【Higashiomi City 2-Day Recommended Itinerary】Experience the nature and culture of Lake Biwa and a Japanese Heritage Site

After arriving at JR Notogawa Station with a peaceful view from the train window, change to a cab and start your Japanese Heritage tour of Higashiomi City.
First, stop by the Eigenji Tourist Information Center to get information on sightseeing in and around the "Daihonzan Eigenji Temple".
This office is open only during Golden Week and the season of autumn foliage, and provides information on sightseeing in the area, sells admission tickets for the special viewing of the temple gate, which is held from early to late November every year, and also provides volunteer guides.

After crossing the Daiketsukyo Bridge near the Eigenji Tourist Information Center, you will finally be able to enter the sacred area of "Daihonzan Eigenji Temple".
Founded in 1361, this historic temple is one of the best places in Kansai to view the autumn leaves.

Every year in November, the temple grounds are colored with bright red of the mountain maples, maple trees, ginkgo trees, and Japanese maples, and various events are held, such as illumination and special viewing of the temple gate, which is not open to the public.
Also, don't miss the green maple trees that shine in early summer. The fresh green foliage, which you can enjoy in the cool breeze and feel the life force of nature, is also a magnificent work of art created by nature, just like the colored leaves in autumn.

After a 20-minute drive along a mountain road from "Daihonzan Eigenji Temple," we arrive at the Mandokoro area, which is called Okueigenji Temple.
"Mandokoro tea", one of the three major teas of Omi and known as the "rare tea," is actively cultivated in this area.
The scenery of old houses and tea fields spreading out on the slopes of the mountain is the very essence of the original landscape of Japan.

The tranquil and nostalgic scenes appear one after another, full of beauty that makes one want to take a camera.
Every year around May, a tea picking experience is held.
Visitors can tour the tea plantation and have Mandokoro tea tasting, an experience that cannot be had anywhere else.

After experiencing the mountain village's beautiful nature and its bounty, enjoy lunch at "Roadside Station Okueigenji Keiryu no Sato," a 3-minute drive away.
Two restaurants are open at the facility, each offering a menu full of local delicacies.
Don't miss the tempura rice bowl and salted and grilled fresh Iwana (char trout), as well as the Dam Curry that recreates the location of the nearby "Eigenji Dam" on a plate.
After having lunch, check out the souvenirs at the specialties corner.
Among the wide variety of items available, the famous Eigenji konnyaku (konjac) and the deeply flavored Masasho tea are recommended.

After lunch at "Roadside Station Okueigenji Keiryu no Sato," it is a 10-minute drive to the "Kijishi Museum.

Kijishi are craftsmen who make tableware and folk crafts from hardwoods using special tools.
The Okueigenji area is said to be the birthplace of the Kijishi culture of making tableware with a spinning lathe, and is also said to be the "home of Kijishi" who were active all over the country.
The museum exhibits a number of products that take advantage of the beauty of the wood grain, as well as ancient documents and other materials.
The museum is open from April 1 to November 30, and visitors are required to make an appointment in advance.

Next, let's travel about 8 minutes by car to visit the "Ookimiki Jiso Shrine", which is dedicated to Koretaka Shinno.
Koretaka Shinno is the first prince of Emperor Montoku, who is said to have invented the technique of lathe, which was essential for Kijishi (woodturner) in the Heian period.
The lathe used in woodworking, is like the original of the present turning lathe, an indispensable device for making symmetrical circles.
Because of his achievements, Koretaka Shinno is revered as the founder of Kijishi.
Although the shrine is not very large, the precincts are filled with a mysterious atmosphere as visitors are greeted by a giant cedar tree with a trunk circumference of over 6 meters.

About 20 minutes away by car, "Hitomi Sanso," filled with the atmosphere of good old Japan, is the inn for this visit.
Located in a quiet mountainous area with the pleasant chirping of wild birds, this accommodation is housed in a 200-year-old traditional thatched-roof house.

Guests are limited to one couple per day, so you can enjoy the luxury of exclusive use of the spacious room. Enjoy your meals in a relaxed atmosphere around an irori fireplace.
In addition to the main course meal of Iwana (char trout) raised in the clear waters, the Botan-nabe, which uses high-quality wild boar meat, is also exquisite.
Check in a little early and enjoy touring the wineries, museums, and ranch-operated gelato stores that dot the area.

Driving about 45 minutes by car from Hitomi Sansou, the first stop on the second day of the trip is Tarobogu Shrine (Aga Shrine).
This shrine has been worshiped as "the god of victory and happiness" for about 1,400 years, and is now visited by professional athletes aiming for good results, and is well known by those in the know.

After visiting the shrine and feeling refreshed, why not participate in the omamori-making experience?
With the assistance of priests and shrine maidens, you can choose your favorite from more than 100 types of amulet bags and knotted kumihimo string, and then complete the experience by inserting a "wishing paper" and "sacred scepter" into the bag.
Although the experience takes about 15 minutes, it will be a valuable opportunity to learn about traditional Japanese culture through the earnest prayerful work.

For lunch, we will have Omi beef at Manyo Tarobotei, a restaurant located at the foot of Tarobogu Shrine.
Omi beef is one of Japan's three major cuts of Wagyu, and its meat, finely marbled, is melt-in-your-mouth tender with a hint of sweetness that makes it an exquisite dish.

The restaurant offers a diverse repertoire of dishes from teppanyaki to steak, sukiyaki, and seiro-mushi, bringing the charm of Omi beef to your table.
Moreover, during lunch time only, you can enjoy a set meal that includes rice, salad, and a small bowl of cooked food, which is a great value.

Enjoy a relaxing and luxurious time in a prestigious pure Japanese-style restaurant with a view of the Japanese garden, while savoring the brand-name ingredients that represent Shiga Prefecture.

After satisfying your stomach and mind with an Omi beef lunch, the next stop is the Gokasho Kondo area, a 20-minute drive away.

This area is known as the birthplace of the Omi merchants, who from the Edo period to the Meiji period had their main residences here and went to other prefectures to sell their commodity.
The town is lined with grand yet modest merchants' mansions, and a moat where Nishikigoi carp swim elegantly stretches in all directions.
This area is one of the National Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings, and has been chosen as a filming location for movies and TV dramas, making it a great place to stroll around and soak up the retro atmosphere.

After leaving "Townscape of Gokasho Kondoi", it is a 13-minute drive to the last stop on the tour, the riverside settlement of "Iba-cho".

This is a riverside village with waterways running the length and breadth of the area, and the relationship between the residents and the clear, rich water drawn from the nearby Iba River is still alive and well today.
The peaceful and valuable scenery, which was selected as one of the national Important Cultural Landscapes, is full of charming atmosphere with different expressions no matter what time of year you visit.