Otsu City: History, Nature, and Gourmet Delights
Otsu City, the capital of Shiga Prefecture, is located on the shores of Lake Biwa. It is famous for historic sites such as Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei and Ishiyama-dera Temple, which is associated with the author Murasaki Shikibu. Alongside these historic buildings, the Biwako Canal, which was built to transport water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto, becomes a stunning sight in spring with cherry blossoms in full bloom and illuminated at night, offering a spectacular view of the night cherry blossoms.
In Otsu City, Funazushi and Omi Beef are well-known specialties. Funazushi is notable for its strong, unique smell but is considered very healthy. Omi Beef Dumplings, made with 100% Omi Beef, offer a luxurious taste that cannot be found elsewhere. Be sure to try both when you visit Otsu City.
Quoted from Powerspot
Let’s Go to the Senko-sai Festival!!
Location: Around Seta no Karahashi and Takebe Taisha, Otsu City
Date: August 17 every year
Access:
- 10 minutes on foot from JR Ishiyama Station
- 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Karahashi-mae Station
http://takebetaisha.jp/event/senkousai/ (Official Takebe Taisha Website, Senko-sai Festival)
The Senko-sai Festival, along with the Otsu Matsuri of Tenson Shrine and the Sanno Festival of Hiyoshi Taisha, is one of the three major festivals of Otsu City and a symbolic event for the city.
This festival is also one of the long-standing religious ceremonies held at Takebe Taisha. There was a period when the Senko-sai Festival itself was discontinued, but the religious ceremony continued, maintaining a long tradition.
Various related ceremonies are held at the shrine starting from the 1st of the month until the day the fireworks are launched. Those interested should definitely visit to experience these events.
The Boat Procession and the Grand Fireworks Finale
The highlight of this festival is the “Funatogyo,” a boat procession where a large portable shrine (mikoshi) is placed on a traditional Japanese boat, accompanied by about 20 other boats, as they travel down the Seta River.
This festival is based on the legend of the revered warrior “Yamato Takeru no Mikoto,” who is said to have traveled by sea with a fleet. The Seta River is used as a symbolic representation of this sea route. The fleet heads approximately 4 kilometers downstream to Kurotsuhama, where the sacred journey’s destination, the o-tabisho, is located.
At night, the festival reaches its climax with a spectacular fireworks display. The boats, illuminated by lanterns reflecting on the water’s surface, gently drift along the river. In the background, magnificent fireworks light up the sky, creating a breathtaking finale.
Quoted from the Official Takebe Taisha Website
An Atmospheric Festival
You can also catch a view of the picturesque Seta no Karahashi Bridge, combining to create the unique, charming atmosphere of this festival. Be sure to enjoy the ambience that is characteristic of this event.
The Three Major Festivals of Otsu
You can also catch a view of the picturesque Seta no Karahashi Bridge, combining to create the unique, charming atmosphere of this festival. Be sure to enjoy the ambience that is characteristic of this event.
The Three Major Festivals of Otsu
- Sanno Festival, Shiga Prefecture
- Otsu Matsuri, Shiga Prefecture
Featured image quoted from Mother River Setagawa
(Edited by 千八乃)
