Guide to Western Shiga

This area includes Otsu and Takashima, where the convenience of city life meets the beauty of nature.

Overview of Western Shiga

Western Shiga is home to Otsu and Takashima, where urban convenience meets the beauty of nature. Nestled between Lake Biwa and the mountains, visitors can enjoy peaceful travels here.

Otsu is just 9 minutes from Kyoto and offers the perfect combination of city convenience and lakeside relaxation.

Takashima, located about an hour away via the scenic Kosei Line, is surrounded by tranquil natural landscapes.

Take lakeside walks, visit historic temples and shrines, and enjoy the changing beauty of the seasons.

Trip Ideas in Western Shiga

Enjoy Shopping with Scenic Views of Lake Biwa

1-Day Trip
Western SHIGA Southern SHIGA
#Nature & Parks / #Shopping

A Journey into the Japanese Aesthetic

1-Day Trip
Western SHIGA
#Nature & Parks / #Tour & Activities

Memorable Photo Spots Course

1-Day Trip
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Nature & Parks

Ancient Trails and Modern Cruises through Scenic Otsu

1-Day Trip
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Nature & Parks

Reveal the Roots of Japan’s Spiritual & Cultural Heritage

3-Day Trip
Western SHIGA Northern SHIGA Eastern SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Stay / #Food & Drink

Tour Historic Temples and Ride the Sakamoto Cable Car

1-Day Trip
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Tour & Activities

Travel Stories in Western Shiga

Biwaichi Trip (Cycling around Lake Biwa) – Day 3

Travel Diaries
Western SHIGA Northern SHIGA
#Nature & Parks / #Tour & Activities

Your Complete Travel Guide to Lake Biwa, Japan’s Largest Lake

Travel Tips
Western SHIGA Northern SHIGA Eastern SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Nature & Parks / #Tour & Activities / #Onsen / #Stay / #Food & Drink / #Shopping

Sunainosato

Travel Tips
Western SHIGA
#Nature & Parks / #Food & Drink

Rokasensuiso – inside the urban jungle in Otsu city

Travel Diaries
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Nature & Parks

7. Spiral Stich Handle Bag / Kobo IMURA

Travel Tips
Western SHIGA
#Shopping

Tours & Activities in Western Shiga

Biwako Hakodateyama Ski Resort

Hakodateyama Ski Resort is well known across the entire Kansai region, located 690m above sea level in a mountainous region to the northwest of JR Omi-Imazu Station.

Tour & Activities Food & Drink
Western SHIGA
Sports
#Winter Sports / #Skiing

Taka.Sta

A lodging facility located amid the abundant nature of Takashima City, Shiga.

Tour & Activities Stay
Western SHIGA
Sports
#Water Activities / #Biwaichi Cycling Spot / #Sustainable

Biwa Lake C2C

Biwa Lake C2C was born with the idea of guiding tourists who want to experience bass fishing in Japan on one of the most famous lakes in the world, without the complication of language barriers.

Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Outdoor Activities
#Fishing

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, with its sprawling grounds across Mt.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#World Heritage Site / #Japan Heritage Site / #National Treasure / #Places of Spiritual Energy

Kanou Shoujuan Sunai no Sato

Experience making Japanese confections for yourself while observing a master at work, and then eat your handiwork with some tea after you are finished.

Tour & Activities Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Culture Workshops

Enryakuji Temple Ceremony to Exorcise Evil & New Year’s Bells

The New Year’s Bells and Ceremony to Exorcise Evil are annual traditions for New Year’s Eve at Hieizan.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#World Heritage Site / #National Treasure / #Events

Where to Stay in Western Shiga

Dantokan Kikunoya

Dantokan Kikunoya features a warm atmosphere, like coming home, and is also the only hotel in the Ogoto Onsen region that has rooms which allow pets to stay alongside their owners.

Onsen Stay
Western SHIGA
Ryokan
#Car Parking

J-Hoppers Lake Biwa Guesthouse

A guesthouse located in Omi Maiko-hama, just two minutes on foot from the beach.

Stay
Western SHIGA
Guest Houses & Minshuku

Biwako Hotel

The exterior of the Biwako Hotel is designed to evoke the ripples of Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains.

Onsen Stay Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Resort Hotels
#Car Parking

Ayaha Lakeside Hotel

The Ayaha Lakeside Hotel is a Japanese-style hotel right on the shores of Lake Biwa.

Onsen Stay
Western SHIGA
Resort Hotels
#Car Parking

Ogoto Onsen

In the south of Ogoto Onsen there is a Tendai temple called Hokoji Temple.

Onsen Stay
Western SHIGA
Ryokan
#Car Parking

Taka.Sta

A lodging facility located amid the abundant nature of Takashima City, Shiga.

Tour & Activities Stay
Western SHIGA
Sports
#Water Activities / #Biwaichi Cycling Spot / #Sustainable

Explore More Things to Do in Western Shiga

Wondering what to pack for your trip?

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

Other Areas

Northern Shiga

Nagahama, Maibara

Eastern Shiga

Hikone, Higashi-omi, Omihachiman, Hino, Ryuoh, Aisho, Toyosato, Koura, Taga

Southern Shiga

Kusatsu, Koka, Konan, Moriyama, Ritto, Yasu
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