Things to do in Shiga

Shiga Prefecture offers a diverse array of attractions, with many shrines and temples to visit. Hikone Castle and Hōmyō-in Temple are among the 315 places to experience.

Hikone Castle

Hikone Castle

SHIGA · CASTLE

Hikone Castle is a well-preserved castle with strategic significance, worth visiting for its his...

Nagahama Castle

Nagahama Castle

SHIGA · CASTLE

Explore a reconstructed castle keep and museum, once home to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Shiga Safari Museum

Shiga Safari Museum

SHIGA · MUSEUM

See a private collection of taxidermied animals from around the world.

Rittō History Museum

Rittō History Museum

SHIGA · MUSEUM

Explore Ritto's rich history and cultural heritage at this museum and historic residence.

Nagahama Castle History Museum

Nagahama Castle History Museum

SHIGA · MUSEUM

Explore a reconstructed castle keep housing a museum about its dramatic history.

Hōmyō-in Temple

Hōmyō-in Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Hōmyō-in Temple is a historic Tendai sub-temple with a beautiful pond-stroll garden.

Fujigasaki Ryuu Shrine

Fujigasaki Ryuu Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Visit this unique shrine to see a dragon king enshrined on a rock facing Lake Biwa.

Momo Shrine

Momo Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Momo Shrine is a small, ancient shrine in Omihachiman known for asthma prevention and a literary...

Ryūshi Shrine

Ryūshi Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Visit Ryushi Shrine, an ancient site with imperial ties, to experience a piece of Japan's enduri...

Ishiyama-dera Temple

Ishiyama-dera Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

This Shingon Buddhist temple, built around a sacred rock, is where The Tale of Genji was written...

Kuwanomi-dera Temple

Kuwanomi-dera Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Ancient Tendai temple on Mt. Kinugasa, home to important cultural properties and serene views.

Kishitsu Shrine

Kishitsu Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Kishitsu Shrine honors a 7th-century immigrant, featuring a unique octagonal tombstone and Korea...

Mount Mikami

Mount Mikami

A sacred 432-meter peak known as Omi Fuji, offering historic hiking trails and connections to an...

Sakamoto Castle

Sakamoto Castle

SHIGA · CASTLE

Explore the remains of a 16th-century water castle built by Akechi Mitsuhide on Lake Biwa.

Hongan-ji Chikamatsu Betsu-in Temple

Hongan-ji Chikamatsu Betsu-in Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

A historic Jodo Shinshu temple, once a de facto head temple, rebuilt after wartime dismantling.

Honganji hachiman betsu-in Temple

Honganji hachiman betsu-in Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Honganji Hachiman Betsu-in is a historic temple, a base for Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha.

Shingyo-in Temple, Hino-cho

Shingyo-in Temple, Hino-cho

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Shingyo-in Temple is a historic Jodo-shu Buddhist temple with important cultural properties.

Omi Hino Merchant Museum

Omi Hino Merchant Museum

SHIGA · MUSEUM

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

Otsu Kogan Nagisa Park

Otsu Kogan Nagisa Park

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

Biwako Cultural Park

Biwako Cultural Park

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

Biwako Wanwan Oukoku

Biwako Wanwan Oukoku

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

Kamezuka Kofun

Kamezuka Kofun

SHIGA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a unique scallop-shaped burial mound, part of a National Historic Site with ancient arti...

Hyde Memorial Hall and Kyōiku Kaikan

Hyde Memorial Hall and Kyōiku Kaikan

SHIGA · MUSEUM

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

Borderless Art Museum NO-MA

Borderless Art Museum NO-MA

SHIGA · MUSEUM

See Art Brut by disabled artists in a renovated traditional house.

Vories Memorial Hall

Vories Memorial Hall

SHIGA · MUSEUM

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

Sandai Shrine

Sandai Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Sandai Shrine offers ancient artifacts and beautiful wisteria, a peaceful stop in Kusatsu City.

Lake Mishima

Lake Mishima

A historic 13th-century irrigation reservoir in Shiga known for its diverse wildlife, fireflies,...

Setsuko Mitsuhashi Memorial Museum

Setsuko Mitsuhashi Memorial Museum

SHIGA · MUSEUM

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

Kōsaka Shrine

Kōsaka Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Kōsaka Shrine is an ancient shrine in Nagahama City, dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

Kamikoso Shrine

Kamikoso Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Kamikoso Shrine is a historic site dedicated to Kusano Hime no Mikoto, offering a glimpse into a...

Shimoshiotsu Shrine

Shimoshiotsu Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Ancient Shinto shrine in Nagahama City, dedicated to important deities, with a notable annual fe...

Nyuu Shrine

Nyuu Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Nyuu Shrines are ancient Shinto shrines with unique deities and historical architecture.

Nogita Shrine

Nogita Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Nogita Shrine is a historic site in Nagahama City, worth visiting for its ancient roots and uniq...

Oka Shrine

Oka Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Oka Shrine is an ancient shrine established by imperial command, with unique architecture and cu...

Omi Shrine

Omi Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Omi Shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine with a rich history and several relocated shrines.

Imahorihiyoshi Shrine

Imahorihiyoshi Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Ancient shrine with important historical documents, a short walk from HASE NO Station.

Imazu Vories Museum

Imazu Vories Museum

SHIGA · MUSEUM

Explore a historic bank building by William Merrell Vories, now a museum dedicated to his life.

Ikagu Shrine

Ikagu Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Ikagu Shrine is an ancient shrine with a unique gate, dedicated to abundant harvests.

Sakunado Shrine

Sakunado Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Sakunado Shrine, founded in 669, offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese worship and architecture...

Lake Yogo

Lake Yogo

A calm fault lake north of Lake Biwa known for its mirror-like reflections, winter fishing, and...

Tatehaya Shrine (Takashima)

Tatehaya Shrine (Takashima)

SHIGA · SHRINE

Visit Tatehaya Shrine, a historic site on an ancient burial mound, dedicated to important deitie...

Kōmyō-in Temple

Kōmyō-in Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Komyoin is a historic Jodo-shu temple with a unique Jizo-son, a 20-minute walk from Omihachiman...

Hyōzu Taisha

Hyōzu Taisha

SHIGA · SHRINE

Hyōzu Taisha is a historic shrine with a scenic garden and important cultural properties.

Enman-in Temple

Enman-in Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Visit Enman-in Temple to see a historic Monzeki temple, its Important Cultural Property Shinden,...

Katsube Shrine

Katsube Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Katsube Shrine is an ancient shrine with a rich history, home to a unique fire festival.

Ganjo-ji Temple

Ganjo-ji Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

A 7th-century Soto Zen temple in Shiga housing a rare 72-centimeter mermaid mummy and a commemor...

Ikishiro Shrine

Ikishiro Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Ikishiro Shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine with a significant history and a unique bronze spear...

Yoshihime Shrine

Yoshihime Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Yoshihime Shrine is a historic Shikinaisha shrine dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, worth visiti...

Yoshimiko Shrine

Yoshimiko Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Yoshimiko Shrine offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese history and architecture.

Kōgen-ji Temple

Kōgen-ji Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Kōgen-ji Temple houses a rare, ancient, and nationally treasured Eleven-faced Kannon statue.

Karasaki Shrine

Karasaki Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

A historic lakeside shrine founded in 697, famous for its massive pine tree and inclusion in the...

Zensui-ji Temple

Zensui-ji Temple

SHIGA · TEMPLE

Zensui-ji Temple is a Tendai temple with a National Treasure main hall and garden.

Kunitomo Firearms Museum

Kunitomo Firearms Museum

SHIGA · MUSEUM

Explore Nagahama's early firearms history and see antique weapons, including inventions by Kunit...

Kunisazuchi Shrine

Kunisazuchi Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Two ancient village shrines, both dedicated to Kunisazuchi no Mikoto, offering a glimpse into lo...

Sakamoto Shrine

Sakamoto Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Sakamoto Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Kinotsuno no Sukune no Mikoto.

Sakata-shinmeigū

Sakata-shinmeigū

SHIGA · SHRINE

Visit this historic Shinto shrine to see its unique dual structure and ancient crest.

Umoreginoya

Umoreginoya

SHIGA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Umoreginoya, a restored 18th-century samurai residence, for a glimpse into feudal Japan.

Take Island

Take Island

An uninhabited granite island in Lake Biwa home to a historic temple and unique endemic snail sp...

Ookuninushi Shrine (Takashima)

Ookuninushi Shrine (Takashima)

SHIGA · SHRINE

Ookuninushi Shrine is a historic site in Shiga, rebuilt after a typhoon, offering a glimpse into...

Ōshima & Okitsushima Shrine

Ōshima & Okitsushima Shrine

SHIGA · SHRINE

Two ancient shrines, one with an important statue, celebrating with spring festivals.

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