Suspended since April of 2014, demolition began on the wind power plant "Kusatsu Yume Fusha," or Kusatsu Dream Windmill Farm, in Oroshimo-cho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, on January 28 and its three blades were removed. Troubled by successive malfunctions and a wind power shortage, the symbol on the shore of...

The president of a Kyoto-based waitstaff placement company for hotels and restaurants published an instruction book explaining customer service skills. With the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and World EXPO 2025 in Osaka, it is expected that there will be an increase in events held to attract people from both...

"Yukitouro in Kayabuki-no-sato, Miyama," or an event where a community of thatch-roofed houses called "Kayabuki" are illuminated with snow lanterns in Miyama-cho, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, started on January 26. Warm lights lit up the mountain village covered with fresh snow, and visitors enjoyed the fantastic winter scene. The event...

  "Hanao Shoes," which are sneakers decorated with "Hanao," or thongs for traditional Japanese clogs, have been gaining popularity. Developed under the theme of "Old is New" by an associate professor at Kyoto University of Art & Design, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, this novel design promotes attractiveness of traditions from Kyoto....

Goou Shrine, at Shimo Chojamachi Sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, which has a strong association with boars, has been inundated with visitors since the New Year. This is assumed to be due to entering the Year of the Boar in the Chinese astrological calendar. At peak hours, there was a...

The Miyazu and Amanohashidate Sightseeing and Hotel Association, formed by operators of "ryokan" inns and hotels in Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, is marking the 40th year of its taste of winter "Buri Shabu" hotpot plan with a promotional campaign. The association is giving guests who purchase the eat-and-stay packages the chance...

Applications for Shiga Prefecture's car license plate which depicts an island in Lake Biwa are increasing satisfactorily. At two months after issuance began, there were 1,136 applications, placing it at 11th of the 41 regions nationwide that have introduced their own patterned plates. Nearly 90 percent of applications were people...