A grandeur drama
under the silenceAt first sight, you will see reeds surrounding Nishinoko (westlake) which are bending in the wind. Nishinoko is the largest ofBiwako’s inner lakes. Nishinoko is home to some of the largest
reed beds in the Kansai area. Reeds are used for making blinds
VYMVSKPUNZJYLLUZI\[PUYLJLU[`LHYZYLLKÅ\[LZHUKJOVWZ[PJRZ
are also being produced.
Once you step in through the reed beds, various plants
will appear. Not only plants, but many living things like, fish,insects, birds etc. are there. This suggests that one harmonious
ecosystem exists in Nishinoko. Human beings also live inharmony with this ecosystem. Nishinoko continues to exist
because of the coexistence in the ecosystem and human beings.
To feel and go through the nature, you can take a “SuigouMeguri”, canal tour where the rower will tell you more about
Nishinoko. It is great in spring going down a stream lined withcherry blossoms.

写真提供：株式会社ラーゴ

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Living water close to residents
There is a unique relationship between
the people of Shiga Prefecture andBiwako. Perhaps this relationship is best
presented in the village of Harie.
At Harie, residents continue to use
Kabata, spring water pools. Kabata
are created by natural springs madefrom mountains, snow and rain. The
residents use these springs in their daily
life. Eventually, the water will end up
in a pool where carp live. These carp30

clean the water by eating food waste.
The pools are connected to a series ofstreams that finally flow into Biwako.
This is really the sort of eco-living that
we should all hope to enjoy.
Tours are available and take visitors
through personal Kabatas. The tour
includes tasting water from manydifferent springs and shows off thebeauty of this small Japanese village.
(Appointments are required for the tour.)Harie Shozu no Sato

Lake Biwa Museum

ADDRESS: 372 Harie, Shinasahi-cho, Takashima CityACCESS: From JR Shin-Asahi Sta., 20min on foot
PHONE: 0740-25-6566
URL: http://www.geocities.jp/syouzu2007/

ADDRESS: 1091 Oroshimo-cho, Kusatsu CityACCESS: From JR Kusatsu Sta., 25min by bus(get off at "Biwako Hakubutsukan mae")
PHONE: 077-568-4811
URL: http://www.lbm.go.jp/english/

The whole of Biwako
Biwako is not just about rich nature, butalso about humanity as well. Therefore,
the Lake Biwa Museum’s theme is “LakeBiwa and Its People”. The museum isbased on research and exploration. Its
enormously diverse exhibits cover anaquarium, geological and human history,
information about the lake environmentand our changing relationship with it. In
the aquarium exhibit, you can see manyof the different kinds of aquatic life thatlive in and around Biwako.
The Lake Biwa Museum also runs
many workshops for its visitors andlocal community. Participants can dovarious activities such as make plankton
models. When you go through the Lake
Biwa Museum, you can learn all kindsof things about Biwako and come tounderstand how human beings began
to depend on their local waters.

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Art in nature, on the water
You will be under the illusion that themuseum is floating on the water when
you enter the gates of Sagawa Art
Museum. The building’s beauty andstructure attracts instant attention. It sits
amongst lush natural surroundings. The32

permanent exhibits contain works bythree artists.
The charm of this museum is that it has
a “Chashitsu”, a tea-ceremony room.
To enter the Chashitsu, you must go
underground and under the water. Youwill then find yourself in an interesting
space made of spectacular materials.
Sagawa Art Museum matches its natural
surroundings in a way that allows you toenjoy both art and nature.

Sagawa Art Museum
ADDRESS: 2891 Kitagawa, Mizuho-cho, Moriyama CityACCESS: From JR Katata Sta., 15min by bus(get off at "Sagawa Bijyutsukan")
PHONE: 077-585-7800
URL: http://www.sagawa-artmuseum.or.jp/english/

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Open your mind
to a mystical world
The MIHO MUSEUM is in the middle
of a beautiful mountain area. As you
walk towards the museum you will see
a tunnel. You will have a mysterious
feeling when you pass through thetunnel. When the field of vision opens,a different world will be in front you.
At first sight, you can see that thebeautiful architecture assimilates into the34abundant natural scenery surrounding
the museum. I. M. Pei designed themuseum.
The museum exhibits many historical
items and works of art from manyplaces around the world, including,Egypt, Rome, Asia and China. At least
once you should step into the paradiseon earth that is the MIHO MUSEUM.

MIHO MUSEUM

Borderless Art Museum NO-MA

ADDRESS: 300 Tashiro Momodani, Shigaraki-cho, Koka CityACCESS: From JR Ishiyama Sta., 50min by bus(get off at "MIHO MUSEUM")
PHONE: 0748-82-3411
URL: http://www.miho.or.jp/english/

ADDRESS: 16 Nagahara-chokami, Omihachiman CityACCESS: From JR Omi-Hachiman Sta., 10min by bus(get off at "Osugicho")
PHONE: 0748-36-5018
URL: http://www.no-ma.jp/about/english.html

Feel the power of art
Have you heard of the art form known
as “Art Brut”? The NO-MA museum ofart brut is a place where the energy ofartist’s creative works allows visitors toovercome the artificial boundaries of
their minds. Human expression is theheart of this museum. Everyone will
experience this differently and will betouched by the exquisite pieces of art inunique ways.
The building is rather plain on theoutside and blends into the streets ofOmihachiman, but inside it is actually anart museum. It’s one of the most famousart brut museums in the world. These
works of pure human emotion will open
your eyes and heart to a whole newform of human expression.
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