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2026/09/11

Lake Biwa Fireworks

Firework · Shiga · Kansai

Lake Biwa Fireworks

Kansai's spectacular summer fireworks over Japan's largest lake at Otsu, with shells fired low across the water and mirrored on its surface.

Otsu · 6 Aug 2027

Shrine · Shiga · Kansai

Shirahige Shrine

A shrine on the western shore of Lake Biwa with a torii standing in the water, dedicated to Sarutahiko and known as a shrine of long life.

Takashima

Temple · Shiga · Kansai

Saikyo-ji Temple

Saikyo-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

Shrine · Shiga · Kansai

Omi Jingu

Established in 1940, Ōmi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji and stands adjacent to the traditional site of the Ōmi Ōtsu Palace, which he founded in 667.

Otsu

Shrine

Shirahige Shrine

A shrine on the western shore of Lake Biwa with a torii standing in the water, dedicated to Sarutahiko and known as a shrine of long life.

Takashima · Shiga

Castle

Hikone Castle

Seventeenth-century castle built by the Ii clan near Lake Biwa with defensive double moats, recognized as one of Japan's best-preserved castles.

Hikone · Shiga

Temple

Saimyō-ji

Tendai Buddhist temple with National Treasures and a designated scenic garden, featuring ancient Asuka-period Buddhist paintings discovered on interior pillars in 2020.

Kora · Shiga

Amusement Park

Blume no Oka

Agricultural park in Shiga offering flower gardens, hands-on farming activities, farm animal interactions, seasonal events, and a dog park for family visitors.

Hino · Shiga

Temple

Saikyo-ji Temple

Saikyo-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 · Shiga

Shrine

Omi Jingu

Established in 1940, Ōmi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji and stands adjacent to the traditional site of the Ōmi Ōtsu Palace, which he founded in 667.

Otsu · Shiga

Temple

Miidera Temple

Head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, Miidera was founded in the seventh century and has survived repeated destruction, earning the name Phoenix Temple.

Otsu · Shiga

Historic Site

Ōjiyama Kofun

An ancient burial mound from the late 4th century and the oldest known tumulus in the Ōmi region, now a public archaeological park.

Otsu · Shiga

Museum

Lake Biwa Museum

Lake Biwa Museum explores the relationship between Japan's largest and oldest lake and human society, featuring a tunnel aquarium displaying rare freshwater fish species.

Kusatsu · Shiga

Temple

Eigen-ji

Eigen-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1361 that serves as head temple of the Eigen-ji branch, overseeing over 120 temples and housing the revered Yotsugi Kannon statue.

Higashiomi · Shiga

Temple

Enryaku-ji

Founded in 788 by Saichō, this Tendai Buddhist headquarters on Mount Hiei hosts the famous kaihōgyō practice and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Otsu · Shiga

Museum

Miho Museum

Miho Museum houses 3,000 Asian and Western antiques in a design by I. M. Pei, with 75 percent of the space underground and featuring a glass roof with French limestone walls.

Koka · Shiga