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

Discover the Legacy of Craft & Modern Creativity in Shiga

3-Day Trip
Western SHIGA Southern SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Tour & Activities / #Stay / #Food & Drink

Takashima Waterside Heritage and Chikubushima Island Tour

1-Day Trip
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture

Mount Hiei Peak to Sakamoto Valley Historic Day Trip

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

Unwind with Nature on a Freshwater Adventure Around Lake Biwa

3-Day Trip
Western SHIGA Northern SHIGA Southern SHIGA
#Nature & Parks / #Tour & Activities / #Onsen / #Stay / #Food & Drink

日本文化體驗

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

Travel Stories in Western Shiga

水鄉澤國~滋賀/遠離城市的喧囂,來一場恬靜的旅行

Travel Diaries
Western SHIGA
#Tour & Activities / #Food & Drink

Biwaichi Trip (Cycling around Lake Biwa) – Day 2

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

1. Unagi-Chazuke / Nishitomo Co., Ltd

Travel Tips
Western SHIGA
#Food & Drink / #Shopping

Takashima Trip

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

高島市

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

Tours & Activities in Western Shiga

Takashima Village

In an atmospheric old castle town, Katsuno in Takashima City, a historic building still stands.

Tour & Activities Food & Drink
Western SHIGA
Culture Workshops

Setagawa River & Lake Biwa River Cruises

Such scenes as the “Evening Glow at Seta” and the “Autumn Moon at Ishiyama” have been immortalized by the famous ukiyo-e painter Hiroshige Utagawa of the late Edo period (1603 – 1868) in his Eight Views of Omi.

Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Sightseeing Cruises & Rides
#Lake Biwa

Mt. Hakodateyama (Lily Park & Kokia Park)

Mt.

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

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

Sanno Festival

The “Sanno (Mountain King) Festival” is one of the three major Lake Biwa festivals.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site / #Events / #Festivals

BSC Watersports Center

The BSC Watersports Centre is located on the green and verdant Horaihama on the west side of the lake.

Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Sports
#Shiga Adventure Tourism / #Water Activities

Where to Stay in Western Shiga

Biwako Grand Hotel Kyo-Ohmi

Located on the shores of Lake Biwa, allowing the daily changing beauty of the great lake to be fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Onsen Stay
Western SHIGA
Ryokan
#Car Parking

Auberge Meson

The forest hideaway of Auberge only accepts five bookings per day, and affords you a luxurious moment of relaxation during which you simply have to do nothing at all.

Stay
Western SHIGA
Resort Hotels
#Ryori Ryokan / #Car Parking

Biwako Ryokusuitei

The concept behind Biwako Ryokusuitei was to make use of the blessings of nature in its design, and they now place their emphasis on making sure that you enjoy each and every relaxing moment while staying there.

Onsen Stay
Western SHIGA
Ryokan
#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

Racine home HARIE

Racine Home HARIE provides travelers with our hotel, restaurant, Mayko Shop and also the one day hot spring facility.

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

Shopping Street Hotel Koo Hyakucho

The first “shopping street hotel” in Japan, created by renovating a number of townhouses located along both the shopping street in the center of Otsu City and the old Tokaido road.

Stay
Western SHIGA
Guest Houses & Minshuku
#Car Parking

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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