Scenic spots around Nagahama City near Lake Biwa

I would like to introduce you one of the scenic spots around Nagahama City near Lake Biwa, specifically around JR Nagahama Station in Shiga Pref., Japan. JR is a large railway company in Japan. It has many train lines all over Japan. Nagahama station is the largest station among eight JR stations located in Nagahama city. 

Let's get down to the topic, I went to "Ekimachi Terrace Nagahama" (private complex offering food, living, and services) which is located in front of JR Nagahama Station.

Both buildings have connected each other on the second floor by Pedestrian Decks. 

On the first floor of the Ekimachi Terrace, there is a small Aquarium which displays various freshwater fishes living in the Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, and the Nagahama Station is located in the vicinity of the Lake Biwa.  Also, it is no charge for admission. There is also a street piano on the first floor.

But during Christmas season, they provide a fantastic "Sound and Light Showtime" with Christmas songs and lights. 

According to its website, up to this year, the lights illumination events has been held here in winter nights in front of JR Nagahama Station, but this year they have been completely renewed as "Ekimachi Christmas 2024".

The venue had been reserved for Christmas dinner until the day before, but on the day, we were free to view the fantastic show. There were actually a number of spectators, but I took the photos carefully to avoid including them in the photos.

Two Christmas trees outside the venue

This is the Ekimachi character, "Hiking Monkey." In the back, we can see a supermarket (grocery store).

The view of "Ekimachi Terrace" from the pedestrian deck. On the first floor, they sell souvenirs and specialties for sale such as sweets, soy sauce, local sake and beer, processed marine products from Lake Biwa, handicrafts, etc. 

(Photos were taken on December 20th, 2024)