This area is blessed with fertile plains that stretch between the lush foothills of the Ainoyama Mountains and Lake Biwa, and people can be seen living in harmony with nature throughout the town.
The underground water from the Hira Mountains springs out, forms waterways that run through the villages, and flows into Lake Biwa. Scenes that were once common in Japan, such as "kabata" (river banks) that use spring water for daily use, and waterways with clean water flowing, remain here. The area is also known as a production area for textiles such as "Takashima Chijimi" and "Takashima Canvas".
We have a wide selection of Takashima City's specialty products, including food, local sake, crafts, and textiles. Since the National Fermented Food Summit in 2013, we have a wide selection of fermented foods, Takashima Chijimi clothing, whose quality has been known nationwide through the Cool Biz movement, and Takashima Canvas bags.
A long-established restaurant that has been in business since 13. We offer a wide range of dishes, including Shokado bento lunches, kaiseki cuisine, and sushi. Harie Shosui-no-Sato is located nearby, and you can enjoy dishes made with river fish and local vegetables at reasonable prices.
The energy of nature hidden in the beautiful changing of the seasons and the clear underground water refined by the Hira valley give life to the famous sake "Matsu no Hana" and foster its rich flavor. This area has also been called "the home of fresh water" since ancient times, and has been featured by many media outlets, including NHK, as a village where the traditional "Kabata culture" still thrives.
In spring, the road along Lake Biwa in Shin-Asahi (Lakeside Road) is dyed pink by somei-yoshino cherry blossoms for about 6km. With Lake Biwa in the background, this route allows you to experience the changing of nature, and is also popular as a cycling course.
In the season of fresh greenery, when the reed beds along the shores of Lake Biwa begin to sprout new shoots, the yellow flowers of the "Nourushi" plant bloom. From early to late April every year, the plant grows in clusters that blend into the scenery of Lake Biwa. Enjoy a stroll along the lakeside in the spring, whether walking or cycling.
The reed colonies provide a habitat for many wild birds and fish, including the Nigorobu carp, and also help preserve the water quality of Lake Biwa. To preserve the water quality, reed burning is carried out every year around March.
We will guide you through a fun course around Shin-Asahi's tourist spots.
The travel times below are for walking.
JRShin-Asahi Station
JRShin-Asahi Station
You can also use the bus or conveniently rent a bicycle.
The area around Harie and Shimofuri villages in Shin-Asahi-cho is rich in clean spring water. Local people call this water "Shozu" (raw water) and have treasured and used it since ancient times. We provide tours so that you can experience the rich nature around Lake Biwa and the life and people around the water, and feel inspired to reexamine your modern lifestyle. → For more information"Harie Living Water Village Committee Homepage"What.
