A Landscape Reminiscent of the Golden Era
Kaizu, in the eastern part of Takashima city, is located on the northwest shore of Lake Biwa. In winter, there is a lot of snow, sometimes over one meter high, and in terms of climate, it is better to think of us as part of Hokuriku rather than the northern part of Kansai. On the lakeshore of Kaizu, endless stone piles have been left to protect houses from wind and waves, forming a unique landscape. The masonry was built in the Edo period (1603-1868) by NISHIYOICHIZAEMON, the local governor, and is magnificent, reminiscent of a castle wall.
From ancient times, Kaizu prospered as a port town transporting goods from Hokuriku, such as rice and marine products, to Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe using Lake Biwa. It still forms a landscape reminiscent of the golden era when the area prospered as a port town. The waterside scenery of this area has been selected as the fifth important cultural landscape in Japan.
Kaizu Ōsaki is part of the Makino district in the city of Takashima, on the northwestern shore of Lake Biwa. This popular scenic spot for sakura-viewing on Lake Biwa, known for its dynamic rock formations, has been designated one of the “Eight Best Views of Lake Biwa”. In springtime, cherry trees lining a 4-kilometer stretch of the Shiga Prefecture lake burst into bloom, creating a tunnel of pink flowers on land and a beautifully decorated shoreline viewed from the water.
The Kaizu Ōsaki trees are at their best when viewed against the blue waters of Lake Biwa. During flower-viewing season, tour boats ply the waters, allowing visitors to admire the contrast between the rough shoreline and the delicate flowers from offshore.
From ancient times, Kaizu prospered as a port town transporting goods from Hokuriku, such as rice and marine products, to Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe using Lake Biwa. It still forms a landscape reminiscent of the golden era when the area prospered as a port town. The waterside scenery of this area has been selected as the fifth important cultural landscape in Japan.
Kaizu Ōsaki is part of the Makino district in the city of Takashima, on the northwestern shore of Lake Biwa. This popular scenic spot for sakura-viewing on Lake Biwa, known for its dynamic rock formations, has been designated one of the “Eight Best Views of Lake Biwa”. In springtime, cherry trees lining a 4-kilometer stretch of the Shiga Prefecture lake burst into bloom, creating a tunnel of pink flowers on land and a beautifully decorated shoreline viewed from the water.
The Kaizu Ōsaki trees are at their best when viewed against the blue waters of Lake Biwa. During flower-viewing season, tour boats ply the waters, allowing visitors to admire the contrast between the rough shoreline and the delicate flowers from offshore.
