Shiga Prefecture Transportation

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JR Maibara Station platform with a shinkansen bullet train on the left and green-and-orange Tokaido Line train on the right.

Last modified: Nov. 30, 2009

by Philbert Ono

The main gateways to Shiga is Maibara Station (bullet train station) on the JR Tokaido Line in northern Shiga and Otsu, adjacent to Kyoto, down south. Being next to Kyoto, Shiga is also easily accessible from train stations in Kyoto such as Kyoto Station and Yamashina Station.

The Japan Railways (JR) has train lines circling around Lake Biwa completely, making it possible to go around the entire lake by train (although a few train transfers are required along the way). In the north of this loop at Nagahama and Omi-Shiotsu Stations, the Hokuriku Line goes on to the Hokuriku region (Fukui, Kanazawa, and Toyama), while in the south end of the loop at Otsu, the Tokaido Line continues on to Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. On the east side of the loop, the Tokaido Line from the east (Gifu, Nagoya, etc.) joins the loop at Maibara Station. Also on the east side of the loop is the Kusatsu Line shooting off from Kusatsu Station until it reaches Mie Prefecture. Shiga also has a private railway company called Ohmi Railways operating three lines east of the lake within the interior areas.

Many train stations have rental bicycles for tourists. It may be possible to rent a bicycle at one train station and return it at another train station. Very convenient and a great way to enjoy the lake views. The train stations where you can rent a bicycle are noted below.

Local buses also run from major train stations to major attractions. Sightseeing boats operated by Biwako Kisen also depart from Otsu, Hikone, Nagahama, and Omi-Imazu for scenic islands in Lake Biwa.

Contents

Train Lines

Shiga's train lines and train stations and their major sights and facilities are as follows. Also see Index to Shiga-related transportation articles.

JR Tokaido Main Line and Biwako Line

(東海道線・琵琶湖線)

The Tokaido Main Line (nicknamed the Biwako Line along the section between Kyoto Station and Nagahama Station) is the most heavily-traveled train line in Shiga passing through the most heavily populated areas of the prefecture east of Lake Biwa. These are the train stations on this line in Shiga:

Going from east (Tokyo) to west (Kyoto):

  • Kashiwabara Station (柏原駅) - The station after Sekigahara Station in Gifu. A former stage town on the Nakasendo Road. A local history museum, Tokugen-in Temple, and Kitabatake grave.
  • Omi-nagaoka Station (近江長岡駅) - Gateway to Mt. Ibuki and Mishima Pond. Bicycle rental at Green Park Santo (accessible by bus).
  • Samegai Station (醒ヶ井駅) - Former stage town on the Nakasendo Road. Famous for the Samegai Trout Farm and baikamo underwater river flowers in sumer.
  • Maibara Station (米原駅) - Tokaido shinkansen bullet train stop and where the Tokaido/Biwako Line and Hokuriku Line intersect. You can transfer to the Hokuriku Line to travel to Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama Prefectures.
  • Hikone Station (彦根駅) - One of Shiga's major cities and tourist bases with Hikone Castle, Hikone Port (for Chikubushima), and shrines and temples.
  • Minami-Hikone Station (南彦根駅) - Viva City shopping center and movie theaters.
  • Kawase Station (河瀬駅) -
  • Inae Station (稲枝駅) -
  • Notogawa Station (能登川駅) - Giant water wheel is the town's symbol, and the station's facade is also partially shaped like a water wheel. Bicycle rental at the station.
  • Azuchi Station (安土駅) - Rent a bicycle and cycle to Azuchi Castle ruins, House of Nobunaga, and the archeaological museum. Bicycle rental in front of the station.
  • Omi-Hachiman Station (近江八幡駅) - Another major tourist base with Hachiman-yama mountain for great views of the city and Lake Biwa, Suigo boat rides, Hachiman-bori moat which is the historical part of town, and buildings by the American architect Vories. Bicycle rental at the station.
  • Shinohara Station (篠原駅) - Bicycle rental at recreational grounds Imose no Sato (雪野山史跡広場妹背の里) (0748-57-1819) until 5 pm.
  • Yasu Station (野洲駅) - Mt. Mikami, Hyozu Taisha Shrine, and rice-planting festival in May. Bicycle rental at the south exit (Minami-guchi) at the Yasu Tourist Office (077−587−3710) until 5 pm (closed Mon.).
  • Moriyama Station (守山駅) - Another stage town on the Nakasendo Road with noted shrines and temples mostly on the west side (toward the lake) of the station. The east side has little. Bicycle rental at the tourist office (077−514−3765) at the west exit until 7:30 pm. Also bicycle rental at Laforet Biwako (phone: 077-584-2180), a hotel on the lakeshore (accessible by bus from the station).
  • Ritto Station (栗東駅) - Daiho Shrine is nearby on the west side of the station.
  • Kusatsu Station (草津駅) - A former stage town on the Nakasendo Road. The Kusatsu-juku Honjin is a marvelous example of the luxury accomodations used by feudal lords and emperors when they traveled in the old days. Tourist info booth near wicket. Bicycle rental (phone: 077−565-9052) at east exit street level.
  • Minami-Kusatsu Station (南草津駅) -
  • Seta Station (瀬田駅) - By bus, go to the "Bunka Zone" (Culture Zone) that has a Japanese garden, the Shiga Prefectural Library, and the The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga.
  • Ishiyama Station (石山駅) - Ishiyama-dera Temple is a must-see and the Seta River and Seta Karahashi Bridge are also historic places. Ishiyama is also a Keihan streetcar stop which cuts through Otsu.
  • Zeze Station (膳所駅) - Zeze Castle ruins. Also near to Otsu's shopping area.
  • Otsu Station (大津駅) - Shiga's capital and a city with many important temples and shrines such as Enryakuji Temple, Ishiyama-dera Temple, Omi Jingu Shrine, Gichuji Temple (where Haiku poet Basho is buried), and a nice lakeshore. Bicycle rental at Otsu Port (Otsu Tourist Office).

JR Hokuriku Main Line

(北陸本線)

From Maibara Station going up north toward Fukui Prefecture.

  • Maibara Station (米原駅) - Tokaido shinkansen bullet train stop and where the Tokaido/Biwako Line and Hokuriku Line intersect. You can transfer to the Hokuriku Line to travel to Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama Prefectures. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Sakata Station).
  • Sakata Station (坂田駅) - A statue of Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo and Chiyo (born in Maibara) is nearby. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Maibara Station or Nagahama Station).
  • Tamura Station (田村駅) -
  • Nagahama Station (長浜駅) - A beautiful, new station building opened in Oct. 2006. A major city and tourist base with Nagahama Castle, Nagahama Port for boat cruises to Chikubushima, Daitsuji Temple, and shopping. Tourist info booth at Ibukiyama/Heiwado exit. Bicycle rental near the station (drop-off OK at Sakata Station or Kawake Station).
  • Torahime Station (虎姫駅) - Country town with the historic Gomura Betsuin Temple. Bicycle rental at the station.
  • Kawake Station (河毛駅) - Visit Odani Castle on a mountaintop. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Nagahama Station or Takatsuki Station).
  • Takatsuki Station (高月駅) - Best known for the 11-faced Kannon statue, a National Treasure, at Kogenji Temple. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Kawake Station or Kinomoto Station).
  • Kinomoto Station (木ノ本駅) - A new station building was opened in 2006. Take a bus to Mt. Shizugatake where you can ride the lift up the mountain during the warmer months. Great view of Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Takatsuki Station or Yogo Station).
  • Yogo Station (余呉駅) - Lake Yogo visible from the station is a small scenic lake north of Lake Biwa. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Kinomoto Station or Omi-Shiotsu Station).
  • Omi-Shiotsu (近江塩津駅) - Mainly a transfer point between the Hokuriku LIne and Kosei Line. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Yogo Station or Nagahara Station on Kosei Line).

JR Kosei Line

(湖西線)

This train line runs on the west side of the lake.

Going from Kyoto/Yamashina to northern Shiga:

  • Yamashina Station (山科駅) - In Kyoto. Transfer point between the Kosei Line, Tokaido Main Line, and Kyoto subway.
  • Otsukyo Station (大津京駅) - Formerly called Nishi-Otsu Station. The station's name was changed on March 15, 2008. Omi Jingu Shrine, Ojiyama Kofun Tumulus
  • Karasaki Station (唐崎駅) - Karasaki Jinja Shrine (Karasaki Pine)
  • Hie-zan Sakamoto Station (比叡山坂本駅) - Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Saikyoji Temple, Hie-zan Sakamoto Cable Car to Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. Rental bicycles at nearby Sakamoto Station (Sakamoto Tourist Association office) on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.
  • Ogoto Onsen Station (おごと温泉駅) - Formerly called Ogoto Station. The station's name was changed on March 15, 2008. Ogoto Spa is nearby.
  • Katata Station (堅田駅) - Ukimido Floating Temple, Biwako Ohashi Bridge (west end)
  • Ono Station (小野駅) - Bicycle rental at station (drop-off OK at Kita Komatsu Station).
  • Wani Station (和邇駅) - Wani-hama Beach
  • Horai Station (蓬莱駅) - Horai-hama Beach
  • Shiga Station (志賀駅) - Katsuragawa Keikoku Gorge, Biwako Valley
  • Hira Station (比良駅) - Hira mountains
  • Omi-Maiko Station (近江舞子駅) - Shiga's most popular beach is Omi-Maiko where many Kyotoites also come in the summer. Omatsuzaki
  • Kita Komatsu Station (北小松駅) - Yobai no Taki Falls, Hira Genkimura. Bicycle rental at station (drop-off OK at Ono Station).
  • Omi-Takashima Station (近江高島駅) - Shirahige Jinja Shrine (torii in lake), Haginohama Beach, Omizo Castle, Otomegaike Pond, Ireland Koryukan Village. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Adogawa Station).
  • Adogawa Station (安曇川駅) - Biwako Kodomo no Kuni, Yomeien Garden. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Shin-Asahi Station, Omi-Imazu, or Omi-Takashima Station).
  • Shin-Asahi Station (新旭駅) - Shin Asahi Windmill Village. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Omi-Imazu Station or Adogawa Station).
  • Omi-Imazu Station (近江今津駅) - Imazu-ko Pier (boat to Chikubushima island), Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan song museum, Biwako Shuko no Uta song monument, Imazu Vories Shiryokan museum, Mt. Hakodate-yama. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Makino Station, Shin-Asahi Station, or Adogawa Station).
  • Omi-Nakasho Station (近江中庄駅) -
  • Makino Station (マキノ駅) - Makino Sunny Beach, Kaizu Osaki coast. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Nagahara Station or Omi-Imazu Station).
  • Nagahara Station (永原駅) - Marukobune no Yakata museum, Ranta no Yakata, Haraobi Kannon Temple. Bicycle rental at the station (drop-off OK at Makino Station).
  • Omi-Shiotsu Station (近江塩津駅) - Transfer station for JR Kosei Line and Hokuriku Line. Catch another train south to Nagahama/Maibara or north to Tsuruga/Fukui.

JR Kusatsu Line

(草津線)

The line runs from Kusatsu Station to Tsuge Station in Mie Prefecture, with stations in Kusatsu, Ritto, Konan, and Koka.

  • Kusatsu Station (草津駅) - Transfer point between the Kusatsu Line and Tokaido Line. A former stage town on the Nakasendo Road. The Kusatsu-juku Honjin is a marvelous example of the luxury accomodations used by feudal lords and emperors when they traveled in the old days. Tourist info booth near wicket. Bicycle rental (phone: 077−565-9052) at east exit street level.
  • Tehara Station (手原駅) - Near Ritto City Hall and Mt. Anyoji. Also near the site of the new Tokaido shinkansen station proposed to be built.
  • Ishibe Station (石部駅) - Former Ishibe-juku stage town on the Tokaido Road linking Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. Also Jorakuji Temple and Chojuji Temple are reachable by bus. Bicycle rental at the station (inside the Community House).
  • Kosei Station (甲西駅) - Zensuiji temple and Konan City Hall are nearby. Bicycle rental at station.
  • Mikumo Station (三雲駅) -
  • Kibukawa Station (貴生川駅) - Transfer point for Ohmi Railways and Shiga Kogen Railways.
  • Konan Station (甲南駅) - Bicycle rental at station.
  • Terasho Station (寺庄駅) - Bicycle rental at the station.
  • Koka Station (甲賀駅) - Take a bus to the Koka Ninja Village. Bicycle rental at station.
  • Aburahi Station (油日駅) - Bicycle rental at the station.
  • Tsuge Station (柘植駅) - In Iga, Mie Prefecture. Transfer to the Kansai Main Line.

Ohmi Railways

(近江鉄道) The private Ohmi Railways operate three lines in the interior of eastern Shiga, centering on Higashi-Omi. Its main train stations are Maibara Station, Hikone Station, Omi-Hachiman Station, Yokaichi Station, and Kibukawa Station. The trains are quite slow and usually have only have a few cars.

Main Line

(Honsen) (本線)

From Maibara Station to Kibukawa Station.

Taga Line

(多賀線)

Only two stations on this line which shoots off the Main Line.

  • Takamiya Station (高宮駅) - Transfer point between the Main Line and Taga Line. Takamiya-juku is also a former stage town on the Nakasendo Road.
  • Taga Taisha-mae Station - (多賀大社前駅) - Nearby is Taga Taisha Shrine, one of Shiga's most popular shrines.

Yokaichi Line

(八日市線)

Runs between Omi-Hachiman Station on the Tokaido Line and Yokaichi Station in Higashi Omi.

Shigaraki Kogen Railway

(信楽高原鉄道)

This short train line operates entirely within Koka city. The main destination is the Shigaraki Ceramic Park. It takes about 22 min. from Kibukawa Station to Shigaraki Station.

Keihan Electric Railway

(京阪電気鉄道)

Two streetcar lines operate in Otsu, Shiga.

Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line

(京阪石山坂本線)

Otsu's main streetcar line connecting one end of the city to the other.

Keihan Keishin Line

(京阪京津線)

Streetcar line connecting Otsu and Kyoto.

Also see Index to Shiga-related transportation articles.

Buses

Major train stations such as Otsu, Kusatsu, Moriyama, Yasu, Omi-Hachiman, and Nagahama have a good local bus network. Just ask the local tourist info office or bus stop for directions on which bus to take. One nice bus trip is between Moriyama Station (Tokaido Line) and Katata Station (Kosei Line) which takes you over the Biwako Ohashi Bridge.

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

Boats

From Otsu, the Michigan paddlewheel boat offers cruises on Lake Biwa.

Two tour boat companies operate on Lake Biwa, offering daily lake cruises. Based in Otsu is Biwako Kisen which operates the Michigan paddlewheel boat for daytime and dinner cruises daily within the lake's panhandle in the south. A 60-min. cruise is 2,000 yen for adults. The company also operates the Bianca luxury boat for cruises around the entire lake.

The company also operates boats from Nagahama Port and Imazu Port going to and from Chikubushima island. You can travel from Nagahama to Imazu by boat (or vice versa) and visit Chikubushima along the way.

The other cruise company is Omi Marine which operates boats mainly from Hikone Port for cruises to Chikubushima island, Kaizu-Osaki, and Takeshima island. This company is affiliated with Ohmi Railways.

It is possible to ride a boat from both companies on the same day. For example, you can ride a Biwako Kisen boat from Nagahama Port to Chikubushima and ride an Omi Marine boat from Chikubushima to Hikone Port.

Rental Bicycles

Many train stations in Shiga have places where you can rent a bicycle for a day. Some stations, especially in the north between Maibara and Omi-Takashima Stations, allow you to rent a bicycle and drop it off at another train station.

The following train stations in Shiga have rental bicycles: Kusatsu Station, Omi-Hachiman Station, Azuchi Station (North exit), Nagahama Station, Kinomoto Station, Yogo Station, Omi-Shiotsu Station, Nagahara Station, Makino Station, Omi-Imazu Station, Omi-Takashima Station, Shin-Asahi Station (West exit), Terasho Station, Ishibe Station, Konan Station, Aburahi Station, and Shigaraki Station. The bicycles are rented by the local tourist association or a private vendor. A few of the luxury hotels in Shiga might also have rental bicycles.

If you want to bicycle completely around the lake, you'll need a minimum of 3 days (stopover 2 nights), assuming that you want to see the sights as well. The train stations where you can rent a bicycle are noted above.

The terrain is flat almost all the way. There is a lakeshore road along most of the way. So it is very scenic compared to riding a train. The only tough part is the north where the road goes up a mountain (Oku Biwako Parkway). You will probably end up walking your bicycle up the slope. But the reward is the great views of the lake and the downhill ride afterward. There is an alternate, back road which is flatter, but you'll miss the views.

Related Articles

External Links

Asterisked links in English.

Municipalities of Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県
Cities & Towns: Aisho-cho | Azuchi-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 | 安土町 | 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
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