Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
A museum on Lake Biwa, Japan's largest and oldest lake, and its relationship with people, with a tunnel aquarium of rare freshwater fish species.
Kusatsu · ShigaHilltop castle begun for the Ii clan in 1604, with one of the five castle keeps in Japan designated National Treasures, surviving moats and stone walls.
Hikone · ShigaArt museum in Moriyama with Japanese-style paintings and sculpture, a water garden, and a historic temple bell (bonsho) designated a National Treasure.
Moriyama · ShigaEstablished in 1940, Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji and stands adjacent to the traditional site of the Omi Otsu Palace, which he founded in 667.
Otsu · ShigaShrine to Izanagi and Izanami, the creator couple of Japanese myth, prayed to for long life, with a garden said to come from a gift by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Taga · ShigaHeian-period temple on Lake Biwa in Otsu, the Floating Temple, built for Amida Butsu and the lake's safety, with an Important Cultural Property statue.
Otsu · ShigaAgricultural park in Shiga offering flower gardens, hands-on farming activities, farm animal interactions, seasonal events, and a dog park for family visitors.
Hino · ShigaTendai temple in Kora with National Treasures and a scenic garden; Buddhist paintings found on its main hall pillars in 2019 may date to the Asuka period.
Kora · ShigaAn ancient burial mound from the late 4th century and the oldest known tumulus in the Omi region, now a public archaeological park.
Otsu · ShigaHead temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, Miidera was founded in the seventh century and has survived repeated destruction, earning the name Phoenix Temple.
Otsu · ShigaSaikyo-ji, the head temple of the Tendai Shinsei sect, was founded by Prince Shotoku and reorganized in 1486 as the sect's central training site.
Otsu · ShigaThe Seta Hills Production Sites are ancient iron-working facilities from the Nara period, designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1985.
Otsu · ShigaTakebe Shrine in Otsu enshrines Yamato Takeru and Onamuchi and served as the principal shrine of the ancient Omi Province.
Otsu · ShigaA Shingon Buddhist temple in Otsu, traditionally founded in 747, where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have begun The Tale of Genji, with National Treasure halls.
Otsu · ShigaA Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1361, head temple of the Eigen-ji branch with over 120 temples, set in the mountains and housing the Yotsugi Kannon statue.
Higashiomi · ShigaFounded in 788 by Saicho, this Tendai Buddhist headquarters on Mount Hiei hosts the famous kaihogyo practice and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Otsu · ShigaA museum of 1997 in the mountains of Shiga, designed by I. M. Pei and mostly buried in the hillside, holding ancient art of the world alongside Japanese art.
Koka · ShigaA Tendai sect Buddhist temple founded in the early Heian period, housing a National Treasure main hall with Heian-period statues and garden.
Aisho · Shiga
