Shiga Prefecture

From PHOTOGUIDE.JP

This page is 93% complete. Last updated: Aug. 8, 2010

by Philbert Ono

Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県; Shiga-ken) is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located next to Kyoto Prefecture in the Kinki region on Japan's largest island of Honshu. Shiga can be easily spotted on a map of Japan with Lake Biwa (Japan's largest lake) looking like a belly button near the center of Honshu. Shiga's other neighbors are Fukui Prefecture in the north, Gifu Prefecture in the east, and Mie Prefecture in the southeast. Kyoto Prefecture is in the west. The capital city is Otsu in the southern part of Shiga adjacent to the city of Kyoto. Most people traveling to Kyoto or Osaka from the east (Tokyo, etc.) will usually have to pass through Shiga either by train (including the Shinkansen bullet train) or expressway.

Shiga has always been overshadowed by its much more famous neighbor Kyoto. Typical tourists have too many things to see in Kyoto and Nara and not have enough time to consider visiting Shiga. This is unfortunate since Shiga has so many sights to see only a stone's throw away (10 min. by train) from Kyoto.

Shiga's most prominent natural feature is Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. It occupies one-sixth the total area of the prefecture. Bird-watching, fishing, boating, swimming in summer, and cycling are popular activities. The lake is vitally important as it supplies water to Kyoto and Osaka via man-made canals. Although Shiga is a landlocked prefecture, Lake Biwa endows it with good swimming beaches. The western and northern shores of the lake along the Kosei Line are generally more scenic with sandy white beaches.

Shiga is enclosed by mountain ranges with the Hira mountains in the west, the Ibuki range in the northeast, and Suzuka mountain range in the east. In winter, northern Shiga is substantially colder with higher snowfall.

Most of the population is concentrated along the eastern and southern (dominated by Otsu) areas of the prefecture along the Tokaido Main Line (also called Biwako Line between Kyoto and Nagahama). Since the southern and southeastern cities are within easy commuting distance to neighboring Kyoto and Osaka, the population in these areas has been increasing as bedtown communities. The areas along the northwestern and northern shores of Lake Biwa are more rural and the trains are less frequent.

For sightseeing, Otsu, Hikone, Nagahama, Omi-Hachiman, Koka, and Chikubushima island are favorites. Shiga is home to Hikone Castle, one of only four castles in Japan designated as a National Treasure. Enryakuji temple atop Mt. Hiei in Otsu also has buildings which are National Treasures. It is also part of a World Heritage Site called Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. With regard to architecture (mainly temples and shrines), Shiga has the third highest number (22) of buildings which are National Treasures, following Nara (64) and Kyoto (48).

Shiga also has many other National Historic Sites, especially related to the feudal era. Famous daimyo warlords such as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Yamauchi Kazutoyo, and Azai Nagamasa once lived in Shiga (known as Omi Province). The Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573-1603) is partially named after Azuchi Castle that Nobunaga built in the 16th century in present-day Omi-Hachiman. You can easily visit their castle sites whose stone work still remains. Another little-known fact about Shiga is that it was home of the Koka (Koga) ninja. Ninja fans must visit the world's only authentic ninja house that still remains in its original location in Koka.

During the peaceful Tokugawa Period, lodging towns along the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads flourished as traders and VIPs traveled between Tokyo (Edo) and Kyoto. In Shiga, the best preserved lodging towns (called shukuba-machi), romanticized in woodblock prints, include Kusatsu and Tsuchiyama.

Besides history and samurai buffs, Shiga also attracts fun-loving visitors with paddlewheel lake cruises, bicycling (or driving) around Lake Biwa, fishing, rowing, mountain climbing/hiking, cherry blossoms along the lake shore, and festivals in all four seasons.

Shiga is easy to get to, especially from Kyoto. A 10-min. train ride can get you to Otsu. Up north, Maibara Station is Shiga's shinkansen bullet train station (about 2.5 hours from Tokyo). Maibara Station also has direct train connections to and from Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture and the Hokuriku region (Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama Prefectures). For details, see Getting There below.

Major Sights

Lake Biwa	Mt. Shizugatake	Katata Ukimido
Hikone Castle	Hiko-nyan	Mt. Ibuki
Enryakuji temple	Ishiyama-dera	Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Koka ninja house	Ninja Village	Shigaraki

More Shiga photos here.

*Main article: Shiga Prefecture Sights

• Lake Biwa 琵琶湖 - Japan's largest lake with white sand swimming beaches along the western shore such as Omi-Maiko, boat cruises, and islands such as Chikubushima. Great views of the lake can also be had from the surrounding mountains such as Mt. Hiei. The best place to learn about Lake Biwa (Biwako) is the Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu.

• Chikubushima 竹生島 - An iconic island in the middle of northern Lake Biwa. Easily accessible by boat from Nagahama, Hikone, and Imazu Ports, the island has a large temple complex called Hogonji which includes buildings designated as National Treasures. In recent years, the island has been suffering from a large colony of cormorants that damage the trees.

• Hikone Castle 彦根城 - Shiga's most famous building and a National Treasure. The castle tower, turrets, and moats are well preserved and they give you a good glimpse into how a real castle looked like (especially the inside). The castle is associated with Ii Naosuke who was the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo). He favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world in the 19th century. Foreigners were then allowed to trade with Japan and take up residence in cities like Yokohama and Hakodate. Unfortunately, Ii was later assassinated in 1860 near Edo Castle by samurai radicals who sought to oust the foreign "barbarians."

• Enryakuji Temple 延暦寺 - Headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist Sect atop Mt. Hie in Otsu. Founded by Saicho and one of Japan's largest temple complexes and part of a World Heritage Site which includes the temples of Kyoto. Enryakuji was the cradle of Japanese Buddhism as many founders of Japan's Buddhist sects once trained here, including Shinran and Nichiren. Since the temple is northeast of Kyoto, the temple also served to guard Kyoto from the demons of the northeast. The temple includes buildings designated as National Treasures. Easily accessible from Kyoto or Otsu.

• Ishiyama-dera Temple 石山寺 - Founded in 749 and belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, Ishiyama-dera is another large temple in Otsu. It is situated on a rocky, low hill where you can see the huge rock formation after which the temple was named (Ishiyama means rock mountain). The temple is noted for National Treasure buildings such as the Hondo Hall and Tahoto pagoda, cherry blossoms, and fall leaves. The temple is also where Lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote the famous novel "Genji Monogatari" or Tale of Genji in 1008. Much of the novel was written in a room at Ishiyama-dera temple in Otsu. This room is on display at the temple, complete with a Lady Murasaki mannequin. Ishiyama-dera is also the 13th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage.

• Koka Ninja House 甲賀流忍術屋敷 - The world's only authentic ninja house still in its original location. Revolving doors, trap doors, and underground tunnels helped the ninja escape or hide from the enemy. They avoided direct combat as much as possible. Called Koka-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki, this house was the residence of Mochizuki Izumo-no-kami, the leader clan of the Koga ninja. Even actor Harrison Ford visited this house once (a picture of him is displayed inside the house). Located in Konan-cho in Koka, the former heart of the Koka ninja, popularly called Koga ninja. JR Konan Station on the Kusatsu Line is the closest train station.

• Azuchi Castle 安土城 - Built in 1579 by Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle was unique for its octagonal castle tower. It was attacked and destroyed only 3 years later. Although no castle structures remain, much of the stone work remains, including the foundation stones of the tenshu castle tower. The castle ruins are on a hill in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture. A splendid replica of the top portion of the castle tower is displayed at the House of Nobunaga museum (Nobunaga no Yakata) nearby the castle ruins.

• Central Nagahama 長浜 - One of the most popular destinations among Japanese tourists is the Kurokabe Square area featuring a shopping arcade, restaurants, and Daitsuji temple. Also nearby is Nagahama Castle in Hokoen Park, one of Japan's 100 Most Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in April.

• Lake Yogo 余呉湖 - Lake Yogo is a small but scenic and serene lake north of Lake Biwa. It is famous for the legend of the swan maiden. You can walk or bicycle around the lake. Near Yogo Station on the JR Hokuriku Line. Rental bicycles available at Yogo Station.

• Odani Castle 小谷城 - Odani Castle in northern Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, was originally built in 1524 atop Mt. Odani (495 m). The Azai clan called it home for three generations until Azai Nagamasa was defeated by Oda Nobunaga in 1573. Nobunaga bestowed the castle to Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi. However, Toyotomi built and occupied a castle in Nagahama, abandoning Odani. No buildings have survived, but there are many rock walls and foundations remaining. Odani Castle is set to enjoy the spotlight in 2011 when NHK TV will broadcast a year-long period drama centering on one of Azai Nagamasa's three daughters named Go.

• Taga Taisha Shrine - Shiga Prefecture's most popular Shinto shrine, especially during New Year's with over 400,000 worshippers. Taga is a very auspicious name literally meaning Many Congratulations. Taga Taisha also holds enjoyable festivals such as Taga Matsuri in May, Taga Taisha Rice-Planting Festival in June, and Taga Taisha Lantern Festival in Aug.

• Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine - Headquarters shrine for all of Japan's numerous Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines. Dedicated to the Mountain God. The shrine's two Honden main halls are National Treasures. Its biggest festival is the annual Sanno-sai Festival 山王祭 held in mid-April.

• Gichuji Temple 義仲寺 - Best known for the grave of Haiku poet Basho Matsuo (1644-94). Besides Basho's gravestone, the temple has a myriad of Haiku stone monuments. National Historic Site. Near Zeze Station.

• Omi-Maiko 近江舞子 - Popular white-sand beach on the western shore of Lake Biwa. In summer, many Kyotoites go there for sunning and swimming. Easily accessible on the JR Kosei Line's Omi-Maiko Station.

• Kaizu-Osaki 海津大崎 - Picturesque northern lakeshore lined with cherry blossoms in April. One of Japan's 100 Most Famous Cherry Blossom Spots. Rent a bicycle from Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line. Beware of traffic jams on the narrow lakeshore road and dark tunnels. Carry a flashlight if you are walking.

• Harie 針江- Shin-Asahi in Takashima has a neighborhood called Harie where homes draw clean water from an ever-flowing spring directly from the ground into private wells called kabata. A local NPO conducts fascinating tours of the area and homes with kabata.

• Koto Sanzan Temple Trio 湖東三山 - Koto Sanzan means Temple Trio East of the Lake, in reference to three noted Tendai Buddhist temples in eastern Shiga. A few of the buildings are National Treasures and they are especially beautiful in Nov. with fall foliage. The three temples are Kongorinji 金剛輪寺 in Aisho, Hyakusaiji 百済寺 in Higashi-Omi, and Saimyoji 西明寺 in Kora. In Nov., special shuttle buses are provided from the nearest train stations to all three temples as well as to Eigenji temple in Higashi-Omi. It makes it easy to visit all four temples by bus.

• Mt. Ibuki 伊吹山 - Maibara One of Japan's 100 Most Famous Mountains and Shiga's highest mountain. Popular in spring and summer when exotic alpine flowers bloom on the summit. Easy hiking trails on the summit also afford grand views. You can catch a bus at Sekigahara Station in Gifu to reach the summit via the Ibukiyama Driveway. Ibukiyama also appears in the legend of Yamato Takeru, a warrior who battled an evil white boar on Ibuki and was subsequently poisoned by a mist, leading to his death.

• Oku Biwako Parkway 奥琵琶湖パークウェイ - Scenic drive in northern Shiga with a great view of Lake Biwa from the mountain side.

• Hie-zan Driveway 比叡山 - Scenic mountain road overlooking western Lake Biwa. Buses available from Kyoto. Might as well visit Enryakuji Temple as well.

• Katata Ukimido 堅田 浮御堂 - This temple jutting into the lake in Katata is famous as one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi) and thus one of Shiga's most scenic views, even today, despite the concrete (instead of wooden) stilts. Katata is also on the west end of the Biwako Ohashi Bridge.

• Omi merchant homes - During the Edo Period and Meiji Period, Shiga was a hotbed of successful entrepreneurs called "Omi shonin" or Omi merchants. They sold and traded goods all over Japan and were based in areas such as Gokasho, Omi-Hachiman, Hino, and Toyosato where you can tour inside their grand homes. Takashimaya Dept. Store, Itochu Corporation, Marubeni, and Seibu all have Shiga roots.

• Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park - Home of nationally-famous Shigaraki-ware pottery and the tanuki raccoon dog sculpture. See real kilns and a ceramic museum in a park-like setting with numerous ceramic sculptures. You can also try your hand at pottery-making. Miho Museum is also a worthwhile visit if you're in Shigaraki which is in Koka.

• Tokaido Road and Nakasendo Road post towns (shukuba). The Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads connected Tokyo (Edo) with Kyoto and passed through Shiga. These roads had post towns or lodging towns called shukuba where travelers lodged, rested, changed their horses, and replenished provisions. These shukuba have been romanticized and immortalized in woodblock prints by Hiroshige. Although very few remnants of these shukuba remain today, Shiga still has some shukuba buildings dating from the Edo Period. Along the Tokaido Road, Shiga had five shukuba towns: 49. Tsuchiyama-juku (土山宿) (Kōka), 50. Minakuchi-juku (水口宿) (Kōka), 51. Ishibe-juku (石部宿) (Konan), 52. Kusatsu-juku (草津宿) (Kusatsu) (also on the Nakasendō), and 53. Ōtsu-juku (大津宿) (Ōtsu) (also on the Nakasendō). And along the Nakasendo Road, Shiga had ten shukuba: 60. Kashiwabara-juku (Maibara), 61. Samegai-juku (Maibara), 62. Banba-juku (Maibara), 63. Toriimoto-juku (Hikone), 64. Takamiya-juku (Hikone), 65. Echigawa-juku (Aishō), 66. Musa-juku (Ōmi-Hachiman), 67. Moriyama-juku (Moriyama), 68. Kusatsu-juku (Kusatsu) (also on the Tōkaidō), and 69. Ōtsu-juku (Ōtsu) (also on the Tōkaidō). Each shukuba was numbered sequentially as the road got closer to Kyoto. The focal point of the shukuba was the Honjin (本陣), the town's most exclusive accommodations reserved for daimyos and other VIPs including the emperor. The Kusatsu Honjin (now a public museum) and Tsuchiyama Honjin (appointment required to see inside) are the best preserved in Shiga. You can still see the signatures of famous lodgers in the Honjin's guest book. Other shukuba in Shiga might not have a Honjin, but places like Kashiwabara-juku have worked to restore the look of a shukuba from the old days.

• William Merrell Vories architecture - Vories (1880-1964) moved to Omi-Hachiman in 1905 to work as an English teacher while engaging in Christian missionary activities. He always had an interest in architecture and never had formal training as an architect, but he studied on his own and opened his own architectural firm in Omi-Hachiman in 1908. He and his firm went on to design numerous buildings in Shiga and other places in Japan. Omi-Hachiman still has a good number of Vories buildings intact, including his former residence and Toyosato Elementary School.

• Bicycling along the lake shore - Many lakeside towns in Shiga also offer rental bicycles where you can hop on the bicycle at one train station and ride to another train station to return it. Cycling is a great way to see Shiga and the lake shore roads are very scenic and relatively flat. For a complete list of where you can rent a bicycle in Shiga, see Getting Around below.

• JRA Ritto Training Center JRA Ritto Training Center 栗東トレーニング・センター - Since 1969, the government-run Japan Racing Association (JRA) has trained jockeys and race horses in Ritto. It offers free tours (telephone reservations required) of this large, impressive facility on Sunday afternoons (1 pm - 2:30 pm) and early Wednesday mornings (when you can see horses running on the track).

Also see National_Treasures_of_Shiga_Prefecture.

Shiga Festivals

Shiga has numerous matsuri (festival) to celebrate or worship one thing or another. Most are held by Shinto shrines, and others are held by local organizations. Major festivals are listed in the event calendar below.

Sagicho Matsuri	Tsuchiyama Saio Princess	Kaizu-Osaki sakura	Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri
Sanno-sai Festival	Taga Matsuri	Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri	Kenketo Matsuri, Ryuo
Hino Matsuri	Sushikiri Matsuri	Shichikawa Matsuri	Yokaichi Giant Kite
Hyozu Matsuri	Yuki Saiden Rice-Planting	Biwako Fireworks	Taga Taisha Lantern Festival
Ibukiyama Taiko Drummers	Otsu Matsuri	Hikone Castle Parade	Koto Sanzan foliage

More Shiga photos here.

January

• 1-3 - Hatsumode New Year's worshipping at major shrines such as Taga Taisha and Omi Jingu.
• Early weekend - Omi Jingu Karuta Matsuri, Otsu.
• Entire month - Rape blossoms, Nagisa Park, Moriyama. This lakeside park is blanketed with golden-yellow flowers against the Hira mountains in the background.
• 2nd Mon. - Coming of Age Ceremony with Giant Kite, Higashi-Omi
• Mid-Jan. to Mar. - Nagahama Bonsai Plum Tree Exhibition
• 9-11 - Toka Ebisu Festival, Hokoku Shrine, Nagahama. Shrine for business prosperity.
• 2nd Sat. - Katsube Shrine Fire Festival and Sumiyoshi Shrine Fire Festival, Moriyama. Both shrines light giant torches for the festival's climax. According to legend, a dragon was finally slain during the Kamakura Period, and Emperor Tsuchikado then recovered from his illness. When the dragon was burned, the body fell on Katsube Shrine while the head fell on Sumiyoshi Shrine. Unfortunately, you cannot see the festival at both shrines since they are held around the same time. Katsube Shrine's fire festival is bigger with more torches, twelve of them.

February

• Early Feb. - Oku Ibuki Snow Fight and Kamakura Festival, Maibara
• 3 - Setsubun Bean Throwing at Taga Taisha Shrine, Taga. Feb. 3 is the Setsubun Festival at many temples and shrines in Japan. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. So they throw beans at ogre to eliminate the evil of the previous year and bring in good fortune. Taga Taisha has impressive ogre (called oni in Japanese) dancers from Shimane Prefecture to act as the demons to chase away during the festival.
• 17-19 - Tamura Shrine Yakuyoke-sai, Koka

March

• Mid-March weekend - Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman. Dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats carried around the streets and in Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal. On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end. The second day (Sun.) of the Sagicho Festival is the climax. During the day, the Sagicho floats collide with each other and try to topple each other. At night, the floats are set afire. Sagicho is actually a fire festival.
• Last Sun. in March - Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession, Tsuchiyama, Koka. The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries. For about 660 years, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines. The new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to her Saiku palace near the Ise Shrine. The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Tsuchiyama in Shiga Prefecture. This festival reenacts the Saio Gunko procession in Tsuchiyama to Tarumi Tongu which was one of the five palaces where the Saio lodged along the way.
• Late Mar. - early April - Cherry blossoms at Kaizu Osaki, Zeze Park, Hikone Castle, Nagahama Castle (Hokoen Park), Mishima Pond

April

• 4 - Minami Sanno Matsuri, Hino. Held annually by Hieda Jinja Shrine in Okubo and Seon. It is like a picnic under pink streamers called hoinobori.
• 4 - Yoshibue Day Concert, Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman. The Japan Yoshibue Association holds a yoshibue (flute made of reeds growing in Lake Biwa) concert on April 4 which they call Yoshibue Day. Various groups playing the reed flute gathered to perform a free concert in Azuchi's Bungei no Sato. It includes a concert hall called Bungei Seminario
• 14-16 - Nagahama Hikiyama Festival 長浜曳山祭り - Held by Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine, the Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri is Nagahama's most famous festival featuring authentic kabuki plays performed by boys around April 15. Several ornate floats on wheels serve as the stage for talented young actors. The floats are paraded along the main street as they a few stops to put on the kabuki plays.
• 12-14 - Sanno-sai Festival, Hiyoshi Taisha, Otsu. Held by Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine and one of Shiga Prefecture's largest festivals, the Sanno-sai Festival features various ceremonies and processions, violent rocking of portable shrines, and a boat procession on Lake Biwa. Buddhist priests from Enryakuji temple also participate.
• 14-15 - Hachiman Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman. Torch festival at Himure Hachimangu Shrine.
• 18 - Kawakami Matsuri, Imazu, Takashima. Held annually by Hioki and Tsuno Shrines, this festival features a pair of very tall (18 meters), decorated bamboo poles called O-nobori carried little by little at a horse-riding course. There are also children in costume playing music with drums and bells and others carrying a decorated branch called sanyare.
• 19-20 - Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival, Koka. Ornate Hikiyama floats are pulled through town. On the festival eve, the floats are lit up with paper lanterns from 7 pm and Minakuchi-bayashi festival music is played. On the 20th, at 9 am, the floats are paraded through the streets as they head toward Minakuchi Jinja Shrine (near Minakuchi Jonan Station). Portable shrines also make their way to the shrine. During midday, ceremonies are held at the shrine. At 2 pm, a procession of Chigo children and portable shrines leave the shrine.
• 22: Taga Matsuri 多賀まつり, Taga. A long procession featuring Shinto priests, children in costume, women warriors, and more people on 40 horses. A total of 500 people were in the procession. There is a morning procession from Taga Taisha to Totonomiya Shrine deep in Taga's countryside, and an afternoon (main) procession going to the Otabisho, a short distance away from Taga Taisha.
• 28-29 - Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Kusatsu. Festival celebrates Kusatsu's history as a post town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. Numerous events and activities are held such as flea markets, street & stage performances, and Japanese dances. The main highlight is the Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu procession of men and women dressed in historical costumes.
• 29 - Kaizu Rikishi Matsuri Festival, Makino, Takashima. Held annually by Kaizuten Jinja Shrine, this local festival features men dressed as sumo wrestlers (rikishi) carrying two mikoshi portable shrines around their respective neighborhoods. They wear kesho mawashi ceremonial aprons. They jostle the mikoshi during the day, and then at night they go to the shrine for the festival climax with lit torches.
• 29 - Sakata Shinmeigu Yakko-buri Procession, Maibara. Reenacts the procession of Lord Ii Naonobu from Hikone when he came to worship at Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine in 1733 in Maibara. The men walk with a stylized, kicking action. It starts with a Shinto ceremony which includes dancing by shrine maidens. Held annually by Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine on April 29 at 2 pm near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line).

May

• 1 - Yuge Hinomatsuri Fire Festival 弓削の火祭り, Ryuo. Giant torches, fireworks, and firecrackers from 7 pm to 9 :20 pm. At Omi-Hachiman Station, go to bus stop 4 and take a bus bound for Okaya Minami (岡屋南) and get off at Nishikawa Higashi-guchi (西川東口). Walk 10 min. to Kobiyoshi Jinja Shrine (小日吉神社). Or take a taxi from Omi-Hachiman Station (fare will cost about 1600 to 2000 yen).
• 2-3 - Hino Festival, Hino-cho. Held annually, the Hino Matsuri is the largest festival in eastern Shiga Pref. In 2006, sixteen ornate floats and three portable shrines were paraded through the streets. It is the spring festival of the Umamioka Watamuki Shrine and one of Shiga's Intangible Cultural Assets.
• 3 - Miss Kunoichi (female ninja) Audition, Ninja Village, Koka.
• 3 - Kenketo Matsuri and Odori, Tsuchiyama, Koka. Kenketo Odori is a dance performed by eight boys aged 7 to 12. The dance was originally started to ward off calamities. The boys wear tall peacock feathers on their heads. From Kibukawa Station (JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways), catch the Aikuru Bus and get off at Higashi Maeno. The shrine is a short walk toward the river.
• 3 - Kenketo Matsuri, Ryuo. Held annually by a few Shinto shrines in Ryuo and neighboring Higashi-Omi, the Kenketo Festival is mainly a naginata (pole sword) dance and procession by boys dressed in costume. The main venue is Suginoki Shrine in Yamanoue, Ryuo.
• 3 - Nabe Kanmuri Festival, Maibara. Annual festival held by Chikuma Shrine. It is a procession along the shore of Lake Biwa featuring eight 8-year-old girls wearing a "nabe" or pot helmet. The shrine is dedicated to the God of Food and the nabe pot is for containing food offerings to the god.
• 3-4 - Omizo Festival 大溝祭り, Hiyoshi Shrine, Takashima. A procession of five ornate floats are pulled around the neighborhood of JR Omi-Takashima Station (JR Kosei Line). The festival eve on May 3 has the floats festooned with paper lanterns as they are pulled around. On May 4, they pull the floats around during the day and gather at Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine which holds the festival annually.
• 4 - Shichikawa Matsuri Festival 2010 七川祭, Takashima. Held annually at Oarahiko Shrine in Takashima, this festival features a procession of yakko-furi procession, yabusame horse runs, and portable shrine procession. This is the largest festival in the Kosei area (western Shiga) and the only one featuring horses in Kosei. The shrine is near Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line).
• 4 - Shinoda Fireworks at Shinoda Shrine, Omi-Hachiman. Held annually at Shinoda Shrine, the Shinoda Hanabi display is a surprisingly spectacular fireworks display. Torch fireworks, Niagara Falls, and panel-type fireworks provide an explosive experience. Good for people who cannot wait till summer to see fireworks in Japan. Walk from Omi-Hachiman Station.
• 4 - Misaki Shrine Fire Festival 御崎神社の火まつり, Aisho-cho. Local people carry 2-meter long torches from their homes to the shrine. A taiko drum is also carried and beaten. The shrine has a 5-meter tall pile of bamboo that is lit to make a towering inferno within the shrine grounds. Very dramatic.
• 4 - Iba Saka-kudashi Festival, Higashi-Omi. A portable shrine is carried down a mountain over rocky terrain.
• Early May once every several years - Niu Chawan Matsuri Festival, Yogo, Nagahama. One of Shiga's rarest and unusual festivals was held for the first time in six years on May 4, 2009. Held by Niu Shrine deep in a mountain valley of Yogo in northern Nagahama, the festival featured sacred dances by boys dressed as girls, three floats topped with lofty "balancing act" decorations, and a procession of colorful dancers.
• 5 - Sushi-kiri Matsuri (sushi cutting), Moriyama. Held at Shimoniikawa Shrine, an unusual festival with two young lads cutting funa-zushi fermented fish (crucian carp native to Lake Biwa) as an offering. Festival spectators are then offered the cut pieces of funa-zushi.
• 5 - Naginata Odori Matsuri, Moriyama. Held annually by Azu Jinja Shrine, the festival consists of dances and music by children, taiko drumming, a naginata dance and acrobatics by boys using a pole sword, and a roundtrip procession from Azu Shrine to Azu Wakamiya Shrine.
• 5 - Hyozu Matsuri, Yasu. Over 35 portable shrines are paraded around Hyozu Taisha Shrine. Two of them are carried only by women. They are called "Ayame," meaning iris flowers. One is a portable shrine (mikoshi) and the other is a taiko drum. Other mikoshi are carried by children and men. Very lively festival.
• Early May - Asahi Regatta, Otsu. Japan's largest annual rowing regatta is held in southern Lake Biwa where the lake meets Seta River. Almost 600 rowers from junior high schoolers to age 60 and over compete during four days. Boys and girls and men and women row in teams of one, two, four, or eight in over 230 rowing races (1,000 meters).
• 3rd Sun. - Otaue Taisai rice-planting Festival, Tarobo Shrine, Higashi-Omi.
• 4th Sun. - Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival 八日市大凧まつり - Higashi Omi (formerly Yokaichi) city holds a Giant Kite Festival on the fourth Sunday of May along a riverbank. The public is welcome to pull the rope to put the kite aloft (it doesn't fly very long if there's no wind).
• 4th Sun. - Yuki Saiden Rice-Planting Festival, Yasu. Held in a sacred rice paddy near Mikami Shrine, women and men in colorful costumes plant rice seedlings accompanied by singing, taiko drumming, and dancing. Starts at 10 am with a Shinto ceremony, then the rice planting is held from 10:30 am to 11 am. The rice paddy is called Yuki Saiden (悠紀斎田記念田) which was the used to produce the rice used for the Showa Emperor Hirohito's accession to the throne in 1928. Near Yamade-mae bus stop near the foot of Mt. Mikami.

June

• 1st Sun. - Azuchi Nobunaga Festival, Bungei no Sato, Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman. Festival honoring Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. Various events and activities highlighted by the Musha Gyoretsu warrior procession and a demonstration of firing matchlock guns. The boat ride along the moat is also enjoyable.
• 1st Sun. in June - Taga Taisha Rice-Planting Festival 多賀大社御田植祭 - This rice-planting festival has 70 local junior high school girls planting rice in the shrine's sacred rice paddy. There's also a stage for ceremonial performances and rituals. A ceremony starts at 1 pm at the shrine, then the rice planting starts at the nearby sacred rice paddy at 2 pm.
• Early to mid-June - Amanogawa River and Santo Hotaru Firefly Festival, Maibara
• Sun. in mid-June - Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) Choir Contest, Omi-Imazu, Takashima. Held annually in June since 1997, this song contest has over 20 choirs, mainly from western Japan, compete by singing two songs each. One song they must sing is Biwako Shuko no Uta, while the other song can be anything.
• Mid June - Suzuka Magouta National Singing Contest, Tsuchiyama, Koka.

July

• Lake Biwa beaches such as Omi-Maiko open for swimming.
• Weekend in late July or early Aug. - Birdman Contest, Hikone. College students fly gliders or human-propelled planes over the lake.
• 4th Sun. - Shigaraki Fire Festival, Koka.
• 28-29 - Mitarashi Festival, Otsu
• Late July - Shotoku Matsuri, Higashi-Omi. Evening dance festival.
• Late July - Kashiwabara-juku Yaito Matsuri. Stage entertainment, food booths, and fireworks.
• Last weekend - Lotus Festival, Karasuma Peninsula, Kusatsu.

August

• 1 - Hikone Fireworks, Hikone at Matsubara Beach.
• 1 - Biwako Otsu Natsu Matsuri, Otsu. Evening summer festival near Hama-Otsu. Stage entertainment and large-scale Bon dancing (Goshu Ondo).
• 5 - Nagahama Fireworks, Nagahama Port.
• 1st Sun. - Kannon-no-Sato Furusato Matsuri, Takatsuki, Nagahama. Tour temples famous for Kannon statues.
• Aug. 3-5 - Taga Taisha Mantosai Lantern Festival 多賀大社万燈祭, Taga. Held at Taga Taisha Shrine, the Mantosai or 10,000-Lantern Festival is a night festival when numerous lanterns are lit within the shrine grounds. The lanterns are for the repose of ancestral spirits. Various sacred dances and entertainment are also held nightly during the festival.
• 8 - Biwako Fireworks, Otsu. Big display, but admission (around 4,000 yen) charged in prime viewing areas along Hama-Otsu. The free area along Nagisa Park is terribly crowded with people reserving viewing spots from the night before.
• 14-15 - Hifuri Matsuri, Hino. Held for two evenings during the obon season, people light their torches at Gosha Shrine and proceed to Hibarino park where the torches are thrown up to a large pine tree. The more torches get stuck on the tree, the better the next harvest will be.
• 17 - Senkosai Boat Festival, Setagawa River, Otsu. Procession of boats.
• Sun. in Aug. - Imazu Regatta, Takashima. Held off the shore of Imazu and organized by the Takashima-Imazu Rowing Club NPO, over 100 rowers, young and old, participate. Some even come from Kyoto and Osaka.
• 22-25 - Kinomoto Ennichi Festival at Kinomoto Jizo-in temple. Food and souvenir stalls and evening fireworks. Ennichi is the temple's auspicious or special commemoration days. When you go to worship on such days, your prayers will be answered in better ways than usual. The festival is held from 9 am to 10 pm.

September

• 5-6 - Shirahige Festival, Shirahige Shrine, Takashima
• 3rd Mon. - Hinade Shrine Sumo Odori Dance, Maibara. Near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line) in former Omi-cho town is Mt. Hinodeyama with Hinode Jinja Shrine holding an annual sumo festival on the third Mon. of Sept. It features mainly children's sumo and a sumo jinku dance by about 16 men.
• Late Sept. - Tsuchiyama Shukuba Festival

October

• Early Oct. to early Nov. - Nagahama Shussei Matsuri. Highlighted by hundreds of women in kimono.
• 4 - Asahi Honen Taiko Odori Dance, Maibara. The area of Asahi in Maibara is home to the Asahi Honen Taiko drum troupe whose drum dance originated centuries ago to pray for rain. In Oct., they perform their drumming and dancing after walking from Asahi to Hachiman Shrine.
• Two days before Sports Day Oct. 10: Otsu Matsuri Festival 大津祭, Otsu. One of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu for two days. The first day has the floats parked and displayed on the streets and lit up at night (Yoimiya). The second day is the festival climax with a procession of all the floats highlighted by performances by karakuri mechanical dolls on the floats.
• 2nd Sun. - Zuiki Festival, Mikami Shrine, Yasu.
• Oct. - Apr.: Shiga Lakestars regular season games are held on weekends. For the home game schedule, see their official site (Japanese).
• Day before Sports Day (around Oct. 10) - All-Japan Ninja Competition, Ninja Village, Koka
• Three-day Sports Day weekend - Shigaraki Pottery Festival, Koka. Shigaraki-yaki sold by numerous vendors. The famous Shigaraki tanuki (raccoon dog) are also on display en masse.
• Three-day Sports Day (Oct. 10) weekend- Maibara Hikiyama Festival
• Mid Oct. - Shizugatake Tenka-tori Matsuri, Kinomoto.
• Weekend in late Oct. - Yuru-kyara Matsuri in Hikone. Very popular festival where numerous mascot characters gather.
• Late Oct. - Echigawa-juku 66th Post Town Festival.

November

• 3 - Hikone Castle Festival Parade, Hikone. Called Little Edo (Koedo), the castle town of Hikone holds a Castle Festival on Nov. 3. One highlight is the castle parade of children and adults in historical costumes, especially samurai from the Ii clan. The parade includes demonstrations of matchlock gun firing and fireman's acrobatics.
• 3 - Omi Jingu Shrine Yabusame, Otsu
• Mid to late Nov. - Fall colors at Koto Sanzan Temple Trio, Ishiyama-dera Temple, Hiyoshi Taisha (night lights), Oku Ibuki, Hyozu Taisha (night lights), Hikone Genkyu-en (night lights)
• Mid-Nov. - Lake Biwa Hot-Air Balloon Race, Omi-Shirahama beach, Takashima

December

• 1st Sun. - Tarobogu Shrine Fire Festival, HigashiOmi

*More sights at Shiga Prefecture Sights and photos at Shiga Photos.

Travel Tips

If you're like most tourists visiting Japan, you will likely visit and stay in Kyoto. If so, Shiga is an easy half-day or day trip from Kyoto. If you like visiting temples, Otsu is only a short train ride from Kyoto Station. From Kyoto, there are direct trains which go as far as Nagahama in northern Shiga (or Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture) on the Tokaido/Biwako Line.

However, if you prefer to lodge in Shiga, the following cities are ideal tourist bases with a good number of hotels. Shiga is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle and tourist crowds of Kyoto.

• Otsu - Kyoto's neighbor and Shiga's capital city stretches a very long way along the southern shore of Lake Biwa. It has a number of important and historical temples and shrines such as Enryakuji atop Mt. Hiei, Miidera, Ishiyama-dera, Hiyoshi Taisha, and Omi Jingu. Otsu Port is also home to the Michigan paddlewheel boat offering lake cruises.

• Hikone - This is a well-known castle town with Hikone Castle preserved well-enough to be designated as a National Treasure. Next to it is Genkyu-en Garden. Hikone Port has boats going to Chikubushima and Takeshima islands.

• Nagahama - Shiga's largest city up north has a reconstructed castle, Japan's oldest train station building (now a museum), temples, the Kunitomo Gun Museum, and Kurokabe Square with black-walled shops. Nagahama Port has boats going to Chikubushima island. A short train ride further up north can also take you to nearby sights like Mt. Shizugatake and Lake Yogo.

• Omi-Hachiman - A former merchant and castle town, this is another historical city which history buffs and architecture fans would love. Mt. Hachimanyama used to be a castle and it still gives great views of the city and lake. Nearby is also Azuchi Castle ruins and Omi merchant homes at Gokasho. The Ohmi Railway also leads to Yokaichi in Higashi-Omi.

• Kusatsu - A former post town on the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads is the gateway to southeastern Shiga (especially Koka) with the JR Kusatsu Line starting in Kusatsu.

• Takashima - Takashima occupies all of western Shiga. It is much more quiet and rural in Takashima and yet very picturesque with lakeside beaches and parks. Omi-Imazu and Makino have hotels with good views.

*See also Budget Accommodations below.

Ideal Itineraries

• Visit Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei. Enryakuji is accessible from Kyoto via the Eizan Cable Car or by bus. From Otsu via the Sakamoto Cable Car. It's large temple complex, but the main area is Todo.
• Visit important temples in central Otsu. Should start with Ishiyama-dera, then visit Miidera, Ukimido, and Sakamoto.
• Go on a lake cruise from Otsu Port. Boats leave a few times a day. The Michigan paddlewheel boat is a longtime fixture on the lake. Sixty-minute and 90-min. cruises are offered.
• Visit Omi-Maiko beach. Take the JR Kosei Line from Kyoto Station and get off at Omi-Maiko Station to see white sand beaches.
• Visit Hikone Castle. Easily accessible by train from almost everywhere. From Kyoto, take the JR Tokaido/Biwako Line and get off at Hikone Station. The castle is a short walk from the station.
• Visit Koka Ninja House and Ninja Village in Koka. Take the JR Kusatsu Line to Konan Station or Koka Station and take a taxi or call the Ninja Village (0748-88-5000) for a free ride. Unfortunately, there is no public transportation between the Ninja Village and Koka Ninja House. Call a taxi at either place to visit the other.
• Go up Mt. Shizugatake on the chair lift and hike down to Lake Yogo. Buses and taxis to Mt. Shizugatake are available at JR Kinomoto Station. Atop the mountain are grand views of two lakes: Lake Biwa on one side and Lake Yogo on the other side. Hike down to Lake Yogo and rest or eat at the lakeside lodge called Yogoko-so.
• Visit Chikubushima island. Boats leave often for Chikubushima from Hikone, Nagahama, and Omi-Imazu Ports. Best way to see the lake.
• Bicycle or drive around Lake Biwa. The road around the lake is quite flat. Allow at least three days to cycle completely around the lake. Or two days if you plan to take a short cut and cross Biwako Ohashi Bridge at the neck of the lake.
• Visit Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms in spring. JR Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line has rental bicycles convenient to ride to the Kaizu-Osaki lake shore. But beware of heavy traffic during cherry blossom season.
• Visit central Nagahama. Many attractions within a small area around JR Nagahama Station. Toward the lake is the reconstructed Nagahama Castle (local history museum) affording great views of the lake and city. The castle is in Hokoen Park, famous for cherry blossoms in April. On the other side of Nagahama Station toward the mountains is Kurokabe Square (glass shop) and shopping arcade. Visit the Hikiyama Museum and Daitsuji temple.
• Visit the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio in fall. During the fall colors, buses run between the three temples and Eigenji. Start at either Eigenji (bus from Yokaichi Station) or Saimyoji (bus from Amago Station). You can buy an Omi Railway train/bus pass for only 1,500 yen to visit all three Koto Sanzan temples plus Eigenji Temple. Ride on the Omi Railway Line to the closest train station (Amago or Yokaichi) and hop on a shuttle bus that runs about every hour or so between the four temples. The pass is good for 2 days.
• Visit Konan Sanzan Temple Trio. Another similar trio of temples, but lesser known. The three temples all have National Treasure Buildings, but there is no convenient shuttle bus linking all three.
• If you have a car or can rent one, driving around Lake Biwa is also highly recommended. It will take a full day, including sightseeing time. Crossing the Biwako Ohashi Bridge at the neck of the lake can also save time. (Buses also cross the lake between Moriyama and Katata Stations.) Besides driving along the lake shore, driving along the mountain roads on Mt. Hiei and Oku Biwako Parkway also affords grand views of the lake.

Other Tips

• Major train stations such as Otsu, Omi-Hachiman, Kusatsu, Hikone, Nagahama, and Omi-Imazu have a tourist information office or booth where you can pick up maps and pamphlets for that city or town. Sometimes English brochures are also provided.

• When traveling on the JR Kosei Line in western Shiga, note the train schedule for your return trip. Train runs can be very infrequent.

• Some train stations in Shiga have rental bicycles. See "Getting Around" below. A few of the luxury hotels in Shiga might also have rental bicycles. Cycling along the lake shore is great during the warmer months. Much of the lake is ringed by a cycling road. You can rent a bicycle at one train station and return it at another. Very convenient. It is also possible to bicycle around the entire lake (It took me 3 days to bicycle around the lake.). The terrain is very flat except for the killer slopes along the northern shore's Oku Biwako Parkway road.

• On weekends, Ohmi Railways offer the "free kippu" train pass for only 550 yen. You can use it to ride the Ohmi Railways all day. A good deal if you plan to ride the Ohmi Railways train at least twice. Also, during non-rush hours (9 am - 4 pm), you can bring your bicycle aboard the train. This railway line is good for exploring eastern Shiga in Higashi-Omi and Koka.

• Shiga's most famous delicacies are funa-zushi and Omi-gyu beef. Funa-zushi is fermented crucian carp (nigorobuna) which may smell rotten to the uninitiated. But it goes very well with sake or beer. Omi-gyu is top-grade beef.

Maps of Shiga

View Shiga Prefecture, Japan in a larger map

Google Maps of Shiga cities and towns with English placemarks (so far):

Aisho-cho | Higashi-Omi | Hikone | Hino-cho | Koka | Konan | Kora-cho | Kusatsu | Maibara | Moriyama | Nagahama | Omi-Hachiman | Otsu | Ritto | Ryuo-cho | Taga-cho | Takashima | Toyosato-cho | Yasu

Getting There

Getting to Shiga is easy via several major train lines including the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train which stops at Maibara Station (Kodama and some Hikari trains) in northern Shiga and Kyoto Station in Kyoto which is only 10 min. away from Otsu Station in southern Shiga. The JR Tokaido/Biwako Line has local and semi-express trains running through eastern Shiga from Nagoya (Aichi Pref.) and Osaka/Kyoto. From the Hokuriku region (Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama), the JR (Japan Railways) Hokuriku Main Line arrives at Nagahama and Maibara Stations. Western Shiga is covered by the JR Kosei Line from Kyoto.

By train

• From JR Tokyo Station to Maibara Station: About 2.5 hours via shinkansen bullet train. All Kodama trains and a few Hikari trains (about once an hour) stop at Maibara. Or get off at Kyoto Station and take a local train to Shiga. Takes 2.25 hours from Tokyo to Kyoto via Nozomi shinkansen, then 10 min. to Otsu via Tokaido Line.
• From JR Kyoto Station to Otsu Station: About 10 min. via JR Tokaido/Biwako Line.
• From Sanjo-Keihan (Kyoto) to Keihan Hama-Otsu: 25 min. via Keihan Keishin Line.
• From JR Gifu Station to Maibara Station: About 40 min. via Tokaido Main Line.
• From JR Nagoya Station to Maibara Station: About 25 min. via shinkansen or 1 hr 15 min. via Tokaido Main Line (train transfer at Ogaki Station may be required).

By air

• Nearest international airport: Kansai International Airport in Osaka and Central Japan International Airport in Aichi Prefecture.
• Nearest local airport: Osaka International Airport

Getting Around

Main article: Shiga Prefecture Transportation.

Travel within Shiga is easy via JR Lines, private railways, and local city buses. There is at least one train station in each city and in most towns in Shiga. It is possible to travel around Lake Biwa entirely by train with the JR Tokaido Main Line and Hokuriku Main Line on the eastern side and the scenic Kosei Line along the western shore. However, since it is not a loop line, at least two train transfers (at Yamashina and Omi-Shiotsu Stations) will be necessary along the way. Train runs along the heavily-traveled Tokaido Main Line (also called Biwako Line between Nagahama and Kyoto) is frequent, and less frequent along the Kosei Line along the western shore.

In eastern Shiga, the private Ohmi Railways serve a few cities such as Higashiomi and Koka. Unfortunately, the trains (more like streetcars) are quite slow and not that frequent. On weekends, the "free kippu" ticket is available for only 550 yen and you can use it to ride the Ohmi Railways all day. A good deal if you plan to ride the Ohmi Railways train at least twice. Also, during non-rush hours (9 am - 4 pm), you can bring your bicycle aboard the train.

Buses operated by Ohmi Railways and Keihan operate from the major train stations. See the routes and schedules here: Ohmi Railways bus routes] (Japanese only).

The following train stations in Shiga have rental bicycles: Kusatsu Station, Omi-Hachiman Station, Azuchi Station (North exit), Maibara Station, Sakata Station, Nagahama Station, Torahime Station, Takatsuki Station, Kawake Station, Kinomoto Station, Yogo Station, Omi-Shiotsu Station, Nagahara Station, Makino Station, Omi-Imazu Station, Omi-Takashima Station, Shin-Asahi Station (West exit), Adogawa Station, Sakamoto Station, Terasho Station, Konan Station, Ishibe Station, Koka Station, Aburahi Station, and Shigaraki Station. Usually, you can rent a bicycle at one train station and return it at another if it's on the same train line. The bicycles are rented out by the local tourist association or a private vendor. It's usually 500 yen for the day's rental, and the bicycle must be returned by 5 pm or so. A few of the luxury hotels in Shiga might also have rental bicycles.

You can also travel by boat on Lake Biwa. Boats depart from Otsu, Hikone, Nagahama, and Omi-Imazu Ports.

Read more at Shiga Prefecture Transportation.

Municipalities

*Main article: Shiga Prefecture Municipalities

As of March 21, 2010, Shiga has 13 cities (-shi; 市), 6 towns (-cho; 町), and no villages (-mura; 村). This is less than half the number of municipalities before the Heisei Municipal Mergers when there were 7 cities, 42 towns, and 1 village in Shiga as of Sep. 30, 2001.

On Jan. 1, 2010, the six northern towns of Torahime, Kohoku, Takatsuki, Kinomoto, Yogo, and Nishi-Azai merged with Nagahama. ANd on March 21, 2010, Omi-Hachiman and Azuchi merged.

The major cities are Otsu (capital), Hikone, Nagahama, Higashi-Omi, and Maibara.

Shiga also has the following regions: Kohoku (north of lake) which includes Maibara, Hikone, and Nagahama cities; Kosei (west of lake) which includes Takashima city; Koto (east of lake) which includes Higashi Omi and Omi-Hachiman; and Konan (south of lake) which includes Otsu, Kusatsu, Moriyama, Ritto, Yasu, Konan, and Koka cities.

*Annotated list of municipalities at Shiga Prefecture Municipalities.

Municipalities of Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県

Cities & Towns: Aisho-cho | Higashi-Omi | Hikone | Hino-cho | Koka | Konan | Kora-cho | Kusatsu | Maibara | Moriyama | Nagahama | Omi-Hachiman | Otsu | Ritto | Ryuo-cho | Taga-cho | Takashima | Toyosato-cho | Yasu

愛荘町 | 東近江市 | 彦根市 | 日野町 | 甲賀市 | 湖南市 | 甲良町 | 草津市 | 米原市 | 守山市 | 長浜市 | 近江八幡市 | 大津市 | 栗東市 | 竜王町 | 多賀町 | 高島市 | 豊郷町 | 野洲市

Shiga History

Main article: History of Shiga Prefecture.

The two biggest factors influencing Shiga's history has been Japan's largest lake called Lake Biwa and Shiga's location next to Kyoto, the old Imperial Capital of Japan where the Emperor of Japan resided.

Lake Biwa, called Biwako, covers one-sixth the area of Shiga. Originally formed millions of years ago in what is now Mie Prefecture, Lake Biwa started small and gradually got larger as it shifted to its present location. It boasts numerous species of fish and waterfowl including native species such as the Lake Biwa catfish and carp found nowhere else on Earth. Besides supporting the local fishing industry, the lake also served as an important surface transportation link between Kyoto and cities up north facing the Sea of Japan. Before railways were laid in the late 19th century, transporting cargo and merchandise over water was faster than on land.

Shiga's capital Otsu was once the Imperial Capital when Emperor Tenji moved there from Kyoto in 667. Since Shiga was on Kyoto's east side, everyone traveling between Kyoto and Tokyo (Edo) had to pass through Shiga, which was called Omi (近江). This is true even today for most travellers.

Shiga thereby developed a number of official lodging towns (Kusatsu, Otsu, Samegai, etc.) along the main roads (Tokaido and Nakasendo) connecting Kyoto and Tokyo. These towns provided lodging to important dignitaries, samurai, and travellers plying between Kyoto and Tokyo which was Japan's most important travel corridor.

Kyoto was the cradle of Buddhism which started to spread in Japan in the 7th century. Kyoto and Nara's abundance of Buddhist temples spilled over to Shiga where places like Otsu and Mt. Hiei next to Kyoto saw the construction of fortress-like temples since the 9th century. The Tendai Buddhist Sect was founded in Shiga by Saicho who built Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei in 806. Indeed, Shiga today boasts the third-highest number of temples after Kyoto and Nara.

During the late 16th century when warlords jostled for power and conquest, Omi was a strategic province since it was the gateway to Kyoto, the Imperial Capital and home of the emperor. Powerful daimyo warlords such as Oda Nobunaga seeking to unify the country and place Kyoto under military control knew that Shiga (called Omi) had to be conquered first. Bloody battles ensued at Anegawa River, Odani Castle, and Mt. Shizugatake in Shiga. Enryakuji Temple atop Mt. Hiei, host to many warrior monks, was burned to the ground by Nobunaga. Both Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi resided for a time in Omi, in Azuchi Castle and Nagahama Castle respectively. The Azuchi-Momoyama Period of Japan is partially named after Nobunaga's Azuchi Castle in Shiga. The Koga-ryu ninja in Koka were also active in espionage and once helping Ieyasu escape from an enemy.

In 1600, the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara had Shiga-native Ishida Mitsunari lead the Western forces against Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern forces. Ieyasu won and Ishida was later beheaded. For his meritorious service at Sekigahara, Ii Naomasa, Ieyasu's right-hand man, was awarded the fief of Omi. The Ii clan built Hikone Castle and successive generations often served in high positions in the Tokugawa government. Kunitomo gunsmiths in Nagahama also turned matchlock guns into nationally-recognized works of art.

During the peaceful Tokugawa Period, Omi Province produced a national figure in Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) who was a master of tea, architecture, garden design, calligraphy and poetry. And based in eastern Shiga such as Omi-Hachiman, Hino, and Gokasho (Higashi-Omi), Omi shonin merchants figured prominently in the 19th century as wholesalers and traveling salesmen selling their wares all over Japan. They sold medicines, fabrics, lacquerware, and more and set up branch shops near and far. Their basic and sound business philosophy was called Sanpo yoshi (三方よし), basically meaning, "Good for me (seller), good for you (customer), and good for all."

It was an early form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) where they did business to not only profit themselves, but to also benefit the customer and society as a whole. They did business honestly and sincerely, bringing them much success. The most prominent Omi merchants developed into today's giant trading companies and retailers such as Itochu, Marubeni, and Takashimaya. Today, you can tour inside a few of the former homes of these Omi merchants in Omi-Hachiman and Gokasho.

Another prominent historical figure from Shiga was Hikone Castle's Lord Ii Naosuke (1815-1860) who served as the Chief Minister (Tairo or Great Elder) in the shogunate in Edo. Naosuke was the highest ranking official in the Tokugawa government and a key figure in opening up Japan to the US when Commodore Perry came knocking with his black battleships in the mid-19th century. He agreed to sign the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1858 opening five Japanese ports to American trade.

After Japan's government was returned to the emperor in 1868, many castles were dismantled (Hikone Castle was spared from destruction) and the former daimyo fiefs were turned into prefectures. Even Shiga had as many as four prefectures (Otsu, Zeze, Hikone, and Nagahama) in 1871 before they all merged to form Shiga Prefecture. In 1890, after four years of monumental construction, the Biwako Sosui Canal feeding water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto was completed. Kyoto was thereby revitalized with electric power and a stable water supply. A second, almost parallel canal for drinking water was also constructed in 1912. Both canals still exist today.

One infamous 19th-century national incident, known as the Otsu Incident, occurred in 1891 when Russian Crown Prince Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (later Tsar Nicholas II) was attacked and slightly wounded in Otsu by one of his police escorts named Tsuda Sanzo wielding a saber. Nicholas was on his way back to Kyoto after visiting Lake Biwa when he was attacked. Tsuda was originally from Iga, Mie Prefecture and had a history of mental illness. His motive for the attempted assassination was never made clear.

With the influx of Western engineers and technology in the late 19th century, Japan began to modernize with railroads, steamships, and factories. As trains started to ply along the shores of Lake Biwa, lake transportation waned and cruise ships for tourists became more common from the late 19th century. Westerners also came to Japan to teach English. One was William Merrell Vories (1881-1964) from Kansas who came to Omi-Hachiman in 1905. He eventually became an architect and designed numerous Western-style buildings in Shiga and other parts of Japan. By the 1920s, numerous textile factories were built in southern Shiga.

During World War II, Shiga escaped heavy bombing and was a relatively safe place to be. In 1944, 10,743 children and 630 teachers from Osaka evacuated to Shiga to escape bombing by the US. They were lodged at 321 temples, community centers, schools, etc., in Shiga. Shiga's worst wartime casualty was when a rayon factory, used as a weapons factory, in Otsu was bombed by a B-29. Fifteen people were killed and 104 were injured. During the postwar Occupation from Oct. 1945, US troops were stationed in Otsu.

The high-growth, postwar period in the 1960s and 70s saw environmental pollution plaguing Shiga, especially Lake Biwa. Agricultural chemicals, non-biodegradable laundry detergents, or PCB were found in the water. Lake Biwa, being the water supply for millions of people in the Kansai region (Osaka, etc.), becomes a high priority in Shiga.

During the first decade of the 21st century, Shiga and most of Japan went through major municipal mergers. Shiga's 7 cities, 42 towns, and 1 village in 2001 became 13 cities and 6 towns by March 21, 2010. Mega-mergers occurred with Takashima, Higashi-Omi, and Nagahama cities, while Omi-Hachiman's merger with Azuchi was fiercely opposed by some Azuchi residents (including their last mayor) until the very end.

Shiga has been one of the few prefectures whose population has been increasing. Cheaper real estate and easy commuting distances to Kyoto have attracted more residents. The average income of Shiga residents ranks third in the nation (after Tokyo and Aichi), reflecting the high number of people working in large cities like Kyoto.

Shiga has pursued environmental issues such as lake pollution, control of invasive fish species in Lake Biwa, increasing the native fish population, preservation of reed areas, and eradicating (unsuccessfully) cormorant birds devastating the trees on Chikubushima island and devouring native fish. In 2006, Shiga's first woman governor in Kada Yukiko was elected to a four-year term, vowing to scrap wasteful government spending on pork barrel projects like the shinkansen bullet train station in Ritto. She succeeds in fulfilling her campaign promise and is reelected in 2010.

Detailed history at History of Shiga Prefecture.

Photos

Shiga photos here.

Videos

My video clips of Shiga Prefecture are at YouTube. See all my Shiga videos here (YouTube).

Miscellaneous

Recent News

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• The Hokuriku Main Line running from Maibara Station to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Pref. converted to direct current power in Oct. 2006, enabling trains to run directly from Kyoto all the way to Tsuruga. Passengers no longer have to change trains at Maibara or Nagahama Station when going beyond Nagahama. Anticipating a substantial increase in visitors, the train stations along the line built new station buildings. However, in March 2008, the passenger increase was only 0.5 percent, far below the target 14% increase.
• On Jan. 4, 2008 during a New Year's press conference, kimono-clad Shiga Governor Kada Yukiko announces that she wants Lake Biwa to be designated as a World Heritage Site. Citing the lake's ancient history, ecosystem, and culture to be highly unusual, she intends to establish a study committee to apply for the World Heritage designation.
• In terms of visitor count, Shiga's most popular tourist attraction was Kurokabe Square in Nagahama, attracting over 2.4 million visitors during a year-long period. The second most popular attraction was Taga Taisha Shrine with over 1.7 million visitors.
• Chikubushima, in northern Lake Biwa and a popular tourist and pilgrimage destination, is going bald. The once deep-green trees are wilting, leaving behind a scorched brown hunk of island. The culprit is the kawau cormorants (not the same species as those used in ukai fishing) who nest on the island in a huge colony of over 30,000 birds. Their droppings and nest-building activities are killing off the trees. Two-thirds of the island is devoid of trees. The north side of the island is especially severe since no humans go there. In fall 2006, about 43,000 of these birds are estimated to be in Shiga. They feed on ayu fish, to the disdain of local fishermen. Hunters are hired to eradicate thousands of these birds, but with no long-term favorable effects.
• The town of Azuchi-cho since 1986 has been trying to find a folding screen with a painting of Azuchi Castle supposedly sent by Oda Nobunaga to Pope Gregorio XIII at the Vatican. In Nov. 2005, the town mayor was able to meet the Pope at the Vatican while showing what the folding screen might look like. The folding screen is yet to be found. The magnificent Azuchi Castle existed for only three years before it was burned to the ground. Since few records remain of the castle, the folding screen would shed much light on what the castle looked like.

More Shiga news at Shiga News by Philbert Ono.

Tucking in to alien outcasts (Eating Lake Biwa's invasive fish), by C.W. NICOL, The Japan Times, July 1, 2004.

More Shiga Prefecture articles in The Japan Times.

Trivia

• As of Dec. 31, 2006, Shiga had Japan's lowest ratio of obstetricians and gynecologists per 100,000 women aged 15 to 49 at 26.8 doctors. Tottori Prefecture had the highest ratio at 60.5.
• According to a 10-year study (starting in 1982) by Shiga Prefecture, the prefecture, formerly known as Omi-no-kuni, has seen a total of 1,328 castles built within its boundaries over the centuries. This makes Shiga the 4th highest in the nation with former castles built within its domain. Koka is the city in Shiga with the highest number of former castles at 223.
• In Aug. 1876, four counties in western Fukui Prefecture north of Shiga merged with Shiga. For about 5 years up to 1881 while these counties (including Tsuruga and Mikata) were part of Shiga, Shiga enjoyed having a coast facing the Sea of Japan.
• During a meeting of the governors of Kyoto and Shiga in late 2005, the idea of merging Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures was mentioned.
• Since Ohmi Railways is owned by the same company which owns Seibu Railways in Tokyo, many of the train cars look like the old Seibu Railway cars brought to Shiga from Tokyo. Local buses also might sport the same color theme or lion logo as the Seibu Railways and bus lines.
• Takashimaya Dept. Store got its name from Takashima, Shiga. However, there is no branch store in Shiga.

Famous People

• Yamaoka Magokichi (1888-1962) 山岡孫吉 - Native of Takatsuki-cho in northern Shiga and founder of Yanmar Diesel Co.
• Tsutsumi Yasujiro (1889-1964) 堤康次郎 - Hailing from Hatasho-cho, founder of the Hakone Tochi Co., the forerunner of Kokudo Co. which operate Seibu Railways and other interests. Father of Tsutsumi Yoshiaki, the disgraced president of Kokudo born to a mistress. The company also operates the Ohmi Railways and bus lines in Shiga.
• Itoh Chube'e (1842-1903) 伊藤忠兵衛 - Native of Toyosato and Omi shonin merchant who founded one of Japan's largest trading companies, C. Itoh. He even had a shop in San Francisco, California. His second son Seiichi, also born in Toyosato, set up the C. Itoh company (now Itochu Corporation) in 1918 and started importing textiles from England where he had studied abroad. His house in Toyosato is open to the public.
• Ogura Yuki (1895-2000) 小倉遊亀 - Renown Japanese painter from Otsu.
• Uno Sosuke (1922-1998) 宇野 宗佑 - Native of Moriyama who was Japan's 75th prime minister in 1989. Unfortunatelty, he was also one of the shortest-serving prime ministers in history, being forced to resign after only three months (June-August 1989) in office. His extramarital affair with a Kagurazaka geisha turned into a widely-reported sex scandal, leaving him no choice but to resign in total disgrace.
• Take Yutaka (1969- ) 武豊 - Japan's top racehorse jockey from Ritto.
• Hiro Yamagata (1948- ) ヒロ・ヤマガタ - Print artist, native of Maibara.

See also History_of_Shiga_Prefecture#Historical_Persons.

Foreigners in Shiga

As of Dec. 31, 2009, Shiga Prefecture has 28,422 registered foreign residents from 83 countries. This is 3,810 people less than the year before, or an 11.8% decrease attributed to over 3,000 Brazilians who left Shiga. By nationality, Brazilians are the biggest group in Shiga numbering 11,339 (compared to 14,379 on Dec. 31, 2008). Followed by 5,735 Koreans (North and South), 5,144 Chinese, 1,828 Filipinos, and 1,808 Peruvians. Other nationalities number 2,568.

The number of Americans and other native English speakers are probably in the hundreds. Otsu has the largest number of foreign residents numbering 4,218. Followed by Nagahama's 3,645 (not counting the towns it merged with in Jan. 2010) and Higashi-Omi's 3,489. Brazilians number most in Nagahama (2,447) and in Higashi-Omi (2,137) where there are many factories.

Source: Registered foreigners in Shiga Prefecture

Tourist Information

Tourist information is provided by Shiga Prefecture and the individual cities and towns.

The Biwako Visitors Bureau operates on the prefectural level, providing tourist information and promoting Shiga products via three offices. An English map of Shiga and a few English pamphlets are available.

• Otsu Office: Shiga Prefecture Tourist & Product Information Center (Shiga Kanko Bussan Joho Center)

In JR Otsu Station 1st floor, north side. Hours: 9 am - 6 pm, closed end of the year and New Year's. Map here

Address: Otsu Station Center 1st floor, Kasuga-cho 1-3, Otsu, Shiga. 滋賀観光物産情報センター 〒520-0055滋賀県大津市春日町1-3 おおつステーションセンター1階

Phone/Fax: 077-521-4288

• Tokyo Office: Shiga Prefecture Tourist & Product Information Center, Tokyo (Shiga-ken Tokyo Kanko Bussan Joho Center)

Near JR Yurakucho Station, in the Kotsu Kaikan Bldg. where many other prefectures have tourist info offices, including the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO). Hours: 9:15 am - 6 pm. closed Sat., Sun., national holidays, and the year end and New Year's. Map here

Address: Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan 2nd floor, Yurakucho 2-10-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 滋賀県東京観光物産情報センター 〒100-0006 東京都千代田区有楽町2-10-1　東京交通会館2F

Tel: 03-5220-0231, Fax: 03-3211-4689

• Nagoya Office: Shiga Prefecture Tourist & Product Information Center, Nagoya (Shiga-ken Nagoya Kanko Bussan Joho Center)

5 min. walk from Sakae Station on Higashiyama subway line. Hours: 9 am - 5:45 pm, closed Sat., Sun., national holidays, year end and New Year's. Map here

Address: Chunichi Bldg. 4th floor, Sakae 4-1-1, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 滋賀県東京観光物産情報センター 〒460-0008愛知県名古屋市中区栄4-1-1　中日ビル4F

Tel: 052-261-4255, Fax: 052-263-7313

Major train stations in Shiga have a tourist information office or booth such as: Otsu Station, Hikone Station, Nagahama Station, Kusatsu Station, Omi-Hachiman Station, Moriyama Station, Katata Station, and Omi-Imazu Station.

All cities and towns of Shiga have a tourism department. Web sites as follows (mostly Japanese only):

Aisho-cho 愛荘町観光協会 Echigawa-cho (Part of Aisho) 愛知川町観光協会 Azuchi-cho 安土町観光協会 Higashi-Omi (formerly Yokaichi) 東近江市観光協会 Hikone（社）彦根観光協会 Hino-cho 日野観光協会 Koka 甲賀市観光協会 Minakuchi-cho (Part of Koka) 水口町観光協会 Shigaraki-cho (Part of Koka) 信楽町観光協会 Konan (Ishibe and Kosei) 湖南観光協会 Kora Kusatsu 草津市観光物産協会

Maibara 米原観光ナビ Moriyama 守山市観光物産協会 Nagahama（社）長浜観光協会 Oku-Biwako (Northern Nagahama covering Takatsuki, Kinomoto, Yogo, Nishi-Azai) 奥びわ湖観光連盟 Omi-Hachiman (社）近江八幡観光物産協会 Otsu（社）大津市観光協会 Ogoto Spa (Part of Otsu) 雄琴温泉観光協会 Ritto 栗東市観光物産協会 Ryuo-cho 竜王町観光協会 Taga-cho 多賀町観光ガイド Takashima (Includes Adogawa, Shin-Asahi, Imazu, Kutsuki, Makino) 高島市観光協会 Toyosato 豊郷町観光案内 Yasu 野洲市観光物産協会

International Associations

These associations are geared to promote better understanding and friendship between Japanese residents and non-Japanese through sister city exchanges, language classes, social gatherings, etc. On the prefectural level, Shiga has the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization (SIA) based in Otsu. A good number of cities and towns in Shiga has sister city ties as listed here (CLAIR).

Organization	Address	Phone/ Fax, email
（財）大津市国際親善協会 Otsu International Goodwill Association	〒520-0047大津市浜大津4丁目1-1 （明日都浜大津2階）	077-525-4711 Fax: 077-525-4004 oiga@otu-intl.or.jp
彦根市国際協会 Hikone International Friendship Association	〒522-0001彦根市尾末町1-38 彦根市民会館　市民・国際交流サロン内	0749-22-1411 Fax: 0749-22-1398 hikone-il@zaztv.ne.jp
長浜市民国際交流協会 Nagahama International Friendship Association	〒526-0015長浜市神照町519	0749-63-4400 Fax: 0749-63-4400
（財）近江八幡市国際協会 Omi-Hachiman International Association	〒523-8501近江八幡市桜宮町236 近江八幡市役所　近江八幡市パートナーシップ推進課内	0748-36-5552 Fax: 0748-36-5553 010406@city.omihachiman.lg.jp
東近江国際交流協会 HigashiOmi Kokusai Koryu Kyokai	〒527-8527東近江市緑町10-5 東近江市企画課内	0748-24-5610 Fax: 0748-20-0855
草津市国際交流協会 Kusatsu Interpeople Friendship Association	〒525-8588草津市草津3-13-30 草津市役所２階　まちづくり課内	077-561-2322 Fax: 077-561-2482 kifa-japan@ares.eonet.ne.jp
守山市国際交流協会 Moriyama International Friendship Association	〒524-0022守山市守山2丁目16-45 守山市民交流センター(さんさん守山）内	077-583-4653 Fax: 077-583-4653 mkokusai@usennet.ne.jp
栗東国際交流協会 Ritto International Friendship Association	〒520-3088栗東市安養寺一丁目13-33 栗東市役所内	077-551-0293 Fax: 077-554-1123 mail@rifa.jp
野洲市国際協会 Yasu International Friendship Association	〒520-2395野洲市小篠原2100-1 野洲市役所　南別館	077-586-3106 Fax: 077-586-3139 yifa@gaia.eonet.ne.jp
甲賀市国際交流協会 Koka International Society	〒528-0005甲賀市水口町5676 自主活動センターきずな内１F	0748-63-8728 Fax: 0748-63-8728 mifa@mx.biwa.ne.jp
安土町国際文化交流協会 Azuchi Association for International and Cultural Exchange	〒521-1392蒲生郡安土町小中1-8 安土町政策推進課内	0748-46-7201 Fax: 0748-46-5320 kokusai@town.azuchi.shiga.jp
日野町国際親善協会 Hino International Goodwill Association	〒529-1698蒲生郡日野町河原1丁目1番地 日野町役場町長公室内	0748-52-6550 Fax: 0748-52-2043 hino-iga@mx.biwa.ne.jp
高島地域国際親善協会 Takashima International Friendship Association	〒520-1622滋賀県高島市今津町中沼1-4-1 今津東コミュニティーセンター内	0740-20-1180 Fax: 0740-20-1182 tifa822@ares.eonet.ne.jp

Shiga Kenjinkai

Shiga Kenjinkai banners

Main article: Shiga Kenjinkai.

A Shiga Kenjinkai 滋賀県人会 is a group or association of people outside Shiga who have ties to Shiga Prefecture. Kenjinkai literally means "native people of the prefecture." Most Shiga Kenjinkai members are originally from Shiga, but members can also be descendants of people originally from Shiga. Anybody interested in Shiga can also become a member. There is a Shiga Kenjinkai in each of the 47 prefectures as well as in 11 countries overseas: USA (Seattle, Southern California, and Hawaii), Canada (Vancouver, Alberta, and Toronto), Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Hong Kong, Indonesia, France, UK, and Germany.

All the Shiga Kenjinkai chapters in Japan and overseas belong to the National Federation of Shiga Kenjinkai (全国滋賀県人会連合会) called Zenkoku Shiga Kenjinkai Rengokai or Zenjiren for short. The national federation has its office in Tokyo Shiga Kenjinkai office.

The Shiga Kenjinkai are very friendly, and they are always looking for new members.

See Main article: Shiga Kenjinkai.

Budget Accommodations

• Omi-Hachiman Youth Hostel - In Omi-Hachiman, near Chomeiji. 10-min. bus ride from the station. TEL: 0748-32-2938, FAX: 0748-32-7593 Official site
• Omi Kibogaoka Youth Hostel - In Yasu. Within the large Kibogaoka Park 10 min. by bus from JR Yasu Station. TEL: 077-587-2201, FAX: 077-587-2008
• Wanihama Seinen Kaikan - On the southwestern shore of Lake Biwa, near JR Wani Station in Otsu on the Kosei Line. TEL: 077-594-4203, FAX: 077-594-3197
• Saikyoji Temple - Famous temple (especially for fall colors) which also has lodging facilities. Perfect base to see Sakamoto and Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. Near Keihan Sakamoto Station and Hie-zan Sakamoto Station in Otsu. TEL: 077-578-0013, FAX: 077-578-3418 Official site

Related Articles

• Shiga Prefecture Sights
• History of Shiga Prefecture
• National_Treasures_of_Shiga_Prefecture
• Shiga Prefecture Municipalities
• Shiga Prefecture Transportation
• Category:Transportation in Shiga - Index to transportation-related articles.
• Lake Biwa Rowing Song - English version of Shiga Prefecture's most famous song sung in English. Audio and video downloads available!
• Biwako Shuko no Uta（日本語）- Shiga Prefecture's most famous song explained in Japanese.

External Links

• Shiga Prefecture official site - English
• Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization (SIA) - Shiga's international exchange organization.

Municipalities of Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県

Cities & Towns: Aisho-cho | Higashi-Omi | Hikone | Hino-cho | Koka | Konan | Kora-cho | Kusatsu | Maibara | Moriyama | Nagahama | Omi-Hachiman | Otsu | Ritto | Ryuo-cho | Taga-cho | Takashima | Toyosato-cho | Yasu

愛荘町 | 東近江市 | 彦根市 | 日野町 | 甲賀市 | 湖南市 | 甲良町 | 草津市 | 米原市 | 守山市 | 長浜市 | 近江八幡市 | 大津市 | 栗東市 | 竜王町 | 多賀町 | 高島市 | 豊郷町 | 野洲市

Prefectures of Japan

Aichi | Akita | Aomori | Chiba | Ehime | Fukui | Fukuoka | Fukushima | Gifu | Gunma | Hiroshima | Hokkaido | Hyogo | Ibaraki | Ishikawa | Iwate | Kagawa | Kagoshima | Kanagawa | Kochi | Kumamoto | Kyoto | Mie | Miyagi | Miyazaki | Nagano | Nagasaki | Nara | Niigata | Oita | Okayama | Okinawa | Osaka | Saga | Saitama | Shiga | Shimane | Shizuoka | Tochigi | Tokushima | Tokyo | Tottori | Toyama | Wakayama | Yamagata | Yamaguchi | Yamanashi