Land of Plenty

To the people of Shiga Prefecture, Lake Biwa is known as the Mother Lake. The enormous lake—which spans 670.4 square kilometres—provides locals with a profusion of fish, but its fresh, clear water also sustains life around the lake. From Omi rice, grown in abundance around Lake Biwa, to the wide variety of vegetables cultivated in each district, Shiga’s lands are fecund and flourishing.

Omi rice from Green Farm Yunokuchi

Located on the eastern side of Lake Biwa is a 40-hectare plot of farmland where second-generation rice producer Junya Yunokuchi runs his business. What’s unique about Omi rice is how Yunokuchi has committed to cutting the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers by 50 per cent, which benefits both consumers and the environment. Plus, the proximity of the rice fields to Lake Biwa is beneficial for a rich and abundant harvest. Omi rice, especially the Mizukagami and Koshikari variants, are renowned for their slightly sweet flavour and plump, firm grains.  

Persimmons from Ibuki Farm

After he retired from the civil service 15 years ago, Ryuichi Taniguchi wanted to revive the farming community in this area of Shiga Prefecture. So he bought three hectares of land and started cultivating persimmons, ibuki daikon, buckwheat and various crops. The persimmons from Shiga are well loved for their extraordinary sweetness, and Taniguchi attributes this to the climate of Shiga. The area surrounding Ibuki Mountain is warm in the day and cold at night; the contrast in temperatures helps the cultivation process as the cold weather helps increase the sugar content of the persimmons. The persimmons cultivated at Ibuki Farm are the seedless type, known as Hiratanenashi-kaki.

Asamiya Tea from Katagi Koukaen

The Asamiya tea variant has a long history that dates back 1,200 years, and Shigaraki-cho (a region in Shiga Prefecture) is the oldest tea production area in Japan. This particular tea has always been the tea of choice for the Japanese monarchy and nobility because of its distinctive fragrance and refined, sophisticated flavour. Takatomo Katagi at Katagi Koukaen is committed to using only organic fertilisers, with zero use of chemical pesticides.
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Yahei Togarashi from fm craic

You probably wouldn’t associate Japanese food with fiery spices, but the truth is Yahei Togarashi has been cultivated in Shiga Prefecture for over 100 years. However, it’s only recently that this chilli pepper has been processed into seasoning powder by fm craic, a brand started by two entrepreneurial young women, Yuzu Sasaki and Yukiyo Mitaka. This particular variant is twice as spicy as regular red chilli but just as sweet as a Japanese tomato, giving it a unique moreish flavour. Using Yahei Togarashi as a base, fm craic produces a variety of seasoning powders and sauces. (See Souvenir page)

Omi Beef from Okaki

With a history of over 400 years, Omi beef is widely acknowledged as the oldest beef brand in Japan. Omi beef is highly regarded for its distinctive chewy texture and tender quality, but not all cattle are the same. Takeki Okayama, CEO and president of Okaki, which has been producing Omi beef since 1839, says that at his farm, the cattle are provided high-quality care in a lush, natural environment.