Spots in Shiga Area

  • Mitsui Outlet Park Shiga Ryuo
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    4.0
    262 Reviews
    Shopping
    Shiga Pref. Gamougunryuouchou Kuzushi Sunayama 1178 - 694
    An outlet shopping mall situated along National Route 477 in Oaza Kuzushi Aza Sunayama, Ryuo Town, Gamo County, Shiga Prefecture. The mall is home to a variety of domestic and international brand outlet shops carrying apparel, sports equipment, outdoor equipment, accessories, and more. The mall also has a food court and holds a variety of events.

    A very good outlet with a great variety of commodity products at a bargain price. Household, clothing, shoes.... restaurants etc. Do allow at least half a day there. Free parking within walking...

  • Shirahige-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    235 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Takashimashi Ukawa 215
    A Shinto shrine situated along the Nishi-Oumi Highway in Ukawa, Takashima City. Dedicated to Sarutahiko-no-mikoto, the shrine is said to grant worshippers long life. Because of the shrine’s large torii gate standing in the waters of Lake Biwa, the shrine is also known as the “Itsukushima of Omi.”

    It is an easy flat walk from Omi-Takashima Station to the shrine with lots to see along the way - Omizo Castle ruins, Otomegaike Pond, rice fields and the 48 buddhas. We took lunch and picnicked at...

  • Kurokabe Square
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    4.0
    352 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Motohamachou 12-38
    Long known by the nickname “the Kurokabe Bank (Black Wall Bank),” this remodeled former bank building houses the Kurokabe Glass Shop as well as a gallery and restaurant, and has come to be known as the largest space exhibiting glass crafts in western Japan. In addition to glass and porcelain, visitors can also enjoy trying their hand at making a diorama in the popular Kaiyodo Figure Museum.

    Went there mainly to visit Kaiyodo Museum but we found lots of good food! Try the sweet potato sweets, theyre worth it!

  • Yumotokan
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    4.0
    288 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Shiga Pref. Otsushi Nouka 2-30-7
    A hot spring inn located in 2 Chome Noka, Otsu City. The inn has seven bath facilities, including an outdoor bath with a scenic view on the top floor, a large indoor bath which looks out on Lake Biwa and Mt. Hiei, and two private reservable outdoor baths. The inn also serves cuisine made with select Omi beef and other tasty ingredients. There’s also the adjoining Hanare Karoi building, all of whose guestrooms have own outdoor bath.

    One of the best hotel experiences Ive ever had! We stayed in a private bath western style room, and it was spacious and the bathroom was so nice! The semi-outdoor private bath was very relaxing...

  • Sagawa Art Museum
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    4.5
    168 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Moriyamashi Mizuhochou Kitagawa 2891
    An art museum located in Kitagawa Mizuho-cho, Moriyama City. The museum’s collection consists of pieces by Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama, sculptor Churyo Sato, and ceramic artist Kichizaemon Raku. The museum has three standing exhibit halls each supervised by one of the artists. The museum also holds special exhibitions of other artists’ works. In addition, the museum owns a Buddhist temple bell designated a National Treasure which was originally cast in 858 to serve as the bell for the Hodoin west bell tower at the Enryaku-ji Temple (note that this bell is not normally put on display).

    Great museum, just pity that they do not have English on the non-permanent exhibition. Just introduction, but explanation on each exhibit is only in Japanese. It is a gorgeous building, very...

  • Lake Biwa Museum
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    4.5
    157 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Kusatsushi Oroshimochou 1091
    Focusing on Lake Biwa, this museum explores the relationship between people and the lake. The museum’s aquarium exhibit, displaying the freshwater animals in general and particularly those found in Lake Biwa, is one of the largest in Japan. Some of the museum’s numerous points of note include an exhibit of endemic species such as the Lake Biwa catfish and a 10-meter-long tunnel aquarium which allows visitors to walk under the water and enjoy freshwater fish from around the world. There are also dioramas presenting the history of Lake Biwa and exhibits presenting items once used by people living in the areas. The museum restaurant’s black bass dishes are popular with visitors. Take the bus from JR Kusatsu Station and get off at Biwako Hakubutsukan-mae.

    We started with the aquarium, which is one of the best Ive seen (and Ive seen a lot of them). Really great exhibits --we spent about 2 hours there. The restaurant was also good and the other areas...

  • Taga Taisya Shrine
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    4.0
    157 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Inukamiguntagachou Taga 604
    A Shinto shrine located in Taga, Taga Town, Inukami County, Shiga Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to the gods Izanagi-no-Okami and Izanami-no-Okami. Known locally as “O-Taga-san,” the shrine is believed to grant worshippers long life and luck in love. During the Kugatsu Korei-sai festival on September 9, a “Kochi Kochi” sumo competition is held which predicts whether the year’s harvests will be good or poor.

    Peaceful,quiet,clean air... You can refresh your mind. Also you can buy some local foods and staffs around this shrine. Many shop are there.

  • Omi Jingu Shrine
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    4.0
    165 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Otsushi Jinguchou 1-1
    A Shinto shrine located in Jingu-cho, Otsu City. The shrine was established in 1940. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenji, who implemented various policies and reforms, and accordingly the shrine is believed to grant worshippers better fortunes and guidance; because of the shrine’s large “rokoku” water clock, time is also believed to fall under the shrine’s domain. A poem by Emperor Tenji appears as the first entry in the ancient “Ogura Anthology of 100 Tanka by 100 Poets,” and in turn the shrine is also viewed as a mecca for players of the Japanese game karuta—a card game which involves hearing the first half of a poem and racing to find the correct card inscribed with the second half; a “Karuta Opening Ceremony” is held at the shrine and a national karuta competition is also held here.

    Few people know but otsu Kyo was a capital very short period. Recently because of manga / TV movie , Japanese card game what we called karuta is getting popular among youth. Now youth have...

  • Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
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    4.0
    191 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Otsushi Sakamoto 5-1-1
    A Shinto shrine located in Sakamoto, Otsu City. The shrine was founded some 2,100 years ago. The shrine is also the head shrine of all 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines in Japan. Positioned in the unlucky direction northeast of the ancient capital of Heian-kyo, the shrine is believed to provide protection from misfortune and disaster and even today worshippers come here to receive these benefits. 3,000 maple trees grow on the shrine’s grounds, making it a renowned destination for autumn foliage in the fall as well.

    This shrine locates at the foot of the mountain which accommodates the Enryakuji. We stopped by on our way and find it very relaxing but sorry to say that the Enryakuji overwhelmed us. But I was...

  • Biwako Otsu Prince Hotel
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    4.0
    741 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Shiga Otsu-shi Nionohama 4-7-7

    We stayed a night in the Sky Floor Twin Room after taking the Michigan Cruise... Love the room layout so much so much! Four beds were neatly set up side by side for my family, there was a door...

  • Nagahama Castle Historical Museum
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    3.5
    199 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Kouenchou 10-10
    A museum located on the site of the Nagahama Castle Ruins in Koen-cho, Nagahama City. The museum operates out of a restoration of the castle based on how it would have looked in the distant Azuchi-Momoyama period. The museum’s standing exhibition looks at the history of the northern Lake Biwa area and Nagahama; the mighty samurai lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who built Nagahama Castle; and other themes relating to Nagahama. The museum also holds special exhibitions on the Nagahama area and historical figures like Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

    This small castle is a short walk from the Nagahama JR station and has a great view out over Lake Biwa. It was one of Hideyoshi Toyotomis first castles and the museum explains some of the history of...

  • Hikone Castle
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    4.5
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Konkichou 1-1
    A castle built over a period of some 20 years by Ii Naokatsu, the son of Ii Naomasa, who was counted as one of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s four greatest generals. Many of the structures, including the castle tower; turrets; and the Genkyuen, a garden for the Shimoyashiki villa; look as they did when first constructed and are designated National Treasures. The large horse stable, with its walls built in the early modern period, is a particularly rare example of such a structure and is designated a national Important Cultural Property. The inner moat can be circled in a pleasure boat that belonged to the Ii clan; ride it and you will feel like a daimyo (feudal lord) yourself.

    彦根城と城下町の建設は、今からおよそ410年前の慶長9年(1604)に始まり、20年近い歳月を経て完成しました。その中心をなしたのが、天守のある本丸です。現在の本丸には天守の建物しか残っていませんが、かつては藩主の御殿である「御広間」や「宝蔵」、そして「着見櫓」なども建っていました。 天守は3階3重、つまり3階建て3重の屋根で構成されています。規模は比較的小ぶりですが、屋根は「切妻破風」「入母屋破...

  • Hikone Castle Museum
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    4.0
    175 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Konkichou 1-1
    A museum located in Konki-cho, Hikone City. The museum is located on the site of Hikone Castle’s front palace and operates out of a recreation of that now destroyed structure. The museum contains some 45,000 pieces of valuable works of art, handicrafts, and ancient documents handed down for generations in the Ii clan, who once ruled ancient Hikone domain; as well as over 91,000 items relating to Hikone.

    It is a museum of Hikone Castle. When you buy a combination ticket, you can visit the castle, garden and this museum. I strongly recommend you to buy it and visit this museum. There are interesting...

  • Himure Hachimangu Shrine
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    4.0
    159 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Oumihachimanshi Miyauchichou 257
    The Omi merchants had faith in this Shinto shrine from the days of old. According to tradition, the Emperor Seimu established it to worship Oshima Okami in 131 AD. The three Shinto gods now enshrined there are Hontawake-no-Mikoto, Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto, and Himekami. The shrine holds two fire festivals: The Sagicho Festival in March, consisting of a competition where parishioners make portable shrines covered with talismans, and the Hachiman Festival in April where they burn an enormous 10-meter-tall torch.

    This shrine is beautiful and worth stopping by. Best of all no entrance and is well kept. Restroom is across the street from the shrine. Many Japanese people come here for short prayers. We took a...

  • Ski & Snowboard Okuibuki
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    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Maibarashi Kouduhara Okubo
    A ski resort situated along Prefectural Route 40 in Okuibuki Kozuhara, Maibara City. The resort has 12 courses and a snow park and here visitors can enjoy the powder snow of Ibuki, an area which holds a record for the greatest amount of snowfall in the world. The resort’s central lodge has facilities such as a food court, pro shop, and kids’ house.

    We were recommended this place as a convenient snow resort to visit. We caught a JR train to Maibara (Kodama shinkansen also stops here) from where we were the day before and stayed at hotel Toyoko...

  • Kaizu-Osaki Peninsula
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    4.5
    119 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shizuoka Prefecture Takashima-shi Makino Town Kaizu
    A scenic area situated along Prefectural Route 557 in Kaizu Makino-cho, Takashima City. A reef formed by erosion, the area is also known as one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa, traditional scenic views of the lake, its title being “Dawn Fog—Kaizu Osaki Peninsula Reef.” In addition, the area is a renowned destination for cherry blossoms in the spring; selected for inclusion in Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, some 600 Yoshino cherries 50 years or older grow in a four-kilometer-long row here.

    Spectacular cherry blossoms along the roadway and lake. Full bloom had passed. The hanafubuki was stunning.

  • Himure Village, Omihachiman
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    4.0
    160 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Omihachiman-shi Miyauchicho Hi

    日牟禮八幡宮を参拝後、お土産を調達に寄りました。 店内はパテシェの作業が見えて、甘いバターの香りがしていました。 バームクーヘンとリーフパイのミニを購入。ふわっと柔らかくしっとりとしたバームクーヘンは贈った友に喜ばれました。 バーククーヘンは平らにして持ち運びなので、持って観光するのはちょっと厳しい。

  • Genkyu-En
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    4.5
    184 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Konkichou 3
    This is a garden with a large central pond and a circular walking trail located northeast of Hikone Castle. It was said to have been built by Ii Naooki, the fourth feudal lord of Hikone domain. This is a famous garden built with every luxury imaginable from the Edo culture—it is designed after a palace garden from the Chinese Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Buildings such as Rinchikaku, artificial hills of Houshoudai are built as if they project out into the large lake, and trees, shrubs and rocks are cleverly arranged to imitate “Omi Hakkei” (Eight Views of Omi). The illumination is also well worth seeing, which is held in November during the season for autumnal leaves.

    Originally, I was going to pass on the gardens but it came included with the castle so I decided to come. I am glad I visited the garden because it was beautiful and there were amazing views of the...

  • AEON Mall Kusatsu
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    4.0
    59 Reviews
    Shopping
    Shiga Kusatsu-shi Shinhama Cho 300
    A 15-minute bus ride from JR Seta Station, and 20 minutes from Minami-Kusatsu Station. This shopping mall is located right next to the Aeon Mall Kusatsu bus stop. The mall's 165,000 square meter grounds encompass a parking lot which can accommodate 4,300 vehicles; the mall building itself, which houses Aeon establishments, shops, restaurants, a food court, and a movie theater; and a directly connected sports and leisure building with a deluxe bathhouse and sports equipment store. The mall also hosts exhibitions and other events.

    Shiga prefecture does not have wide urban area, However if you go to this Mall, you can obtain any local goods and foods. Near this mall there is Onsen, called Suisyun. If you want to experience...

  • Ukimido
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    4.0
    126 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Otsushi Honkatata 1-16-18
    A temple building located on the grounds of the Mangetsu-ji Buddhist temple in Honkatata, Otsu City. The temple building was built on the waters of Lake Biwa by the priest Genshin in the Heian period to pray for safety on the lake as well as the salvation of the masses. The current building is a reconstruction erected in 1937. The temple building is also known for being depicted in one of the traditional picturesque “Eight Views of Omi”—in this case, the view titled “Geese Alighting at Katata.”

    Nice view, nice area, but not worth paying an entrance fee for. Could get a photo through the fence to the side.

Shiga Areas

around-area-map

Visitors to Shiga prefecture are almost always hopping east across the prefectural border from Kyoto, and they are almost certainly Lake Biwa-bound. Covering an area of 670 square kilometers, Lake Biwa makes up the bulk of Shiga prefecture, with beautiful lakeside paths that offer myriad walking and cycling opportunities, connecting a string of museums, shrines, and picturesque views that finally lead you to Hikone Castle on the eastern side of the lake.

Shiga Photo Album

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