Shiga Prefecture
A prefecture surrounding Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, right next to Kyoto, with historic castles such as Hikone Castle and lakeside scenery.
Shiga Prefecture is in the northeastern Kinki region. Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake, covers about one-sixth of the prefecture. Around the lake you will find the National Treasure Hikone Castle, Omi-Hachiman's canal town and merchant streets, and Nagahama's Kurokabe district, while Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei is the head temple of the Tendai sect and Shigaraki is famous for its pottery. Omi beef is another local specialty. Cherry blossoms along the lake in spring, water activities in summer, and autumn foliage are all appealing. From Kyoto, the JR Biwako Line reaches places such as Otsu in a few minutes to a few dozen minutes, and the Tokaido Shinkansen stops at Maibara.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Classic Kansai: Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Himeji – A classic introductory Kansai route connecting Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Himeji by rail.
- Kyoto First-Timer's Classics – Cover Gion, Higashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji in three days, seeing Kyoto's core sights in one trip.
- Japan Golden Route: Tokyo, Hakone, Kansai & Hiroshima – Travel west from Tokyo through Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji to Hiroshima, returning to Osaka for departure.
- Tokyo to Kyoto via Japan Alps – Bypass the Tokaido and take the mountain route from Tokyo to Kyoto via Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama, and Kanazawa.
- Kyoto In Depth: 5 Days with a Day Trip to Nara – Stay in Gion and Higashiyama for five days, exploring the north and east of the city, Ginkaku-ji and Arashiyama, with a…
- Kyoto and Day Trips to Amanohashidate and Mount Koya – Use Kyoto Station as your base, combining classic city sights with a day trip to Uji and Amanohashidate and Ine, plus a…
- Kyoto Autumn Foliage Temple Tour – Visit Tofuku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera at night, Ohara, Kurama and Kibune, Arashiyama and Eikan-do by area during foliage seaso…
- Zen Gardens of Northwest Kyoto – Spend two days focusing on Daitoku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji, the moss garden of Saiho-ji and the Sokei Pond at Tenryu-ji…
- Osaka as Base: Kyoto, Nara and Mount Koya – Stay in Namba, take day trips to Kyoto and Nara, then spend one night in a Mount Koya temple lodging to experience morn…
- Tokyo, Hokuriku, Takayama & Kyoto Northern Route – Skip the Tokaido route and travel via Karuizawa, Nagano, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama to Kyoto.
- Lake Biwa, Omihachiman, Hikone & Chikubushima – Travel along the eastern shore of Lake Biwa from Kyoto to see canal towns, the national treasure Hikone Castle, and cro…
- Seoul, Busan, Fukuoka & Tokyo Ferry & Rail Journey – A classic Korea-Japan overland journey, taking an overnight ferry from Busan to Fukuoka, then riding the Shinkansen to…