Special Exhibition

Venue: Special Exhibition Room of the Lake Biwa Museum
Dates: 17 July (Saturday) 2010 to 23 November (Tuesday) 2010
Opening times: 9:30 ~ 17:00 (entry until 16:30).

Ticket Prices for Special Exhibition only:
Adults: 200 yen (160 yen each for groups of 20 or more)
University/High School Students: 160 yen (120 yen each for groups of 20 or more)
Elementary/ Junior High School Students: 100 yen (80 yen each for groups of 20 or more)
Please note that these prices do not include entry to the permanent exhibitions galleries.

Joint sponsorship: Shiga Prefecture’s Fisheries Laboratory, Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute.
Cooperation: Museum of Maritime Science, Tamaki Ura (Tokyo University), Sadao Kawamura (Ritsumeikan University).

Lake Biwa has a maximum depth of 104 meters. What kind of world is it down there? This exhibition uses the latest research results to bring the depths of Lake Biwa closer. Let’s all explore the bottom of Lake Biwa.

Events & Activities

The Lake Biwa Museum Exciting Exploratory Party (on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month)

This program is designed for children, but anyone can participate. Advance application is unnecessary, but there is a limited number of places. Participation is free, but for some events a valid exhibition ticket is necessary. For high school students of Shiga Prefecture, tickets for the the permanent exhibitions are free on the days when these events are held. Please bring a Smile Card. Cosponsor: (Lake Biwa Museum Hashikake) Biwatan.

• No charge for participation 　
• Advanced application unnecessary
• Each event limited to 30 people
• Elementary schoolchildren have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Held in Japanese, but anyone is welcome

While observing nature at places throughout the prefecture, you can rediscover the nature and people's lifestyles of the region. Also you can use the Discovery Laboratories, and visit parts of the museum behind the scenes that are not usually open to the public. These events are held in Japanese, but anyone is welcome to participate.

Advanced application is necessary. Application deadlines for each event is 10 days before the day it is held.

Kibogaoka, Walking the riverside in spring 22 May (Saturday) 10:00 - 12:30, Kibogaoka Cultural Park In the Kibogaoka Cultural Park, while walking along the path by the preserved natural river, you can enjoy the new tree leaves and spring flowers. Co-organizer: Shiga Prefecture's Cultural Promotion Agency (Kibogaoka Cultural Park). Capacity: 25 people. Children of year 4 of elementary school or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: 100 yen per person (for insurance), parking fee at the Kibogaoka Cultural Park is 500 yen. Application deadline: 12 May. Application method: please send a return postcard (oufuku hagaki) detailing 1. the name of the event 2. the names, addresses, ages and telephone numbers of applicants. 3. a brief message explaining why you wish to participate. If the number of applicants exceeds capacity then applicants will be selected by a lottery. Applicants will be informed of the lottery results via the return section of the postcard. Applications/ inquiries: 520-2551 Shiga Prefecture, Gamou, Ryuo-cho, Yakushi 1178, Kibogaoka Bunka Koen, Gyoumuka-kenshu-tanto. Telephone: 077-586-2111.

Observing the abundant rice field creatures 19 June (Saturday) 10:00 - 14:00, Takashima City, Kutsuki Rice Fields. Newts, loach, forest green tree frogs, and aquatic insects can be observed at the organic rice fields at Kutsuki, Takashima. Co-organizer: Kutsuki Ikimono no Fureai no Sato. Capacity: 20 people. Children of year 4 of elementary school or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: 100 yen per person (for insurance). Application deadline: 9 June. Application method: please send a return postcard (oufuku hagaki) detailing 1. the name of the event 2. the names, addresses, ages and telephone numbers of applicants. 3. a brief message explaining why you wish to participate. If the number of applicants exceeds capacity then applicants will be selected by a lottery. Applicants will be informed of the lottery results via the return section of the postcard. Applications/ inquiries: Lake Biwa Museum, 1091 Oroshimo, Kusatsu, Shiga 520 - 0001. Tel: 077-568-4811

Observing dragonflies on the Karasuma Peninsula 26th June (Saturday) 10:00 - 12:00, Karasuma Peninsula, Outdoor Exhibits of the Lake Biwa Museum. Observing dragonflies in the outdoor exhibits of the Lake Biwa Museum and the Karasuma Hanto. How many species will we find? Capacity: 30 people. Children of year 4 of elementary school or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: 100 yen per person (for insurance). Application deadline: 16 June. Application method: please send a return postcard (oufuku hagaki) detailing 1. the name of the event 2. the names, addresses, ages and telephone numbers of applicants. 3. a brief message explaining why you wish to participate. If the number of applicants exceeds capacity then applicants will be selected by a lottery. Applicants will be informed of the lottery results via the return section of the postcard. Applications/ inquiries: Lake Biwa Museum, 1091 Oroshimo, Kusatsu, Shiga 520 - 0001. Tel: 077-568-4811

Kibogaoka Nature Observation Meeting (insects) 4 July (Sunday) 10:00 - 12:00, Kibogaoka Cultural Park. Observing insects in the forest of the park during summer. Co-organizer: Shiga Prefecture's Cultural Promotion Agency (Kibogaoka Cultural Park). Capacity: 25 people. Cost: 100 yen per person (for insurance), parking fee at the Kibogaoka Cultural Park is 500 yen. Application deadline: 24 June. Application method: please send a return postcard (oufuku hagaki) detailing 1. the name of the event 2. the names, addresses, ages and telephone numbers of applicants. 3. a brief message explaining why you wish to participate. If the number of applicants exceeds capacity then applicants will be selected by a lottery. Applicants will be informed of the lottery results via the return section of the postcard. Applications/ inquiries: 520-2551 Shiga Prefecture, Gamou, Ryuo-cho, Yakushi 1178, Kibogaoka Bunka Koen, Gyoumuka-kenshu-tanto. Telephone: 077-586-2111.

Riding in a fishing boat, you can watch fishing for Biwa salmon 17 July (Saturday) 6:00 - 12:00, Kohoku-cho, Onoe, on Lake Biwa. Lake Biwa fishermen catch fish using unique fishing tackle and methods. Would you like to see fishermen fishing for the endemic subspecies Biwa salmon using a unique type of gill net? Maybe you can hear some stories from the veteran fishermen? Co-organizer: Asahi Fishery Cooperative. Capacity: 20 people. Children of year 6 of elementary school or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: 2600 yen per person (includes insurance and water-taxi charge). Application deadline: 7 July. Application method: please send a return postcard (oufuku hagaki) detailing 1. the name of the event 2. the names, addresses, ages and telephone numbers of applicants. 3. a brief message explaining why you wish to participate. If the number of applicants exceeds capacity then applicants will be selected by a lottery. Applicants will be informed of the lottery results via the return section of the postcard. Applications/ inquiries: Lake Biwa Museum, 1091 Oroshimo, Kusatsu, Shiga 520 - 0001. Tel: 077-568-4811

Community Groups

'Hashikakes' (bridge-builders) are members of the local community who participate in the research, outreach and exhibit activities of the Museum independently. There are numerous established groups covering a wide range of activities (see list below), and anyone can join in. If no established group takes your fancy, new groups can be initiated. It is a great way to meet local people and become involved in community activities.

Current Hashikake Groups include:

The Discovery Room Hashikake	- Activities relating to the Discovery Room
Ohmi Hataori Tankentai	- Weaving in the Ohmi region
Ko o Tsunagu Kai	- Connecting with the lake
Tansaibou no Kai	- Unicellular/'simpleton' Group
Satoyama no Kai	- Experiencing and enjoying the traditional 'Satoyama' lifestyle
Uo no Kai	- Lake Biwa Area Fish Survey Group
Biwatan	- Planning Educational activities for children relating to Lake Biwa
Mizu Hashikake	- Water related activities
Ohmi Mukashi Kurashi Club	- Olden days lifestyles in the Ohmi Region
Onkoshoshin	- Learning from old photographs
Hone Hone Club	- Dissection, reconstruction and study of bones
Shokubutsu Kansatsu no Kai	- Plant observation
Tanbo no Ikimono Chousa Club	- Ecological studies of organisms living in ricefields
Intou Ha Club	- Study of fish pharyngeal teeth
Midori no Kusuri Bako	- Using plants as medicine, e.g. Chinese medicine, aromatherapy etc.

Surveying a rice field	Field Reporters' exhibit

Field Reporters help to compile periodic reports on natural, historical, and cultural aspects of their local surroundings throughout Shiga Prefecture. The results from Field Reporter's surveys are often incorporated into the Museum's exhibits.

Hashikakes and Field Reporters are not volunteers. The Museum is here to serve the community, and so these groups are initiated and run by local people with the help and support of the Museum.

To get involved please contact the Museum query@lbm.go.jp.

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