Travelling in Shiga: Places to Go, Getting Around and Sample Plans

Shiga suits travellers based in Kyoto who want to escape the crowds yet still feel history. The prefecture is dominated by Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake, ringed by castle towns, old trading towns, mountain temples and fishing villages. Its closeness to Kyoto makes day trips easy, yet there is enough detail to justify an overnight stay.

Who it suits and how many days to allow

One day suits Hikone plus Nagahama, or Otsu plus Ishiyama-dera. One night adds Omi-Hachiman and a walk beside the lake. Two nights or more suit going up Mount Hiei, visiting Shigaraki or exploring the northern shore. It fits history, nature and cycling fans, and is a weaker choice for anyone wanting lots of shops and nightlife.

Best time to go and weather

Spring brings cherry blossom around Hikone Castle and the shoreline. Autumn colours Mount Hiei and the mountain temples. Summer suits boating and lakeside relaxing but is hot and humid. In winter the north of the prefecture gets more snow than the south, so conditions differ between north and south. Check forecasts in advance.

Getting there and getting around

From Kyoto, JR Tokaido (Biwako) Line trains reach Otsu, Hikone or Nagahama directly in roughly tens of minutes up to an hour, depending on the destination. The shinkansen stops at Maibara, a transfer point for local lines. Around the lake there are buses, boats and rental bicycles, though you need to plan by timetable. A rental car helps if you want many stops in a day, but watch parking in old towns.

Must-see places

• Hikone Castle: a National Treasure, with the Genkyu-raku-en garden.
• Nagahama: the old Kurokabe Square of glass shops and lakeside promenade.
• Ishiyama-dera and Otsu, known for age and lake views.
• Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei: the great Tendai temple complex and World Heritage site.

Lesser-known stops

Omi-Hachiman keeps old canals and merchant houses, good for strolling or a canal boat ride. Shigaraki in Koka is known for pottery and tanuki figures. Makino's metasequoia avenue is a long row of trees that looks wonderful in autumn. Anyone wanting a lakeside rest could pick the beaches and waterside homes around Omi, a quieter summer choice.

Areas to know

Food and souvenirs

Shiga is known for Omi beef, a local brand, and funa-zushi, a fermented sushi made from Lake Biwa fish with a distinctive smell that may not suit everyone, so try other dishes first. Other local foods include grilled sweetfish and lake fish, plus mochi and Japanese sweets from old towns. Popular souvenirs are Shigaraki pottery, tanuki sweets and handmade goods from Nagahama.

Sample budget

For a day trip from Kyoto, spending is mostly rail fares and food, at moderate levels. Lodging in Shiga is more limited than in Kyoto, so book early around autumn colour and holidays. Prices shift with the season, so check JR West, ferry operators and accommodation sites before deciding.

Short sample plan

1. Day 1: Kyoto to Hikone for the castle and Genkyu-raku-en garden, then on to Nagahama.
2. Day 2: Omi-Hachiman canals, then Otsu for Ishiyama-dera before returning to Kyoto.

Lake Biwa is the heart of the prefecture, so it helps to choose one side of the lake per day rather than trying to circle it. The west shore, around Otsu and Sakamoto, pairs well with temple visits, while the east and north shores suit castle towns, canals and lakeside walks. Distances look short on a map but local trains and buses can be sparse, so build in slack for waiting and for a slower pace than a big city day.

When changing between local trains or waiting for lakeside buses, live maps and timetable checks save time. An eSIM set up before the trip suits this kind of travel.

ראו מסלולי eSIM יפן

Good to know / FAQ