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Oct. 2025

Dedicate a “Wish Daruma” doll on Chikubushima Island!

Chikubushima Island is found on Lake Biwa. Here’s the way to dedicate a traditional “Wish Daruma” doll to the goddess Benzaiten, who is believed to free people from suffering and lead them into happiness. (1) Write your wish along with your name on a special piece of paper. (2) After finishing writing on the paper, roll it up into a tube shape. (3) Insert the paper into the hole on the bottom of the daruma doll. (4) Have someone from the shrine office seal the wish inside using a special sticker. (5) Dedicate the doll in the main hall, pay a prayer fee of 500 yen, and you are finished! Please note that you cannot take the Wish Daruma doll home with you. However, if you make an additional donation along with your 500 yen prayer fee, you can receive a non-retail “Wish Daruma strap” to take home. Here’s hoping that your wish comes true! https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/2472
Oct. 2025

Biwaichi Cycling

Biwaichi Cycling allows you to cycle around the circumference of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan and the symbol of Shiga, while enjoying nature, history and sightseeing spots along the way. A full circuit of the lake is approximately 200km in length, taking experienced cyclists a full day. Others often take two days with one night's lodgings, but a three days, two nights plan actually comes highly recommended! There are lakeside spaces where you can enjoy varied and thrilling seasonal scenery, as well as many historical sites and famous spots along the shores, offering a whole range of fun things to do. The appeal of Lake Biwa is inexhaustible! Grab as much of it as you can from the back of a bicycle! Many of the stations and tourist facilities in Shiga offer renta-cycles, making it easy to get your wheels on the ground. How about sightseeing across Shiga from the back of a bicycle, proceeding entirely at your own leisurely pace? ◆Rent-a-Cycle MAP http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/search/rental/ ◆Pamphlet　download http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/pamphlet/
Oct. 2025

National Treasures and Cultural Assets of Shiga - Koto Area -

Shiga Prefecture boasts a trove of cultural assets. So much so, in fact, that the region ranks third in Japan for the number of buildings designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Assets. Here's an introduction to a castle and two temples in the Koto region. ■Hikone-jo Castle Work started on Hikone-jo Castle in 1604, and took around 20 years to complete. The castle tower itself used materials brought from the five storey Otsu-jo Castle, and is said to have been completed in 1607. The tower is a designated National Treasure, with a combination of different roofing styles that is truly breathtaking. URL: http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/212 ■Saimyoji Temple One of Shiga Prefecture's representative examples of Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) construction, the main temple is designated as the first National Treasure. Constructed in a stunningly beautiful, highly Japanese style, it features a low gradient cypress bark roof and highly decorative curved wooden supports on all the front-facing latticed shutters and the tops of pillars. URL: http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/221 ■Kongourinji Temple "The elegant main temple was created during the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) to commemorate victory in the Mongol invasions of Japan. It is a National Treasure, while the three storey pagoda in the upper left and the gate in front are Important Cultural Assets. The ten pieces inside the main temple, including a standing statue of Acala, are all also from the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) and are Important Cultural Assets, providing a wonderful opportunity to see real history up close." URL:http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/205
Jul. 2025

Mount Ibuki Trekking

Mount Ibuki is the tallest mountain in Shiga Prefecture, boasting a height of 1,377 meters. Located on the border with Gifu Prefecture, it is loved by the people of both regions as one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan. The peak has been known as a treasure-trove of medicinal and alpine plants since ancient times, with certain nationally protected endemic species also growing on its slopes. The legendary prince Yamato Takeru, who appears in both the ancient texts of the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, is also said to have climbed Mount Ibuki. When the mountain and numerous important shrines in the region - Ise Jingu, Kumano Hongu Taisha, Izanagi Jingu, and Motoise Geku Toyo’uke Omikami are connected by straight lines, they create a beautiful five-pointed star on the map. This star is considered to be a Japanese ley line, forming a barrier to protect the ancient capital of Heijo-kyo, and Mount Ibuki is therefore known as a highly spiritual place. You are sure to feel this incredible power as you walk its slopes. https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/260
Jul. 2025

Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival

Enjoy 10,000 fireworks launched into the air over Lake Biwa, a stunning display of light that plays out in harmony with jets of fountain water. As 350,000 people throng the banks of the lake every year, incredible fireworks such as star mines are launched against a backdrop of verdant nature. The venue also offers paid seating, from which you can get the best possible view of all the action. If you wish to use them then you will need to purchase a Ticket for Paid Seating. Please see the website for more details. http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/hanabi/ Date : August 8 ,2019 7:30pm-8:30pm
Jul. 2025

Summertime Fun with the Kids in Shiga

Shiga is a great place to spend your summer holidays! Here’s an introduction to sightseeing spots you can enjoy along with your kids. Blumen Hugel http://www.blumenooka.jp/ Yanmar Museum You can also experience a simulator of Yanmar construction machinery. https://www.yanmar.com/jp/museum/ Rosa & Berry Tawada Ride a steam train and play with ponies, sheep for a full day of fun. http://www.rb-tawada.com/ Planetarium “Digital Star Dome Hotaru” Located inside the Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel. The Pocket Monster program is particularly popular. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/osalb-lake-biwa-marriott-hotel/
May. 2025

O'pal Water Sports Experience

A sports facility located on the shores of the lake at Ogoto. Here you can enjoy a wide range of lake-based marine sports, under the skilled and watchful eye of an instructor. [Use by Schools for School Trips etc.] Offers Lake Biwa Experience Courses aimed at school trips, out of school learning, and integrated learning. All sorts of courses are available, including learning about the environment along the shores of Lake Biwa or experiencing water sports. Plans can be tailored to suit the requirements of each school. * Capacity for 20 - 300 participants. [Use by Families and Friends] A marine sports school that caters to all, even beginners. Skilled instructors lead you safely through a range of possible experiences, including canoes, SUPs and yachts. [URL] http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/88
May. 2025

BSC Water Sports Experience

Amid the lush natural environment provided by Lake Biwa, enjoy lessons and events centered in such thrilling water sports as yachting, kayaking and wind surfing. They also provide a program intended to awaken in young people the desire to protect the environment and nature, through interaction with the great outdoors. [Offered Programs] * Sunrise kayak tour & baking melon bread * Lake Biwa canoe experience & making sunrise loco moco * Team challenge corporate training * Group plans * Course for acquiring certification as a canoe instructor * Yacht school * Wind surfing school * Boat license school * Kayak school [URL] http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/89
May. 2025

Friendship Adventures Water Sports Experience

At Friendship Adventures you can enjoy leisure water sports throughout the year. Particularly popular are the water sports on the Setagawa River during summer! <<Water Sports>> ■Setagawa River Rafting: Shiga is excellently located for access from across the Kansai region, making this rafting course on the Setagawa River the perfect way to enjoy a thrill ride with family and friends! ■Water Tubing: The explosively popular number one attraction! A heart-stopping adventure that takes you over waves and between rocks! This is the only place in all of Kansai to experience it! ■River Bugging: A new river sport fresh from New Zealand. Having first arrived in Japan in 2012, this is still the only place in the entire country to experience it! http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/87
Apr. 2025

Try Funazushi!

Fermented food products are said to be good for your health, and perhaps the ultimate example is Shiga Prefecture’s unique Funazushi. Funazushi is made from the Nigoro-buna fish, also known as the “round crucian carp”, which is only found in Lake Biwa. Combined with rice, it is then fermented, and is also said to be the origin of sushi. It was created as a way to preserve fish in a time before refrigerators existed, and seems to be eaten during the Heian period (794 - 1185). Although some people don’t like its unique smell, it can be enjoyed accompanied with some Japanese sake, just like blue cheese! List to stores where funazushi can be purchased: Sakamotoya https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/47 Hisagozushi https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/174 A video from Only in Japan “This is Funazushi!”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI5Jv5PCctA
Apr. 2025

Biwaichi Cycling

Biwaichi Cycling allows you to cycle around the circumference of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan and the symbol of Shiga, while enjoying nature, history and sightseeing spots along the way. A full circuit of the lake is approximately 200km in length, taking experienced cyclists a full day. Others often take two days with one night's lodgings, but a three days, two nights plan actually comes highly recommended! There are lakeside spaces where you can enjoy varied and thrilling seasonal scenery, as well as many historical sites and famous spots along the shores, offering a whole range of fun things to do. The appeal of Lake Biwa is inexhaustible! Grab as much of it as you can from the back of a bicycle! Many of the stations and tourist facilities in Shiga offer renta-cycles, making it easy to get your wheels on the ground. How about sightseeing across Shiga from the back of a bicycle, proceeding entirely at your own leisurely pace? ◆Rent-a-Cycle MAP http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/search/rental/ ◆Pamphlet　download http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/pamphlet/
Apr. 2025

Lake Biwa Flower Fountain

The Lake Biwa Flower Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world, located in the offing at Otsu Port, the gateway to Lake Biwa tourism. Completed in March of 1995, it has become beloved by many locals and visitors alike. Against the backdrop of beautiful Lake Biwa, the water reaches heights of up to 40m into the air, with varying volumes and angles depicting all sorts of shapes. During the daytime you can enjoy the cool and refreshing scenery, while at night a fantastical world of colorful illumination is created. [Time Held] Afternoon: 12:00 - 13:00 Evening (Sat, Sun, Holidays): 15:00 - 16:00 *Not on weekdays Night: Between 18:00 - 21:00 *Changes depending on the day. The fountain is also illuminated. [Access] 4 min. on foot from Keihan Biwako Hamaotsu Station [URL] http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/100

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