Experience Shiga in Spring

Enjoy the most beautiful spring in Shiga, Japan and at Lake Biwa.

Overview of Spring in Shiga

Shiga Prefecture is home to many places where brilliant cherry blossoms bloom in the springtime.
Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the cherry blossoms on a Lake Biwa cruise or a traditional boat ride through the canals to really enjoy spring in Shiga.

Spring Tours & Activities

Okubiwako Campground

Okubiwako Campground allows you to enjoy bass and other fishing, rental boats, bug catching and bathing in the lake.

Tour & Activities
Northern SHIGA
Sports
#Camping / #Fishing

Original Boat Tour

The Omi-Hachiman boat tour allows you to enjoy a different, natural world while riding a boat under the skillful control of a traditional boast master.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities
Eastern SHIGA
Lakes & Rivers

Biwako Valley

A ski slope that also lets you look out over Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, from a mountain peak at 1,174m.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Mountains & Scenic Trails
#Skiing / #Hiking / #Camping / #Instagramable / #Sustainable

Hachiman Moat Tour

The Hachiman Moat Tour allows you to take to the stunning Hachiman Moats in a Japanese-style boat.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities
Eastern SHIGA
Lakes & Rivers
#Cruises

Strawberry Factory

Strawberry Factory, located in Kusatsu, Shiga, offers not only strawberry picking but also a café and fields for rent.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities
Southern SHIGA
Botanical Gardens & Parks

Oogoya Co., Ltd

A great place to enjoy some shopping, with tableware, vases, sundry items, glass goods and gardening products all on offers, centered around the historical Shigaraki-yaki ceramics of Japan.

Tour & Activities Food & Drink
Southern SHIGA
Culture Workshops
#Pottery Workshops

Nature & Parks in Spring

Nakasendo Road Samegaijuku (Jyuousui, Jizokawa River)

Jizokawa River is comprised of pure spring water such as Isame no Shimizu, and is famous for the extremely rare water buttercups that grow in the river.

History & Culture Nature & Parks
Northern SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site

Biwako Valley

A ski slope that also lets you look out over Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, from a mountain peak at 1,174m.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Mountains & Scenic Trails
#Skiing / #Hiking / #Camping / #Instagramable / #Sustainable

Otsu Lakeside Nagisa Park

Otsu Lakeside Nagisa Park is the name given to the park region that runs from Hamaotsu to Omi Ohashi.

Nature & Parks
Western SHIGA
Botanical Gardens & Parks

Mt. Hakodateyama (Lily Park & Kokia Park)

Mt.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Botanical Gardens & Parks
#Hiking / #Sustainable

Zeze Castle Ruins Park

Zeze Castle was completed by Ieyasu Tokugawa in the year following his historic victory at the great battle of Sekigahara, and was a beautiful castle that used water from the lake to create natural moats around it.

History & Culture Nature & Parks
Western SHIGA
Castles & Castle Ruins

Omizo Waterside Sightseeing

The ruins of Omizo-jo Castle and the old castle town were reorganized by the powerful Wakebe clan, and the old waterworks and water channels that draw water from mountains and wells are still being used by residents today.

History & Culture Nature & Parks
Western SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site

History & Culture in Spring

Takashima City: Harie & Shimofuri Waterside Sightseeing

All across these areas you can see underground water from the Adogawa River and the Hira mountains bubbling up as fresh springs.

History & Culture Nature & Parks
Western SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site / #Sustainable

Kawara Museum

A museum all about hachiman-kawara tiles and the history of Hachiman.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Eastern SHIGA
Museums

Traditional Crafts Center of Shigaraki

The exterior and interior walls, and even the floors of the Crafts Center are lined with Shigaraki-yaki ceramic tiles.

History & Culture
Southern SHIGA
Art Gallery & Halls
#Shigaraki-yaki

Jorakuji Temple

Jorakuji Temple is one the three mountains of Konan that are famous for their leaves in fall.

History & Culture
Southern SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site / #National Treasure

Keiunkan

Keiunkan is a state guest house that was built by a wealthy merchant in Nagahama for visits from the Emperor Meiji during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

History & Culture
Northern SHIGA
Historic Sites & Gardens

Nagahama Castle History Museum

Nagahama Castle was abandoned during the start of the Edo Period (1603 – 1868), the remains transferred to Hikone Castle and Daitsuji Temple, leaving only a stone wall and well behind.

History & Culture
Northern SHIGA
Castles & Castle Ruins

Looking for more seasonal experiences?

Wondering what to pack for your trip this spring?

Check Shiga’s year-round weather and climate trends to help you prepare for your trip.

Other Seasons

Summer

Enjoy the most beautiful summer in Shiga, Japan and at Lake Biwa.

Autumn

Enjoy the most beautiful autumn in Shiga, Japan and at Lake Biwa.

Winter

Enjoy the most beautiful winter in Shiga, Japan and at Lake Biwa.
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