On Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, there are a total of four islands, and one of them belongs to Hikone City‘s administrative area. Takei Island (多景島) is a small island with a circumference of about 600 meters, floating about 6.5 km off the city’s coast. Similar to Chikubu Island, which isn’t too far away, the …
Takei Island – The Small Sacred Island on Lake Biwa Read More »
One of the most famous attractions around Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, is Hikone Castle (彦根城). The castle was never besieged and thus maintained its graceful appearance throughout the past 400 years. Because of its beautiful scenery, even those who aren’t interested in castles tend to pay it a visit when they travel to Shiga …
Hikone Castle – Hikone’s Best Cherry Blossom Destination Read More »
Nagahama, the second biggest city in Shiga Prefecture, is rich in history and nature. Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s success in becoming the leader of Japan in the second half of the 16th century was said to have started from here. The city at the northmost of Shiga Prefecture is next to both Fuki and Gifu Prefecture, making …
Nagahama – The City Where Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Legend Begins Read More »
Nagahama Castle (長浜城) at the northeastern lakeshore of Lake Biwa is known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s starting point for becoming the leader of Japan. Even if you aren’t interested in Japanese history and the Japanese castle, you might still want to visit the castle park in spring. Usually, from early to mid-April, the cherry trees blossom …
Nagahamajō – The Castle that Leads to Hideyoshi’s Success Read More »
Chikubu Island (竹生島), floating on the northern Lake Biwa, has been a sacred island since ancient times. Together with the Benzaiten in Enoshima (江ノ島) and Miyajima (宮島), the Benzaiten enshrined on the island are together known as the Three Great Benzaiten in Japan. Also, the Hōngon-ji Temple (宝厳寺) on the island is the 30th temple …
Chikubu Island – The Mysterious Sacred Island on Lake Biwa Read More »
Biwako Hakodateyama (びわこ箱館山) has long been a popular ski resort in Shiga Prefecture. But more recently, it has come to be known as one of the biggest resort parks in the Kansai region. The scenery up in the mountain will definitely woo you that you will want to keep going back!
If you plan to come to Kansai for the cherry blossoms, consider Kaizu Ōsaki (海津大崎), one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots! Along the 4 km lakeshore, there are around 800 cherry trees, old and young, that usually blossom in early to mid-April (the exact date of full bloom varies each year). As one …
Kaizu Ōsaki – Shiga’s Ultimate Cherry Blossom Destination Read More »
Because of the Battle of Shizugatake (賤ヶ岳の戦い) in 1583 between Hashiba Hideyoshi (羽柴秀吉) and Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家), Mt. Shizugatake is not only a scenic destination but also a pilgrimage spot for Japanese history buffs. Around the summit, monuments of the battlefield and those who died in the war commemorate the historic event. At the same …
Shizugatake – The Stunning Attraction with a Bloody History Read More »
Ōtsu, the capital of Shiga Prefecture, is filled with rich cultural and historical elements. What many aren’t aware of is the fact that Ōtsu was once Japan’s capital. Although it only lasted for five years, we are sure after you admire the scenery of Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, it won’t be hard to understand …
Ōtsu – A City that Has a History and Stunning Scenery Read More »
You probably all know about the great torii gate standing in the sea in Miyajima/Hiroshima, but did you know you don’t need to travel all the way down south for a similar view? Just north of Kyoto in Shiga Prefecture, Shirahige Shrine (白鬚神社) is another shrine in Japan that has its torii gate in the …
Shirahige Shrine and the Torii Gate in Lake Biwa Read More »