Shiga Trip Tips

History & culture

Shiga Prefecture has long been the historical and cultural center of Japan. It has flourished as the political and cultural center of Japan since ancient times, and there are many historic sites associated with Prince Shotoku. There are many historic temples and shrines around Lake Biwa, where you can experience firsthand the traditional culture of Japan.

Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. With an area of approximately 670 square kilometers, it is more than twice the size of Tokyo. Lake Biwa has long played an important role in Japanese culture and history. Many shrines, temples, and historical buildings stand along the lakeshore.

Lake Biwa is also a popular natural tourist destination. There are many parks and recreational facilities along the lakeshore, and you can also enjoy sightseeing boats and cruising.

Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hieizan

Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hieizan is the head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism in Japan and is a magnificent World Heritage site with a history of over 1200 years.

Highlights include historical buildings such as the Nemoto Chudo Hall, beautiful nature, and a spectacular view of Lake Biwa. Visitors can also experience sutra chanting, Zen meditation, vegetarian cooking, and other activities to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese Buddhist culture.

Hikone Castle

Hikone Castle is a national treasure located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. Hikone Castle is one of the 12 existing castle towers and is known as the beautiful Egret Castle. Inside the castle, there is a museum exhibiting materials related to the Ii family and an observatory from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Biwa.

Omi Jingu Shrine

Omi Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Japan’s 38th Emperor Tenchi. Emperor Tenchi is known as a person who greatly influenced Japanese politics and culture. There is also a museum where visitors can view treasures related to Emperor Tenchi.

Omi beef

Shiga Prefecture is famous for producing Omi beef, one of Japan’s three major types of beef. Omi beef is characterized by a good balance of fat and lean meat, tenderness, and rich flavor.

Omi beef can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes such as steak, shabu-shabu, and sukiyaki. In Shiga Prefecture, there are many restaurants and yakiniku restaurants specializing in Omi beef.

Funazushi

Funa-zushi, a traditional fermented food of Shiga Prefecture, is made from nigorobuna caught in Lake Biwa, which are pickled in salt and alternately layered with rice and fermented for several months to several years.

Funa-zushi has existed since the Nara period (710-794) and was valued as a preserved food at that time. Today, it is a popular local dish of Shiga Prefecture. It is characterized by its unique flavor and sourness, and goes well with sake and beer.

Omi Champon

Omi Champon is a popular local gourmet noodle dish that originated in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. It looks similar to Nagasaki chanpon, but has a Japanese broth base and a light flavor. The ingredients are healthy with plenty of local vegetables.

Grilled Mackerel Somen

Grilled Mackerel Somen is a local dish originating from Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, consisting of fragrant grilled mackerel and somen noodles simmered together in a sweet and spicy broth. The broth, infused with the flavor of the grilled mackerel, is well mixed with the somen noodles, whetting the appetite. The savory flavor of the mackerel and the sweet and spicy seasoning make this a dish that can be eaten easily even in the hot summer months.

Sightseeing boats and cruising on Lake Biwa

There are various sightseeing spots along the shores of Lake Biwa, where you can enjoy the scenery by sightseeing boat or cruising.

Sightseeing boats offer a casual way to enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa. There are various types of boats, large and small, with courses that visit lakeside sightseeing spots and courses that include meals.

Cruising is a more relaxing way to enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa. There are courses that allow you to enjoy the sunset and night views, as well as courses that allow you to enjoy meals on the boat.

Temple tour

While there are many temples in Japan, Shiga Prefecture has a particularly high density of temples and is known as a historically and culturally important place. Among the most famous are the following temples.

Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei: The head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism and the center of Buddhism in Japan for over 1200 years.

Saikyoji Temple: Known as the Monkey Temple, there are many adorable monkey statues on the temple grounds, and the temple is famous for its autumn foliage.

Chomeiji Temple: After climbing 808 stone steps, there is a three-story pagoda that overlooks Lake Biwa.

Cycling around Lake Biwa

There are bicycle paths along the shores of Lake Biwa, so even beginners can enjoy cycling with ease. There are also many bike rental stores, so you can easily rent a bicycle.

There are many sightseeing spots around Lake Biwa, including historical temples, shrines, and hot springs. We recommend that you visit these sights while enjoying cycling.

Spring

• Viewing cherry blossoms at Kaizu-Osaki: Shiga Prefecture is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring. In particular, Kaizu-Osaki in Takashima City is known for its spectacular view of approximately 800 cherry trees blooming on a cape jutting out into Lake Biwa, with the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the lake.
• View the flower fields of Kinomoto Stainless Steel Village: In spring, Shiga Prefecture is a great place to see not only cherry blossoms, but also rape blossoms, tulips, and other flower fields. In particular, the view of the rapeseed flower fields and Lake Biwa at Kinomoto Stainless Steel Village in Nagahama City is breathtaking.

Summer

• Swimming in Lake Biwa: There are many swimming holes along the lake, where children and adults can safely enjoy playing in the water. Visitors can also enjoy various marine sports such as wakeboarding, canoeing, and SUP.
• Nagahama Summer Festival: This traditional summer festival has a history of more than 400 years, with gorgeous floats parading through the streets and the sound of enthusiastic drumming. The streets are crowded with people dressed in yukata (summer kimono), and it is a true summer tradition in Japan.

Autumn

• Foliage viewing: In autumn, the mountains and temples of Shiga Prefecture are tinted with beautiful autumn leaves. Especially famous spots include Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hieizan, Eigenji Temple, and the rows of metasequoia trees.

Winter

• Skiing and Snowboarding: Shiga Prefecture has several ski resorts where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in winter.
• Touring Hot Springs: There are many hot spring inns and hotels around Lake Biwa where you can enjoy an open-air bath to view the snow. Soaking in a hot spring bath and admiring the snowy scenery is a special experience.

Festival

• Nagahama Hikiyama Festival: Nagahama Hikiyama Festival, held every year from April 9 to 17, is one of the three major float festivals in Japan with a history of over 400 years. Thirteen gorgeous floats are pulled around the city, and the sound of drums echoes throughout the city.

• Hachiman Festival: A traditional fire festival in Omi Hachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, with a history of over 1,000 years, the 14th features a giant torch festival with torches burning over 10 meters high, and the 15th features a drum festival with the heroic sound of drums echoing through the city, creating an exciting and enthusiastic festival.

Traditional crafts

• Shigaraki ware: Shigaraki ware, which has been produced for more than 1,300 years, is one of the most representative traditional ceramics in Japan. It is characterized by its unique “scarlet” reddish-brown clay skin and rustic texture.

• Koga Ninjutsu: Koka City in Shiga Prefecture is known as one of the two major birthplaces of the ninja in Japan. In Koka City, there are many facilities where visitors can experience ninja culture. Visitors can try on ninja costumes, experience shuriken throwing, and learn about ninja history and secret texts.

Airplane

Since there is no airport in Shiga Prefecture, once there, access is from Haneda Airport to Osaka International Airport in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. From there, it takes about 1 hour to Hikone Station by train.

Shinkansen

Since there is no Shinkansen station in Shiga Prefecture where the Shinkansen stops, once you get there, you will need to go from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station in about 2 hours and 40 minutes. From there, you can take a train to Hikone Station, which takes about 40 minutes by train.

Express Bus

Express buses to Hikone Station are available from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, and Ikebukuro Station. It takes about 5 to 7 hours, but is the cheapest means of transportation.