Shiga

Snow at Makino

Northern shores of Lake Biwa in winter white

Cathy Cawood Jan 14, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>This lake-side scenery is lovely in every season!</p>

<p>Persimmon tree branched weighted down with orange fruit</p>

<p>Bare tree branches beside the lake</p>

<p>Rows of a vegetable garden under a blanket of snow  </p>

<p>Old lakeside house viewed from the shore</p>

<p>Beautiful stone wall around a small temple</p>

<p>Sake shop with a new green ball hanging beside the door</p>

<p>Quaint window and weathered wooden siding</p>

<p>Footprints in the snow leading to the lake</p>

<p>Snow piled on either side of the path</p>

<p>Small taiko hanging under the eaves</p>

<p>Rough stone lantern standing in the snow</p>

<p>View across the lake to Makino from Kaizu Osaki</p>

<p>Bare trees silhouetted against the sky</p>

Makino is a small town on the Northwest side of Lake Biwa. In winter they get plenty of snow, and there is a ski field in the mountains nearby. The town itself is a combination of stunning lake views, holiday homes that are deserted most of the year, and old wooden houses slowly but surely crumbling to decay. You can take JR Kosei Line to Makino from Kyoto and walk around the lake to nearby Kaizu Osaki to enjoy some lovely winter scenery. I even saw some monkeys, but I wasn't quick enough to get a good photograph.

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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...