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Shiga Starts Here

Shiga prefecture tends to disappear in the shadow of Kyoto, which almost makes sense. Lake Biwa, Shiga’s premier attraction, is also Kyoto’s primary source of drinking water—and is literally invisible to the city’s residents, unless of course they take the train over to Otsu.

Something similar happens with travelers. Frankly, it’s hard enough for most of us to pry ourselves away from Higashiyama or Arashiyama to take day trips to Nara or Osaka. Heading quite literally off the beaten path to Hikone or Omihachiman is inconceivable.

The great news is that my Shiga travel guide is meant to inspire, not to coerce. Whether you make it eastward to Biwako this trip or 10 trips from now is not my concern. I just want to plant the seed!

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How to Get to Shiga Prefecture

The good news? Although there are some Otsu hotels you can book, you almost certainly don’t need to. Shiga prefecture’s main destinations are all accessible via local JR Lines (specifically, either the Kosei or Biwako Lines) from Kyoto, most of them in less than an hour. Several private railway lines also serve the prefecture, including certain departures of the Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line.

Given this information, you don’t need to think too much about how you’re going to get to Shiga-ken from Kyoto. In almost all cases, Google Maps will provide the fastest and most efficient route if you simply put your destination is. Some destinations, of course, require a decent walk from their respective train stations. If you make peace with this fact, however, you’ll be on easy street as you explore.

My Favorite Things to Do in Shiga Prefecture

Enjoy the view from Enryaku-ji

 

Although typically considered a Kyoto tourist attraction since there’s a cable car leading directly from Kyoto City up to it, Enryaku-ji is technically in Shiga prefecture. So too do its best views look down on Shiga-ken, in particular Lake Biwa itself. I won’t spoil it, but this temple was the site of one of the most brutal massacres in Japan history, which is difficult to imagine these day, with how tranquil it seems.

Admire Hikone and Nagahama Castles

 

Speaking of the Sengoku period, it carries through this Shiga itinerary in less violent ways. I’m thinking in particular of Hikone and Nagahama Castles, which offer plentiful historical and architectural goodness, in addition to the fact that both also offer incredible lake views. Do note that only Hikone-jo is among Japan’s 12 “original” castlesNagahama-jo is a reproduction.

Visit Shirahige Shrine, Japan’s “other” floating gate

 

Want to see the “floating” torii gate of Miyajima island, but don’t have time to make it to Hiroshima? While Shiga’s Shirahige Shrine is neither as grand nor as attraction as Itsukushima‘s, it makes for a worthy substitute. Certainly, most people who see your pictures of it will not question whether it’s the famous one further south and west. Only you will know the secret!

Go back in time in Omihachiman

 

Yet another historical place on this Shiga Japan travel guide is the Omihachiman Merchant District. Located due north of the station of the same name, this is also where you find Hachiman-bori, a canal that’s an attraction in and of itself. I recommend coming here in the morning before visiting Shirahige-jinja, or in the afternoon after the castles.

Come in summer for the fireworks

 

The bad news? There’s only one night a year that you can enjoy fireworks over Lake Biwa. The good news? The Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival is among the most impressive in Japan, and is worth making space in your itinerary. It also tends to be on the same day every year—August 8—though I always recommend verifying this in advance of your trip.

Should You Stay Overnight in Shiga?

In my many years traveling around the prefecture, I have never felt compelled to sleep overnight in Shiga-ken. It’s simply too close to Kyoto—and, more to the point, has too few excellent hotels—to justify this. For that matter, it’s also accessible from Osaka and maybe even Nara as a day trip. There’s just no need to stay there, regardless of where else in the Kansai region is on your itinerary.

Likewise, the discussion of how many days in Shiga you need is moot. If you want to visit multiple destinations and can’t fit them into a single day trip, just come back the next day. There’s simply no reason to entertain the idea of spending the night in Shiga, unless of course there happens to be a dearth of hotels in Kyoto-proper, or you simply can’t bear a 30-minute train ride.

Other FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Shiga Prefecture

What is Shiga prefecture known for?

Shiga prefecture is known primarily for being the home of Lake Biwa. Among the famous attractions around the lake include castles in Hikone and Nagahama, the Omihachiman Merchant District and the “floating” torii of Shirahige Shrine, which is sometimes known as the Miyajima of Kyoto. 

How do I get to Shiga prefecture?

The main tourist areas of Shiga prefecture are easy to reach from Kyoto. You can ride the JR Kosei or Biwako Lines to Otsu and Omihachiman, and all the way to Hikone and Nagahama Castles if you want. Or, you can spice it up and ride the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Maibara, which is much closer to the two castle towns.

Is Shiga in Osaka?

Shiga prefecture is not in Osaka, though it’s relatively close to Osaka. Depending on where in Shiga-ken you’re bound for, you can access it from Osaka either via the local JR Kyoto Line, or by riding the Shinkansen Kodama (and select Hikari departures) from Shin-Osaka to Maibara.

The Bottom Line

I hope my Shiga travel guide inspires you. My sojourns eastward from Kyoto, even before I called the city home, were some of the most unique day trips I ever made, whether I was exploring ancient castles in autumn, warming up along a sunny canal in winter or watching fireworks in summer. If you’re in Kyoto and want to go legitimately off the beaten path—no, Nara is not at all off the beaten path—heading to Shiga makes sense, whether for Lake Biwa itself, or simply on the shores of it by proxy. Another great way to ensure your trip lines up with your expectations for it? Hire me to create a custom Japan itinerary!

 

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