Azuchi-jo Castle, constructed in 1579 under orders from Nobunaga Oda and said to be the first high-rise wooden construction in the world, was apparently also a big hit with missionaries visiting Japan.

A verdant green cultural park with a “ceramics” theme, located in the town of ceramics Shigaraki.

The “Borderless Art Museum NO-MA,” renovated in June 2004, stands in the historic Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Omi-Hachiman City, Shiga, making use of the Japanese-style rooms, storeroom and other features of a townhouse from the start of the Showa period (1926 – 1989).

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

A veritable forest of trees grows on the vast, 44,000 square meter shrine grounds.

The Miho Museum was designed by the world-famous architect I. M. Pei.

Okishima island is located in the offing of Lake Biwa, approximately 1.

A historic folk materials museum located on Shinmachi street that retains its aspect from the Edo period (1603 – 1868).

Climb the stone steps and a glorious three storey stone tower comes into view.

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