Shiga

Located next to Kyoto, Shiga Prefecture is a beautiful area with broad expanses of natural scenery centering on Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa. It is also rich in cultural heritage and dotted with historic towns and cities such as Otsu and Nagahama. The many renowned sites in the region related to Buddhism and ninja are sure to offer visitors unusual experiences.

Destination Highlights

Lake Biwa

Nature & Outdoors

Lake Biwa is Japan’s largest lake, with a surface area of approximately 670 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and many noted historical sites and is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as boating and fishing on the lake.

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Nagahama

Arts & Culture

Known for its rich history and beautiful lakeshore, Nagahama offers visitors the chance to enjoy the old townscape and craftwork of Kurokabe Square, learn about the history, and take in some stunning scenery at Nagahama Castle Historical Museum.

Hikone Castle

Arts & Culture

Built around 400 years ago, this is an extremely beautiful and popular castle, with many sections of the castle grounds remaining just as they were when it was in use. The cherry trees, beautiful gardens, and museum in the surrounding area make this a sightseeing spot that blends history with nature.

The four seasons of Shiga

Spring

Shiga is a popular spot in spring for cherry blossom viewing, with the blooms along the Lake Biwa Canal and at Hikone Castle being particularly beautiful. Shiga’s temples and traditional townscapes blend particularly well with the spring scenery to create a picturesque atmosphere.

Summer

Fun water activities like boating on Lake Biwa are popular choices for Shiga summers. This is the perfect season to enjoy the outdoors with barbecues or camping on the lakeshore. Shiga offers visitors the chance to enjoy themselves surrounded by natural beauty in summer.

Fall

Fall in Shiga offers the delights of the fall leaves along the canals of Lake Biwa and the changing colors of the season. It's also a nice time to stroll by the lake or walk through the mountains.This is a pleasant season to enjoy both nature and history.

Winter

Shiga’s winter brings beautiful snowy landscapes and welcoming hot springs. Enjoy the tranquil snowscapes of hot spring towns such as ogoto and Nagahama, or experience the night-time illumination and winter festivals that are a winter tradition in many places.

Trip Highlights

[*] Please check local transport from the specified JR stations for these locations

Passes valid in this area

Himeji, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto

Kansai Area Pass

Get unlimited rides in major Kansai areas, including Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama and Otsu and on Kansai-Airport Express HARUKA!

Okayama, Tottori, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto

Kansai WIDE Area Pass

Take an excursion from Kansai to Okayama, Takamatsu, Kinosaki Onsen, Amanohashidate, Tottori and Shirahama!

Hiroshima, Okayama, Tottori, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto

Kansai - Hiroshima Area Pass

Get unlimited rides from Kansai to Hiroshima! It also includes the use of JR-West Miyajima Ferry for Miyajima Island!

Matsue, Tottori, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto

Kansai-San’in Area Pass

Get unlimited rides from Kansai to San'in (Tottori, Shimane, Hagi) and Okayama!

Okayama, Tottori, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama

Kansai - Hokuriku Area Pass

Get unlimited rides from Kansai to Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui!

Hakata, Shin-Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Matsue, Okayama, Tottori, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto

Sanyo - San'in Area Pass

Get unlimited rides from Kansai and Fukuoka to Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori and Shimane!

Hakata, Shin-Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Matsue, Okayama, Tottori, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama

JR-WEST All Area Pass

A single Pass lets you enjoy unexplored areas of West Japan, from Kansai to Hokuriku, Sanyo, San'in and Hakata!

Kobe, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, Nagano, Tokyo, Narita Airport

Hokuriku Arch Pass

Get unlimited rides from Kansai area to Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui!

Nagasaki, Hakata, Saga, Kumamoto, Oita, Shin-Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Matsue, Okayama, Tottori, Kobe, Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Tsuruga, Kusatsu

Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu pass

Further travel from Kansai area to Kyushu area (Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita) in addition to Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori and Shimane!

Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, Nagano, Takayama

Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Travel from Osaka/Nagoya to visit the World Heritage sites of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, as part of a grand tour of the Kanazawa, Toyama, and Gifu areas!

JAPAN RAIL PASS

JAPAN RAIL PASS is a ticket offered jointly by the six JR Group companies, and it is convenient and reasonably priced for traveling throughout Japan by train.

Travel and stay with JR-WEST Group

Find convenient hotels near JR-West stations. Enjoy a comfortable stay with easy access, allowing you to relax and make the most of your trip.

Shiga Hotels List

Make the most of your trip to West Japan

Other sights in the Kansai area

In addition to Osaka and Kyoto, the Kansai area is full of relaxed sightseeing spots where you can enjoy serene natural scenery and historic temples. Spend some time relaxing away from the hectic rush of the larger cities.