A wide selection of sightseeing destinations, including Lake Biwa and much more!
Shiga Prefecture is located near the middle of Japan, and is famous as the home of Lake Biwa, which covers about one-sixth of the prefecture’s total area. With an area of approx. 670 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 104 m, Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. In ancient times, the lake was known as Omi, which translates to freshwater sea. The lake wouldn’t become known as Lake Biwa until sometime during the Edo period. The name is believed to come from the lake’s shape, which resembles the biwa, a Japanese musical instrument. Lake Biwa has an extensive history and is believed to have occupied its current location for at least 400,000 years. Most lakes tend to disappear after about 10,000 years due to sedimentation, and lakes older than 100,000 years are rare, with only about 20 such ancient lakes in the world. More than 60 endemic species of aquatic plants and animals—each having evolved over long periods in unique ways—call Lake Biwa home. The lake is also a prominent leisure destination, where visitors can enjoy lake sports such as yachting and canoeing. Summer sees large crowds of lake-goers that come to enjoy a relaxing dip in the water, cruises around the lake, and to undertake the Biwa-ichi challenge of cycling or walking around the lake.
Consisting of the Omi Basin with Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains, Shiga Prefecture is divided into seven different areas. The first is the Otsu area, home to majestic temples and shrines such as Enrakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. The Kusatsu–Konan area offers spectacular natural scenery, including Mt. Mikami, nicknamed “Omi-Fuji” for its conical shape similar to Mt. Fuji. The Koka–Shigaraki area, known as the home to ninjas, is also famous for its pottery, with various tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines that greet visitors. The Omihachiman–Higashiomi area is home to the estates of the famous Omi merchants and the ruins of Azuchi Castle, which Oda Nobunaga called home while he set out to unify Japan. Hikone Castle—a national treasure and one of Japan’s most famous castles—is located in the Hikone–Koto area. The Nagahama–Kohoku area offers some of Shiga’s best sightseeing locations, including Lake Biwa’s Chikubushima Island and Mt. Ibuki, one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains. The Takashima–Kosai area is a treasure trove of scenic destinations, including the majestic torii gate of Shirahige Jinja Shrine towering over Lake Biwa. There are so many different sights in each area, so come and see all Shiga has to offer!
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Shiga Prefecture is located near the middle of Japan, and is famous as the home of Lake Biwa, which covers about one-sixth of the prefecture’s total area. With an area of approx. 670 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 104 m, Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. In ancient times, the lake was known as Omi, which translates to freshwater sea. The lake wouldn’t become known as Lake Biwa until sometime during the Edo period. The name is believed to come from the lake’s shape, which resembles the biwa, a Japanese musical instrument. Lake Biwa has an extensive history and is believed to have occupied its current location for at least 400,000 years. Most lakes tend to disappear after about 10,000 years due to sedimentation, and lakes older than 100,000 years are rare, with only about 20 such ancient lakes in the world. More than 60 endemic species of aquatic plants and animals—each having evolved over long periods in unique ways—call Lake Biwa home. The lake is also a prominent leisure destination, where visitors can enjoy lake sports such as yachting and canoeing. Summer sees large crowds of lake-goers that come to enjoy a relaxing dip in the water, cruises around the lake, and to undertake the Biwa-ichi challenge of cycling or walking around the lake.
Consisting of the Omi Basin with Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains, Shiga Prefecture is divided into seven different areas. The first is the Otsu area, home to majestic temples and shrines such as Enrakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. The Kusatsu–Konan area offers spectacular natural scenery, including Mt. Mikami, nicknamed “Omi-Fuji” for its conical shape similar to Mt. Fuji. The Koka–Shigaraki area, known as the home to ninjas, is also famous for its pottery, with various tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines that greet visitors. The Omihachiman–Higashiomi area is home to the estates of the famous Omi merchants and the ruins of Azuchi Castle, which Oda Nobunaga called home while he set out to unify Japan. Hikone Castle—a national treasure and one of Japan’s most famous castles—is located in the Hikone–Koto area. The Nagahama–Kohoku area offers some of Shiga’s best sightseeing locations, including Lake Biwa’s Chikubushima Island and Mt. Ibuki, one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains. The Takashima–Kosai area is a treasure trove of scenic destinations, including the majestic torii gate of Shirahige Jinja Shrine towering over Lake Biwa. There are so many different sights in each area, so come and see all Shiga has to offer!
