...and now for the second instalment in my "Summer Solo Excursions" series...
Back in October 2006, Ritsuko and I attempted to walk from Hama-Otsu station to Ishiyama station following the shoreline of lake Biwa. This is a distance of about 7.2km. Our first attempt started well, with low 20s temperatures and mild conditions, but had to give up after about 2km because the weather became exceedingly adverse (heavy rain and strong wind). We also carried a lot (as we were travelling between accommodation) on that first attempt and I didn't get a chance to get the dSLR out the bag for any photos.
Well, I got it in my mind at having a second crack at completing the walk. This time I decided to travel lightly only taking my Casio EX-Z850, a small bag and an umbrella.
Firstly I went by JR train from Nagaokakyo to Yamashina. At Yamashina I changed on to the Keihan train and headed to Hama-Otsu station. I arrived at Hama-Otsu at 1650 and proceeded to the path along the shore line of lake Biwa. The weather was clear and about 30C and 86% humidity, not the most comfortable of conditions for a walk, but doable. Proceeded a long the shore line and the weather began to get rainy at about the 2km mark, pressed on. The rain became heavy by the time I reached the 3km mark, so I decided to check out the Prince Hotel (the tall building in the distance on the photo). Rain cleared at about 1740 so I headed on to a large bridge some 4.3km from the start point. Arrived at the bridge about 1800 and spotted a MOS Burger restaurant nearby and decided to have dinner there. Left MOS Burger about 1830 in almost dark though clear conditions. About 1900 rain started again and I had a strong head wind. Rain continued to increase in strength, dark conditions, little visibility, I pushed on. Arrived at the railway line at 2000, then attempted to follow it to the station, no straight path available, wound my way round back streets of traditional Japanese houses in pouring rain. Finally got to Ishiyama station at 2030, met a group of Canadian tourist, one of them said to me “You look flustered!”... Mission accomplished! Headed back home on the JR train from Ishiyama to Nagaokakyo.
Now as I look at the map of Lake Biwa (Biwa-ko) in my office, I realise I only covered a tiny fraction of it's 235.2 km shore line, so sometime in the future maybe I'll walk around the whole lake...