Hikone Castle is a National Treasure and counted among the greatest castles in the world. It took around 20 years to build, and was completed in 1622. Extremely beautiful when illuminated by moonlight, it is one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa.
The so-called “Water Castle” once stood alongside Lake Biwa and the inner lake, and its waterways were also used for the transport of goods to the town. Hints of it can still be seen everywhere, from the area name “Funamachi” (meaning “Boat Town”) to the remains of wharfs and houses belonging to boatmen that can be found along the canals. Always thronging with houseboats, the canals remain a place of relaxation for the residents of Shiga even today.
In spring time, 1200 trees with eight varieties of cherry, including Yoshino cherry, all bloom at once, creating a fabulous sight. The trees are also illuminated at night each year. The Hikone-jo Castle region also plays host to a performance from the Hikone City mascot Hikonyan three times a day. Please see Hikonyan’s official website (http://hikone-hikonyan.jp/) for further details on when and where Hikonyan will appear.

Genkyu-en Garden is a Daimyo (“feudal lord”) garden located to the north east of Hikone-jo Castle, created to resemble the Eight Views of Omi that in turn originate from the Eight Views of Lake Biwa and the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang, China. A representative example of the Japanese Daimyo garden style, it is a designated Japan Heritage site. September every year sees the holding of the “Meet to Hear the Sound of Insects in Genkyu-en,” and November the “Fall Genkyu-en Illuminations,” both allowing you to enjoy a rich garden experience.

Yumekyobashi Castle Road starts immediately from the bridge that crosses the moat at Hikone-jo Castle, and is designed to evoke the townscape of the Edo period (1603 – 1868). It features multiple outlets, including facilities offering a variety of experiences and a range of restaurants.

A region lovingly known as "Ema Street," referring to the wooden prayer plaques used at temples, with good old-fashioned style buildings and newly refurbished shops. Take a gentle stroll through this wonderful townscape, enjoyed by both locals and tourists. Furthermore, you might also want to search the streets for special manhole designs, including the Taga Town flower, the "bamboo lily"; the Taga Town tree, the "cedar"; and the Taga Town bird, the "bush warbler."

Taga Taisha Shrine has long attracted visitors from across Japan, devoted as it is to the god of long life and relationships. Known by the nickname “Otaga-san,” the street that runs from the large torii gate by the station all the way to the shrine itself is lined with shops selling gifts and souvenirs. The cherry blossoms in the spring and crimson leaves in the fall are also worth seeing, and a selection of other famous spots are located nearby, including Hikone-jo Castle, the three Koto Sanzan temples and Lake Biwa, all of which helps to bring in 1.7 million visitors per year.

As a folk song “if you visit Ise, then why not Taga? Ise is a child of Taga” means in Taga Taisha Shrine, Izanagi and Izanami, the parents of Amaterasu Oomikami, the main God at Ise Grand Shrine, are enshrined.

Trip Reports :
https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/foreigners/blog/2018/12/leste-do-lago-biwa.html