Shiga Hidden Gems
Built around Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake — castle towns, lakeside shrines and the mountain temple complex that shaped Japanese Buddhism.
6 spots
Climate & Best Season
Cold, snowy in the north near the lake; milder in the south. Autumn foliage on Mt. Hiei is the seasonal highlight.
Famous For (Food)
- Omi beef
- Funazushi
- Lake fish tsukudani
- Sake
Signature Sights
- Hikone Castle
- Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei
- Shirahige Shrine's lake torii
- Lake Biwa cycling
Enryakuji Temple — Mt. Hiei's Mountain Monastery Complex
Enryakuji Temple (延暦寺) is a sprawling Buddhist monastery complex atop Mt. Hiei (848m), straddling the border between Kyo…
Miidera Temple — Historic Tendai Temple with City Views
Miidera Temple (三井寺, formally Onjo-ji) is a major Tendai Buddhist temple founded in 672 CE, located on Mt. Hiei's easter…
Lake Biwa Museum — Freshwater Lake Ecosystem & Cultural History
Lake Biwa Museum (琵琶湖博物館) is a comprehensive natural history and cultural museum dedicated to Lake Biwa's 4-million-year…
Omi Shrine — Karuta Card Game Holy Site
Omi Shrine (近江神宮) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Tenji (626–672 CE), who reigned during Japan's adoption of Chi…
Ishiyama-dera Temple — Literary & Autumn Color Spot
Ishiyama-dera (石山寺, 'Stone Mountain Temple') is a historic Buddhist temple founded in 747 CE, built on a massive natural…
Seta no Karahashi — Historic Bridge & River Views
Seta no Karahashi (瀬田の唐橋) is a historic bridge spanning the Seta River where it flows out of Lake Biwa. The current conc…