Shiga is a beautiful prefecture located in Kansai, at the centre of Japan. It is right between large cities like Osaka and Nagoya, and its capital, Otsu, is only two stations away from Kyoto. Although it doesn’t overlook the sea, Shiga is home to Japan’s biggest lake. While not very deep, Lake Biwa is one of the oldest lakes in the world. The lake has both literally and figuratively been at the heart of the prefecture since time immemorial, and it has shaped the lives of those who live here.
Enjoying Lake Biwa is weaved into local culture, whether it’s fourth-graders going on a 4-hour-or-so train journey around the lake or every fifth-grader boarding the school boat, Uminoko, for a mandatory two-day camp. In addition to the same train ride, visitors can embark on the Michigan paddle boat, a symbol of Shiga’s sister status with the state of Michigan, which leaves from a few ports around Otsu and goes around the southern part of the lake. Other short cruises can bring you to Biwa’s three islands: Chikibushima, with its important temple, Takeshima, the island with a thousand faces, or Okishima, inhabited by both humans and cats.
Another way to enjoy Biwa has been gaining track in the past few years. Biwaichi is Shiga’s cycling road that goes all around the lake, and it’s one of the first designated routes on Japan’s National Cycle Routes. You can concentrate on biking around just the northern or southern part of the Lake, or you can choose to do the whole 193-km trip. Experts can complete the tour in a few hours, but we hope you stop along the way to really enjoy all that Shiga has to offer. Popular stops include Hikone and Nagahama castles, Kaizu Osaki, one of Japan’s famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the spring, and Shirahige Shrine, with its torii gate placed right in the water.
A bit further to the south and away from the Lake, the city of Koka has a few tricks up its sleeve. It’s well known as one of Japan’s ninja cities, and even has a whole not-so-hidden ninja village! You can try your hand at throwing stars or explore the hidden traps and passages of the ninja house. If another type of craft is more up your alley, you can travel even further south to Shigaraki, teeming with tanuki statues and figurines made from the area’s celebrated ceramics. Need an art break? Sit at your own pottery wheel and make your own souvenir!
Shiga has a rich history, magnificent landscapes and, more importantly, a whole lot of friendly faces. We hope you’ll come visit us, and see what a great place it truly is! Find out more on https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/.
