11 Parks in Shiga worth your time

This botanical garden offers one of Japan's largest collections of lotus and water lily plants.

What it is

• Botanical garden opened in 1996.
• Dedicated to lotuses and water lilies.
• Located on Lake Biwa's southeastern shore.

What to see

• One of Japan's largest collections of lotus plants.
• 150 varieties of water lilies, 100 varieties of lotus.
• Lotus Pavilion with theater, exhibits, greenhouse.
• Outdoor terrace with a small lotus pond.
• Hanakage Pond, a water lily pond inspired by Monet.
• Wetland Garden with Japanese irises and autumnal grasses.

When to go

• Busiest in June and July when flowers bloom.
• Aquatic plants can be seen all year round.

Getting there

• Bus from west exit of JR Kusatsu Station.

Address

〒525-0001　滋賀県草津市下物町1091 Map

Official site

www.seibu-la.co.jp

Read more about Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden

A unique park in Shiga for sabo learning with a water slide and camping.

What it is

• A park in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Created for sabo learning.
• Owned and managed by Koka City.

What to see

• A weir and a rain experience machine.
• The popular water slide "Namera Falls".
• A management building and training room.
• A cooking building and a lawn area.
• A campground with 22 tent sites.

When to go

• Open from April 1 to November 30.
• Water slide cleaned by mid-July.

Getting there

• 20 minutes from Shin-Meishin Expressway Tsuchiyama Interchange.

Read more about Takama Mizube Park

This village recreates a ninja settlement where visitors can learn ninja skills and see historical artifacts.

What it is

• Recreated traditional country ninja settlement.
• Attractions suitable for all ages.
• Features hands-on ninja skill activities.

What to see

• Authentic and historically significant village structures.
• Koka Ninjutsu Museum in a thatched-roof building.
• Ninja artifacts from the Bansenshukai text.
• Ancestral Fujibayashi family home, the Karakuri Yashiki.
• Karakuri Yashiki has revolving door, hidden stairs, escape route.
• Shuriken Dojo for throwing stars and obstacle course.

Official site

koka.ninpou.jp

Read more about Kōka Ninja Village

Shiga Prefectural Kibogaoka Culture Park offers diverse zones for culture, sports, and outdoor activities.

What it is

• A large prefectural park covering 4,160,000 square meters.
• Construction began in 1969, completed in September 1974.
• Divided into culture, sports, and outdoor activity zones.

What to see

• Culture zone facilities around Seinen-no-Shiro.
• Sports zone for track and field, ball games, and tennis.
• Outdoor activity zone with camping facilities.

When to go

• Closed Mondays from October to February.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Address

滋賀県野洲市 Map

Read more about Shiga Prefecture Kibōgaoka Cultural Park

Step back to Edo Japan at this park recreating a historic post town.

What it is

• An urban park opened in 1985.
• Recreates the townscape of Ishibe-juku.
• Ishibe-juku was a Tokaido post station.

What to see

• Recreated barrier gate, farmhouses, inns, and tea houses.
• Interiors of buildings are open to the public.
• Exhibits folklore materials from the Edo period.
• Tokaido Ishibe-juku History and Folklore Museum is attached.

Getting there

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

Read more about Ishibe-shukuba-no-sato

Otsu Kogan Nagisa Park offers lakeside views and recreation along Lake Biwa's shore.

What it is

• An urban park along Lake Biwa's shore.
• Completed in September 1998.
• Extends 4.8 km along the lake shore.
• Divided into six distinct areas.

What to see

• Lake Biwa's scenic views.
• Sports and cultural facilities.
• German restaurant and public pool in Sunshine Beach.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Biwako Line Otsu Station.
• 3-minute walk from Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line Shimanoseki Station.

Read more about Otsu Kogan Nagisa Park

Biwako Cultural Park offers art, history, and a Japanese garden in a large urban park.

What it is

• A Shiga Prefectural urban park in Otsu City.
• Known as the "Culture Zone."
• Construction began in April 1978.
• Opened in September 1984.

What to see

• Shiga Prefectural Buried Cultural Properties Center.
• Shiga Prefectural Library.
• Shiga Prefectural Museum of Modern Art.
• Japanese garden "Yushoteru no Niwa."
• Tea house "Yushoteru-an."
• Park expanded to 43.20 hectares.

Official site

www.seibu-la.co.jp

Read more about Biwako Cultural Park

Japan's largest dog theme park, now closed, once offered unique dog-related entertainment.

What it is

• Japan's largest dog theme park.
• Opened on October 31, 1998.
• Closed on January 31, 2005.
• Operated by Wanwan Oukoku.

What to see

• Approximately 80 breeds and 360 dogs.
• Dog circuses, shows, races, and parades.
• A shopping corner with dog supplies.
• A 13-meter tall dog statue named Biwako.
• The dog statue's face was an observation deck.

Official site

www.wanwanohkoku.com

Read more about Biwako Wanwan Oukoku

Naraga Park is an urban park in Otsu, known for its cherry blossoms and artistic tributes.

What it is

• Urban park in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Development planned in 1892, approved in 1902.

What to see

• Monument with a poem by Taira no Tadadori.
• Nagara Creative Exhibition Hall.
• Works by painter Setsuko Mitsuhashi in the hall.
• Approximately 900 cherry trees.
• Cherry varieties include Someiyoshino, Yamazakura, Yaezakura.

Read more about Naraga Park

Kojinyama Park offers sports facilities and a children's center in Hikone City.

What it is

• An urban park in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture.
• It hosts the Hikone City Children's Center.

What to see

• A baseball field with seating for 400 people.
• Four rubber chip tennis courts.
• One asphalt tennis court for wheelchairs.
• A ground golf course with four courses.
• A multi-purpose plaza for soccer.

Address

滋賀県彦根市日夏町4769 Map

Official site

www.koujinyama-park.com

Read more about Hikone City Kōjin-yama Park

An artificial island in Lake Biwa with a park and sports facilities, good for recreation.

What it is

• An artificial island in Lake Biwa.
• Construction began in 1978.
• Developed as a park facility.
• Entire island belongs to Kusatsu City.

What to see

• Yabase Kihan Island Park.
• A campground within the park.
• Various sports facilities.

Official site

www.hikari-g.com

Read more about Yabase Kihan Island