This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Hinohanazuke, a local B-class gourmet food from Shiga Prefecture.

Shiga Prefecture is a city located in the Kinki region and is famous for being home to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan.

In addition to Lake Biwa, the area is also known for its many green spaces, historic buildings, and shrines.

This time, we will introduce you to the charming local B-class gourmet food of Shiga Prefecture, "Hinohanazuke"!

What are Hinonasan pickles?

Hino vegetable pickles are pickles made from Hino vegetables grown in Hino Town, Shiga Prefecture.

Because Hino vegetables have a unique flavor and a spicy and bitter taste, they are often eaten pickled.

The season for Hino vegetables is from October to the end of December, but since pickles are processed foods, Hino vegetable pickles are eaten all year round.

The History of Japanese Pickled Vegetables

It is said that Hino vegetables have been cultivated in Hino Town, Shiga Prefecture for about 500 years.

It is said that at that time, Gamo Sadahide, the feudal lord and founder of the Gamo clan, discovered Hino vegetables when he visited the Kannon-do temple in Kamakake, Hino Town, and that this is when they began to be made into pickles and eaten.

There are various ways to pickle Hino vegetables, the most common being "sakura-zuke", in which the leaves are chopped and pickled together with the roots cut into strips, "ebi-zuke", in which the vegetables are pre-pickled with the leaves still attached and then pickled in sweet vinegar, and "hine-zuke", in which the vegetables are pickled in rice bran.

Characteristics of Hinoya pickles

The distinctive feature of Hinoya pickles is that they are rich in nutrients.

The leaves of Japanese mustard greens are rich in nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium, and are known to be good for your health.

The roots of Japanese mustard greens are also nutritious, containing amylase, which acts as a starch-digesting enzyme, as well as small amounts of vitamins.

How to make pickled vegetables

From here, I will introduce how to make Hina Vegetable Pickles.

First, prepare 1kg of Hina vegetables, 300g of Hina vegetable leaves, 100g of salt for removing the bitterness, 3 tablespoons of mirin, 50g of salt for pickling, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar.

First, wash the vegetables, separate the roots and leaves, and set aside until all the water has evaporated.

Once the water has been thoroughly removed, cut the roots into thin pieces about 2-3cm long and finely chop the leaves.

After that, sprinkle salt on the roots and stir lightly to remove the bitterness. For the leaves, sprinkle salt on them and rub well until the green juice comes out to remove the bitterness.

Once the bitterness has been removed, pour boiling water over the leaves and roots separately, discard the water immediately, then immediately pour cold water over them, rub well to wash, and drain in a colander.

Remove the roots from the colander to a bowl and stir in the vinegar and a pinch of salt, then transfer the leaves to another bowl and stir in a pinch of salt.

Next, place the roots first into the container, then the leaves on top, close the container and press down firmly.

After pickling for about 4 days, remove from the container, squeeze out the juice, place in a bowl, mix with the roots and leaves, and add mirin to adjust the flavor.

If you like, you can add vinegar to make it a beautiful cherry blossom color.

Tourist spots in Shiga Prefecture

From here, I will introduce some tourist spots in Shiga Prefecture.

Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan and a representative tourist spot in Shiga Prefecture.

Its size is an astounding one-sixth of Shiga prefecture.

Lake Biwa is popular for cruising, and in the summer you can enjoy swimming, SUP, and fishing.

The area around Lake Biwa is home to hotels offering panoramic views of the lake, glamping facilities, campsites and other attractions, attracting many tourists every year.

Enryakuji Temple, Mount Hiei

Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei was built by Saicho in the 7th year of the Enryaku era and is known as the head temple of the Tendai sect with a history of over 1,200 years.

The temple grounds are divided into the East Pagoda, the West Pagoda, and Yokokawa Pagoda, and the main hall of Enryaku-ji Temple, located in the East Pagoda, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are many things to see, including not only the main hall, but also the "Eternal Light of the Law," a lamp that has never gone out for 1,200 years, and the Great Lecture Hall, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.

Shiga Agricultural Park Blume Hill

Shiga Agricultural Park Blume no Oka is a park located in Hino Town, Shiga Prefecture.

"Blume" means "flower" in German, and as its name suggests, Shiga Agricultural Park Blume Hill is filled with flowers in full bloom.

The park is lined with cafes and restaurants inspired by medieval Germany, making you feel as if you are actually in Germany.

There are also plenty of other facilities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from small children to adults, including areas where you can interact with sheep, horses, kangaroos, and guinea pigs, as well as areas where you can try your hand at making things.

Access to Shiga Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Shiga Prefecture.

If you are coming from Tokyo, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to get from Tokyo Station to Maibara Station. You can also get a good deal by using the "EX Hayatoku 21" ticket, which is cheaper if you book 21 days or more in advance.

If you are coming from Osaka, we recommend taking the train. You can get there in about an hour from Osaka Station to Kusatsu Station on the JR Tokaido-Sanyo Main Line Limited Rapid Service.

Location of Hino Town, Gamo District, Shiga Prefecture

summary

This time, we have introduced the history and characteristics of Hinohanazuke, a local B-class gourmet food from Shiga Prefecture.

We now know that Hino vegetable pickles are made using vegetables grown in Hino Town.

We also learned that Shiga Prefecture has many attractive tourist spots. Please visit Shiga Prefecture and experience Japanese traditions and culture!

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