Museum / Science Museum Spots in Shiga Area

  • 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...

  • 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 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...

  • "Azuchi Castle Museum “The House of Nobunaga"""
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    4.0
    103 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Oumihachimanshi Aduchichoukuwanomiji 800
    A museum located in Kuwanomiji Azuchi-cho, Omihachiman City. Inside the museum is a life-sized recreation of the tower of Azuchi Castle originally built for Seville Expo ’92 in Spain. The structure includes recreations of the tower’s artistic touches, as well, such as a room partition painting of the powerful samurai lord Oda Nobunaga created by the renowned Japanese painter Kano Eitoku; and the tower exterior itself, which is decorated with 100 thousand sheets of gold leaf.

    安土城考古学博物館と同じ敷地の中ですが、棟続きにはなっておらず雨天だったので傘をさしての移動でした。中にある天守の再現は屋外ならもっと巨大に感じたのかもしれません。安土城での徳川家康のための饗宴献立の再現は興味を持って見学しました。

  • Nagahama Railway Museum
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    4.0
    111 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Kitafunachou 1-41
    A railroad museum located in Kitafuna-cho, Nagahama City. The museum consists of the former Nagahama Station building, constructed in 1882 and the oldest extant station building in Japan; the Nagahama Railway Culture Hall, and the Hokuriku Line Electrification Memorial Hall. Visitors can tour areas of the station building such as the old waiting area and stationmaster’s office as well as view relevant exhibits. In addition, the museum has train models, a D51 steam locomotive which visitors are allowed to sit in the driver’s seat, and an ED70 ac electric locomotive. The museum’s observation deck offers a super close view of the trains running on the Hokuriku Line track.

    The building sits nicely on its site. It is said to be the oldest existing railroad station building in the country. We were here for autumn foliage and the trees in front of the building were at...

  • Yanmar Museum
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    4.5
    83 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Nagahama-shi Sanwacho 6-50

    Yanmar is a well-known diesel engine and machines manufacturer Japan-wide and worldwide. It was the first company that invented and commercialised the worlds first smallest diesel engine since the...

  • Kaiyodo Figure Museum Kurokabe Ryuyukan
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    4.0
    95 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Motohamachou 8-22 Nagahama Art Center
    A museum dedicated to figurines and models situated along the Hokkoku Highway in Motohama-cho, Nagahama City. Kaiyodo is a company known around the world for its figurines, and this museum displays some of the company’s most renowned pieces as well as over 2,000 snack prize figurines, dioramas, and more. The museum also holds workshops on figurine painting and diorama making. Be sure to stop by the museum shop situated on the Nagahama Otemon Shopping Street in Motohama -cho.

    年配の人にはフィギュアの魅力がよく分からないので、若い人で行ったほうが楽しめると思う。ミュージアムには入らなかったが、店内ショップの大量のガチャガチャが面白くて、何回か回しました。

  • Koka Ninja House
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    4.0
    64 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Koukashi Kounanchouryuboushi 2331
    A sort of real ninja theme park filled with secret ninja tricks located in Ryuboshi Konan-cho, Koka City. The residence was built around 1700, during the Edo period, by the Mochizuki Koka ninja clan. Preparing for the unexpected, the house was filled with tricks and traps, including trick windows, rotating walls, and drop pits. Items used as part of daily ninja life are also on display here.

    Although it is a guided tour conducted in Japanese, we were able to follow the tour as the staff passed us a folder with English description and she helped us along the way. It is amazing to...

  • Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archeological Museum
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    3.5
    37 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Oumihachimanshi Aduchichoushimotoira 6678
    A museum located in Shimotoira Azuchi-cho, Omihachiman City. The museum contains exhibits on artifacts excavated from ancient burial mounds and historic sites such as the Dainaka-no-ko Konan Iseki ruins; fortresses and castles from the medieval to the modern period such as and the Kannonji Castle Ruins and the Azuchi Castle Ruins; and Oda Nobunaga, the mighty samurai lord who built Azuchi Castle. The museum also holds special exhibitions.

    If you do not read Japanese, be sure to pick up a leaflet at the museum which describes the three rooms. Two of the rooms are permanent exhibits and one has temporary exhibits. I enjoyed learning...

  • Hikiyama Museum
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    4.0
    48 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Motohamachou 14-8
    It is a museum concerning one of the three largest float festivals in Japan, the “Nagahama Hikiyama Festival” which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and is held in April every year in Nagahama City. There are four festival floats in the collection, two of which are exhibited in the museum. These luxurious and gorgeous ornaments with gold engraving, wood carving and lacquer coating are a must see. There are also an exhibition of stage dummies and a “Kid’s Kabuki” (Japanese classical drama) video show, which is performed on one of the stage floats that is a highlight of the festival. There is also a coffee shop at the museum.

    長浜市曳山博物館は、平成12年(2000年)10月1日にオープンしました。本物の曳山が展示されていたり、修理を行う修理ドックや曳山の文化の普及を担っている施設です。見学には約40分かかりました。

  • Koka Ninja Village
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    4.0
    9 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Koukashi Koukachouoki 394
    A theme park located in Oki Koka-cho, Koka City. Facilities include a museum with exhibits on Koka ninja, a ninja funhouse, a ninja dojo with nine training grounds, a shuriken dojo, a craft dojo where you can pain raku ware and do other crafts, and a Shinobi-jinja Shrine dedicated to ninja. There’s also a restaurant where you can enjoy “ninja barbecue,” a store selling ninja goods, and a costume rental shop.

    JR草津線甲南駅から行く望月家の忍者屋敷とこの忍者村の両方に行くなら車で行くのが便利です。公共の乗り物だと甲賀駅からですがかなり距離があります。甲賀忍者の術、生活が体験できるので大人も楽しく遊べます。からくり井戸、水ぐもが体験できる池近くに忍術博物館があります。忍者の使う装束、道具」なども展示されています。生活道具もあるので忍者について知識が深められます。からくり屋敷は住居に使われていたもので、か...

  • Otsumatsuri Exhibition Pavilion
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    4.0
    41 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Otsushi Chuou 1-2-27
    "The Otsumatsuri Exhibition Pavilion is located around five minutes' drive from the Otsu Interchange on the Meishin Expressway. The exhibits displayed in the Pavilion include artifacts and materials relating to the Otsu Matsuri (Otsu Festival), which is held in Otsu City, to the southwest of Lake Biwa, and which has been designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, as well as life-size replicas of the Hikiyama floats used in the festival. The emphasis in the displays within the Pavilion is on ""enabling visitors to experience the fun and excitement of the Otsu Matsuri,"" and visitors can view video footage of the actual festival. The ""Ohayashi Experience"" area, in which visitors can try their hand at playing ohayashi festival music using such traditional instruments as gongs and Taiko big drums and so on, is very popular with children."

    無料で見られる大津祭の展示館です。大津祭の写真や山車なども館内に有りました。写真から祭りの熱気も感じられます。スタッフの方も親切ですよ。尚館内は撮影OKです。

  • Kawara Museum
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    3.5
    46 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Omihachiman-shi Tagacho 738-2
    This museum, located in Taga-cho, Omihachiman City, contains exhibits on Hachiman roof tiles, a local industry which developed with the building of Hachimanyama Castle in 1585 by Toyotomi Hidetsugu. Here visitors can view gold leaf and eave-end roof tiles excavated from the ruins of Hidetsugu’s residence, decorative ridge-end gargoyle roof tiles and tile figures from the Edo period, and gargoyle roof tiles from studios and workshops situated along the Hachiman-bori Canal.

    Very expensive entry fee ($10 / 1,000 yen) to see some roof-tiles. If it was more friendly fee, I think you would have seen more visitors.

  • Otsu City Museum of History
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    3.5
    21 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Otsushi Goryouchou 2-2
    A museum located in Goryo-cho, Otsu City. The museum’s collection spans 82,000 items relating to the history and culture of Shiga and Omi, eight of which have been designated Important Cultural Properties. The museum has a standing exhibit which includes a model showing what the ancient capital of Otsu no Miya once looked like, displays covering the eight picturesque sights of Omi, and a chronology of the history of Omi City; the museum also holds special exhibits on themes such as Buddhist culture.

    京阪の大津市役所前駅から徒歩5分ほど。 1990年開館。入館料は330円。京阪電車の「びわ湖1日観光チケット」などを提示すると260円(団体料金)に割引となる。展示室は1階と2階にあり、大津の歴史・文化・産業について実物資料、ジオラマ・模型などを展示するとともにパネル解説が行われている。建物は山の中腹にあるため、エントランスや2階からは遠く琵琶湖を望むことができる。

  • Omi Merchant Museum Nakaji Yujin Museum
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    4.0
    13 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Gokashoutatsutachou 583 Ebisan no Sato Cultural Learning Center
    A museum located in Gokasho Tatsuta-cho, Higashiomi City. The museum makes use of videos, dioramas, and exhibits to introduce the history and culture of the Higashiomi area, said to be the birthplace of the famous Omi merchants; as well as the activities and ways of life of the Omi merchants. The Nakaji Yujin Museum on the second floor exhibits Japanese paintings donated by Yujin Nakaji, a Japanese painter connected to the area.

    近江商人を紹介しています。訪問時はGWだったので鯉のぼりが吊り下げられていました。駐車場も広いので車でも来れます。

  • Otsu City Science Museum
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    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
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    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"""
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    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)
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    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。

  • Ritto Historical Folk Museum
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    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。

Shiga Areas

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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.

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