A Day in Shiga Prefecture
I often enjoy taking a day-trip from Aichi to other nearby areas of Japan. My requirements for these trips are that they are less than three hours away by car or train. A few trips have been slightly over that. However, most are substantially under it.
One of my preferred places to go on a day-trip is Shiga Prefecture. There is so much to see and do there. I’ve been there quite a few times and have put together what I think is a great day-trip to the area. The most famous attractions for foreign tourists are Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, and Hikone Castle.
Shiga Prefecture was known as Omi Province during feudal times. Many small villages were established in the area because they were along the Nakasendo trail, one of the main roads that connected Kyoto to Tokyo. Shiga Prefecture offers travelers a glimpse into the past while also providing modern attractions, too.
If you plan to follow my itinerary from central Japan or the Kansai region, I recommend leaving your area by 8:00am to allow ample time to enjoy each place. Driving is the easiest method of travel and my preferred method for this trip; however, it can easily be done by train. You just need to budget extra travel time to account for that.
The first stop is Hikone castle. It’s one of the original castles in Japan and offers stunning views of Lake Biwa. If you go in the spring, the gardens are filled with plum and cherry blossoms. This is the ideal place to take many pictures. The castle is one of five castles in Japan that is designated a National Treasure. It was completed in 1622 and is one of the most original castles in Japan with the main keep, moats, and other structures being well-preserved. Several buildings on the castle grounds have also been designated as Important Cultural Assets. Furthermore, the few buildings that were destroyed have mostly been rebuilt, giving visitors insight into what feudal castles were really like.
Once you’ve toured the castle and met Hikonyan, the samurai cat mascot, check out the rest of the city. The area around the castle has many restaurants and souvenir shops as well. Many original, or mostly original castles, have an old castle town nearby. While many of these shops are touristy, a few have decent souvenirs or food. There are a couple cute and quirky antique stores near Hikone Castle as well.
After the castle, go to Omihachiman. It’s a quick drive or train ride away. The canal district remains fairly well-known to many Japanese but not so many foreign tourists. The old town along the canal is filled with Japanese sweet shops, restaurants, and shops. My preferred place to visit is the Rabbit Hutch by Two Rabbits Brewing. The interior of the restaurant feels rustic and cozy and provides a view of the canal. The food is quite good, and the beer is outstanding. It’s in my top five craft beer breweries in Japan. It’s located above a Japanese shop that sells tsukemono, or Japanese pickles, and other goods. Provided you visit Rabbit Hutch, just make sure you don’t drink if you are driving. Have a designated driver, take the train, or buy beer to go. It’s incredibly illegal to drive with any alcohol in your system in Japan. After walking around the area, you can book a canal boat tour if you want to see more of the area. I’ve never done this because I have spent most of my time walking around the area.
Next, not too far from Omihachiman is Daichiji, a Buddhist temple. While lesser known than other Zen gardens, the Hourai Garden surrounding Daichi-ji is just as beautiful and serene if not more so. The Buddhist temple is situated between Lake Biwa and a few small mountains in Minakuchi, Shiga Prefecture. There is a small walking trail that leads to the temple and passes Hachiman Shrine. The pond, trees, and flowers all work together to create a peaceful atmosphere along the path. In the lake, you can also see a small floating torii gate. If you like photography, it is a picturesque spot.
The temple itself has a history from the early 17th century. Koboru Enshu, who also planned gardens at Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, is heralded as the designer of the garden. However, some believe it was one of his students. The design replicates the feeling of water without using water. This style is called karesansui. No matter which season you visit, the garden evokes a feeling of peace and magic.
After relaxing in the gardens, it’s time to go to the last stop. Here’s where you have a choice. The last things I recommend are visiting Lake Biwa, going to Kurokabe Square, or shopping at a nearby outlet mall. If you choose Lake Biwa there are a few scenic spots that you can visit or you can choose to rent a bike and go around the lake. If biking, I recommend doing this earlier in the day.
Kurokabe Square was previously a castle town for Nagahama Castle. The castle was demolished in 1615. However, a concrete replica was reconstructed in the 1980s. The attraction to Kurokabe Square is that there are many well-preserved buildings from the Edo and Meiji eras. These exist as shops, art galleries, and other businesses today.
The last option if you don’t care for history or outdoor sports is to go shopping at the Mitsui Outlet park in Ryuo, Shiga Prefecture. This outlet mall has many Japanese and western brands. While it’s not my favorite shopping center in Japan, it houses a few brands that aren’t as common in Japan. During the holiday season, this area is quite busy. If you are traveling during Obon, winter holidays, Golden Week, or Silver Week, be aware that parking is quite difficult.
So this itinerary is my perfect day-trip to Shiga Prefecture. There are many things to see and do besides these ideas. However, I’ve found that this is easy to navigate if you only have one day. Let me know what your favorite places are in Shiga.
