Culture / Tour Spots in Shiga Area

Area

Shiga
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Culture / Tour

Otsu City Science Museum

4.0

12 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Honmaruchou 6-50 Lifelong learning center

A science museum situated along the Kogan Road in Honmaru-cho, Otsu City. The museum’s exhibits look at themes such as the natural environment of Lake Biwa and the fundamental concepts of science. There’s also a planetarium which uses digital projectors to present the entire night sky, and an astronomy dome equipped with a large refracting telescope. In addition, the museum holds exciting science demonstrations each week on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays which allow visitors to perform experiments and create scientific tools.

入場料が安く、駐車場も無料なのでお財布に優しいです。安いので展示もこじんまりとしてますが、子供が小さいこともありいろんな実験展示も楽しんでました。プラネタリウムでは地元成安造形大学とコラボした素人感あふれる「ぎょしゃ座」の神話アニメが見れました。地元密着企画で良いと思います。が、はやぶさが「Ｍ2-A」ロケットでうちあがり、リュウグウの砂を「搾取」して、何「憶」キロもの距離を進んだという誤字だら...
Dotaku Museum and Yasu City History and Folk Museum

4.0

10 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Yasushi Tsujimachi 57-1

This museum is located in Tsujimachi, Yasu City. The museum contains exhibits on the history and casting methods of dotaku Yayoi period bell-shaped bronze vessels, with a focus on the 24 Oiwayama dotaku excavated at Oiwayama in 1881 and 1962. The museum also contains exhibits on the folk customs and history of Yasu, such as a model recreation of the Nagahara Palace (excluding during special exhibitions and exhibition changeover periods).

銅鐸が展示してあり、特に製造方法などが学べます。古墳好きにはたまりません。近隣の古墳公園とセットで訪れることをおすすめします。
"Azai Folklore Museum “Oichi-no-Sato"""

4.0

9 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Oyorichou 528

A museum located in Oyori-cho, Nagahama City. The museum has a local culture hall which focuses on three generations of the Azai clan during the Warring States period and contains exhibits on the clan in general as well as the three famous Azai sisters. There’s also a facility which contains exhibits on the cultivation of silkworms practiced by the Azai as well as Kusano blacksmithing; and the home of a late Edo period village headman moved to the museum site and restored to give viewers a taste of what life looked like back then.

湖北地方の歴史を学ぶことができる。戦争はやはりつらいものだと痛感させられる。近くを立ち寄ったら是非訪れてほしい。
Omi Hino Merchant Museum (Former Yamanaka Residence)

4.5

6 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Gamougunhinochou Nishioji 1264

A museum located in Nishioji, Hino Town, Gamo County, Shiga Prefecture. Once a mansion belonged to Yamanaka Shokichi, a Hino merchant who built his fortune through sake brewing in what is today Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture at the end of the Edo period, the palatial estate is now open to the public. Inside, there are exhibits on the history and culture of the Hino area. The museum also offers a traditional period meal experience (advance reservation required).

守貞カフェと馬見岡綿向神社の観光の際に立ち寄った。馬見岡綿向神社の駐車場から参道までの間にある。入館料は大人300円（2022年4月現在）。外見はつつましやかであるが、中は立派な邸宅であった。浴室のタイルやステンドグラス風の窓、など建物は繊細かつ細工が細部に施されたものであった。庭は石の使い方もダイナミックで新しい息吹を感ずる立派な庭であった。
Hino Dahlia Garden

4.0

6 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Gamougunhinochou Kaigake 2198-1

A botanical garden located in Kaigake, Hino Town, Gamo County, Shiga Prefecture. More than 12,000 dahlia plants spanning 150 varieties are grown on the garden’s grounds, and they bloom from early summer through fall. In addition to dahlias, tree peonies, Chinese peonies, and clematis are grown in the garden and visitors can also enjoy strawberry picking in a greenhouse from late February to late May.

藤で有名な正法寺のすぐ隣の敷地にある日野ダリア園です。ダリア以外、牡丹やシャクヤクもあり、ダリアと牡丹の種類がとても多く圧巻でした。見たことがない新種や、色の豊富さも見事でした。入場料600円でとても満足出来ました。
Nagara Crafts Pavilion Mitsuhashi Setsuko Art Museum

4.0

6 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Kozekichou 1-1

An art museum located on the grounds of Nagara Park in Kozeki-cho, Otsu City. Adjoined by a studio, the museum contains works by Japanese painter Setsuko Mitsuhashi, who died prematurely at the age of 35 in 1975. The museum also has a creation space for making paintings and crafts.

駅からは小高い丘を登り道なりに辿るとひっそりとした木立に囲まれた美術館に至る。以前梅原猛の「湖の伝説」に誘われた感じでここを訪れたことがあった。開館時間まじかで我々だけだったためか夫の靖将氏からお茶をご馳走になり、節子さんの創作エピソードなどをお聞きすることが出来た。今回は京都から帰宅の途次に十数年ぶりに立ち寄った。群青の色調で描かれた「静謐」な数点の大作。その画布に氏は何を込めていたのか、とりわ...
Ritto Historical Folk Museum

3.5

6 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Rittoushi Ono 223-8

A museum located in Ono, Ritto City. The museum contains some 40,000 items, including 22 designated Important Cultural Properties, relating to the folk customs, history, and arts and crafts of Ritto. The museum’s standing exhibit covers the history and customs of the area and the facility also holds related special exhibitions.

ガイドさんの案内で訪ねました。農耕の道具を拝見することができるので、歴史好きにはたまらなかったです。
Eizaburo Nishibori Memorial Explorer Museum

4.5

5 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Yokomizochou 419

A memorial museum located in Yokomizo-cho, Higashiomi City. The museum contains exhibits honoring Japanese explorers, with a focus on Eizaburo Nishibori, an explorer and scientist who served as the captain of Japan Antarctic Research Expedition. The museum also offers science experiments and craft making classes for groups and others (interested parties should contact the museum in advance).

See an outstanding film on Eizaburo Nishibori and exhibits related to his long career. Also a well curated art exhibit of works from Higashiomi and Shiga prefecture during my visit. Leaves me wanting...
Kashiwabara Inn History Museum

3.5

5 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Maibarashi Kashiwabara 2101

A museum located in Kashiwabara, Maibara City. The museum exhibits a variety of documents and period tools to introduce the history of Kashiwabara-juku, a post station town which once stood along the Nakasendo Road, including the results of efforts to decode the “Yorozutomecho,” a 295-year long record of reports submitted to the local government office; and actual official bulletins specifying rules concerning baggage and laborers.

JRの駅から徒歩7-8分、柏原宿の資料館です。古民家が続く道沿いに有りかつ看板も有るため分かりやすいと思います。大人300円、月曜が休館です。
Zeze-yaki Museum

4.5

3 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Nakashou 1-22-28

A ceramics art museum located in 1 Chome Nakasho, Otsu City. The museum displays Zeze ware pieces. Zeze ware is a ceramic art counted among the “Seven Kilns,” the favorite pottery varieties of the tea ceremony master Kobori Masakazu. The museum also has a tearoom and garden and holds tea ceremonies and tea ceremony classes as well as treating visitors to matcha powdered green tea and Japanese sweets.

膳所焼美術館は、京阪電車瓦ケ浜駅から徒歩で1分くらいのところにあります。美術館は受付のある建物の裏にあるお庭に離れのように建っている2階建ての建物です規模が大きく、派手さもないけど、焼き物も製作できます。入館料大人900円で、抹茶とお菓子付きです。地方にある、こういう隠れ家のような美術館って素敵です。
Taga Town Museum

4.0

3 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Inukami-gun Tagacho Shide 976-2

10 minutes from the Hikone Interchange on the Meishin Expressway via National Route 306. This museum is located in Akebono Park Taga and is dedicated to presenting the nature and culture of Taga Town and the surrounding area. The museum's standing exhibition includes the full body skeleton of an Akebono elephant, a variety of elephant which experienced a unique evolution in Japan; the skeleton was discovered in clay in an ancient layer of Lake Biwa dating back 1.8 million years. The museum's exhibits also notably primarily consist of real specimens of creatures which lived amidst the abundant natural beauty of Taga Town, and include various insects, animals, and plants, as well as a 30 thousand-year-old fossil skeleton of a Naumann's elephant. The museum also holds activities and nature watching events.

町の博物館がこんなに立派だと思わず迷って辿り着きました。あけぼのパーク内にあり、入場料大人200円（町内者は無料）で入れます。当日は小学生の一団が楽しそうに見学してました。アケボノゾウがメインの展示で、琵琶湖の移動の歴史と共に大変勉強になります。裏には公園が広がっておりリフレッシュできます。
Hitomi Museum of Art

3.5

3 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Yamakamichou 2083

An art museum situated along the Happu Highway in Yamakami-cho, Higashiomi City. The museum’s collection consists of works of art gathered by Reizo Zushi, founder of the Hitomi clothing company. The museum’s artworks include ukiyoe by such Hiroshige and woodblock prints by Shiko Munakata, but its collection of pieces by potter Bernard Leach is the largest in Japan and these make up the core of the facility’s standing exhibition.

通りがかりに入りました。とても面白い展示物を見る事ができます。料金は大人５００円、小中学生は無料でした。
Dynic Astropark Observatory

4.0

2 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Inukamiguntagachou Taga 283-1

An astronomical observatory situated along National Route 306 in Taga, Taga Town, Inukami County, Shiga Prefecture. Japan’s first privately owned and operated astronomical observatory, facilities include a 60 cm main reflecting telescope, a variety of smaller telescopes, and a Schmidt camera. The facility also has displays containing meteorites, celestial globes, and a star map from China dating back to the Southern Song dynasty. The facility also holds regular events such as stargazing meets.

毎週土曜日に開館されており、隕石や星の話や太陽、金星、一等星を、天体望遠鏡で実際見る事もできました。気がついたら約1時間経過していました。しかも昼間は、無料なので驚きです。
Narita Art Museum

3.5

2 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Asahichou 34-24

An art museum located in Asahi-cho, Nagahama City. The museum’s collection consists of pieces by glass designer Rene Lalique assembled over many years by the museum’s director. The facility is the only art museum in the Kansai area with a standing Rene Lalique exhibition, and various measures have been taken to ensure each piece looks its best, including adjusting the lighting angles for each individual work of art.

ラリックを妻が好きなので入ってみた。1階と2階合わせて数十点の作品が展示されていた。入場料は800円、JAFメンバーカードがあれば100円引き。ちょっと高いが、入館者はほとんどなく独占的に楽しめるし。2階の作品の一部については係りの人が直接解説していただける。また最後に休憩室でお茶とお干菓子がでて、庭と蔵を見ながらゆっくりできるのでそのことを考えれば妥当か。
Clock Museum Treasure Museum

3.0

1 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Jinguchou 1-1 Omi Jingu Shrine premises

A museum located on the grounds of Omi Shrine in Jingu-cho, Otsu City. The first museum in Japan dedicated to timepieces, the establishment of the museum was inspired by Emperor Tenji, to whom Omi Shrine is dedicated; Emperor Tenji had a water clock known as a “rokoku” built and establishment a system of announcing the time during his reign. The museum displays ancient and pre-modern Japanese clocks and timepieces from around the world, including one of the oldest pocket watches in Japan and valuable treasures presented to Omi Shrine.

近江神宮の境内にある。祭神の天智天皇が大津宮に日本で初めて水時計(漏刻)を設置したことに由来。入館料は300円。1階が時計館、2階が宝物館となっている。館内撮影不可。時計館には日本に現存する最古級の懐中時計(有栖川宮家伝来)、珍しい形をした枕時計や台時計、献納された様々な時計などが、宝物館には掛軸、陶磁器、能楽面、皇族の詠進歌などが展示されている。目を見張るような品はないが、時間に余裕がある場...
Higashi Asia Koryu House Amenomori Hoshuan

2.0

1 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Takatsukichouamenomori 1166

A museum located in Amenomori Takatsuki-cho, Nagahama City. The site of the birth home of mid-Edo period Confucian scholar Amenomori Hoshu, the museum honors and presents the life and achievements of the man through personal possessions and items relating to Korean delegations to Japan.

雨森芳洲氏は江戸時代の日本と韓国との交流に力を発揮した文化人です。韓国語に堪能だったとのこと。芳洲氏の足跡が年表、地図でまとめてありました。また、芳洲に関係する書籍が多数揃えてありました。ただ、館内で会合を開いているときがあり、そのときは一部の展示が見られません。
Hakodateyama Kokia Park

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Takashimashi Imaduchouhiokimae 4201-4

A botanical garden located in Hiokimae Imazu-cho, Takashima City. Spread among four locations inside Biwako Hakodateyama Lily Garden, the largest lily garden in the Kansai area, visitors can enjoy the summer light green and fall crimson of some 2,000 burningbush plants. The Biwako Hakodateyama Lily Garden has facilities such as a lift; train; children’s play equipment; restaurant serving dishes made with lily bulbs; light meal stand; and lily shop.
World Kite Museum Higashiomi Oodako Hall

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Youkaichihigashihonmachi 3-5

A museum dedicated to kites located in Yokkaichi-higashihonmachi, Higashiomi City. The museum contains exhibits on the giant kites of Higashiomi, including miniature replicas of particularly outstanding past examples and the actual 100 Tatamijiki Higashiomi Odako, the largest kite in Japan. Other exhibits include some 500 kites from around Japan and 100 from around the world.
Maibara Omi Haniwa Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Maibarashi Goudo 281-1

A museum adjoining the Maibara City Library in Godo, Maibara City. The museum was opened to exhibit reproductions of the Haniwa clay figures which have been unearthed through archeological excavations in the area. The museum was remodeled in recent years, adding a multipurpose exhibition space. In addition to exhibiting Haniwa, the museum also holds art and photo exhibitions.
Hakuun-Kan

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Omihachiman-shi

Shiga

Otsu Shigaraki / Koka Konan / Kusatsu Omihachiman Koto / Hikone Kohoku / Nagahama Kosei / Takashima

Leisure / Hobbies Culture / Tour

Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Art Museum Botanical Garden

Shiga Areas

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.