OtsuOmi Jingu
It enshrines Emperor Tenji. Because he set up the first water clock in Japan, it is regarded as the shrine of clocks, and a clock museum stands in its grounds. It is also known as the venue for competitive karuta.
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Shiga
Follow the lake breeze to sacred hills.
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Otsu663highland · CC BY 2.5
NagahamaTsukubusuma Jinja
The shrine on Chikubushima. Its main hall, a National Treasure, is said to be a surviving structure from Fushimi Castle.
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OtsuIshiyamadera
Said to be where Murasaki Shikibu began writing The Tale of Genji. The main hall and the tahoto pagoda are National Treasures.
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TakashimaShirahige Jinja
Known for the torii standing out in Lake Biwa, and called the Itsukushima of Omi. A deity of long life.
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OtsuShrines & Temples, Nature & Scenery · 37 entries
KokaNature & Scenery, Culture & History · 28 entries
NagahamaNature & Scenery, Shrines & Temples · 27 entries
TakashimaNature & Scenery, Shrines & Temples · 16 entries
OmihachimanNature & Scenery, Architecture · 15 entries
HigashiomiNature & Scenery, Shrines & Temples · 9 entries
FEATUREShiga now (autumn)Autumn foliage transforms Mount Hiei and the ancient temples of Koto Sanzan.See the feature Motokoka · CC BY-SA 4.0Recommended information
Check information useful for planning, for a fuller trip.
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Read the answer →REGIONAL SPECIALTIES
Meet the Japan you don't know yet.
It is not only the big cities. The regions are full of charm, and special experiences you can only have in each place are waiting.
Value Village
Japan's value, to the world.
Regional culture, tradition, food, sightseeing, nature and people. A directory that delivers the appeal of each to the whole world.
About Value VillageValue VillageLocal Value, Global Reach.
The photo is a generated image for concept purposes.INSTAGRAM / 6
Official and local Instagram photos
Local governments, tourism accounts and local posts are shown with official embeds. Photos are not stored on Value Village; they link to the original posts.
THINGS TO DO / 6
Things to do in this prefecture
Choose from what you can only do here.
01Explore Lake BiwaExperience Japan's largest lake on a cruise or a waterfront walk.See related entries →Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) · CC BY-SA 3.0
02Climb Hikone CastleTour the National Treasure keep, gardens and historic castle town.See related entries →Japanexperterna.se · CC BY-SA 3.0
03Visit EnryakujiVisit the head temple of Tendai Buddhism amid the forests of Mount Hiei.See related entries →663highland · CC BY 2.504Cruise Omihachiman CanalsGlide by traditional boat through reed beds and historic waterways.See related entries →663highland · CC BY 2.505Try Shigaraki PotteryShape your own pottery in one of Japan's six ancient kiln regions.See related entries →663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0
06Walk the Metasequoia AvenueWalk a long, symmetrical avenue of trees that changes with every season.See related entries →Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0NEED TO KNOW
At a glance
- AirportNearest: Osaka International Airport (Osaka)
- ShinkansenMaibara Station
- From TokyoAbout 2 hours 30 minutes to Otsu Station by shinkansen and local train
- Best seasonApril–May and October–November
- Local specialtiesOmi beef · Funazushi · Omi champon
- Typical temperatureSummer: around 28°C / Winter: around 4°C
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
What each season brings
663highland · Public domainSpring
MAR–MAYCherry blossoms frame Lake Biwa and historic Hikone Castle.
See recommendations for this season →
663highland · CC BY 2.5Summer
JUN–AUGCruises and water activities make the most of Lake Biwa in summer.
See recommendations for this season →
Motokoka · CC BY-SA 4.0Autumn
SEP–NOVAutumn foliage transforms Mount Hiei and the ancient temples of Koto Sanzan.
See recommendations for this season →
Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0Winter
DEC–FEBSnowy mountains and the quiet lake create crisp winter vistas.
See recommendations for this season →
LOCAL FOOD / 12
Local food
What people have long eaten in this place. We collect the dishes themselves, not restaurants.
Funa zushi
Crucian carp with the innards removed are salted for two months or more, desalted, then packed in a tub with cooked rice, weighted down and fermented with lactic acid bacteria over a long period.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Stewed red konjac
Konjac dyed red is sliced thin and dry-fried, then dried bonito flakes, soy sauce and mirin are added and it is simmered over low heat until the flavor soaks in, finished with chili pepper.
Area：Omihachiman area
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Ebi Mame (Shrimp and Beans)
Soybeans soaked overnight in water and boiled until soft, simmered with freshwater shrimp caught in Lake Biwa in soy sauce, sugar and sake until coated.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Saba somen (Mackerel somen)
Grilled mackerel is simmered for about fifteen minutes in dashi with sugar, soy sauce, sake and mirin, and the resulting broth is used to season somen noodles boiled firm, which are served together with the mackerel.
Area：Kohoku area
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Choji-fu no Karashi-ae
Square choji-fu wheat gluten cakes, rehydrated in lukewarm water and squeezed dry, and cucumber rubbed with salt, dressed with a mustard-vinegar-miso sauce made from white miso, ground sesame, sugar, vinegar and prepared mustard.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Hinonazuke (Hinona Pickles)
Pickles made by drying long, slender hino greens for one to two days, then packing them into a tub in alternating layers with a mixture of coarse salt and rice bran and pressing them under a weight.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Omigyu no Misozuke (Miso marinated Omi Beef)
Omi beef marinated in white miso and miso mixed with grated garlic and chili pepper, then wiped clean of the miso and grilled on both sides.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Koayu-no-sanshoni
Small sweetfish from Lake Biwa simmered in soy sauce, sugar, sake and vinegar, with pickled plum and whole sansho peppercorns added, then cooked under a drop lid for about thirty minutes until the flavor soaks in.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Shijimi-jiru
A soup in which shijimi clams, left overnight to purge sand, are simmered in kombu dashi until the shells open, then miso is dissolved in. Chopped green onion is added.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Decchi-yokan
A steamed yokan made by mixing water and wheat flour into smooth red bean paste, placing the batter on a bamboo sheath soaked in water, wrapping it up, tying it with bamboo cord and steaming it for about fifteen minutes.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Junjun
A hot pot dish in which beef, chicken or fish from the lake are simmered sukiyaki-style with sugar and soy sauce together with tofu, shredded konjac, green onion, chrysanthemum greens and choji-fu wheat gluten cakes.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
Saba no Bo Sushi/ Mackerel Stick Sushi
Pressed sushi made by curing salted mackerel, filleted into three pieces, overnight in sweetened vinegar, then layering it on a bamboo rolling mat with sushi rice mixed with vinegar dressing and shaping it into a bar.
Area：Throughout the prefecture, mainly the Kohoku area
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), "Our Regional Cuisines"
MICHI-NO-EKI / 20
Michi-no-Eki roadside stations
RestInformationLocal links
Rest facilities registered by Japan's national government. Each has parking and toilets open 24 hours, and by definition includes a facility that sells local products. This is where the making and the food of this prefecture can actually be bought.
- Ai-no-TsuchiyamaKokaRegistered April 1993Official site
- Kutsuki ShinhonjinTakashimaRegistered April 1993Official site
- Shin-Asahi Fusha MuraTakashimaRegistered April 1993Official site
- Higashiomi-shi Aito Marguerite StationHigashiomiRegistered April 1996Official site
- Konze-no-Sato RittoRittoRegistered August 1996Official site
- Biwako Ohashi Kome PlazaOtsuRegistered August 1996Official site
- Omi Haha-no-SatoMaibaraRegistered August 1996Official site
- Kohoku Mizudori StationNagahamaRegistered August 2002Official site
- KusatsuKusatsuRegistered August 2002Official site
- Agri-no-Sato RittoRittoRegistered August 2003Official site
- Ryuo Kagami-no-SatoRyuo, Gamo DistrictRegistered August 2003Official site
- Makino Ossaka TogeTakashimaRegistered August 2004Official site
There are 20 stations in this prefecture in all (national registry).
LOCAL ACCOUNTS / 2
People posting this area
Japanese-language accounts that post about this area.
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CITIES & TOWNS / 20
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INTERESTS / 14
Find by interest
Only the interests found in this prefecture.
Where locals eat!1 entries
To the listEnryakuji · 663highland · CC BY 2.5Shrines & Temples34 entries
Enryakuji ／ Hiyoshi Taisha
To the listLake Biwa · Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) · CC BY-SA 3.0Nature & Scenery66 entries
Lake Biwa ／ Metasequoia Avenue
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Konze no Sato Ritto Roadside Station · Kansai explorer · CC BY 3.0Hot Springs2 entries
Konze no Sato Ritto Roadside Station ／ Koga-ryu Shinobi no Yado Miyano Onsen
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Hachimanbori · 663highland · CC BY 2.5Historic Districts8 entries
Hachimanbori ／ Omi Beef
To the listHikone-jo · Japanexperterna.se · CC BY-SA 3.0Architecture17 entries
Hikone-jo ／ Genkyuen
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Otsu City Museum of History · 663highland · CC BY 2.5Museums14 entries
Otsu City Museum of History ／ Mitsuhashi Setsuko Museum
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Kurokabe Square · 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0Art & Crafts35 entries
Kurokabe Square ／ Miho Museum
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Inner Lakes of Biwa · At by At · CC BY-SA 3.0Contemporary Art2 entries
Inner Lakes of Biwa ／ Tea Fields and Kilns of Koka
To the listShigaraki · 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0Craft Experiences40 entries
Shigaraki ／ Unpei Brushes
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Shigaraki Dento Sangyo Kaikan · 運動会プロテインパワー · CC BY-SA 4.0Culture & History18 entries
Shigaraki Dento Sangyo Kaikan ／ Imazu Vories Shiryokan
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Nagahama Hikiyama · 663highland · CC BY 2.5Festivals2 entries
Nagahama Hikiyama ／ Sennichi Kaihogyo
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Nissin Foods Shiga Plant · 運動会プロテインパワー · CC BY-SA 4.0Food & Markets31 entries
Nissin Foods Shiga Plant ／ Mentai Park Biwako
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Takarabokujo no Yakiniku Hotei · Shiboritate Kobo "Ajiwaikan" · 先従隗始 · CC0Experiences3 entries
Takarabokujo no Yakiniku Hotei · Shiboritate Kobo "Ajiwaikan" ／ Ichigo & Blueberry En Felice
To the list
Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa · Abasaa · Public domainStays5 entries
Honganji Hachiman Betsuin (Kindaiji Temple) ／ Shiga Prefectural Kibogaoka Cultural Park Seinen no Shiro
To the listHIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of this prefecture
From entries with clearly licensed photos.
Shrines & TemplesOtsu
Enryakuji
The men who would later found their own schools all studied here: Honen of Jodo, Shinran of Jodo Shinshu, Eisai of Rinzai, Dogen of Soto, Nichiren of the Nichiren school. Most of the major schools of Japanese Buddhism pass through this mountain. That is why it is called the mother mountain.
ArchitectureHikone
Hikone-jo
A surviving keep, and a National Treasure. It is at its finest seen from Genkyuen below.
Nature & SceneryOtsu and others
Lake Biwa
The largest lake in Japan, taking up a sixth of the prefecture. An ancient lake, four million years old.
Historic DistrictsOmihachiman
Hachimanbori
A canal that joined Lake Biwa to the castle town. White-walled merchant storehouses line it.
Art & CraftsNagahama
Kurokabe Square
Built around a black-plastered former bank, the district was reborn as a town of glass.
Craft ExperiencesKoka
Shigaraki
One of the six ancient kilns of Japan. Tanuki figures, and the remains of climbing kilns.
SMILE NEWS / 136
Smile news from Japan and the world
Stories that lift your spirits a little, collected with their sources.
Shiga celebrates 5 years of Biwaichi with an autumn cycling week
Shiga Prefecture will mark the fifth anniversary of Biwaichi, the cycling route around Lake Biwa, with events from October 24 to November 29, centered on November 3-9. Plans include a forum on November 3, rider help stations in the Nagahama and Takashima areas, and a family cycling event in Moriyama.
source: ShigaWomen rangers return Darwin's rheas to the wild in Chile
In Chile's Patagonia National Park, a women-led ranger team returned 13 Darwin's rheas to the wild in April 2026. Working with the Rewilding Chile Foundation, they care for the birds around the clock; surveys once estimated only about 11 to 15 remained.
source: MongabayNew 210-million-year-old dinosaur species named from Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba shore
A new dinosaur species, Musango matusadonaensis, has been described from rocks about 210 million years old in Matusadona National Park on the shore of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. The bipedal, not-yet-adult animal was about 4.5 metres long, and the find suggests Zimbabwe's dinosaur fauna differed from South Africa's.
source: Phys.org (The Conversation)INSTAGRAM / SHRINES & TEMPLES / 1
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SEASONS & EVENTS
Seasons & events
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
2026-08-06 ～ 2026-08-06
Otsu Festival
2026-10-10 ～ 2026-10-11
Hachimanbori Festival 2026
2026-10-10 ～ 2026-10-10
Mikami Shrine Zuiki Festival
2026-10-12 ～ 2026-10-12
Sennichi Kaihogyo
Otsu
Nagahama Hikiyama
Nagahama
Inoue Yasushi "Hoshi to Matsuri" no Butai o Tazunete
Nagahama
BEFORE YOU GO
Before you go
TRAVEL
Transport & stays
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