{"id":4632,"date":"2018-09-30T15:45:54","date_gmt":"2018-09-30T06:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/?p=4632"},"modified":"2026-03-23T12:24:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T03:24:35","slug":"things-to-know-before-visiting-shiga-prefecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/things-to-know-before-visiting-shiga-prefecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to know before visiting Shiga Prefecture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d819977.3669182133!2d136.04661619717282!3d35.063642302775605!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sjp!4v1538516492726\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1. Shiga Prefecture is easy to find on a map of Japan. Just look for the large blue lake near the center of Honshu island. It is next to Kyoto. From Tokyo, Shiga is on the way to Kyoto.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/lb304-2014-07-09-125441-800x449.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/lb304-2014-07-09-125441.jpg 800w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/lb304-2014-07-09-125441-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/lb304-2014-07-09-125441-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2. Shiga Prefecture&#8217;s claim to fame is <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Lake_Biwa\">Lake Biwa<\/a> (<em>Biwako<\/em>), Japan&#8217;s largest lake and water supply for 14 million people in the Kyoto-Osaka area. Lake Biwa is one of the world&#8217;s oldest lakes dating back 4 million years, home to over 70 endemic species found nowhere else in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5879 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1383as.jpg\" alt=\"Chikubushima\" class=\"wp-image-5879\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1383as.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1383as-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1383as-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chikubushima, home of Goddess Benzaiten (Benten).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3. Shiga&#8217;s most famous tourist sights include <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=111\">Enryakuji Temple<\/a> (World Heritage Site) on Mt. Hiei, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=25\">Hikone Castle<\/a> (National Treasure), <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=18\">Chikubushima<\/a> island in northern Lake Biwa, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=330\">Shigaraki<\/a> pottery district, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=135\">Harie<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=687\">Koka Ninja House<\/a>, numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/National_Treasures_of_Shiga_Prefecture\">National Treasure buildings<\/a>, and traditional townscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5439 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hc024d-20090409_7778.jpg\" alt=\"hikone castle\" class=\"wp-image-5439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hc024d-20090409_7778.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hc024d-20090409_7778-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hc024d-20090409_7778-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hikone Castle in spring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4. Shiga&#8217;s most compact and convenient tourist cities are <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Otsu,_Shiga\">Otsu<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Kusatsu,_Shiga\">Kusatsu<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Omihachiman,_Shiga\">Omi-Hachiman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Hikone,_Shiga\">Hikone<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Nagahama,_Shiga\">Nagahama<\/a>. These cities have multiple tourist sights within a compact area. They also usually have English-speaking staff at the tourist information desk in the train station. Larger cities like <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Higashiomi,_Shiga\">Higashi-Omi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Koka,_Shiga\">Koka<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Takashima,_Shiga\">Takashima<\/a> have tourist sights spread out over a wide area which may require more time to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5. When traveling by shinkansen high-speed train, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Kyoto_Station\">Kyoto Station<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara_Station\">Maibara Station<\/a> are the most convenient for Shiga. Kyoto Station is near southern and western Shiga (<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Otsu,_Shiga\">Otsu<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Kusatsu,_Shiga\">Kusatsu<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Takashima,_Shiga\">Takashima<\/a>), while <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara_Station\">Maibara Station<\/a> is convenient for visiting northern or eastern Shiga (<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Hikone,_Shiga\">Hikone<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Nagahama,_Shiga\">Nagahama<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara,_Shiga\">Maibara<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Omi-Hachiman_Station\">Omi-Hachiman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Higashiomi,_Shiga\">Higashi-Omi<\/a>). Both Kyoto and Maibara Stations have local train lines that go to other areas of Shiga.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5987 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"335\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/119810501-008.jpg\" alt=\"Lake Biwa\" class=\"wp-image-5987\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/119810501-008.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/119810501-008-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/119810501-008-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Northern Lake Biwa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5989 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/119930504-019.jpg\" alt=\"Southern Lake Biwa\" class=\"wp-image-5989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/119930504-019.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/119930504-019-150x98.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Southern Lake Biwa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6. The eastern and southern sides of the lake are the most populated and developed, so the <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Biwako_Line\">JR Biwako\/Tokaido Line<\/a> runs through here frequently. In contrast, the west side and northern side of the lake are more rural and the <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Kosei_Line\">JR Kosei Line<\/a>&nbsp;runs less frequently. Shiga is well connected to Kyoto\/Osaka through local train lines.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_2408-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_2408-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_2408-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_2408-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5756 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cycle19870827-032a-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shirahige\" class=\"wp-image-5756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cycle19870827-032a-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cycle19870827-032a-1-150x99.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cycling past Shirahige Shrine in Takashima.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7. Most train stations in Shiga have rental bicycles. You can rent a bicycle at one train station and return it at another station. High-end bicycles for long-distance cycling can be rented at <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara_Station\">Maibara Station<\/a>. Bicycling around the lake (called &#8220;Biwa-ichi&#8221;) takes two (via Biwako Ohashi Bridge) or three days.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5855 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/nh219-20090415_2714-1.jpg\" alt=\"Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri\" class=\"wp-image-5855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/nh219-20090415_2714-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/nh219-20090415_2714-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/nh219-20090415_2714-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8. Shiga&#8217;s major festivals (matsuri) include <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=1008\">Sagicho Matsuri<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Omi-Hachiman_Station\">Omi-Hachiman<\/a> in mid-March, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=9\">Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri<\/a> in mid-April, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=11\">Sanno Matsuri<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Otsu,_Shiga\">Otsu<\/a> in mid-April, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=29\">Otsu Matsuri<\/a> in Oct., and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=156\">Hikone Castle Festival Parade<\/a> in Nov. <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Festivals_of_Shiga_Prefecture\">Detailed festival schedule here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5321 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kn307-20170413-4035a.jpg\" alt=\"kaizu\" class=\"wp-image-5321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kn307-20170413-4035a.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kn307-20170413-4035a-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kn307-20170413-4035a-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kaizu Osaki in April.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">9. Shiga&#8217;s most beautiful cherry blossoms in April are at <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=25\">Hikone Castle<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=10\">Nagahama Castle<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=113\">Kaizu-Osaki<\/a> northern lakeshore. <a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/shigas-top-cherry-blossom-spots\/\">More about Shiga&#8217;s cherry blossoms here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-6019 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1286.jpg\" alt=\"Genkyuen Garden \" class=\"wp-image-6019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1286.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1286-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_1286-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Genkyuen Garden and Hikone Castle in fall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">10. Shiga&#8217;s famous spots for autumn leaves in Nov. are the Koto Sanzan Temples (<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=163\">Saimyoji<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=164\">Kongorinji<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=165\">Hyakusaiji<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=166\">Eigenji Temple<\/a> in eastern Shiga. At <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=162\">Genkyuen Garden<\/a> next to Hikone Castle, the autumn leaves are lit up in the evenings, creating beautiful reflections on the pond.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5955 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_3661-1.jpg\" alt=\"funazushi\" class=\"wp-image-5955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_3661-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_3661-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_3661-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Funazushi is like cheesy fish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260307_0794as.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260307_0794as.jpg 700w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260307_0794as-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260307_0794as-660x440.jpg 660w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260307_0794as-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260307_0794as-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Omi beef.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">11. Shiga delicacies include fermented fish called <em>funazushi<\/em> made with endemic lake carp called <em>nigorobuna<\/em>, locally-grown wagyu beef called <em><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2026\/03\/omi-beef-in-tsukiji-tokyo\/\">Omi-gyu<\/a><\/em>, red devil\u2019s tongue (<em>aka-konnyaku<\/em>), Omi tea, and Club Harie Baumkuchen cake.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-5611 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sg039-20081013_1715.jpg\" alt=\"Shigaraki tanuki statues\" class=\"wp-image-5611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sg039-20081013_1715.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sg039-20081013_1715-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sg039-20081013_1715-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shigaraki tanuki statues<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">12. Shiga&#8217;s famous souvenirs include <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=330\">Shigaraki pottery<\/a> (especially tanuki racoon dog statues), Lake Biwa freshwater pearls, Omi sensu folding fans, <a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/otsu-e-paintings-now-and-then\/\">Otsu-e paintings\/prints<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/displayimage.php?album=25&amp;pid=52032#top_display_media\">Hiko-nyan dolls<\/a>, and Shiga die-cut postcards sold only at post offices in Shiga.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_7361.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_7361.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_7361-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_7361-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">13. It is possible to go completely around Lake Biwa by train, but it is not a continuous, looping train ride. You will have to transfer trains at least twice, usually at <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Yamashina_Station\">Yamashina Station<\/a> in Kyoto and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Omi-Shiotsu_Station\">Omi-Shiotsu Station<\/a> in Nagahama. But it&#8217;s not a tourist thing to go completely around Lake Biwa by train. Only the <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Kosei_Line\">JR Kosei Line<\/a> along the west side of the lake gives nice views of the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20170322_6078.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20170322_6078.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20170322_6078-150x99.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">14. &#8220;Omi&#8221; (also spelled &#8220;Ohmi&#8221;) is one word you may often see in Shiga. It was the former name of Shiga before Japan&#8217;s modern era and still synonymous with &#8220;Shiga.&#8221; It is also used as a prefix in place names or train station names such as &#8220;Omi-Hachiman&#8221; to distinguish it from other places named &#8220;Hachiman.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Heiwado&#8221; is another word you may often see as Shiga&#8217;s most ubiquitous and beloved corporate brand. It is a supermarket and local department store chain near major train stations. Great place to buy local food and souvenirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">15. Staying at a hotel in Shiga (especially in <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Otsu,_Shiga\">Otsu<\/a>) would be viable even for visiting Kyoto. Finding a hotel room in Shiga may be easier (like the capsule hotel in Otsu Station). <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Otsu,_Shiga\">Otsu<\/a> is a short train ride to Kyoto (JR line or Keihan Line).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">16. Shiga Prefecture is not be confused with the famous Shiga Kogen Highland ski area in Nagano Prefecture, a totally different place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>*To find out more interesting things about Shiga, take the <a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/shiga-image-quiz\/\">Shiga Image Quiz<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Shiga Prefecture is easy to find on a map of Japan. Just look for the large blue lake near the center of Honshu island. It is next to Kyoto. From Tokyo, Shiga is on the way to Kyoto. 2&#8230;. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6326,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-popular"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4632","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4632"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10292,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4632\/revisions\/10292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}