The annual “Lake Biwa Opening” was held in Otsu City to announce the beginning of the spring tourist season.
Every year, the Otsu City Tourism Association and others hold the "Lake Biwa Opening" to pray for the safety of tourists and sightseeing boats.
For the first time in three years, the number of attendees returned to almost the same scale as before Corona, and a large number of tourists also gathered.
At the ceremony, actor Mahiro Takasugi, who plays the heroine, a university senior, in the NHK TV drama series "Maiagare!", was appointed captain of the sightseeing boat for the day.
Mr. Takasugi said, "There are still many things to be careful about with the new corona, but I hope everyone will be able to enjoy themselves at Lake Biwa."
After that, Mr. Takasugi rang the gong to signal the departure three times, and 30 ships, including sightseeing boats and cruisers, went offshore and paraded Lake Biwa.
Takasugi then threw a 1.7m long "golden key", which means "opening the door to spring," into Lake Biwa, hoping for a safe tourist season.
On the 4th, the weather was mild with occasional blue skies, and the people on the boat enjoyed Lake Biwa in early spring by looking at the surface of the lake and taking pictures.