Enjoying the Kohoku Area

L'Hôtel du Lac and Restaurant SOWER represent the history, nature, land, and culinary culture of the Kohoku area.
We invite you to discover the incredible sightseeing destinations in the area as well as the producers and their products.

Producers

Sightseeing Spots

History & Culture

Producers

FOOD

Minakuchi Farm（Vegetable Farm）

Takashima City

Minakuchi Farm grows safe, delicious vegetables without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers in the rich natural Satoyama landscape of Makino Town.
The farm also engages in recycling-oriented agriculture by cultivating log shiitake mushrooms. The direct sales shop also includes the "Satoyama Experience House.”

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Daichidou（Wheat Farm）

Hino Town

Japan's first Dinkel wheat farmer. Dinkel wheat is a type of ancient wheat that is so nutritious and flavorful that it is used in Germany to treat illnesses.
The farm imports seeds from Germany and uses cultivation methods suited to Japan's climate, down to the stone milling process.

Tsugino Farm（Vegetable Farm）

Aisho Town

The farm grows vegetables with good taste and flavor using original fertilizers containing a proprietary blend of enzymes, Chinese herbs, and minerals from natural ingredients.
The farm is also committed to biological cultivation with reduced use of pesticides and works to create a sustainable soil environment by utilizing soil microorganisms.

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Minorinouen（Vegetable Farm）

Takashima City

The small farm is environmentally friendly and does not use synthetic chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
It grows about 200 varieties of rare and colorful vegetables annually in the open fields.
Visitors can enjoy freshly picked vegetables at the farm's restaurant, "Sato Kitchen."

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Yokotanouen（Vegetable and Strawberry Farm）

Nagahama City

The farm is in the village of Make, Takatsuki Town.
The farm produces a variety of seasonal vegetables, crops, and strawberries using no or reduced pesticides.
The farm also holds various events for children and adults, including strawberry picking in season.

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RICE IS COMEDY（Rice Farm）

Nagahama City

The concept is "RICE IS COMEDY," as the name suggests.
Young members who faced the challenges of local agriculture, such as aging farmers and lack of bearers, gathered together.
The farm brings the fun and excitement of agriculture to the world and changes the values of agriculture.

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Kashiwa-no-Kawanaka（Homebred Chicken Producer）

Otsu City

The producer is committed to a "healthy life" for its chickens, which are raised for long periods in a stress-free environment in a natural, integrated poultry house and on carefully selected feed.
Only fresh meat is sold in stores and shipped nationwide within 24 hours of being processed.

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Kokabu（Dairy Farm and Cheese Producer）

Ryuo Town

One of the few dairy farms in Shiga Prefecture is involved in cheese making.
While raising 40 Holstein cows, they produce and sell more than ten kinds of cheese and sweets, such as gelato. Shiga's first matured cheese, "Tsuyako Fromage," has won numerous awards.

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Happy Taro Brewery（Fermented Food）

Nagahama City

Kotaro Ikejima runs the brewery, aka Happy Taro, a fermentation professional and produces rice malt, fermented beverages, and food products.
He also brews doburoku (unrefined sake) from rice malt at Umi-no-Schole (Factory / Workshop studio). The doburoku is made from rice grown without pesticides or fertilizers in Nagahama and subsoil water from Mt. Ibuki.

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Nakamura Suisan（Kaizu Fishing Port Fishery）

Takashima City

The fishery is run by a family of fishermen in Makino Town, the northernmost port town of Lake Biwa. They mainly fish with gill nets and handle crucian carp, catfish, barbel steed, and ayu (sweetfish).
They are also actively involved in reviving the fishing industry and passing on local culture, hoping that "as many people as possible will enjoy the fish of Lake Biwa.”

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Echizen Uoshin（Fresh Fish Wholesaler）

Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture

The company distributes fresh fish at Tsuruga Fishing Port, the largest market in Fukui Prefecture.
Working with the fishermen, they are particular about "how to serve seafood in good condition" and carefully consider every step of the process.

Gibier-Kobo-Sankei（Hunters）

Nagahama City

Go to the mountains around Kohoku and Nishi-Asahi to hunt bears, deer, boars, ducks, and other wild animals.
All meat is cleaned and cooled within an hour to keep them fresh.

Makino Hunting Club（Hunters）

Takashima City

The hunters set traps in the mountains around Makino and hunt mainly deer.
Checks the traps every morning, and the captured deer are cleaned and frozen within an hour to keep them fresh.

DRINK

HINO BREWING（Craft Beer Brewery）

Hino Town

"Craft beer for festivals by festival lovers."
The brewery creates beers that match the characteristics of local festivals, regional ingredients, and cuisine under the theme of "festivals" throughout Japan and worldwide.
A portion of the proceeds is donated to fund the development and promotion of various festivals.

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DIAMOND BREWERY（Craft Beer Brewery）

Omihachiman City

Under the theme of " To create products that are not only tasty but also somewhat exciting," the company produces craft beer and a fermented beverage, kombucha, which both have characteristics of Omi Hachiman, a town of water villages.
The brewery is also working to reduce food loss by using discarded ingredients.

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ANTELOPE（Craft Mead）

Yasu City

ANTELOPE is the first craft mead house in Japan. Mead is a liquor made from fermented honey.
They make original and creative meads by adding various fruits, spices, and other secondary ingredients to mead, or innovative methods incorporating craft beer and different production methods.

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Emishiki Sake Brewery（Sake Brewery）

Koka City

Brewing began in 1892. The brewery selects the best raw material rice in Shiga Prefecture and uses a natural process with no additives or adjustments.
It is characterized by a complex flavor brought about by shubo, a yeast starter using a unique lactic acid bacterium and a sweet taste that fully expresses the sweetness of the rice.

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TOMITA SHUZO（Sake Brewery）

Nagahama City

The brewery is an old sake brewery with a history of over 450 years.
With the concept of emphasizing the "local" part of local sake, the brewery continues to take on various challenges, including pesticide-free rice, the introduction of wooden buckets, Yamahai brewing, and Namahoshi brewing to produce sake more naturally.
They are also working on aging sake and proposing new ways to enjoy sake.

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Kitajima Brewery（Sake Brewery）

Konan City

The brewery has been in business since 1805.
They have been producing Shiga's famous sake using rice grown in Shiga Prefecture and water from the Suzuka mountain range.
The brewery continues to take on new challenges while maintaining its traditions, centering on two successive brands, "Miyosakae" and a new brand, "Kitajima."

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FUKUI YAHEI SHOTEN（Sake Brewery）

Takashima City

This brewery has been in business for over 260 years and brews the famous sake "Haginotsuyu."
Focusing on traditional and locally grown rice, the brewery continues working with various kinds of rice and new brewing methods.
The brewery is also involved in "Satoyama," a sake brewing project to preserve terraced rice paddies.

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Yamaji Shuzo（Mulberry Wine Brewery）

Nagahama City

Yamaji Shuzo was founded in 1532.
It is the only brewery in Japan that continues to produce "Kuwazake - mulberry wine" made by soaking highly nutritious mulberry leaves in shochu (distilled spirit).
Local rice grown mainly with organic fertilizers and reduced use of agricultural chemicals is used.

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MATSUSE SHUZO（Sake Brewery）

Ryuo Town

The brewery was founded in 1860. Its signature brand is "Matsu-no-Tsukasa."
They are committed to brewing sake with rice grown in Ryuo Town, and all of their contract farms have obtained "Environmentally Friendly Agricultural Product Certification." Also, the brewery is committed to increasing rice without pesticides or chemical fertilizers during the growing season.

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Ota Sake Brewing（Sake Brewery & Winery）

Kusatsu City

Ota Sake Brewing was established in 1874.
The brewery focuses on Shiga Prefecture-grown ingredients, and while its main product is sake, they also produce shochu (Japanese spirit) and wine.
Sake is made from sake rice grown in the brewery's own rice fields, and wine is made from grapes grown by the brewery since 1944 when it began cultivating its land.

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NINE LEAVES（Microdistillery）

Otsu City

NINE LEAVES is a micro-distillery that opened in 2013.
It brews the first Japanese rum in Honshu, using ultra-soft water with a hardness of 12 polished by feldspar from the Otowa Mountains and brown sugar made from Okinawan sugarcane.

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NAGAHAMA DISTILLERY（Craft Beer Brewery and Craft Whisky Distillery）

Nagahama City

Nagahama Roman Beer Co., Ltd owns the distillery. One of the smallest distilleries in Japan.
The company started producing craft beer in 1996 and its craft whiskey business in 2016.
It also has a craft beer brewery and restaurant in the area.

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Nakagawa Seiseido Tea House（The tea house produces the oldest famous tea in Japan）

Otsu City

The tea house was founded in 1872.
Omi tea, cultivated through 1,200 years of history and tradition, is widely loved by tea masters as the best tea with exceptional flavor and is produced using a method that is as close to nature as possible.

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COFFEE WORKS PLUS（Coffee Bean Roastery）

Takashima City

The roastery specializes in home-roasted coffee.
The coffee is brewed in Shin Asahi Town, Takashima City, known as the "Lake Biwa Headwaters Township," using the clear underground water of the Azumi River, which originates in the Hira mountain range.

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HANDICRAFTS

isato（Wild Animal Leathers）

Takashima City

Under the theme of "Let's touch the 'satoyama,'" the company produces small leather goods using the leather of wild animals that have been exterminated as a measure against animal damage.
The leather is finished with plant-derived ingredients, making it gentle on babies to the elder.
Products are available at their online store.

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Ryusen Hamono（Knife / cutlery manufacturer）

Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture

The manufacturer uses Echizen Uchihamono, a traditional Echizen hammered technique, to develop kitchen knives, cutlery, and other products.
Their products, which combine sharpness, beauty, and ease of use, are used by the world's top chefs.

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NOTA & design（Shigaraki-yaki pottery）

Koka City

NOTA & design is a pottery atelier based in Shigaraki, the birthplace of pottery. In addition, they design, produce, and sell general lifestyle products.
The "NOTA_SHOP" attached to the atelier handles works by Shigaraki craftsmen, antiques, and more.

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Sightseeing Spots

Cherry blossom trees in Kaizu Osaki（Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossoms）

Takashima City

About 800 magnificent Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms stretch for 4 km along the shore of Lake Biwa.
In the northernmost part of Lake Biwa from Kaizu-Osaki, the area known as Oku-Biwako, approximately 3,200 cherry blossoms line the 22-km stretch of the Oku-Biwako Parkway from Nihonmatsu Swimming Beach to the shore of the lake.

ACCESS
Approximately 7 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Shirahige Shrine（The Great Old Shrine of Omi）

Takashima City

The deity enshrined at the shrine has long been widely revered as the god of longevity and white beard.
The shrine is also worshipped as a god of matchmaking, childbirth, good fortune, expiation, business prosperity, traffic safety, and other general guidance and path-breaking in the world of humankind.

ACCESS
Approximately 40 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Avenue of Metasequoia Trees

Takashima City

The symmetrical landscape created by the rows of metasequoia trees and the straight road is in harmony with the mountains of Nosaka Mountains in the distance.
It has been selected as one of Japan's New 100 Best Roadside Trees.

ACCESS
Approximately 20 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Shizugatake Lift

Nagahama City

This lift offers a spectacular view of Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture.
Shizugatake was the site of the decisive battle between Hideyoshi Hashiba (later Hideyoshi Toyotomi) and Katsuie Shibata and is now known as the Shizugatake Old Battlefield, attracting many history fans.
At the top of the peak are flags of soldiers called "Shizugatake no Shichihonyari" and statues of generals to remind visitors of the area's history.

ACCESS
Approximately 25 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Keisoku-ji Temple

Nagahama City

The gently sloping stone steps of the approach, the moss-covered stone walls on both sides, and the plateau are all reminders of a bygone era.
In the fall, the 200 old Momiji maple trees that fill the temple's precincts are even more venerable in their autumn colors.

ACCESS
Approximately 35 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Kohoku Hakkei- Eigh Scenic Spots（Lakeshore road, Ho Park, and Kohoku Waterfowl Park）

Nagahama City

From Ho Park, a lakeshore road in Nagahama City, you can admire the fantastic sunset on the lake. In addition, the vast east-west stretch of Lake Biwa to the opposite shore provides a wide field of vision and a magnificent view.
From Kohoku Waterfowl Park in the north, the unique Uki Island and Chikubu Island, with the setting sun in the background, are genuinely spectacular, and the evening view of waterfowl frolicking in the lake, tinged with madder colors, gently envelops visitors' hearts.

ACCESS
Approximately 30 minutes drive from the hotel.

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History & Culture

Chikubu Island（Hogen-ji Temple and Tsukubushima Shrine）

Nagahama City

Hogen-ji Temple is the second largest island in Lake Biwa after Okishima, with a circumference of 2 km. 165 stone steps lead up to a large building, the main deity of which is Benzaiten (Sarasvati), and it is called " San-benzaiten," along with Enoshima and Itsukushima.
Kannon-do at Hogen-ji Temple is the 30th temple of the 33 sacred places of Kannon in the western part of Japan and is still visited by many people.
Crossing the boat corridor is the Tsukubusuma Shrine. The main hall (National Treasure) is said to be the remains of Fushimi Castle, and Momoyama art can be seen in the sliding doors, pillars, and transoms.
From the hall of worship, which is also mentioned in the Tale of the Heike, visitors can make a wish on a small unglazed plate and throw it toward the torii gate standing on the rocky shore.

ACCESS
Approximately 30 minutes drive to Imazu port from the hotel.
Approximately 45 minutes drive to Nagahama port from the hotel.

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Sugaura Lakeshore Village（Important Cultural Landscape）

Nagahama City

＜Japanese Heritage＞
A lakeside village called "Hidden Village" on Lake Biwa (Oku-Biwako).
The old waterside lifestyle remains, including the Shisoku-mon Gate, which used to be a watchtower gate. In addition, the Sugaura Documents stored at Suga Shrine are designated as a national treasure.

ACCESS
Approximately 20 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Hokkokukaido Kinomotojuku

Nagahama City

The place is the temple town of Kinomoto Jizoin Temple and a walking path that invites a sense of lyricism with its rows of houses that once bustled as an inn town on the Hokkokukaido road.
The more you stroll, the more you can enjoy the streetscape of old merchant houses and sake breweries, where you can make many discoveries.

ACCESS
Approximately 25 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Kogen-ji Temple

Nagahama City

Nagahama City's Takatsuki Town is also known as "Kannon no Sato" (Village of the Kannon, Goddess of Mercy), and Kannon statues can be seen at many temples in the area. Among them, the Kogen-ji temple, Dougan-ji Kannon-do, houses the eleven-faced Kannon, one of the seven standing statues of the eleven-faced Kannon, a national treasure, and is popular artistically due to its beautiful form.

ACCESS
Approximately 30 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Kurokabe Square

Nagahama City

"Kurokabe Square" is the general name for a corner of the old streets along Hokkokukaido road.
Centering on the "Kurokabe Glass Museum," a renovated old bank that has been nicknamed "Kurokabe Bank" since the Meiji era (1868-1912), there are glass stores, workshops, galleries, hands-on classes, restaurants, cafes, and other attractive stores scattered throughout the old streets.

ACCESS
Approximately 42 minutes drive from the hotel.

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Hikone Castle

Hikone City

Construction of Hikone Castle began in 1604 and took about 20 years to complete. However, because the castle's flat structure remains in excellent condition, it was designated as a national "Historic Site" in 1951 and a "Special Historic Site" in 1956. It is carefully protected as an asset shared by all citizens. It is also listed on Japan's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites and is being sought for registration as a World Heritage Site.

ACCESS
Approximately 60 minutes drive from the hotel.

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