It seems I cann
ot stress enough how having access to the biggest lake in Japan is just awesome. Naturally, water sports will be a big thing in Shiga. From kayaking and boating, to wind-surfing and sailing, many people in Shiga relish in testing their mettle against the Mother Lake. Here is a run-down of a few water sports you can partake in throughout Shiga.
OMIHACHIMAN 海洋センター
In Omihachiman, near Lake Nishi (西の湖) there is a facility that is open for rafting, boating, and camping, called B&G海洋センター. This place is available for use at a very minimal price. For those who live in Omihachiman, adults cost 200円 and kids 100円, whilst for those outside of Omihachiman have to pay 400円and 200円 for adults and kids respectively.
Lake Biwa Kayakaing
In sunny Makino, Takashima block, you can experience a day of kayaking on Lake Biwa whilst being assisted by a local professional Kayak instructor. This event is usually for Shiga JETs residing in the Takashima block, but regardless anyone can go and book themselves on any available tour on the following website:
The Takashima block usually holds this event in mid-October (best time of the year I say) and usually costs around 5000\ for kayak rentals, tour, and instruction. So if you wish to have a chance kayaking on the glistening Lake Biwa, follow the link, and choose your tour.
*DISCLAIMER*
The owner of Granstream Kayak, Shiro Ose, is usually very busy with multiple tours a year. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t get a tour.
A Raft of Activities on the Seta River
To round off the extraordinary water sports available to you in Shiga, if you head down to the Friendship Adventures rafting centre in Ishiyama, you can enjoy a spot of white-water rafting, as well as a raft of different water-orientated sports. What can be more exciting than hurtling down a river in a rubber dinghy, your friends around you, constantly being sprayed in the face with water?
A new addition to Shiga AJETs ever increasing event dossier, rafting is a must as the weather warms and a refreshing dip in a river is in order.
Friendship Adventures can be found near Seta River, 20 minutes south of Ishiyama.
To get to Ishiyama, take the JR Biwako Line. It is the stop before Otsu on the Special Rapid south-bound. From Ishiyama station take a bus headed for Oishi Elementary School (大石小学校), getting off 20 minutes or so later, at the Kaeruiwa bus stop (蛙岩).
The cost of the bus is around \520 round trip, and the rafting experience comes in at \5000 for foreigners, and \5300 for Japanese. Swim wear is provided for and shoes can be rented for \300.
So if you are willing to plunge yourself deep into the bottom of Seta River for fun and thrills, check this event out!
Website: http://www.friendship-adventures.com/raft_seta.html
ot stress enough how having access to the biggest lake in Japan is just awesome. Naturally, water sports will be a big thing in Shiga. From kayaking and boating, to wind-surfing and sailing, many people in Shiga relish in testing their mettle against the Mother Lake. Here is a run-down of a few water sports you can partake in throughout Shiga.
OMIHACHIMAN 海洋センター
In Omihachiman, near Lake Nishi (西の湖) there is a facility that is open for rafting, boating, and camping, called B&G海洋センター. This place is available for use at a very minimal price. For those who live in Omihachiman, adults cost 200円 and kids 100円, whilst for those outside of Omihachiman have to pay 400円and 200円 for adults and kids respectively.
Lake Biwa Kayakaing
In sunny Makino, Takashima block, you can experience a day of kayaking on Lake Biwa whilst being assisted by a local professional Kayak instructor. This event is usually for Shiga JETs residing in the Takashima block, but regardless anyone can go and book themselves on any available tour on the following website:
The Takashima block usually holds this event in mid-October (best time of the year I say) and usually costs around 5000\ for kayak rentals, tour, and instruction. So if you wish to have a chance kayaking on the glistening Lake Biwa, follow the link, and choose your tour.
*DISCLAIMER*
The owner of Granstream Kayak, Shiro Ose, is usually very busy with multiple tours a year. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t get a tour.
A Raft of Activities on the Seta River
To round off the extraordinary water sports available to you in Shiga, if you head down to the Friendship Adventures rafting centre in Ishiyama, you can enjoy a spot of white-water rafting, as well as a raft of different water-orientated sports. What can be more exciting than hurtling down a river in a rubber dinghy, your friends around you, constantly being sprayed in the face with water?
A new addition to Shiga AJETs ever increasing event dossier, rafting is a must as the weather warms and a refreshing dip in a river is in order.
Friendship Adventures can be found near Seta River, 20 minutes south of Ishiyama.
To get to Ishiyama, take the JR Biwako Line. It is the stop before Otsu on the Special Rapid south-bound. From Ishiyama station take a bus headed for Oishi Elementary School (大石小学校), getting off 20 minutes or so later, at the Kaeruiwa bus stop (蛙岩).
The cost of the bus is around \520 round trip, and the rafting experience comes in at \5000 for foreigners, and \5300 for Japanese. Swim wear is provided for and shoes can be rented for \300.
So if you are willing to plunge yourself deep into the bottom of Seta River for fun and thrills, check this event out!
Website: http://www.friendship-adventures.com/raft_seta.html