5 Photogenic Scenic Spots in Shiga

Centered on Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture, where majestic nature spreads out. It is actually a treasure trove of "photogenic spots" known only to those in the know! This time we have picked out five stunning views that make you unintentionally think "I want to save this!"

1. Kaizu-Osaki (Takashima City) | A Miraculous Collaboration of Cherry Blossoms and Lake Biwa

The tunnel of Somei-Yoshino cherry trees continuing for about 4 km along the shore of Lake Biwa is overwhelming. The gradation woven by the pale pink and the blue of the lake surface is just like a painting.

• Photogenic point: The reflection of cherry blossoms mirrored on the lake surface is a good target
• Best season: Early April, early morning (windless, the water surface stills like a mirror)
• Shooting angle: Emphasize the reflection from a low angle right at the water's edge
• Access: About 6 minutes on the Kokkyo-sen bus from Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line, get off at "Kaizu 1-ku," then about a 2-minute walk to the entrance of the cherry avenue (or about 3 minutes on the Makino Kogen line bus to "Kaizu-Osaki-guchi," then about a 10-minute walk). The bus fare is 220 yen per ride

2. Shirahige Shrine (Takashima City) | Shiga's "Torii Gate in the Sea"

The vermilion great torii gate floating on Lake Biwa is just like the Itsukushima Shrine of Hiroshima! Depending on the water level, the water comes right up to the feet of the torii, creating a dreamlike scene.

• Photogenic point: The vivid contrast of vermilion and the blue of the lake surface
• Best time: The golden hour right after sunrise (the sky is dyed orange to pink)
• Shooting angle: A frontal composition from the "Ranko Shirahige-dai" observation deck in front of the shrine office is recommended. Never cross National Route 161 to photograph the torii gate: it is extremely dangerous
• Access: About 2 km southeast of Omi-Takashima Station on the JR Kosei Line: about 5 minutes by car, or about 25 minutes on foot

3. Chikubushima (Nagahama City) | A Mysterious Floating Island

A mysterious small island floating on Lake Biwa. The way the entire island, wrapped in deep green, floats dotted in the lake is just like a fantasy world.

• Photogenic point: The silhouette of the island viewed from atop the pleasure boat is picturesque
• Best season: May with fresh greenery, November with fall foliage
• Shooting angle: A wide shot with the island placed in the center from the bow of the boat
• Access: About 30 minutes by pleasure boat from Nagahama Port and Imazu Port

4. Mount Ibuki (Maibara City) | A Sky-High Stunning View Floating in a Sea of Clouds

Mount Ibuki, the highest peak in Shiga. From autumn to winter, a sea of clouds occurs, and the sight looking down from the summit is truly a heavenly world.

• Photogenic point: The silhouettes of mountains floating like islands in the sea of clouds
• Best season: Early morning in October to November (days with a large temperature difference are a good target)
• Shooting angle: Capture the whole sea of clouds with a wide-angle lens from the summit
• Access: From the summit car park of the Ibukiyama Driveway (ninth station), the shortest route to the top is the Central Trail, about 500 m and roughly 20 minutes uphill one way (the West Trail is about 1 km / 40 minutes, and the East Trail is descent-only, 1.5 km / about 60 minutes)

5. Omi-Hachiman / Suigo Cruise (Omi-Hachiman City) | Into a Japanese World on the Reed-Field Waterways

A time-slip experience, advancing leisurely by Japanese boat along waterways thick with reeds. The scenery, like passing through a green tunnel, is a shot you can take only here.

• Photogenic point: The extraordinary feeling of being wrapped in green as the lush reeds reflect on the water surface
• Best season: The morning of June to August when the reeds are lush green
• Shooting angle: Shooting at water-surface eye level from atop the boat brings out depth
• Access: About 10 minutes by bus from JR Omi-Hachiman Station, then just a short walk to the boarding point

In Shiga Prefecture, there are still many unknown stunning views lying dormant. By all means, try putting Shiga on the list for your next travel destination

Practical Information for Your Visit

The details below are drawn from official announcements by the facilities, local governments and transport operators concerned (as of September 2026). Opening hours, fees and road closures change, so please check the official websites linked here before you travel.

Kaizu Osaki

• Cherry blossom: About 800 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, including veterans over 80 years old, line roughly 4 km of lakeside road. The site is one of Japan's 100 best cherry-blossom spots, and the trees are usually at their best from early to mid-April.
• Parking (important): There is no car park at Kaizu Osaki.
• Traffic control: One-way restrictions are imposed during the blossom season (for 2026 these were announced for 4 and 5 April, 9:30-17:00).

(Source: Biwako Kisen, https://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/tourist_info/601/ and Biwako Takashima Tourism Association, https://takashima-kanko.jp/sakura/regulation.html )

Shirahige Shrine

• Safety (most important): The Shiga Prefecture official tourism site states plainly, "Crossing the national highway is extremely dangerous, so please do not do it." To photograph the torii standing in the lake, use the "Ranko Shirahige-dai" viewing deck in front of the shrine office.
• Illumination: The illumination of the lake torii is currently suspended.
• Parking: 50 spaces for ordinary cars.

(Source: Biwako Visitors Bureau, Shiga Prefecture official tourism site, https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/390/ )

Chikubushima

• Routes: Two operators serve the island: Biwako Kisen from Nagahama and Imazu ports, and Ohmi Marine from Hikone port.
• Suspension (important): Ohmi Marine's Chikubushima route has been suspended in full since 14 August 2026, with no date announced for resumption (as of September 2026). If you were planning to sail from Hikone, check before you travel.
• Fares: Biwako Kisen charges 3,800 yen return on the Nagahama route and 3,400 yen return on the Imazu route. A separate island entry fee of 600 yen applies.

(Source: Biwako Kisen, https://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/cruise/chikubu/price_time/ and Ohmi Marine, https://www.ohmitetudo.co.jp/marine/time-price/chikubushima/ )

Mount Ibuki

• Climbing (most important): Maibara City states that, with erosion-control works still under way in 2026, visitors should not climb from the foot of the mountain on the Maibara side regardless of the season or the route. The Omote trail from the Ueno trailhead is closed.
• Reaching the summit: The way up is the Ibukiyama Driveway, which reaches the summit car park at the ninth station.
• Opening period and winter closure: For 2026 the driveway is scheduled to close for the season after Monday 23 November (a public holiday), after which it shuts for the winter; it normally reopens on the third Saturday of April. During the autumn foliage period, in October and November, it operates from 8:00 to 19:00, and the last entry is two hours before closing (Ibukiyama Driveway official information).
• Facilities: There are no toilets along the route apart from temporary ones before the toll gate and those at the summit car park, and there are no petrol stations or EV chargers.

(Source: Maibara City Mount Ibuki site, https://www.city.maibara.lg.jp/mtibuki/index.html and Ibukiyama Driveway, https://www.ibukiyama-driveway.jp/guide/ )

Omihachiman Suigo Boat Tour

• Operators: Several companies run the boats, and fares, durations and booking methods differ between them. The Omihachiman tourism site lists each operator.

(Source: Omihachiman Tourism and Products Association, https://www.omi8.com/stories/suigo )