Shiga

Northern Biwako Sunset

Cycling the Oku-Biwako Parkway from Makino to Ranten

Cathy Cawood Nov 04, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>A rustic building in a rice field tucked between cedar-clad slopes and the lake</p>

<p>Grass at the end of the jetty catches the late afternoon sun</p>

<p>Late sunlight on a field of golden rice</p>

<p>The sakura leaves have been eaten away until they look like lace</p>

<p>Black rocks break the water surface at the edge of the lake</p>

<p>The Oku-Biwako Parkway follows the edge of the lake</p>

<p>Somebody has been preparing for a cold winter!</p>

<p>A small peninsula appears as a black silhouette</p>

A few years ago I cycled from Makino in Northern Shiga along the lakeside beyond Kaizu Osaki to Nishi-Azai, and reveled in the exquisite light of 'golden hour'. The road curves in and out, winding around the small bays. The scenery is very rural, and absolutely stunning.

At a place called Ranten the road leaves the lake and climbs steeply into the mountains. The sun had set by then, so I turned and retraced my path.

If you want to duplicate this trip, I strongly recommend you wear goggles or glasses, and keep your mouth tightly closed, because the air was thick with flying bugs!

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Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...