Things to Do

History & Culture in Shiga

Discover one of Japan's largest concentrations of historic and cultural artifacts in Shiga Prefecture. As a key travel point since ancient times, Shiga developed an advanced culture and economy. This long history resulted in a rich legacy of shrines, temples, and townscapes. Here, you'll find the best places in Shiga to experience authentic history firsthand.

Results for History & Culture

127 results

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

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

Nagahama Hikiyama Festival

The Nagahama Hikiyama Festival is one of the Three Great Float Festivals of Japan, and is a designated Important Intangible Folk Culture Property of Japan.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Northern SHIGA
Shrines & Temples
#Japan Heritage Site / #Events / #Festivals

Mt. Hiei Trekking “Honzaka Route”

The World Heritage site of Hieizan Enryakuji is a temple that you can visit while also enjoying a mountain-climbing trek.

History & Culture Nature & Parks Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site / #Shiga Adventure Tourism / #Hiking / #Sustainable

Kusatsu Shukuba Festival

This festival includes a historical pageant that proceeds through the traditional city streets, with a large number of onlookers taking in the vast array of gorgeous outfits.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Southern SHIGA
Cityscapes
#Japan Heritage Site / #Events / #Festivals

Enman-in Monzeki

A temple with more 1000 years of history, founded in the later Heian period (794-1185).

History & Culture
Western SHIGA
Shrines & Temples

Ashifuse-no-some

A horse racing ceremony held at a shrine with a long connection to horses.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Eastern SHIGA
Shrines & Temples
#Events

Omi Jingu Shrine Mounted Archery Performance

A display of yabusame (mounted archery) by the Takeda School from the Japanese Traditional Archery on Horseback Association.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Shrines & Temples
#Anime / #Events

Scenery of the Sugaura Lakeshore Village

This region was known as a key port in waterway travel, surrounded by the unique yet steep terrain of the Okubiwako area.

History & Culture
Northern SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site

Hyozu-taisha Shrine and the Yatsugasaki Ritual

There is a legend that the deity worshipped at this shrine reached its current location by crossing Lake Biwa.

History & Culture
Southern SHIGA
Heritage Sites
#Japan Heritage Site

Chikubushima Island

This small island, with a circumference of just 2km, is located in the offing of Lake Biwa, approximately 6km from shore.

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

Lantern Festival (Taga Taisha Shrine)

The Manto-sai, a Buddhist festival involving lanterns, is held on the three days from August 3 to August 5 each year at Taga Taisha Shrine.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Eastern SHIGA
Shrines & Temples
#Instagramable / #Events / #Festivals

Omi Kenketo Festival / Ritual of Cutting Funazushi with a Long Knife

Shimoniikawa-jinja Shrine holds a regular spring festival in the form of the Omi Kenketo Festival, during which the Long Knife ritual takes place.

History & Culture Tour & Activities
Southern SHIGA
Shrines & Temples
#Japan Heritage Site / #Events / #Festivals

Kyorinbo Temple

Said to have been created by Prince Shotoku in the year 605, “Kyorinbo Temple” got its name from being a place of teaching (“kyo”) surrounded by forest (“rin”).

History & Culture
Eastern SHIGA
Shrines & Temples

Sakamoto Temple Town

Sakamoto flourished as the temple town for Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, including the homes for monks from approximately 50 different temples, and the townscape retains the elegance of that history even today.

History & Culture
Western SHIGA
Cityscapes

Old Tokaido Road

The Old Tokaido Road was completed during the Edo period (1603 – 1868), and is one of the five old roads that connected Nihonbashi in Edo with Sanjo in Kyoto.

History & Culture
Western SHIGA
Cityscapes
#9 Minutes From Kyoto
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