らしいところを見たり、美味しいものをいただいたりすることができたと思うわ。ありがとう。どうか十分にお疲れをとってね。
私たち、貴方が送ってくれた写真をずっと宝物にすることにするわ。そして、貴方と薫さんのところへまたお訪ねすることができるまで指折り数えることにするわ。エメットは日本を離れるときにとても寂しそうだったわ。彼はきっとまた日本へ行きたいというに違いないわ。
和香奈、Rob、Emmett より
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ヨシ
貴方が私たち家族のために多くの時間を割いてくれたこと、そして「おもてなし」をしてくれたことに感謝しているよ。
日本で、とっても素晴らしい体験をすることができたよ。そしてその大部分は貴方達のおかげだった。
ありがとう
Robより
【July 20 (Sat.), 2024 Yogo, Shiga pref.】
【July 21 (Sun.), 2024 Fukui pref. (1 of 2)】
【July 22 (Mon.), 2024 Fukui pref. (2 of 2)】
【July 23 (Tue.), 2024 Kyoto】
【July 24 (Wed.), 2024 Nara】
【July 25 (Thu.), 2024 Osaka】
[clink url="[Motion Picture] Sightseeing Tour around Shiga, Hokuriku and Kansai with the Families of My Niece (【動画】姪っ子家族との滋賀・北陸そして関西旅行） - KOHOKU Tour"]
Good day. I thank you very much for sharing your precious time with me and Kaoru during your memorable tour around our hometown, Hokuriku area and Kansai (Kyoto, Nara and Osaka). Toshi told us that you safely went back to your sweetest home. It's our utmost pleasure, too, that Riina and Stephen kun kindly dropped by our home on 20th (Sat.) on the way to their happiest honeymoon.【Translation into Japanese (日本語)】こんにちは。私の故郷（湖北）、北陸、そして関西地方をめぐる想い出深い旅行へ私と家内も時間を共有させていただいてありがとう。Toshiは先日貴方達が無事にご自宅へ到着したと連絡をくれたよ。RiinaとStephen君も２０日（土）、新婚旅行の途中に我が家へ立ち寄ってくれたことも私たちにとってとっても嬉しいことだったよ。
(1) July, 07 (Wed.)
That would be perfectly fine to send the pictures when you are ready. We will definitely let you know. That was a very nice article on your website. Leia especially thanks you for your kind compliments. We will take note of your recommendations for Nara and Osaka. We are very fortunate and blessed to have met you. Ramon, Leia and Victor
(2) July, 12 (Fri.)
Good morning from North Carolina, Yoshi-San,
We are safely home and are reminiscing our wonderful trip to Japan. Thank you for making our visit to Kyoto so memorable. We learned so much from you.
I finally downloaded all your photos of us. Thank you for these memories. I appreciate that you labeled the photos with the places they were taken.
With much gratitude,
Ramon, Leia and Victor
Ramon san, Leia san and Victor san. Good evening. It was a HEAT day today in Kyoto, too! Incredible! You selected Sapporo ramen, didn't you? That's very good! When you visit Nara and Osaka tomorrow, do not miss to see Ashura, a guardian god of Hachi Bushu (or Eight Legions, Protectors of Buddhist Teachings) in Buddhism, at the national treasure house of Kofuku-ji temple. And you must be amazed to see the HUGE power of Hideyoshi, when you visit Osaka-jo castle! Please enjoy! Yoshi
