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

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

Enjoy Shopping with Scenic Views of Lake Biwa

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

Takashima Waterside Heritage and Chikubushima Island Tour

1-Day Trip
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture

Reveal the Roots of Japan’s Spiritual & Cultural Heritage

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

Ancient Trails and Modern Cruises through Scenic Otsu

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

日本文化體驗

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

Travel Stories in Western Shiga

Biwako Valley, Kaizu’s Cherry Blossoms

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

Great Lake Biwa Fireworks Display 2017

Travel Diaries
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture / #Tour & Activities

Tour do Otsu-e

Travel Tips
Western SHIGA
#History & Culture

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

Cycling trip in Shiga, Japan

Travel Tips
Western SHIGA Northern SHIGA Eastern SHIGA Southern SHIGA
#Tour & Activities

2 open air activities of Shiga / Lake Biwa

Travel Tips
Western SHIGA Southern SHIGA
#Tour & Activities

Tours & Activities in Western Shiga

Biwako Valley

A ski slope that also lets you look out over Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, from a mountain peak at 1,174m.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Mountains & Scenic Trails
#Skiing / #Hiking / #Camping / #Instagramable / #Sustainable

Hieizan Sakamoto Cable Railway

The longest cable car route in Japan at 2,025 m in total, opened in 1927.

Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Sightseeing Cruises & Rides

Tour Design Ichie Wado

Tour Design Ichie Wado specializes in a half-day “Otsu-e” folk art workshop & immersive local culture walk for foreign tourists in Otsu, Shiga.

Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Culture Workshops

Makino Pic-land

An agricultural park where you can enjoy picking seasonal fruit.

Tour & Activities Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Culture Workshops

Izutsu Yatsuhashi Honpo Oiwake

Izutsu Yatsuhashi Honpo sells a full range of popular and delicious confections.

History & Culture Tour & Activities Food & Drink Shopping
Western SHIGA
Shrines & Temples
#Factory Tours

Zero Gravity

Here you can experience a range of activities, including shower climbing, rock climbing, hiking, snow shoe trekking and guided mountain climbing.

Nature & Parks Tour & Activities
Western SHIGA
Mountains & Scenic Trails
#Shiga Adventure Tourism / #Water Activities / #Hiking / #Sustainable

Where to Stay in Western Shiga

Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel

The shop offers a complete lineup of goods, including souvenirs from Shiga, drinks and snacks, tourism magazines and useful travel items.

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

Satoyu Mukashibashi Yuzanso

Yuzanso is a hot spring hotel that has many Omi mukashibanashi (“old stories”) placed around inside, bringing you closer to the folk history of the region.

Onsen Stay Food & Drink Shopping
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

Shirahamaso

Allows groups to experience a variety of activities, including making things and outdoor experiences such as water sports on Lake Biwa.

Tour & Activities Stay
Western SHIGA
Sports
#Water Activities / #Camping / #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

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

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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