Shiga

Otsu, Hikone

Shiga surrounds the vast and peaceful Lake Biwa. Visitors can enjoy lakeside walks, water sports, and explore historical landmarks like Hikone Castle and the old town of Nagahama. The spiritual sites of Mount Hiei and Keisokuji Temple add a serene touch. Shiga’s calm landscapes offer a refreshing escape from city life.

From Tokyo: Shinkansen / Local train 2h 30m

From Osaka: Local train 40m

Shiga

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Special recommendations handpicked by our team.

Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture is home to "Lake Biwa," Japan's largest lake, and is an area where rich nature and deep history coexist. Although adjacent to Kyoto, it has nurtured its own unique "Omi Culture." In addition to historical structures such as the World Heritage "Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei" and the National Treasure "Hikone Castle," it is full of attractions in food and crafts, such as Omi beef and Shigaraki ware. It is a highly satisfying tourist destination where you can experience Japan's traditional aesthetic sense and people's lives firsthand through cycling, water sports, and visiting old castles while enjoying the...

Shiga
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Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Omihachiman City

Omihachiman City

Omihachiman City developed as a castle town built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu during the Sengoku period, and is a historical city where the wisdom and business spirit of the former "Omi Merchants" breathe. Along the "Hachiman-bori Moat" that circles the town, white-walled storehouses and old merchant houses line the banks, offering beautiful scenery that makes you feel as if you've slipped back in time to the Edo period. Furthermore, there are areas designated as Japan's first Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and historical strolls or water tours by Japanese boat are extremely popular with overseas travelers. With its...

Shiga
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Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hikone City

Located on the east bank of Lake Biwa, Hikone City is a historical city where the atmosphere of a beautiful castle town centered on the National Treasure "Hikone Castle" still remains strongly. Around the castle, areas like "Yume Kyobashi Castle Road," which recreates the streetscapes of the Edo period, and samurai residences are scattered, making it the best environment for enjoying historical strolls. It is also famous as the production area for "Omi Beef," one of Japan's top-class brand wagyu, where you can savor authentic tastes at famous restaurants in the city. Craft cultures such as traditional "Hikone Buddhist Altars"...

Shiga
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Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Otsu City

Otsu City, the capital of Shiga Prefecture, is a city where history and nature harmonize brilliantly, having once been Japan's capital (Otsu-kyo). Home to the World Heritage site "Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei," it has flourished since ancient times as a gateway to sacred sites. Located at the southern tip of Lake Biwa, it offers extensive lake-based entertainment, such as the massive "Biwako Flower Fountain" and cruises on the sightseeing boat Michigan. Despite its excellent location just 10 minutes by train from Kyoto, you can luxuriously enjoy quiet temple tours, hot springs, and lakeside strolls, making it ideal for travelers...

Shiga
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Takashima City

Located in northwestern Shiga, Takashima City is a treasure trove of natural experiences surrounded by the beautiful waters of Lake Biwa and majestic mountains. It is dotted with photogenic spots such as the mystical "Shirahige Shrine" with a torii gate standing in the lake, and the "Metasequoia Avenue" stretching for about 2.4 kilometers. Furthermore, Japan's original landscapes still breathe here, such as the long-standing fermentation culture and the lifestyle of "Shozu-no-Sato" (Home of Living Water) utilizing pure spring water. It is an area where you can luxuriously enjoy activities such as camping, canoeing, and skiing while appreciating the scenery of...

Shiga
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Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Top Landmarks

Must-visit iconic spots that define Japan.

Hikone Castle

A National Treasure representing Shiga Prefecture, "Hikone Castle" is a very precious fortification where the Edo-period keep remains as it was. Its white castle walls and graceful curved rooflines are beautiful, and the architecture combining military function and artistic beauty fascinates castle lovers worldwide. Inside, there are complex structures to deceive enemies and the beautiful daimyo garden "Genkyuen," where you can experience the scenery the feudal lords saw. With performances by the popular character "Hikonyan," it's a historical sanctuary you must visit in Shiga, where heavy history and modern friendliness coexist.

Shiga
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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La Collina Omihachiman

La Collina Omihachiman

"La Collina Omihachiman," located in Omihachiman City, is a theme park where sweets and nature merge, developed by the Taneya Group, a long-established confectionery group. The main shop "Kusa-yane" (Grass Roof), designed by architect Terunobu Fujimori with a roof entirely covered in grass, attracts worldwide attention for its creative design that feels like wandering into a fantasy world. Within the vast grounds, you can watch the famous Baumkuchen being made or enjoy freshly prepared sweets. This place, where traditional Japanese agriculture, modern architecture, and the finest food resonate, is a new landmark in Shiga that can be enjoyed by children...

Shiga
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Hachiman-bori Moat

Hachiman-bori Moat

The "Hachiman-bori Moat" flowing through the center of Omihachiman City was built during the Sengoku period to support the prosperity of the castle town. Along the moat, white-walled storehouses and stone pavements continue, perfectly preserving the atmosphere of the Edo period to the extent that it's frequently used as a filming location for period dramas. The "Hachiman-bori Cruise," where you view the old townscape from a traditional roofed boat on the water, is an extremely popular experience for international travelers. With seasonal willows, cherry blossoms, and irises coloring the waterfront, it beautifully harmonizes historical scenery and nature. This moat, born...

Shiga
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Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei

Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei

"Enryakuji Temple," spreading across Mt. Hiei with Lake Biwa below, is a World Heritage site known as the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism. Established by Saicho, this sacred site features the Konpon Chudo hall where the "Inextinguishable Dharma Lamp" has burned for over 1,200 years without ever going out, along with over 100 temple buildings scattered across the vast mountain. Walking through the precincts surrounded by deep forests, one feels the dignified sacred air and the weight of long history, providing deep spiritual inspiration to visitors. From ascetic training experiences in the lodgings to the spectacular view of Lake Biwa...

Shiga
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Metasequoia Avenue

Metasequoia Avenue

"Metasequoia Avenue" in Takashima City is one of Shiga's most spectacular scenic roads, featuring approximately 500 Metasequoia trees lined up orderly for about 2.4 km. The symmetrical beauty of the straight road and the conical trees gives an impression as if visiting a movie scene or a foreign land. Showing dramatic changes throughout the year—fresh green in spring, deep green in summer, brick-red foliage in autumn, and snow in winter—this place is a photo spot longed for by SNS users and photographers worldwide. Whether driving or walking to feel the sunlight filtering through leaves, it will be a special experience...

Shiga
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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Autumn
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Lake Biwa Canal

Lake Biwa Canal

The "Lake Biwa Canal" (Biwako Sosui) is a magnificent canal constructed during the Meiji era to transport water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto, serving as a symbol of Japan's modernization. The area around the intake in Otsu City features historic brick structures that harmonize beautifully with the surrounding nature, becoming a spectacular spot especially in spring when cherry blossoms bloom along the canal. In recent years, the "Biwako Sosui Boat" sightseeing vessel has been in operation, allowing visitors to enjoy a historical cruise while leisurely descending the waterway, thinking of the passion of past engineers. It is a unique tourist...

Shiga
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Authentic Local Experiences

Deep dive into authentic Japanese culture.

Omi Ikkan-bari Ebitani Kogei

Omi Ikkan-bari Ebitani Kogei

"Ebitani Kogei" in Aisho Town is a workshop that continues to protect the techniques of Shiga Prefecture's traditional craft "Omi Ikkan-bari," which has a history of over 400 years. These crafts, made by applying washi paper to baskets woven from bamboo and finishing them with lacquer, are surprisingly light and have a unique flavor where the luster increases the more they are used. The workshop also offers an experience course for applying washi paper, allowing you to experience with your own hands the "spirit of valuing things," which can be said to be the forerunner of Japan's recycling culture. It...

Shiga
Sightseeing
Spring
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Winter

Shigaraki Tanuki Village

Shigaraki Tanuki Village

Located in Shigaraki, Koka City, "Tanuki Village" is Japan's largest display and sales spot for Shigaraki-yaki tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines. The sight of thousands of tanuki in various sizes is breathtaking, and their humorous expressions are extremely popular as photo spots for international travelers. The facility offers extensive "pottery experiences" and "painting experiences" where you can actually touch the clay, allowing you to learn about traditional Japanese crafts while having fun. With a tour of climbing kilns and a restaurant serving local ingredients, it's an entertainment facility where you can enjoy the village of Japanese crafts with all five senses,...

Shiga
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Local Stays

Charming inns and stays for your journey.

GLAMP ELEMENT

Located at the foot of Mt. Ibuki in Maibara City, "GLAMP ELEMENT" is one of Japan's largest glamping facilities. Stylish tents and cabins arranged around a large pond offer hotel-level comfort and the liberating feeling of nature simultaneously. Luxurious BBQs enjoyed on private decks and canoeing on the pond provide extensive outdoor experiences. At night, you can spend romantic time around a campfire while gazing at the starry sky, making it ideal for travelers who want to luxury-refresh in Japanese nature away from city bustle.

Shiga
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Kita Biwako Hotel Grazie

Kita Biwako Hotel Grazie

"Kita Biwako Hotel Grazie," standing on the lakeshore in Nagahama City, is an attractive hotel with a sophisticated design reminiscent of Venice, Italy. The panoramic view of Lake Biwa spreading before your eyes is overwhelming, and the sight of the sky and lake dyed orange at sunset is especially engraved deeply in the hearts of visitors. Located very close to Nagahama Port, it is extremely convenient as a sightseeing base for Chikubushima. You can enjoy French, Italian, and Japanese cuisine utilizing fresh local ingredients, providing a comfortable stay that merges the historical atmosphere of a regional Japanese city with high-quality...

Shiga
Accommodation
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Mikaku-no-Yado Futabasō

Mikaku-no-Yado Futabasō

Located on the shores of Lake Biwa in Hikone City, "Futabasō" is an inn boasting pride in its food, where you can fully enjoy homey hospitality and seasonal flavors of Shiga. Traditional kaiseki cuisine incorporating plenty of Lake Biwa's blessings and the signature Omi Beef sukiyaki or steak is highly rated by international travelers as "Japanese home-like warmth and authentic taste." Time spent in a relaxing Japanese-style room while gazing at Lake Biwa outside the window lets you feel the essence of Japanese ryokan culture. With good access to Hikone Castle, it's a hidden gem of a lodging where you...

Shiga
Accommodation
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Local Treasures

Discover hidden gems loved by locals.

MIHO MUSEUM

Located deep in the mountains of Koka City, "MIHO MUSEUM" is an art museum designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, where you can truly experience "Shangri-La." The building, which appears after passing through cherry tree avenues, a tunnel, and a suspension bridge, has the majority of its structure buried underground, maintaining perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. Inside, numerous ancient art pieces from along the Silk Road are exhibited, allowing you to enjoy world-level art within a sacred atmosphere created by light and space. Merging architecture, art, and the nature of the four seasons, this place continues to fascinate art...

Shiga
Sightseeing
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Chikubushima Island

Chikubushima Island

Floating in the northern part of Lake Biwa, "Chikubushima" is a mystical power spot that has been revered since ancient times as an island where gods dwell. The entire island is considered sacred ground, and you can see gorgeous architectural beauty, such as the Karamon gate of Hogonji Temple, designated as a National Treasure, and the main shrine of Tsukubusuma Shrine. In particular, the "Kawarake-nage" at the torii gate jutting out over the cliff, where you throw pottery with a wish, is extremely popular with international travelers. The time spent accessing the island by cruise ship from Nagahama or Imazu...

Shiga
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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Kurokabe Square

Kurokabe Square

"Kurokabe Square" in Nagahama City is a popular, representative tourist area of Shiga Prefecture that utilizes old streetscapes from the Edo to Meiji periods. Centered on the iconic "Kurokabe Glass Shop," global glass crafts, workshops, stylish cafes, and galleries line the streets, allowing for a stroll where modern and retro merge. You can observe artisan skills up close or try glass-making experiences, and the time spent creating your own original work is highly popular with international travelers. This place, which continues to transmit new art and culture while carefully preserving historical buildings, is a most attractive street corner where you...

Shiga
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Food
Activities
Spring
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Sugaura Village

Sugaura Village

Located at the northernmost tip of Lake Biwa, sandwiched between steep mountains and the lake, "Sugaura Village" is a mystical settlement resembling a "Hidden Village" that once cut off contact with the outside and maintained its own autonomy. It strongly retains village systems from the Middle Ages, such as handing down documents designated as National Treasures, and is selected as an Important Cultural Landscape. The houses lining the lakeside and the entrance to the village protected by four gates symbolize the history of people who lived powerfully within Japan's harsh nature. While there are no flashy tourist facilities, it is...

Shiga
Sightseeing
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Eigen-ji Temple

Eigen-ji Temple

"Eigen-ji Temple" in Higashiomi City is the head temple of the Eigen-ji branch of the Rinzai sect, founded in 1361. It is especially renowned as a spot for autumn foliage, and the sight of burning red maples coloring the tranquil precincts is a spectacular view symbolizing autumn in Japan. The mountain gate and Buddha hall, standing along the clear streams of the Echi River, harmonize with the deep mountains and let you feel the dignified spirit of Zen. Trying zazen (meditation) in the precincts or enjoying the famous "Eigen-ji Konnyaku" is also a highlight of the trip. For travelers wanting...

Shiga
Sightseeing
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Explore by City

Discover hidden charms in each city and town through our visual map.

Taga Town

Taga Town, spreading at the foot of the mountains in eastern Shiga, is a temple town that has flourished around "Taga Taisha," Shiga's premier grand shrine affectionately known as "O-Taga-san." This sacred site, enshrining the parent deities of Ise Jingu, attracts many worshippers from all over Japan seeking blessings for longevity and matchmaking. The approach is lined with shops selling the specialty "Ito-kiri Mochi" and retro eateries, allowing you to experience traditional Japanese temple town culture. The town also houses "Kawachi-no-kazaana," one of Japan's leading limestone caves, for mystical underground exploration. It is an area filled with spiritual richness where...

Shiga
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Nature
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Kora Town

Located in eastern Shiga, Kora Town is a quiet and beautiful town dotted with rich spring water and historic temples. Especially "Saimyo-ji Temple," a candidate for World Heritage, is known for its National Treasure main hall, three-storied pagoda, and "Fudan-zakura" cherry blossoms that bloom simultaneously with autumn leaves, spreading a landscape condensing traditional Japanese beauty. It is also the birthplace of the legendary carpenter Kora Bungo-no-kami Munehiro, who was involved in the construction of Nikko Toshogu, and the town takes pride in sophisticated wooden architecture skills. It's a hidden gem ideal for travelers wanting to quietly savor the harmony of...

Shiga
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Spring
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Toyosato Town

Toyosato Town, the smallest town by area in Shiga, is a cultural town known for the "Former Toyosato Elementary School Buildings" designed by the world-famous architect William Merrell Vories. The beautiful white wooden schoolhouse, once praised as the "Greatest Elementary School in the East," is now famous as a model for a popular anime and attracts fans from all over the world. The bronze statues of the tortoise and the hare on the staircase and the retro auditorium convey the passion and aesthetic sense Japan invested in education at that time. It's a unique spot where you can enjoy both...

Shiga
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Spring
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Aisho Town

Aisho Town, located in eastern Shiga, is a town of handiwork where traditional crafts and history breathe. Meticulous Japanese craftsmanship is still passed down here, including "Omi Jofu (linen weaving)" with history since the Heian period, "Lake Biwa Pearls" boasting delicate beauty, and traditional "Omi Ikkan-bari." You can feel the deep history and culture firsthand through street corners retaining the atmosphere of Nakasendo post towns and Kongorin-ji Temple with its National Treasure Buddha statues. It is an ideal place for travelers wanting to experience artisan skills or find peace in quiet temples, thoroughly experiencing Japan's rich spirituality and "skill" culture.

Shiga
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Nature
Spring
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Ryuo Town

Ryuo Town, located in central Shiga, is a vibrant town where rich agricultural products and history coexist. It is bustling with many tourists due to having "Mitsui Outlet Park Shiga Ryuo," one of the prefecture's top shopping spots. On the other hand, the town is dotted with precious cultural assets, including the National Treasure main hall of "Namura Shrine," where ancient beliefs are still carefully preserved. Cattle rearing for Omi Beef is also active, and restaurants where you can enjoy the highest-grade Wagyu are popular. It is a perfect area for travelers who want to greedily enjoy both trendy shopping...

Shiga
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Spring
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Winter

Hino Town

Hino Town, nestled in the mountains of eastern Shiga, is a historic town with a dignified atmosphere known as the home of the "Hino Merchants" who were active throughout Japan. Streets lined with magnificent hedges and stone walls feature mansions conveying the wisdom and wealth of the merchants, allowing for a calm, adult stroll. The "Hino Festival" held every May is a brave festival where gorgeous floats parade through the town, letting you experience deep regional traditions. Furthermore, it is ideal for travelers wanting to be healed by traditional merchant culture and rich nature, with "Hino Beef" gourmet in peaceful...

Shiga
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Spring
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Konan City

Located in southern Shiga, Konan City is a city full of historical atmosphere that flourished around the former Tokaido post town "Ishibe-juku." Especially, the three ancient Tendai temples "Joraku-ji," "Choju-ji," and "Zensui-ji" are called the "Konan Sanzan," with all their main halls designated as National Treasures, making them crown jewels of Japanese Buddhist architecture. In autumn, you can enjoy stunning foliage adorning these temples, and their silence and beauty capture the hearts of visitors. It is a hidden gem recommended for authentic-minded travelers wanting to luxuriously enjoy National Treasure architecture and the changing seasons while following the footsteps of Edo-period...

Shiga
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Nature
Spring
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Winter

Yasu City

Yasu City is a town where history and nature harmonize, spreading at the foot of the beautiful conical "Mt. Mikami (Omi Fuji)" soaring in the Omi Basin. Mt. Mikami is a mythical mountain with legends of "centipede extermination," making its hiking courses popular with international climbers. It is also the site where Japan's largest "Dotaku" (bronze bell) was discovered; you can touch the mysteries of ancient Japan at the archaeological museum. Dotted with precious wooden structures like the National Treasure main hall of Osasahara Shrine, it's a calm area where you can quietly trace the origins of Japanese spiritual culture...

Shiga
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Spring
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Ritto City

Located in southern Shiga, Ritto City is known as the "City of Horses" due to hosting one of Japan's largest racehorse training centers. Historically, it is a quiet area embraced by the deep mountains of the Konze range, offering ancient temples with National Treasure Buddha statues and extensive hiking courses with dynamic rocky areas. Walking through the nature-rich environment, you can feel the history of Japan's mountain worship, with the summit offering a superb view extending to Lake Biwa. It is chosen by travelers wanting to escape the city hustle and enjoy Shiga's rich nature and history through horse interaction...

Shiga
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Nature
Spring
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Winter

Moriyama City

Located on the east bank of Lake Biwa, Moriyama City is a nature-rich city once a post town on the Nakasendo, and now known as a "Holy Land for Cycling" and "City of Fireflies." At the foot of the Biwako Ohashi Bridge, you can find the world-famous "Sagawa Art Museum," where you can enjoy beautiful architecture appearing to float on water and Japanese modern art. Additionally, the lakeside cycling road is the best course for cyclists enjoying a lap around Lake Biwa (Biwa-ichi). In winter, early-blooming rapeseeds spread like a yellow carpet, offering a spectacular contrast with the snow-capped Hira...

Shiga
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Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kusatsu City

Kusatsu City, located in southwestern Shiga, is a historic city that flourished as a "post town" where the Tokaido and Nakasendo highways met during the Edo period. At the "Kusatsu-juku Honjin," one of Japan's largest scale, the luxurious buildings where daimyo and court nobles once stayed are preserved in their original state, allowing you to deeply learn about the travel culture of the Edo period. Furthermore, the lakeshore features the "Lake Biwa Museum" and the "Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden," where you can enjoy the latest exhibits and beautiful lotus flowers. With excellent access just 20 minutes by train from Kyoto,...

Shiga
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Spring
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Maibara City

Maibara City, in northeastern Shiga, has a Shinkansen stop and is a key transportation hub connecting Kansai, Nagoya, and Hokoku. It features a coexistence of rich nature, like "Mt. Ibuki" (one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains) and Samegai (where rare "Baikamo" flowers bloom in clear streams), and the atmosphere of historic post towns. Because it has flourished as a transportation base since ancient times, a culture of healing travelers is rooted here, and you can feel simple but warm hospitality. It's the best gateway for travelers wanting to efficiently tour Japan's local charms, from outdoor enthusiasts to history lovers.

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Spring
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Nagahama City

Nagahama City, located in northeastern Lake Biwa, is a vibrant historical tourist city developed as a castle town where Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi first held a castle. "Kurokabe Square," a shopping area utilizing Edo-period townhouses, offers glass crafts and local gourmet food, making its modern-retro stroll extremely popular with international travelers. It's also a base for "Chikubushima Cruises" across Japan's largest lake, offering a balance of history, nature, and experience. Throughout the year, you can feel the brilliance of traditional Japanese culture and the passion of people, such as the "Bonbai Exhibition" in winter and the gorgeous "Nagahama Hikiyama Festival" in...

Shiga
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Spring
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Koka City

Located in southeastern Shiga, Koka City is the world-famous home of the "Koka Ninja" and a cultural city renowned as the production center of "Shigaraki-yaki," one of Japan's six ancient kilns. It's packed with unique Japanese charms found nowhere else, such as trick experiences at authentic ninja houses and tanuki figurines overflowing in the town. Surrounded by deep mountains, the terrain is also suitable for tea cultivation, allowing visitors to enjoy high-quality products like "Asamiya Tea." For history fans, craft enthusiasts, and overseas fans interested in ninjas through anime and movies, it is an exciting area to touch Japan's "authentic...

Shiga
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Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hikone City

Located on the east bank of Lake Biwa, Hikone City is a historical city where the atmosphere of a beautiful castle town centered on the National Treasure "Hikone Castle" still remains strongly. Around the castle, areas like "Yume Kyobashi Castle Road," which recreates the streetscapes of the Edo period, and samurai residences are scattered, making it the best environment for enjoying historical strolls. It is also famous as the production area for "Omi Beef," one of Japan's top-class brand wagyu, where you can savor authentic tastes at famous restaurants in the city. Craft cultures such as traditional "Hikone Buddhist Altars"...

Shiga
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Otsu City

Otsu City, the capital of Shiga Prefecture, is a city where history and nature harmonize brilliantly, having once been Japan's capital (Otsu-kyo). Home to the World Heritage site "Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei," it has flourished since ancient times as a gateway to sacred sites. Located at the southern tip of Lake Biwa, it offers extensive lake-based entertainment, such as the massive "Biwako Flower Fountain" and cruises on the sightseeing boat Michigan. Despite its excellent location just 10 minutes by train from Kyoto, you can luxuriously enjoy quiet temple tours, hot springs, and lakeside strolls, making it ideal for travelers...

Shiga
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Higashiomi City

Higashiomi City

Located in eastern Shiga, Higashiomi City is a city where rich rural culture and history breathe within a vast area stretching from the Suzuka Mountains to Lake Biwa. It is dotted with spots where you can deeply learn about Japan's spiritual culture and commercial history, such as ancient temples associated with Prince Shotoku and the townscape of Gokasho, the roots of Omi Merchants. The city also features attractive regional events like Eigen-ji Temple with its beautiful autumn foliage and the powerful "Yokkaichi Giant Kite." With thriving natural activities like cycling and camping, it is a profound area where you can...

Shiga
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Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Omihachiman City

Omihachiman City

Omihachiman City developed as a castle town built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu during the Sengoku period, and is a historical city where the wisdom and business spirit of the former "Omi Merchants" breathe. Along the "Hachiman-bori Moat" that circles the town, white-walled storehouses and old merchant houses line the banks, offering beautiful scenery that makes you feel as if you've slipped back in time to the Edo period. Furthermore, there are areas designated as Japan's first Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and historical strolls or water tours by Japanese boat are extremely popular with overseas travelers. With its...

Shiga
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Takashima City

Located in northwestern Shiga, Takashima City is a treasure trove of natural experiences surrounded by the beautiful waters of Lake Biwa and majestic mountains. It is dotted with photogenic spots such as the mystical "Shirahige Shrine" with a torii gate standing in the lake, and the "Metasequoia Avenue" stretching for about 2.4 kilometers. Furthermore, Japan's original landscapes still breathe here, such as the long-standing fermentation culture and the lifestyle of "Shozu-no-Sato" (Home of Living Water) utilizing pure spring water. It is an area where you can luxuriously enjoy activities such as camping, canoeing, and skiing while appreciating the scenery of...

Shiga
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture is home to "Lake Biwa," Japan's largest lake, and is an area where rich nature and deep history coexist. Although adjacent to Kyoto, it has nurtured its own unique "Omi Culture." In addition to historical structures such as the World Heritage "Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei" and the National Treasure "Hikone Castle," it is full of attractions in food and crafts, such as Omi beef and Shigaraki ware. It is a highly satisfying tourist destination where you can experience Japan's traditional aesthetic sense and people's lives firsthand through cycling, water sports, and visiting old castles while enjoying the...

Shiga
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Spring
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