Circle of anti-doping that started in Setagawa, Shiga Prefecture! ― Did you know the “Healing power of Lake Biwa” that may make a huge impact on your life? ― [The first part]
- Work out
- The one and only
- Heard from someone
- With the family
- With the kids
- Nature
- Amazing view
- Rowing
Shiga Pref.
![Circle of anti-doping that started in Setagawa, Shiga Prefecture! ― Did you know the “Healing power of Lake Biwa” that may make a huge impact on your life? ― [The first part]](../../upload_img/20210205163259799285592.jpg)
Hello, everyone! I’m Ayaka YAMAOKA from Nara Prefecture and I love rowing!
Today, I’m meeting a person at my favourite place, Setagawa, Shiga Prefecture. As I cycle towards the meeting point, I’ll show you the nice places by the lake!
Today, I’m meeting a person at my favourite place, Setagawa, Shiga Prefecture. As I cycle towards the meeting point, I’ll show you the nice places by the lake!
I, from a landlocked prefecture Nara, was struck by the “Healing power of Lake Biwa”
See the beautiful natural landscape! This is a view of Lake Biwa, which is known as the biggest lake in Japan. I, from Nara Prefecture, was definitely a mountain person until the age of 27, but when I saw this view, I became obsessed with the attraction of the shore.
I don’t know why but it’s pleasant. It feels like inside of my brain is cleansed. Negative thoughts are taken away and I say to myself, “Never mind.”.
If I write it down as above, it’s like I’m talking about spiritualism, but this feeling I get while I chill out at Lake Biwa shore, I think this is the “Healing”.
I don’t know why but it’s pleasant. It feels like inside of my brain is cleansed. Negative thoughts are taken away and I say to myself, “Never mind.”.
If I write it down as above, it’s like I’m talking about spiritualism, but this feeling I get while I chill out at Lake Biwa shore, I think this is the “Healing”.
Center:Family photo at Lake sport promotion event in 2018
Right:Beautiful surface of the lake at night with a full moon
Me, 3 years ago – “Only a few people are strolling by the lake, why!?
So, I started visiting Lake Biwa 3 years ago. I drove from Nara Prefecture almost every week, then it gave me an idea of moving nearby.
At that time I needed to live in Kyoto due to my work, so I moved to Yamashina in Kyoto, where I could go to “Biwako-hamaotsu” station by direct train. I would chill out at the lakeside after work, I used to spend such a good time then. (Note: Looking back on my university days, I was obsessed with River Kamo-gawa in Kyoto, let me tell you about it in other article.)
At that time I needed to live in Kyoto due to my work, so I moved to Yamashina in Kyoto, where I could go to “Biwako-hamaotsu” station by direct train. I would chill out at the lakeside after work, I used to spend such a good time then. (Note: Looking back on my university days, I was obsessed with River Kamo-gawa in Kyoto, let me tell you about it in other article.)
So, I visited Lake Biwa for countless times like this. One day, I realized this surprising fact that only a few people are strolling lakeside. Yes, most of the time, I was the only person strolling lakeside at that time.
I was happy to have Lake Biwa all to myself, on the other hand, I started feeling a bit lonely. “This is such a good place that gives me inner peace, so why I don’t see many people around here?” This is the moment my feeling towards Lake Biwa became an issue of myself.
I was happy to have Lake Biwa all to myself, on the other hand, I started feeling a bit lonely. “This is such a good place that gives me inner peace, so why I don’t see many people around here?” This is the moment my feeling towards Lake Biwa became an issue of myself.
I keep going forward along Lake Biwa, then I’ll arrive at “Setagawa”.
Since then, I spent days walking around the lakeside, considering “I want many people to know about the healing power of Lake Biwa. What can I do to vitalize the lakeside?”, as if I were a producer of Lake Biwa.
On the opposite bank, there is “Lake Biwa rowing course”, the base of lake sports!
I came to a conclusion that “for Shiga residents, Lake Biwa is always there, nothing special.”
Let me explain this. I saw Lake Biwa for the first time at the age of 27 and was struck by that as I wrote at the beginning, then got obsessed with its attraction. But, for those who living by the lake in Shiga Prefecture, Lake Biwa has always been there, and they see it every day since the day they were born.
I, living outside of Shiga Prefecture, spend luxurious time walking lakeside, on the other hand, the lake is part of life for those who living by the lake. Then I thought “People in Shiga Prefecture don’t walk Lake Biwa shore intentionally, unless they need to do so?”.
I, living outside of Shiga Prefecture, spend luxurious time walking lakeside, on the other hand, the lake is part of life for those who living by the lake. Then I thought “People in Shiga Prefecture don’t walk Lake Biwa shore intentionally, unless they need to do so?”.
Everybody, take a walk by the lake and get relaxed!
I don’t know if this hypothesis is correct. Of course, there are local people walking by. I tell you what, whether it is part of life, day out in neighborhood, or sightseeing travelling from afar, it is sooo refreshing to walk by the water!
This “healing experience” inspired me to support rowing sport in “Setagawa”. Then I got connection with Japan’s Pararowing team and joined them as a staff. Also, I work as a member of Shiga Prefecture Provisional Council for Sport.
Who could imagine I, from Nara Prefecture would be devoted to Shiga Prefecture and water sport, rowing, like this?
Who could imagine I, from Nara Prefecture would be devoted to Shiga Prefecture and water sport, rowing, like this?
Would you like to have a “relaxing time that may make a huge impact on your life”, like me? For your information, if you follow the route in order of the photos in this article*, it takes about 30 minutes by bicycle. If you walk rather slowly, it may take about one hour and a half. So, let’s go for a walk!!
My route
If you are going by car: I recommend popping into a rest area, “Otsu SA” on “Meishin Expressway”.
Right:Please have a look at the things I’m holding. The left one is from “Biwako Bungu (Lake Biwa Stationary)” shop. They have Lake Biwa inspired cute stationary such as sticky notes, memo pads, etc. The stuff on the right is a local specialty, “Kyukyokuno (ultimate) Curry pan (fried bread with curry inside)” (400 yen)! It is 30 cm long, crispy, rich in flavour, delicious!
The sports and disciplines
of the World Masters
Games 2021 Kansai
held in the neighbourhood.
Introducing the poster
Ayaka YAMAOKA
I am from Nara Prefecture. I love rowing! I am working in a hospital as a physiotherapist / trainer.
・Staff of Japan Rowing Association, Para Rowing Committee
・Instructor authorized by the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center, “Asuchare! Messenger”
・Member of 23rd Shiga Prefecture Provisional Council for Sport
・Chief instructor of the general incorporated association “Cococalabo, Step+”
・Staff of Japan Rowing Association, Para Rowing Committee
・Instructor authorized by the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center, “Asuchare! Messenger”
・Member of 23rd Shiga Prefecture Provisional Council for Sport
・Chief instructor of the general incorporated association “Cococalabo, Step+”
![Sneaking into the “great base of table tennis” in the underground passage of Kobe station! – Do you know the “Metro Table tennis” located underground? – [The latter part]](../../upload_img/202101081716431687500440.jpg)
