Information

Shiga prefecture is almost in the middle of Japan. There is Lake Biwa, which is the largest in Japan, and there are various landscapes around the lakeside, and it shows a colorful expression in the four seasons and the change of time.

Access

About 40 minutes from Kyoto city to the entrance of Lake Biwa.

5 MUST-SEE spots

Lake Biwa

The largest freshwater lake in Japan in Shiga Prefecture is Lake Biwa. The area is 1/6 of the whole prefecture, and it is a lake larger than Awaji Island.

Information

Water level: 85.614m (based on the average low tide level in Osaka Bay) Almost the height of the castle tower of Osaka Castle
Lake area: Approximately 670.25 square kilometers / Approximately 1/6 of the area of Shiga prefecture
Lake shore extension: Approximately 235km / Almost between Otsu and Hamamatsu
Lake volume: Approximately 27.5 billion cubic kilometers / Approximately 1,000 pieces of Amagase Dam in Kyoto Prefecture
Maximum water depth: 103.58m / North Lake average depth about 43m, South Lake average depth about 4m
Long axis: 63.49km / Between Shiozu, Nishiazai Town and Seta, Otsu City
Maximum width: 22.80km / Between Shimosakahama-cho, Nagahama-shi and Shinasahi-cho Aiba
Minimum width: 1.35km / Same as the length of Lake Biwa Bridge

Hikone Castle

Hikone Castle, which is one of the famous castles in the world along with Himeji Castle, was built by Naotsugu Ii and Naotaka over a period of about 20 years, and was completed in 1622. Did. The stone walls and lumber of Sawa Yamashiro, Azuchi Castle, Nagahama Castle, and Otsu Castle were used. Hikone Castle floating in the moonlight is beautiful and is counted as one of the eight views of Lake Biwa. You can see the magnificent appearance of Hikone Castle, which escaped the abolition of the castle or the war in the Meiji era, by taking a walk inside the castle. Also, the name of Hikone Castle, also known as Konkijo, is said to be because the statue of Kannon riding a gold turtle was enshrined in a temple on Mt. Hikone before the construction of Hikone Castle. It is a nationally designated special historic site.

Inquiry

Hikone Castle
TEL: 0749-22-2742
FAX: 0749-22-2905

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

The head temple of the Tendai sect, which has a vast temple area on Mt. Hiei. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage in 1994. At the end of the Nara period, 19-year-old Saicho climbed Mt. Hiei and tied Soan. After Saicho studied abroad in China and founded the Tendai sect, he became the highest position in the Japanese religious world for about 1200 years with Kogobuji, which was opened by Kobo Daishi. Enchin (814-891), Enchin, Jien, who reigned and later supported Japanese Buddhism from Mt. Hiei, Genshin, Honen, Shinran, Ippen, Dogen It has produced master priests such as and Nichiren. It is said that at the end of the Heian period, when it was at its peak, it counted three towers, sixteen valleys, and three thousand bos. During this period, the conflict between the subordinates became fierce, and the temple gate of Mitsui-ji, which was separated, is called the mountain gate.

Inquiry

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple
TEL: 077-578-0001

Sagawa Art Museum

It is a museum on the shores of Lake Biwa, looking up at the Hiei and Hira Mountains. The silhouette, combined with the beauty of the water garden that occupies most of the site, emphasizes the “space” of “light and shadow” and creates a sense of unity with the surrounding landscape.
In a luxurious space called “Museum Floating on Water”, the exhibition hall of Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama (1930-2009), sculptor Churyo Sato (1912-2011), and ceramist Kakichi Saemon You can take a leisurely look at the works of the three masters.
We also hold special exhibitions in special exhibition rooms, manufacturing workshops for parents and children, museum concerts, and tea ceremonies several times a year.

Information

Location: 2891 Kitagawa, Mizuho-cho, Moriyama-shi
Access: Public transport
15 minutes by bus from “Katata” on the JR Kosei Line Sagawa Art Museum bus stop
Get off at “Moriyama” on the JR Biwako Line, 35 minutes by bus, Sagawa Art Museum bus stop
car
[From the direction of Nagoya]
About 30 minutes from the Meishin Expressway Ritto IC via the Moriyama Ritto Line
[From Kyoto / Osaka]
From the Meishin Expressway Kyoto East IC, Kosei Road Mano Exit
Approximately 30 minutes via Lake Biwa Bridge
About 30 minutes north of the Lake Road from the Meishin Expressway Seta Nishi IC
Parking lot: 70 ordinary cars, 7 large cars, 2 for disabled people
Fees: [Admission fee] General: 1,000 yen, College students: 600 yen, Free for junior high school students and younger (must be accompanied by a guardian)
Business hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (admission is until 16:30)
Regular holiday: Monday

Shiragaki

From the pottery of the Haruka Tenpyo era to the works of the early modern period are exhibited by age, and you can see the history of Shigaraki ware at a glance. Contemporary exhibitions are also held at all times, providing a base for disseminating information and culture. Shigaraki sightseeing starts after collecting information here.