Travel Destinations in Shiga

Okishima

Okishima, Japan's Only Inhabited Lake Island

A small fishing island in Lake Biwa with no cars, narrow alleys, old shrines, and around 250 resi...

Miho Museum

I. M. Pei-Designed Museum Hidden in the Shigaraki Mountains

A mountain museum near Shigaraki designed by I. M. Pei, reached through a tunnel and suspension b...

Hikone Castle

A National Treasure castle near Lake Biwa, one of only five castles with an original keep designa...

Enryakuji Temple

Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei (Hieizan)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and headquarters of Tendai Buddhism, Enryakuji Temple sprawls across...

Konze Tenma no Mori

Hilltop forest park with Lake Biwa views, beside the Konze roadside station

A green hilltop forest park on the slopes of Konze-yama in Ritto, next to the Michi-no-Eki Konze ...

Michi-no-Eki Konze no Sato Ritto

Roadside Station and Local Market in the Konze Hills

A roadside station in the Konze hills of Ritto, with a farm shop of local Shiga produce and speci...

Shigaraki

Shigaraki Pottery Town

Playful tanuki statues with their oversized bellies and sake flasks greet visitors throughout thi...

Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa is Japan's largest and oldest freshwater lake, offering water sports, scenic cycling ro...

Biwako Valley

Ropeway to the Biwako Terrace and Sweeping Lake Views Above Otsu

A mountaintop resort above the western shore reached by a fast ropeway, whose Biwako Terrace deck...

La Collina Omihachiman

Architecture melts into nature at this confectionery village where grass-covered rooftops and org...

Genkyu-en

Feudal-Lord Garden Beside Hikone Castle

A Japanese pond garden northeast of Hikone Castle, built for the Ii lords and designated a nation...

Nagahama

This lakeside town on the shores of Lake Biwa blends Edo-period charm with contemporary artistry ...

Metasequoia Namiki

Tree-Lined Avenue of About 500 Metasequoias in Makino

A roughly 2.4 km avenue lined with about 500 metasequoia trees leading toward Makino Highland.

Sagawa Art Museum

Water-Surrounded Museum on the Moriyama Lakeshore

A serene museum near the Moriyama lakeshore whose low pavilions appear to float on a broad reflec...

Shirahige Shrine

Ancient Shrine with a Torii Gate Standing in Lake Biwa

The head of the Shirahige shrines, known for a red torii gate that stands in the water of Lake Bi...