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Shiga

Centered on Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, with Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, Hikone Castle, and the water town of Omihachiman. Omi beef and funazushi are local delicacies.

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Photo by Osneil Drakes on Unsplash

📝 Articles about Shiga

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Decchi Yokan

A steamed yokan born in Omihachiman, wrapped in bamboo bark for a rustic sweetness and che

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Hashirii Mochi

A famous Tokaido rice cake of Otsu Oiwake, soft mochi made with pure spring water wraps sw

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Salad Pan

Born at Tsuruya in Nagahama, this beloved local roll fills a bun with chopped pickled radi

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Kamo Nabe

A winter tradition of the northern lake, this hot pot simmers wild mallard from Lake Biwa

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Choji Fu

A square wheat gluten cake born in Omihachiman, enjoyed in mustard dressing as a simple lo

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Yakisaba Somen

A Nagahama specialty in which somen soaks up the umami of grilled mackerel simmered in a s

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Aka Konnyaku

A specialty of Omihachiman, this rare red konjac catches the eye and is enjoyed in simmere

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Omi Champon

Born in Hikone, this soul food of Shiga pairs a Japanese style broth with plenty of vegeta

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Funazushi

A traditional fermented dish of Shiga, made by aging Lake Biwa crucian carp with salt and

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Omi Beef

One of Japans three great wagyu with over 400 years of history, prized for fine marbling a

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course🗾 All seasons

Metasequoia Avenue and Makino Kogen Drive Course

A refreshing drive on the western lakeside from the tree avenue to the plateau and shore.

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course🗾 All seasons

Kohoku Nagahama Stroll Course

A half day walk through the northern lake castle town from the glass district to the castl

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course🗾 All seasons

Omihachiman Waterways Course

A day enjoying the merchant town and reed marshes from the canal boat ride to the ropeway.

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course🗾 All seasons

Hikone Castle and Castle Town Stroll Course

A half day walk from the national treasure keep to the garden and the old castle town stre

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course🗾 All seasons

Otsu Ishiyamadera and Mount Hiei One Day Course

A classic day exploring Otsu from the temple linked to Murasaki Shikibu up to Mount Hiei.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Moriyama Yumoto Suisyun Onsen

A therapeutic Lake Biwa spring in Moriyama, named the beautiful skin water of Biwa.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Hira Topia Onsen

A gentle alkaline day-bath at the foot of the Hira mountains, ideal after a hike.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Takarabune Onsen

A self-sourced iron spring on the shore of Lake Biwa, fronted by a white sand beach.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Ishiyama Onsen

A cool mineral spring by Ishiyamadera temple, linked to the author of The Tale of Genji.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Onoe Onsen

A bicarbonate spring on the northern shore of Lake Biwa, with views of sacred Chikubu Isla

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Junibo Onsen Yurara

A free-flowing radon spring in the forests of Konan, with camping and stone-bath facilitie

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Makino Kogen Onsen Sarasa

An alkaline day-bath in the Makino highlands, perfect after a day of outdoor play.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Sugatani Onsen

An iron spring at the foot of Mount Odani where Sengoku-era lords once came to heal.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Nagahama Taiko Onsen

An iron-rich spring beside Nagahama Castle on Lake Biwa, tied to the warlord Hideyoshi.

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onsen🗾 All seasons

Ogoto Onsen

Shigas largest hot spring resort on the shore of Lake Biwa, famed for silky pH9 alkaline w

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kuwanomidera Temple: A Mountain Temple of Healing in Azuchi

A Tendai mountain temple on the slope of Mount Kinugasa. Where faith in the Healing Buddha

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kongorinji Temple: A National Treasure Among the Three Koto Mountains

An old Tendai temple counted among the Three Koto Mountains. With a National Treasure main

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Aburahi Shrine: God of Oil and Fire in Koka, a Quiet Shiga Gem

An old shrine in Koka where a complete set of Muromachi period halls survives. Revered as

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Tarobogu Shrine: Giant Rocks and a Sky Path in Higashiomi

A sacred site of giant rocks on the slope of Mount Akagami. With a mystical path through a

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Kamo Shrine: Direction Warding and Horse Guardian in Omihachiman

An old shrine in Omihachiman deeply linked to onmyodo. Known for warding off misfortune by

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Mio Shrine: An Otsu Hidden Gem Full of Rabbits

A charming old shrine in Otsu with rabbits hidden everywhere. Known for safe childbirth an

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Fujigasaki Ryujin Shrine: A Lakeside Dragon God Spot in Shiga

A little known power spot honoring a dragon god, with a vermilion gate on the shore of Lak

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Sasaki Shrine: An Old Shrine of the Sasaki Clan in Azuchi

An old shrine in Azuchi known as the ancestral site for those named Sasaki across Japan. A

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Namura Shrine: A National Treasure of Bonds and Harvest in Ryuo

An old shrine set in a broad sacred grove in Ryuo. With a National Treasure west main hall

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Mikami Shrine: A Quiet Shiga Power Spot Beneath Omi Fuji

A historic shrine at the foot of Mount Mikami, known as Omi Fuji. Its National Treasure ma

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Seasonal Picks

Shiga Winter Travel 2026: Snowy Hikone Castle, Enryakuji & Lake Biwa

滋賀の冬の楽しみ方を紹介。比叡山延暦寺・彦根城雪景色・琵琶湖など、冬ならではの体験が待っています。

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Seasonal Picks

Shiga Autumn Foliage 2026: Mt. Hiei, Koto Sanzan & Keisokuji

滋賀の紅葉スポットを厳選紹介。湖東三山・鶏足寺・比叡山など、秋の絶景をお楽しみください。

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Seasonal Picks🌸 Spring

Shiga Cherry Blossom Guide: Best Sakura Spots

Discover the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in Shiga. Spring sakura viewing guide wit

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Shiga Local Gourmet Guide: Omi Beef

Discover Shiga''s unique local cuisine including 近江牛. A food lover''s guide to the best lo

Rainy Day Spots🗾 All seasons

Rainy Day in Shiga: Best Indoor Spots & Activities

Don't let the rain stop you in Shiga! Discover top indoor attractions including 琵琶湖博物館, MI

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Gourmet🗾 All seasons

Shiga Food Guide: Omi Beef, Funazushi & Omi Chanpon

Shiga is home to one of Japan's three great wagyu brands, the ancient fermented Funazushi

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Lake Biwa: Water and Culture Nurtured by Japan's Largest Lake

Lake Biwa, occupying one-sixth of Shiga Prefecture's area, is Japan's largest and oldest l

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Sightseeing🌸 Spring

Hikone Castle: National Treasure Keep and Famous Castle that Was the Stage of the Late Edo Period

Hikone Castle in Hikone City, Shiga, is one of Japan's four National Treasure castle keeps

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Omi Beef: One of Japan's Three Great Wagyu, the Highest Quality Beef that Shiga is Proud Of

Omi beef is one of Japan's three great wagyu alongside Matsusaka and Kobe beef, a Shiga Pr

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Shigaraki Ware: One of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, Famous for Tanuki Raccoon Dog Figurines

Shigaraki ware from Shigaraki-cho in Koka City, Shiga, is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns

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Festival/Event🌸 Spring

Nagahama Hikiyama Festival: One of Japan's Three Greatest Float Festivals

The Nagahama Hikiyama Festival held in April in Nagahama City, Shiga, is a festival with o

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

MIHO MUSEUM: Art Museum of Utopia Appearing in the Mountains

MIHO MUSEUM, quietly nestled in the mountains of Shigaraki-cho in Koka City, Shiga, is a w

Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Omihachiman: Waterways and White-Walled Streetscapes Remaining in a Warring States Period Castle Town

Omihachiman City in Shiga is associated with Oda Nobunaga known for Azuchi Castle. Its bea

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Festival/Event🍂 Autumn

Otsu Festival: Hiyoshi Taisha and Shiga's Proud Autumn Float Festival

Otsu Festival held in October in Otsu City, Shiga, is the autumn festival of Tenson Shrine

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei: The Mother Mountain of Japanese Buddhism and Head Temple of Tendai Sect

Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei spanning Otsu City, Shiga and Kyoto Prefecture is the head temple of

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Sightseeing🍂 Autumn

Metasequoia Avenue: Spectacular Tree-Lined Road in Makino, Takashima City

The approximately 2.4km metasequoia avenue in Makino district of Takashima City, Shiga, is

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Chikubu Island: Sacred Island of Benzaiten Floating in Lake Biwa

Chikubu Island floating in Lake Biwa is an entire island as a power spot, with "Hogon-ji T

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Koka Ninja: One of Japan's Two Great Ninja Villages Alongside Iga

Koka City in Shiga is one of Japan's two great ninja origin places "Koka" alongside Iga in

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Festival/Event☀️ Summer

Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks: One of Japan's Largest Lake Fireworks Displays

The Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks Festival held annually in August in Otsu City, Shiga, is a s

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Harie Kabata: Water Culture Living by Lake Biwa's Waterside

In Harie district of Shinasahi-cho, Takashima City, Shiga, a unique water use system calle

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Shiga Local Sake: Omi's Sake Culture Nurtured by Lake Biwa's Clear Water

Shiga Prefecture's local sake, using Lake Biwa's clear water for brewing, is a masterpiece

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Odani Castle Ruins: Mountain Castle from the Warring States Period Associated with the Three Azai Sisters

Odani Castle in Nagahama City, Shiga, is a famous Warring States period castle ruled by Az

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Funazushi: 1000-Year-Old Fermented Food Born from Lake Biwa

Funazushi, Shiga Prefecture's traditional food, is one of Japan's oldest narezushi, made b

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Power Spot🌸 Spring

Taga Taisha: Shiga's Largest Shrine Known for Blessings of Matchmaking and Longevity

Taga Taisha in Taga-cho, Shiga, is Shiga's largest shrine enshrining Izanagi no Mikoto and

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Ishiyamadera: Ancient Temple of Southern Lake Where Murasaki Shikibu Conceived The Tale of Genji

Ishiyamadera in Otsu City, Shiga, is an ancient temple where Murasaki Shikibu is said to h

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Biwako Cycling: The Sacred Ground of Cycling Around Lake Biwa

The "Biwako Cycling (Biwachi)" circumnavigating Lake Biwa in Shiga is approximately 190km

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Lake Biwa and Hikone Castle — Japan's Largest Lake and the Waterways of Omihachiman

Cruise on Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa, and explore the beautiful Hikone Castle and the

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Chikubu Island — The Mystical Benzaiten Power Spot Floating on Lake Biwa

Take a ferry to sacred Chikubu Island on Lake Biwa, home to Hogon-ji Temple and a powerful

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Power Spot🗾 All seasons

Hiyoshi Taisha — The Head Shrine of 3,800 Hie Shrines at the Foot of Mt. Hiei

Explore Hiyoshi Taisha at the base of Mt. Hiei, head shrine of 3,800 Hie shrines nationwid

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Sightseeing🗾 All seasons

Omihachiman Water Town — Voories Architecture and a Reed Maze by Boat

Drift through the reed-lined waterways of Omihachiman on a traditional boat tour, passing