Search
Brazil
Antarctica
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Bermuda
Canada
the United States
Greenland
Mexico
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
the Dominican RepublicJapanTurkey
South Africa
Egypt
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Shiga · Japan
The largest lake in Japan and, on its eastern shore, the original Hikone Castle, the canals and merchant houses of Omihachiman, the ruins of Oda Nobunaga’s castle, and the sacred island of Chikubu.
In the photo: Chikubu Island on Lake Biwa.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Lake Biwa, in Shiga Prefecture, is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, about 670 km², and lies just east of Kyoto. For centuries it was the waterway between the capital and the eastern part of the country, and the towns on the lake’s eastern shore, along the old Nakasendo and Tokaido routes, preserve castles, shrines, and merchant districts from that era.
Hikone is the best known. Hikone Castle, completed in 1622 by the Ii family, retains its original main keep, a national treasure, atop a hill overlooking the lake, and below it is the Genkyu-en garden. From the city port, boats sail to Chikubu Island in the northern part of the lake, home to a temple and a shrine dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten.
Further south, Omihachiman grew around a canal, the Hachiman-bori, dug to bring boats from the lake into the town center, and it was the birthplace of the Omi merchants, who made fortunes selling across the country. The merchants’ houses, white-walled warehouses, and the Himure Hachimangu shrine form a well-preserved neighborhood. Nearby, in the former Azuchi district, are the ruins of Oda Nobunaga’s castle, the warlord who began Japan’s unification in the 16th century.
The region is easy to visit by train from Kyoto or from Maibara on the shinkansen line. Omi beef, one of the country’s best-known beefs, and lake fish such as funazushi (fish fermented with rice) are local specialties.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Hikone, Omihachiman.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeroporto Internacional Chubu Centrair (NGO), in Tokoname · 114 km to Hikone
From Kyoto Station, JR limited express trains reach Omihachiman in about 35 minutes and Hikone in about 50 minutes. The Tokaido shinkansen stops at Maibara, from where Hikone is about 5 minutes away. The nearest airports are Osaka and Chubu Centrair.
Suggested arrival point: Hikone
Castle town on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, Hikone preserves the castle keep completed in 1622, a national treasure, and the Genkyu-en garden at its base. Yume Kyobashi Street, with old-style houses, leads to the castle, and boats depart from the port for Chikubu Island.
Old merchant town on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, Omihachiman has the Hachiman-bori canal with white-walled storehouses, the merchant houses of Omi, the Himure Hachimangu shrine and Mount Hachiman, accessible by ropeway. Azuchi, now part of the city, preserves the ruins of Nobunaga’s castle.
The local experience
16th-century canal that connected Lake Biwa to Omihachiman’s center, lined with white-walled storehouses and willows, beside the preserved Omi merchants’ quarter and Himure Hachimangu shrine.
The Ii family’s castle, completed in 1622, on a hill beside Lake Biwa, with the original main keep, a national treasure, Edo-period towers and gates, and about 1,200 cherry trees.
A stroll garden of the Ii family from the late 17th century, at the foot of Hikone Castle, with a lake, islands and bridges, the castle keep in the background, and a teahouse serving matcha.
A 271-meter hill in central Omihachiman, reached by ropeway, with the ruins of Toyotomi Hidetsugu’s castle, Zuiryu-ji temple and views of Lake Biwa, the canal and the Omi plain.
A small sacred island in the north of Lake Biwa, with Hogon-ji Temple dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten, and Tsukubusuma Shrine, whose main hall and the Karamon gate are National Treasures.
Ruins of Oda Nobunaga’s castle, built between 1576 and 1579 on Mount Azuchi and destroyed in 1582, featuring a large stone stairway, walls and the tower’s foundations; designated a Special Historic Site of Japan.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
The cherry trees at Hikone Castle and along Omihachiman’s canal usually bloom in early April. April, May, October, and November bring mild temperatures, with autumn colors in November. Summers are hot and humid. In winter, the northern part of the lake can get snow, and boat services to Chikubu run less frequently.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two days: one for Hikone, with the castle, Genkyu-en, and Chikubu Island; another for Omihachiman and the Azuchi castle ruins. With one day, choose Hikone and the castle.
Hikone, near the station and castle, has convenient hotels for both directions of travel. Omihachiman has few lodgings, mainly near the station. Many people stay in Kyoto and visit the region on day trips.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Two days for Hikone, Chikubu Island, Omihachiman, and Azuchi. With one day, prioritize Hikone Castle.
Yes: the train takes about 50 minutes. Omihachiman lies along the way and can be included the same day if you start early.
No. Trains connect the two towns and Azuchi, and each historic center is walkable or bikeable.
By boats that depart from Hikone, Nagahama, and Imazu; the most common route from Hikone takes about 40 minutes. In winter, departures are reduced.
Beef from cattle raised in Shiga, known for its marbled fat. It’s served in Hikone and Omihachiman restaurants as sukiyaki, grilled, or in simple preparations.
Beyond the guide
