Japan Shiga Lake Biwa Ogoto Hot Springs Ogoto Hot Springs Ryokan Cooperative/Ogoto Hot Springs Tourist Association

For more information, please click on the name of a place on the sightseeing map below.

♦Biwako Otsu Tourist Association

♦Biwako Visitors Bureau

[ Biwako Cruise on the "MICHIGAN" ]

Lake Biwa offers a wide range of activities: canoeing, marine jet, bass-fishing, and other marine sports."Michigan Cruise" is one of most popular entertainment of Lake Biwa. Feel refreshed with the breeze on the deck, while you enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa. "Michigan Cruise" leaves from Otsu Port, goes up north to Lake Biwa Bridge and returns back. Cheerful pop music welcomes you at the time of boarding.
10-minute bus ride from JR Katada Stn.
 (PDF Pamphlet)

[ Rowboat tour of Suigo Districts in Omihachiman ]

Joyful rowboat tour in a gentle breeze. You'll enjoy expansive beauty of nature.The lord Toyotomi Hidetugu, about 400 years ago, was the first one who toured through the canals following a sail of royal people. Take a roofed 6-seater rowboat through winding canals running into Lake Biwa. You can enjoy seasonal changes in the scenery of Omihachiman. Two services a day. (pay toll) No reservation required. 80-minute cruise.
scheduled service 10:00 15:00 (April to October)
Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman-coty
Omihachiman Stn.

[ Seta River Cruise ]

Seta River boasts its beautiful natural surroundings. In the neighboring area, there are Nango-araizeki, the source of water supply for Kinki District, Seta-no-Karahashi, Ishiyamadera Temple, and other various temples and shrines with over 1,200-year tradition.Every boat is well equipped and each interior invokes a nostalgic atmosphere.Change trains at JR Ishiyama Stn. to Heihan Railway. Get off at Keihan Ishiyamadera Stn. 8-minute walk from Keihan Ishiyamadera Stn.

[ Miho Museum Shigarakinomiya-ruins ]

Designed by a renowned architecture I.M.Pei who designed the steel-and-glass pyramid entrance of Louvre Museum. The museum was designed after the concept of Utopia depicted in a Chinese poem in 4th century.
Momodani, Shigaraki-cho, Koga-city, Shiga
JR Katada Stn (Ogoto Hot Springs) --- 50 minutes by Teisan Bus to Miho Museum from JR Ishiyama Stn

[ Lake Biwa Museum ]

Various exhibits at the museum will show how to think of environmental issues: you can learn how Lake Biwa was formed, the history of relationship between Lake Biwa and the people, the changes of our environment, and the fish that live in Lake Biwa. You can see some of exhibits closely and touch some of them directly. Videos and PC software are available for public perusal.At one of the galleries, you can look at some specimens through the microscope.
525-0001 Oroshimo-cho Kusatsu city Shiga
Omi-Tetsudo Bus departs from JR Kusatsu Stn. Get off at Biwako Hakubutukan Mae( Lake Biwa Museum)

[ Sagawa Art Museum ]

Japanese-style paintings by Ikuo Hirayama and works by a sculptor Churyo Sato are on permanent exhibit.
Various exhibitions are held all year around. The architecture with effects of water is worth seeing. A souvenir shop and a café are on the premise.
Kitagawa Mizuhocho Moriyama-city Shiga
15 minutes from JR Katada Stn. by Kojaku Kotu Bus bound for Menkyo Center. Get off at Sagawa Myseum Stop.
Free parking for 70 cars

[ Museum of Modern Art, Shiga ]

The Museum is at the center of Lake Biwa Cultural Park, a cultural zone located in the Seta Highland overlooking Lake Biwa, Mt.Hira and Mt.Hiei.Japanese-style drawings by modern Japanese painters, such as Yuki Ogura, and works connected to Shiga. Modern art works by Japanese and overseas artists, including Frank Stella, are among the pieces on permanent exhibit. The museum also holds exhibits of excellent works from both in and out of Japan.
Seta Minamiogaya-cho Otsu city.
About 10 minutes by Teisan Bus to Bunka Zone Mae from JR Seta Stn( JR Biwako Line)

[ Garden Museum Hiei ]

The concept of Garden Museum Hiei originates from the works of French impressionists. 42 impressionistic pictures, reproduced in full size on the ceramic tiles, are displayed in the garden where a variety of flowers bloom throughout the year.
Shimeigatake Shakuragadani Shugakuin Sakyo-ku Kyoto city.
Take a bus or walk from JR Hieizan Sakamoto Stn. to Sakamoto Cable Car. Get off the cable car at Enryakuji-temple. Take a bus or walk to Hieizan Sancho(Summit of Mt.Hiei)

[ Biwako Hall ]

Biwako Hall is the third fully equipped arts center for theater-performing arts such as opera and ballet. It comprises of Main Theater with a quadruple stage, Theater and Ensemble Hall.
520-0806 Uchidehama Otsu-city
15-minute walk from JR Otsu Stn. 3-minute walk from Keihan Ishiba Stn.

[ Biwaka Valley ]

The nearest ski ground from Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe area. 20-minute drive from Ogoto Hot Springs.Most courses are designed for beginners and intermediates.During the off-season, it's also fun to explore the mountain, riding in a 120-seater ropeway car, looking for animals and flowers.
Kido Otsu-city Shiga
Jr Ogoto Stn. Jr Shiga Stn. 10 minute bus ride from JR Shiga Stn.

[ Mt. Hiei / World Heritage Site Enryakuji Temple, Mt. Hiei ]

Hieizan Cable Car Enryakuji Temple Stn. Sakamoto is a temple town of Enryakuji Temple and Hiyoshi Grand Shrine. The town lies to the east foot of Mt.Hiei. Mt.Hiei which stretches over west part of Shiga and northeast part of Kyoto is comprised of two mountains, Mt.Daihieigadake(848m) and Mt.Shimeigadake(839m). The summit is located on Shiga side. Mt.Hiei, as well as Mt. Koya, has been religious symbols for a long time. Enryakuji Temple and Hiyoshi Grand Shrine on Mt.Hiei draw a huge crowd of people. Mt.Hiei is among Higashiyama 36 mountains. It is also called as Eizan, Hokuryo, and Tendaisan.
Enryakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is comprised of three areas: 'Todo' 'Saito' and 'Yokawa' areas. 'Kompon-Chu-Do' in 'Todo' is a national treasure. 'Shaka-do' is located in 'Saito' 'Yokawa' area contains 'Yokawa-Chu-Do'.
8:30 ~ 16:30
Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu city

[ Miidera Temple (Onjoji Temple) ]

Onjoji-temple, commonly known as Miidera-temple, is the head temple of Tendai Jimon Sect. The temple, dedicated to the Kannon, is 14th temple among the 33 Holy Places of Saigoku. Miidera Temple holds more than 100 pieces of national treasures and important cultural properties, along with beautiful gardens, a three-storied tower, and a bell called 'Mii-no-Bansho 'Mii-no-Bansho hanging in the bell tower rings lingeringly on New Year's Eve.Miidera Temple is also famous for cherry blossom viewing.In the spring, about 1,000 cherry trees blossom altogether in the area. The precinct of the temple is lit up at night during the cherry blossom season.
520-0036 Onjoji-cho, Otsu city, Shiga

[ Ishiyamadera Temple ]

Ishiyamadera Temple is one of the most famous holy places for Goddess of Mercy as well as Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto and Hasedera Temple in Nara.Ishiyamadera Temple was often described in ancient literary works such as "Suzumushi Nikki" "Sarashina Nikki" and "Makura-no-Soshi" It has been said that Murasakishikibu conceived an idea for "Tale of Kenji" while she stayed at Ishiyamadera Temple. The temple is also known as one of views in Omi
520-0861 3-2-2, Ishiyamadera, Otsu-city, Shiga
10-minute walk from Heihan Ishiyamadera Stn.

[ Hiyoshi Grand Shrine ]

Hiyoshi Grand Shrine, also known as Sanno Gongen, is the head temple of Hiyoshi sect of Shinto.Various beautiful shrines remain on the premise, such as a national treasure Higashi Hon-to and Nishi Hon-to.Hiyoshi Osanbashi Bridge is said to be the oldest stone bridge in Japan. It is designated as an important cultural property.Gorgeous Hiyoshi Toshogu Shrine is about 300M south from Hiyoshi Grand Shrine.Hiyoshi Toshogu Shrine decorated with colorfully painted carvings has kept its original shape since early Edo period.
Sakamoto, Otsu city

[ Kyu Chikurinin Temple Garden ]

Chikurinin Temple was one of the most respected temples among Enryakuji Temple.Its garden, designated as a place of scenic beauty, sits at the foot of Mt. Hachioji and clear water of Omiya River runs into the winding creek.Two teahouses and a waiting room built during Tensho period(1573-1592) are designated as cultural properties by Otsu-city.Visitors can enjoy a serving of green tea in the hall where the beautiful garden can be seen throughout the year.
5-2-13, Sakamoto, Otsu-city
Take a walk/bus/cable from JR Sakamoto Stan or Heihan Sakamoto Stn.

[ Saikyoji Temple ]

Saikyuji Temple, the head temple of Tendai Shinsei sect, is presiding over about 400 temples. It is located in the northeast of Mt. Hiei, in Sakamoto Otsu city. It is said that the founder of the temple was Shotoku-taishi. It is located near Hiyoshi Grand Shrine.

[ Jigenji Temple]

Jigenji Temple worships Tenkai-sosho who exerted himself to reconstruct the temple gate after it was burnt down by Oda Nobunaga.Two rows of stone lanterns lead you to the temple.At the west side of the temple, a huge stone statue of Amitabha Buddha sits among the graves of successive master priests and towers. Visitors will feel overpowered by a solemn atmosphere prevailing over the area.
Phone: 077-578-0130

[ Shigainmonzeki ]

A retreat for retired monks built in 1651, which has a magnificent look.Historical architectures such as Naibutsuden, Shinden, Shoin, Kuri, and Dozo sit on the vast premise as large as 20,000square meters.Its beautiful garden can be seen from a veranda of Shinden.
Sakamoto Otsu-city