Shiga Prefecture
滋賀県
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※You can also link to the English site from the link, but we recommend that you use a translation application to read the Japanese text, as it differs from the Japanese information.
Lake Biwa and Hikone Castle: Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan and offers beautiful scenery along its shores. Hikone Castle is located on the shore of the lake and is designated as a national treasure.
Nagahama City and Nagahama Castle: Nagahama City is home to the historic Nagahama Castle, where visitors can experience the samurai culture and castle town atmosphere.
Otsu City and Ishiyama-dera Temple: Ishiyama-dera Temple is located in Otsu City, and its main hall, a national treasure, is an attraction. Located by a lake, visitors can also enjoy beautiful scenery.
Hikone City and Omihachiman City: Hikone City is known as a castle town, and Omihachiman City has historical buildings and traditional crafts.
Omi-Otsu City and Lake Biwa Valley: Omi-Otsu City is home to Lake Biwa Valley, where visitors can enjoy activities throughout the four seasons. In winter, skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed.
Hikone Fireworks Festival in Hikone City and Mizuguchi Town: In summer, Hikone City and Mizuguchi Town hold the Hikone Fireworks Festival, where beautiful fireworks are displayed on the lake.
Nagahama City and the Rain Festival: Nagahama City holds an annual rain festival in July, featuring traditional stage performances and processions.
Cycling around Lake Biwa
びわ湖一周サイクリング
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Cycling around Lake Biwa
(190km)
Biwaichi - Cycling around Lake Biwa.
Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan. You will ride around Lake Biwa with only your bicycle and your own power. The colors of the trees and the surface of the lake, the scent of the wind. Enjoy Lake Biwa with all of your senses.
(Road image video)
*Just Quarter of the full round, about 50km.
From Hikone city to Minami Kusatsu.
Moriyama - Higashiomi - Hino Route
守山～東近江～日野ルート
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Moriyama - Higashiomi - Hino Route
(110km)
From the lakeshore road, pass through to Yahata and into the valley of Okueigenji. The route turns back and takes a leisurely route while feeling the atmosphere of the Hino merchant town. At Eigenji Temple, famous for its autumn foliage, you can soak up the negative ions and refresh yourself from the fatigue of the first half of the tour. The second half of the route is gently descending and flat, so you will be in a good mood.
Moriyama - Old Tokaido - Mizuguchi/ Tsuchiyama Route
守山～旧東海道～水口・土山ルート
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Moriyama - Old Tokaido - Mizuguchi/ Tsuchiyama Route
(105km)
The route follows the old Tokaido Highway from Kusatsu to Mizuguchi to Tsuchiyama, and returns to Moriyama after visiting dams in the latter half of the route. You can get most of the dam cards in Shiga Prefecture. The distance and ups and downs are considerable, but depending on the season, you may be able to see Lake Biwa at sunset. You can also take a short cut by using the cycle train of the Omi Railway.
Moriyama - Omihachiman - Hikone Route
守山～近江八幡～彦根ルート
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Moriyama - Omihachiman - Hikone Route
(98km)
From Moriyama, drive along the lakeshore road to Hikone Castle. The route turns around, passes through the streets of Omi merchants, and returns to Moriyama. There are no major climbs, and the route is relatively easy to follow among the recommended routes. Yume Kyobashi Castle Road under Hikone Castle is beautifully maintained and popular as a gourmet street. This route is recommended for beginners who enjoy Lake Biwa and its history.
Moriyama - Lake Biwa Bridge - Kutsuki & Takashima Route
守山～琵琶湖大橋～朽木・高島ルート
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Moriyama - Lake Biwa Bridge - Kutsuki & Takashima Route
(94km)
Crossing the spectacular Lake Biwa Bridge, the route heads north along the Saba Kaido (mackerel road), so named because of the large amount of marine products delivered from Wakasa to Kyoto in the olden days. The first half of the route is a tough one, but the climb is almost over. The rest of the route is a pleasant descent, allowing you to enjoy the mountains and lakes of Shiga.
Moriyama - Seta, Shigaraki, Kusatsu route
守山～瀬田・信楽・草津ルート
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Moriyama - Seta, Shigaraki, Kusatsu route
(94km)
After traveling south along the lakeshore road, descend the Seta River, cross the Sekitsu Pass, and head toward Shigaraki. The tour runs along the Oto River past the tea plantations of Asamiya, and then returns to the lakeshore after passing through the beautifully maintained urban area where the Kusatsu River has been repaired. There are many places to see, such as the Shigaraki pottery culture at the Pottery Forest, the scenic valley, and the inn town of Kusatsu. This is a route where you can experience the beauty of nature and the beauty of the city.
Omihachiman Azuchi-Notogawa Bicycle Path Line (Biwako Yoshifue Road)
近江八幡安土能登川自転車道線
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Omihachiman Azuchi-Notogawa Bicycle Path Line (Biwako Yoshifue Road)
(26km)
General Prefectural Road Omihachiman Azuchi-Notogawa Bicycle Path Line is a 26-km bicycle path running from Omihachiman City to Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture.
It is commonly known as the "Biwako Yoshifue Road.
Moriyama-Otsu Shiga Bicycle Path Route (Biwako Lakeside Bicycle Path)
守山大津志賀自転車道線（びわ湖レイクサイド自転車道）
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Moriyama-Otsu Shiga Bicycle Path Route (Biwako Lakeside Bicycle Path)
(22km)
The Moriyama-Otsu Shiga Bicycle Route, a general prefectural road, is a 21-km bicycle path running from Moriyama City to Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
It is commonly known as the "Biwako Lakeside Bicycle Path.
Cycle train
近江鉄道サイクルトレイン
Omi Railway Cycle Train
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Omi Railway in Shiga Prefecture operates cycle trains throughout the year.
Visitors can enjoy nostalgic Japanese scenery and retro station buildings on this railroad line.
The service is available during daytime hours on weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays.
(as of November 2023)