20 Museums in Shiga worth your time

This museum in Omihachiman, designed by William Merrell Vories, showcases his life and work.

What it is

• Museum dedicated to William Merrell Vories.
• Vories was an American architect, evangelist, businessman.
• Designed by Vories, completed in 1931.
• Designated a Cultural Property of Shiga Prefecture.

What to see

• Two-story wooden building with Western design.
• Clapboard exterior, gabled roof, chimney, double-glazed windows.
• Interior with Western and Japanese-style tatami rooms.
• Photographs of Vories and Makiko.
• Piano brought from the United States.
• Example of Vories’s own calligraphy.

When to go

• Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Closed Mondays and public holidays.
• Closed December 1 to January 15 for exhibit changes.
• Visits must be reserved in advance by telephone.

Official site

vories.com

Read more about Vories Memorial Hall

This museum and hilltop earthworks offer history and views of Nagahama and Lake Biwa.

What it is

• Museum at the base of Odani Castle hill.
• Introduces history of the fortress and daimyo.
• Odani Castle was bastion of the Azai family.
• Azai family were samurai lords in 16th century.

What to see

• Hilltop earthworks of Odani Castle.
• Sweeping views of Nagahama and Lake Biwa.
• Museum displays maps, diagrams, and dioramas.
• Descriptions of Azai family members (in Japanese).
• Castle fortifications along two mountain ridges.
• 495-meter peak where ridges meet.

What to do

• Hike to the top of Odani Castle.
• Tour the museum at the base of the hill.
• Hike the full 5-kilometer circuit (2.5 hours).

Official site

www.eonet.ne.jp

Read more about Odani Castle Sengoku Historical Museum

This folk museum offers hands-on activities and exhibits about Edo period life and the Azai family.

What it is

• Folk museum in eastern Nagahama.
• Focuses on life during the Edo period (1603–1867).
• Dedicated to the history of the ruling Azai family.

What to see

• Cluster of buildings centered on a garden and koi pond.
• Dioramas, models, and hands-on activities.
• Traditional minka farmhouses, one built in 1804.
• Period furnishings, tatami mat rooms, earthen-floored entrance.
• Silk-making operation displays from raising silkworms to spinning.
• Mockup forge showing blacksmith tool production.

When to go

• Reserve in advance for traditional and agrarian activities.

Address

〒526-0251　滋賀県長浜市大依町528 Map

Official site

www.city.nagahama.lg.jp

Read more about Azai Folklore Museum

Nagahama Railway Square showcases Japan's oldest station building and climbable locomotives, detailing early Japanese train travel.

What it is

• Museum of early Japanese train travel.
• Dedicated to Nagahama's role in transport and commerce.
• Features Japan’s oldest extant station building, completed 1882.

What to see

• Oldest extant station building, completed 1882.
• Antique furnishings and replica ticket booth.
• Life-sized figures of station staff and travelers.
• Exhibit hall with dioramas and illustrations.
• Miniature train loop of the present-day city.
• Decommissioned D51 steam engine and ED70 electric locomotive.

When to go

• Anytime to see modern trains rumble past.

Address

滋賀県長浜市北船町1-41 Map

Official site

kitabiwako.jp

Read more about Nagahama Railway Square

See a full-scale replica of Azuchi Castle's top floors, including gold-leafed paintings.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Azuchi Castle, called the "House of Nobunaga."
• Houses a full-scale replica of the castle's 5th and 6th floors.
• The replica was first exhibited at the 1992 Seville Expo.

What to see

• Replica of Azuchi Castle's top two floors.
• Interior reproduces gold-leafed wall paintings by Kano Eitoku.
• VR Azuchi Castle Theater screens a 15-minute short movie.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Azuchi Station.
• 15-minute bicycle ride from Azuchi Station.
• About 40 minutes by car from Hikone IC.

Address

800 [[Azuchi]]-cho-Kuwanomi-ji Map

Official site

www.zc.ztv.ne.jp

Read more about Azuchi Castle Museum, the "House of Nobunaga"

Explore a merchant's historic home, showcasing unique collections and cultural properties.

What it is

• A museum in Hino Town, Shiga Prefecture.
• Uses the former main residence of Heiemon Yamanaka, an Omi Hino merchant.
• Opened in 1981 as the Hino Town History and Folklore Museum.

What to see

• Six buildings registered as national tangible cultural properties.
• The main residence, rebuilt in 1936.
• A collection of 4,096 Daruma dolls.
• The oldest existing domestic wine.
• Stone medicines imported through Nagasaki trade.
• A letter describing the Ako Incident.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Okubo bus stop.

Address

〒529-1603　滋賀県蒲生郡日野町大窪1011 Map

Official site

hinosyouninkan.jp

Read more about Omi Hino Merchant Museum

A small museum in Otsu City, dedicated to painter Setsuko Mitsuhashi and her art.

What it is

• A private museum for Japanese painter Setsuko Mitsuhashi.
• It introduces the life of Setsuko Mitsuhashi.
• It is located in Nagara Park.

What to see

• Early works depicting plants are exhibited.
• Later works based on Omi Biwako folk tales are displayed.
• A Yamaha upright piano used by Mitsuhashi is on display.
• Family photos are exhibited.
• The last letter written to her family is displayed.
• Art books and postcards are sold at the reception.

When to go

• The museum is closed on Mondays.

Address

滋賀県大津市小関町1-1 Map

Official site

www.city.otsu.lg.jp

Read more about Setsuko Mitsuhashi Memorial Museum

Explore Ishibe-juku's highway culture and history at this museum.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Opened in 1985 as an Ishibe Town facility.
• Renamed in 2004 after becoming a Konan City facility.
• Focuses on Ishibe-juku and highway culture.

What to see

• 1/20 scale model of Kojima Honjin.
• Map of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō.
• Historical materials like daimyo palanquins.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays and the day after holidays.

Getting there

• 8-minute drive from JR Kusatsu Line Ishibe Station.

Address

〒520-3116　滋賀県湖南市雨山2-1-1 Map

Official site

www.city.shiga-konan.lg.jp

Read more about Ishibe Historical Museum

Explore a historic post town's past through two preserved buildings, including a unique 1915 post office.

What it is

• A museum utilizing cultural heritage buildings.
• Opened on November 12, 2000.
• Located in Samegai-juku on the Nakasendo road.
• Consists of two distinct facilities.

What to see

• Former Samegai Post Office building, built 1915.
• Wooden two-story pseudo-Western style post office.
• Post office registered as tangible cultural property in 1998.
• Kawaguchi Family Residence, built in the Edo period.
• Wooden one-story Kawaguchi Family Residence.
• Residence is a designated cultural property of Maibara City.

Read more about Samegai Post-town Historical Folk Museum

Explore Shiga's history from ancient times to castles at this archaeological museum.

What it is

• A registered museum specializing in castles and archaeology.
• Opened in 1992, re-opened March 18, 2025.
• Successor to the Shiga Prefectural Omi Fudoki-no-oka Museum.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition room for the Yayoi period.
• Permanent exhibition room for the Kofun period.
• Permanent exhibition room for the Sengoku period.
• Permanent exhibition room for the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
• Outdoor exhibition of the Old Miyaji Family Residence.
• Outdoor exhibition of the Old Yanagihara School building.

Address

〒521-1311　滋賀県近江八幡市安土町下豊浦6678 Map

Official site

azuchi-museum.or.jp

Read more about Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum

This museum showcases woodcarvings by Daizo Mori in a scenic riverside setting.

What it is

• A private museum in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Opened in October 2002.
• Dedicated to sculptor Daizo Mori's woodcarving works.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition of sculptor Daizo Mori's works.
• A two-story wooden building.
• Faces the Jizo River in Samegai.

When to go

• Open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
• Hours are 10:00 to 16:00, last admission 15:30.
• Closed from December to March.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Samegai Station.

Address

滋賀県米原市醒井95 Map

Read more about Samegai Woodcarving Art Museum

Explore Azuchi Castle's history and architecture through detailed models and exhibits.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Azuchi Castle.
• Located in Azuchi-cho, Omihachiman City.

What to see

• 1/20 scale model of Azuchi Castle tower.
• 1/7 scale model of the castle tower's 5th and 6th floors.
• Large ceramic panel mural.
• Azuchi Bunko, a collection of books.
• Azuchi Castle folding screen paintings for sale.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed Mondays, except on holidays.

Getting there

• One-minute walk from Azuchi Station.

Official site

www.azuchi-shiga.com

Read more about Azuchi Castle Museum

Stunning architecture and ancient art collection, mostly underground, designed by I.M. Pei.

What it is

• A registered museum in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.
• Opened in November 1997.
• Exhibits the collection of Mihoko Koyama.
• Designed by architect I.M. Pei.

What to see

• 80% of the building's volume is underground.
• Over 2000 items from various regions and eras.
• Statue of Horus and statue of Arsinoe II.
• Painting of Enmaten and a Jizo Bosatsu statue.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Ishiyama Station.
• Accessible by bus from Shigaraki Station.

Address

滋賀県甲賀市信楽町田代桃谷300 Map

Official site

www.miho.jp

Read more about Miho Museum

This museum showcases Nagahama's Hikiyama Festival floats and traditional arts.

What it is

• A museum introducing the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival.
• Opened in 2000, renovated in 2023.
• Renovation supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
• Its Hamabutudan is a Nagahama castle town heritage.

What to see

• Four real hikiyama floats are permanently stored.
• Two hikiyama floats are displayed alternately.
• A repair dock for the festival floats.
• Training school for traditional arts.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from JR Nagahama Station.

Address

滋賀県長浜市元浜町14-8 Map

Official site

nagahama-hikiyama.or.jp

Read more about Nagahama Hikiyama Museum

Explore a large, historic inn where feudal lords and emperors once stayed.

What it is

• A honjin, a high-status inn for feudal lords.
• Appointed in 1635 to the Tanaka Shichizaemon family.
• Also known as Kiya Honjin due to a lumber business.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• One of the largest existing honjin buildings.
• Site where Asano Naganori and Kira Yoshinaka stayed.
• Rooms where Princess Kazunomiya stopped in 1861.
• The place Emperor Meiji had lunch in 1868.

When to go

• Opened to the public in 1996.

Address

滋賀県草津市草津1-2-8 Map

Official site

www.city.kusatsu.shiga.jp

Read more about Kusatsu-Juku Honjin

Explore a 17th-century ninja residence with secret passages and historical artifacts.

What it is

• A ninja residence in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Built in the Genroku era.
• Residence of Mochizuki Izumonokami.
• Added to Japan Heritage in 2019.

What to see

• Mochizuki family crest on the tiles.
• Revolving door and a pitfall.
• Hidden ladders and hidden rooms.
• Exhibits Koka-ryu Densho and shuriken.
• Taste and buy Kenpo-cha, a ninja secret beverage.

Getting there

• 5-minute taxi ride from Konan Station.
• 3-minute drive from Konan IC.

Official site

www.kouka-ninjya.com

Read more about Koka Ninja House

Kurokabe Glass Shop: a historic bank building reborn as a glass art hub, worth visiting for its unique architecture and crafts.

What it is

• A glass shop in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Opened in 1989 in a former bank building.
• The building was constructed in 1900.
• It is part of the Kurokabe Square area.

What to see

• A wooden structure based on a storehouse.
• Restored black exterior walls.
• Registered as a national tangible cultural property.
• Many glass shops, studios, galleries, and museums nearby.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from JR Biwako Line Nagahama Station.

Address

滋賀県長浜市元浜町12-38 Map

Official site

www.kurokabe.co.jp

Read more about Kurokabe Glass Shop

Japan's only public museum dedicated to preserving mimeograph printing technology.

What it is

• Japan's only public museum on mimeograph technology.
• Opened in April 1998.
• Preserves the mimeograph printing technique.

What to see

• First "Miriagraph" machine is on exhibit.
• A.B. Dick Company's "Mimeograph" set is displayed.
• Existing houses built from late Meiji to early Showa.
• Western-style building is a tangible cultural property.
• A wooden "Gariban Hall" was built in 2015.

Getting there

• Accessible by Omi Railway bus.

Read more about Gariban Denshōkan Museum

See modern Japanese and international art in a renovated museum building.

What it is

• A prefectural art museum in Shiga Prefecture.
• Opened in August 1984, renovated and reopened in 2021.
• Located within Biwako Culture Park's culture zone.

What to see

• Modern Japanese paintings and local art.
• Post-war American contemporary art and Art Brut.
• Works by Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Picasso.
• Large maquette of Alexander Calder's 'Flamingo' in the courtyard.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Seta Station.

Address

〒520-2122　滋賀県大津市瀬田南大萱町1740-1 Map

Official site

www.shiga-kinbi.jp

Read more about Shiga Museum of Art

Explore two historic 1931 buildings by William Merrell Vories, including where Helen Keller lectured.

What it is

• Two historic buildings, Hyde Memorial Hall and Kyoiku Kaikan.
• Both were built in 1931.
• Designed by William Merrell Vories.
• Designated national tangible cultural properties in 2000.

What to see

• Hyde Memorial Hall, a wooden two-story building.
• Kyoiku Kaikan, a wooden one-story building with a partial second floor.
• Site where Helen Keller lectured in 1937.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from Omihachiman Station.

Official site

www.vories.ac.jp

Read more about Hyde Memorial Hall and Kyōiku Kaikan