Shiga and Lake Biwa Tours and Travel

Located in Shiga Prefecture, this is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. With an area of approximately 670 square kilometers and a shoreline of approximately 235 kilometers, it is the renowned water reservoir of the Kansai region.
It is one of only about 20 "ancient lakes" in the world, and the only one in Japan.
It has been in this location for over 400,000 years, and has a history of over 4 million years.
The lakeside is home to Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga, as well as other castles built by famous Sengoku period warlords, making it a key location deeply connected to Japanese history.

*This service may not be available depending on Departure Place.

This is the head temple of the Tendaijimon sect and has been watching over Lake Biwa for approximately 1,200 years.
This temple offers beautiful seasonal scenery, such as a moon-viewing stage where you can enjoy the reflection of the cherry blossoms in spring, and illuminated autumn leaves in autumn.

*The best time to see cherry blossoms is late Mar. to mid-Apr.
*The best time to see autumn leaves is mid-Nov. to early Dec.

Located on the border between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, this temple is the head temple of the Tendai sect and is also known as the mother of Japanese Buddhism. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994.
It is also known as one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa, "The Smoke Trees and the Forest of Hiei," and the "Eternal Flame of the Law," which has been burning continuously for over 1,200 years and is enshrined in the Konponchudo Hall, is a must-see!

*The best time to see autumn leaves is late Oct. to late Nov..

A tourist facility that straddles Mt. Uchimi and Mt. Horai, and overlooks Lake Biwa.
Located at an altitude of about 1,100 metres, the Lake Biwa Terrace offers spectacular views.
Not only the view from the top of the mountain, but also the view from the ropeway is spectacular!

*The best time to see autumn leaves is late Oct. to mid Nov.

There is a large vermilion torii gate in the middle of the lake, and this is the oldest shrine in Omi, also known as Omi's Itsukushima.
He is known as the god of longevity and prolonged life, and the enshrined deity is Sarutahiko no Mikoto.

Approximately 500 metasequoia trees are planted along a stretch of about 2.4 km.
You can see beautiful scenery with different colors throughout the seasons, and the autumn leaves are spectacular!

*The best time to see autumn leaves is late Oct. to mid Nov.

One of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots along Lake Biwa in Shiga.
Approximately 800 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees decorate the northern shoreline of the lake, stretching for about 4km, in the spring.
This scenic spot is also known as one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa, "Dawn Mist and the Reefs of Kaizu Osaki."

*The best time to see cherry blossoms is late Mar. to mid-Apr.

A small island floating on Lake Biwa, measuring approximately 2km in circumference and 0.14km2.
It is home to Hogon-ji Temple, which is counted among Japan's top three Benzaiten shrines, and Tsukufusuma Shrine, and is a place of worship for people as an island where gods reside.
It is a small but worthwhile tourist spot, featuring the national treasure "Karamon" and the important cultural property "Kannon-do".

Located on the border between Shiga and Gifu prefectures, it is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and has an elevation of 1,377m.
Not only can you enjoy the view of Lake Biwa, but you can also see the Nobi Plain and, on a clear day, the Sea of Japan and Wakasa Bay.
You can take the Mt. Ibuki Driveway from the base of the mountain to the 9th station and enjoy magnificent views from the car windows.
Additionally, on the hiking route from the mountaintop parking lot to the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views and alpine plants that change with the seasons.

It is one of only five castles in Japan whose castle towers have been designated as national treasures.
Completed in 1622, this is a spectacular castle with a turret that has been designated an Important Cultural Property. The adjacent Genkyuen Garden, a former daimyo garden with a large pond and strolling garden, is also worth seeing.
One of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa: "Moonlight: Old Castle of Hikone".

*The best time to see cherry blossoms is late Mar. to mid-Apr.
*The best time to see autumn leaves is late Nov. to early Dec..

The largest shrine in Shiga Prefecture, which has long been affectionately known as "Otaga-san."
The deities enshrined here are Izanagi-no-Okami and Izanami-no-Okami, and this is a historic shrine beloved as the gods of longevity and matchmaking.

*The best time to see autumn leaves is early to late Nov.

It is known as the town of Omi merchants, "Omihachiman."
It is famous for its streets lined with merchant houses built from the end of the Edo period through to the Meiji era, but it is also a historic town that was established in the 1500s with the construction of Yawatayama Castle.
It is also counted as one of the three great water towns in Japan.

As the name suggests, Koto Koto Sanzan is a collective name for three Tendai Buddhist temples located on the east side of Lake Biwa: Saimyo-ji, Kongorin-ji, and Baekje-ji.
This famous temple is known as Shiga Prefecture's best spot for viewing autumn leaves.

*The best time to see autumn leaves is mid- to late Nov.

Konan Sanzan are a collective name for three national treasure temples located in Konan City, south of Lake Biwa: Joraku-ji Temple, Choju-ji Temple, and Zensui-ji Temple.
This is a famous spot in Shiga for viewing autumn leaves, known only to those in the know, and is a spectacular ancient temple with each temple housing national treasures and important cultural properties.

*The best time to see autumn leaves is mid- to late Nov.

Located on the shores of Lake Biwa, this art museum is known as a "floating art museum." The exhibition halls that house Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama and sculptor Churyo Sato are open to the public at all times, and special exhibitions are also held.

This museum was designed with a utopia theme by IMPei, who also designed the glass pyramids at the Louvre in France and the East Building of the National Gallery in Washington. Over 80% of the building volume is buried underground, and nature has been restored above the building, with themes of the fusion of "nature and architectural artworks," "tradition and modernity," and "East and West." In addition to the exhibits, you can also enjoy the scenery that changes with the seasons at this museum.

*The best time to see cherry blossoms is late Mar. to mid-Apr.
*The best time to see autumn leaves is early to late Nov.