Shiga Prefecture

From PHOTOGUIDE.JP

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by Philbert Ono

Last updated: Jan. 7, 2010

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 is a landlocked prefecture and its 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/Osaka from the east (Tokyo, etc.) will usually have to pass through Shiga either by train (including the Shinkansen) 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. The western and northern shores of the lake along the Kosei Line are generally more scenic with good swimming 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, sometimes forcing shinkansen bullet trains to slow down during heavy snow.

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 towns and population along the western shore of Lake Biwa are more rural and the trains are less frequent.

For sightseeing, Otsu, Hikone, Omi-Hachiman, Nagahama, and Chikubushima island are favorites. Find many famous temples, Hikone Castle (a National Treasure), and the lake. With regard to architecture (mainly temples and shrines), Shiga has the third highest number of National Treasures in Japan, following Kyoto and Nara.

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

Sights

Michigan	Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri	Shigaraki

*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.

• Chikubushima 竹生島 - An island in the middle of northern Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture. 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.

• Hikone Castle 彦根城 - Shiga's most famous building and a National Treasure. The castle tower is well preserved and it gives you a good glimpse into how a real castle looked like during Japan's feudal period. 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. One of Japan's largest temple complex 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.

• Ishiyama-dera Temple 石山寺 - Founded in 749, Ishiyama-dera, belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, is the 13th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage. The temple is noted for National Treasure architecture, cherry blossoms, and fall leaves. Also, 2008 was the 1000th anniversary of the epic novel "Genji Monogatari" or Tale of Genji written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu in 1008. Much of the novel was written in a room at Ishiyama-dera temple in Otsu

• Koto Sanzan Temple Trio - Fall colors in Nov. at Kongorinji 金剛輪寺, Hyakusaiji 百済寺, and Saimyoji 西明寺. All three temples have buildings which are National Treasures.

• Nagahama Hikiyama Festival 長浜曳山祭り - Held by the 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.

• 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).

• Mt. Ibuki 伊吹山 - Maibara Shiga's highest mountain is especially popular in spring and summer when exotic alpine flowers bloom on the summit. Easy hiking trails also afford grand views. You can catch a bus at Sekigahara Station in Gifu to reach the summit via the Ibukiyama Driveway.

• 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. 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 entrepreneur called "Omi shonin" or Omi merchants. They sold and traded goods all over Japan and were centered in areas such as Gokasho, Omi-Hachiman, Hino-cho, and Toyosato where you can tour inside their grand homes. Takashimaya Dept. Store, Itochu Corporation, and Seibu all have Shiga roots.

• Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park - Home of Shigaraki-ware pottery. See real kilns and a ceramic museum. You can also try your hand at pottery-making.

• 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.

• 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).

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

Tourist Bases

• Kyoto - Kyoto is not in Shiga, but from Kyoto you can easily travel to Shiga by train. From Kyoto Station, only 10 min. to Otsu. There are direct trains which go as far as Nagahama in northern Shiga (or Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture) on the Tokaido/Biwako Line.

• 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 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.

Omi-Maiko	Hikone Castle	Sagicho Festival	Chikubushima

*See also Budget Accommodations below.

Travel 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.

• Going on a boat cruise on Lake Biwa is also highly recommended. The most popular destination on the lake is Chikubushima island in the northern part of the lake. Boats depart quite frequently from Hikone, Nagahama, and Omi-Imazu Ports.

• 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.

• 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.

• If you like temples, Shiga has the third highest number of temples in Japan, after Kyoto and Nara. Otsu is one place to go as well as Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei which also gives great views of the lake.

• 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.

Ideal Itineraries

• Spend the morning visiting Hikone Castle, then take a boat to Chikubushima island. Return to Hikone by boat or go on to Omi-Imazu on the other side of the lake.
• Spend the morning visiting Nagahama (the castle, Kurokabe Square, etc.), then take a boat to Chikubushima island. Return to Nagahama (or Hikone) by boat or go on to Omi-Imazu on the other side of the lake.
• From Kyoto or Otsu, take a bus up to Mt. Hiei to visit Enryakuji Temple.
• In Otsu, visit Miidera and Ishiyama Temples. Walk along the waterfront.
• Michigan paddlewheel boat cruise in Otsu.
• Drive around Lake Biwa (taking a day).
• Go up Mt. Shizugatake on the ski lift and hike to Lake Yogo.
• Cross the Biwako Ohashi Bridge by bus between Moriyama and Katata Stations.
• 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).
• Bicycle around Lake Biwa (allow at least 3 days).

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), 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, Konan Station, Ishibe 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. Usually, you can rent a bicycle at one train station and return it at another.

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.

Maps of Shiga

Placemarks in Google Maps are in English. Some also display photos.

View Larger Map

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

Cities: Higashi-Omi | Hikone | Koka | Konan | Kusatsu | Maibara | Moriyama | Nagahama | Omi-Hachiman | Otsu | Ritto | Takashima | Yasu

Towns & Villages: Aisho-cho | Azuchi-cho | Hino-cho | Kora-cho | Ryuo-cho | Taga-cho | Takatsuki | Torahime | Toyosato-cho | Yogo

Event Calendar

January

• Jan. 1-3 - Hatsumode New Year's worshipping at major shrines such as Taga Taisha and Omi Jingu.
• Entire month - Rape blossoms, Nagisa Park, Moriyama
• 2nd Mon. - Coming of Age Ceremony with Giant Kite, Higashi Omi
• Mid-Jan. to Mar. - Nagahama Bonsai Plum Tree Exhibition
• 2nd Sat. - Katsube Shrine Fire Festival, Moriyama

February

• Early Feb. - Oku Ibuki Snow Fight and Kamakura Festival, Maibara
• 3 - Setsubun Bean Throwing at Taga Taisha Shrine, Taga-cho

March

• Mid-March weekend - Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman
• Last Sun. in March - Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession, Tsuchiyama, Koka
• Late Mar. - early April - Cherry blossoms at Kaizu Osaki, Zeze Park, Hikone Castle, Mishima Pond

April

• 14-16 - Nagahama Hikiyama Festival
• 12-14 - Sanno Festival, Hiyoshi Taisha, Otsu
• 19-20 - Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival, ornate floats in Koka
• 22: Taga Matsuri 多賀まつり - A long procession featuring Shinto priests, children in costume, women warriors, and more people on 40 horses.
• 28-29 - Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Kusatsu
• 29 - Kaizu Rikishi Matsuri Festival, Makino, Takashima

May

• 2-3 - Hino Festival, Hino-cho
• 3 - Nabe Kanmuri Festival, procession of children in costume. Boys wear a nabe pot helmet. Maibara
• 3-4 - Omizo Festival, Hiyoshi Shrine, Takashima
• 4 - Misaki Shrine Fire Festival 御崎神社の火まつり, Aisho-cho
• 5 - Sushi-kiri (sushi cutting) Festival, Moriyama
• 4th Sun. - Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival, Higashi-Omi
• 4th Sun. - Yuki Saiden Rice-Planting Festival, Yasu

June

• 1st Sun. - Azuchi Nobunaga Festival, Bungei no Sato, Azuchi-cho
• Early to mid-June - Santo Hotaru Firefly Festival, Maibara
• 1st Sun. in June - Taga Taisha Rice-Planting Festival 多賀大社御田植祭 - Held annually on the first Sunday in June, the Taga Taisha O-taue Matsuri rice-planting festival has 70 local junior high school girls planting rice in the shrine's sacred rice paddy.

July

• Lake Biwa beaches open for swimming such as Omi-Maiko
• Weekend in late July or early Aug. - Birdman Contest, Hikone. College students fly gliders or human-propelled planes over the lake.
• 28-29 - Mitarashi Festival, Otsu

August

• 1 - Lake Biwa Fireworks, Hikone-shi : August 1
• 3 or 4 - Nagahama Fireworks, Nagahama
• Aug. 3-5 - Taga Taisha Mantosai Lantern Festival 多賀大社万燈祭 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

September

• 5-6 - Shirahige Festival, Shirahige Shrine, Takashima
• Late Sept. - Tsuchiyama Shukuba Festival

October

• Two days before Sports Day Oct. 10: Otsu Matsuri Festival 大津祭 - One of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu.
• 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 the 10th - All-Japan Ninja Competition, Ninja Village, Koka
• Weekend during Sports Day - Shigaraki Pottery Festival, Koka
• Mid-Oct. - Maibara Hikiyama Festival
• Weekend near the 29th - Little Edo - Hikone Castle Festival

November

• 3 - Hikone Castle Festival Parade
• 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, Takashima

December

• Tarobogu Shrine Fire Festival, HigashiOmi

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. wlak 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

Municipalities

*Main article: Shiga Prefecture Municipalities

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

Note that on March 21, 2010, Omi-Hachiman and Azuchi will merge. Shiga will then have only 6 towns. On Jan. 1, 2010, the six northern towns of Torahime, Kohoku, Takatsuki, Kinomoto, Yogo, and Nishi-Azai merged with Nagahama.

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 | 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

History

Main article: History of Shiga Prefecture.

Shiga's history has been greatly influenced by its location next to Kyoto, the old Imperial Capital of Japan where the Emperor of Japan resided. Otsu was once even 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 stage towns (Kusatsu, etc.) along the main roads (Tokaido and Nakasendo) between 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 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 boasts the third-highest number of temples after Kyoto and Nara.

Lake Biwa also served as an important cargo transportation route between Kyoto and the northern fiefs facing the Sea of Japan. Transporting cargo and merchandise over water was faster than on land.

During the late 16th century when warlords jostled for power and conquest, Omi was a strategic province since it was the gateway to Kyoto. Powerful warlords such as Oda Nobunaga seeking to unify the country and place Kyoto under control knew that Shiga (called Omi) had to be conquered first. Bloody battles ensued at Anegawa River, Odani Castle, and Mt. Shizugatake. 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.

During the peaceful Tokugawa Period, Omi Province produced national figures in Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) who was a master of tea, architecture, garden design, calligraphy and poetry, and Ii Naosuke from Hikone who served as Tairo (Great Elder) in the shogunate in Edo. Naosuke was a key figure in opening up Japan to the US when Commodore Perry came knocking with his black battleships in the 19th century. Kunitomo gunsmiths in Nagahama also turned matchlock guns into nationally-recognized works of art.

In recent years, Shiga has pursued environmental issues such as lake pollution, control of invasive fish species in the lake which are depleting the native fish population, preservation of reed areas, and cormorant birds devastating the greenery on Chikubushima island and lake fish. 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.

Detailed history at History of Shiga Prefecture.

Photos

Click on the thumbnail to see the respective album. More Shiga photos here.

Azuchi Castle	Yokaichi Giant Kite	Gokasho	Hikone Castle Parade
Lake Biwa Rowing Song	Rowing Lake Biwa	Hino Matsuri	Mt. Shizugatake
Shigaraki	Kongorinji temple	Kinomoto	Ninja Village

Videos

My video clips of Shiga Prefecture are at YouTube. If the video player below does not appear, click here.

Miscellaneous

Recent News

• Six towns in northern Shiga merged with Nagahama on Jan. 1, 2010. Torahime, Kohoku, Takatsuki, Kinomoto, Yogo, and Nishi-Azai arenow part of Nagahama which is now Shiga's largest city in terms of land area, surpassing Takashima.
• 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.
• The Lake Biwa Cultural Museum (Biwako Bunkakan 琵琶湖文化館), shaped like a castle on the shore of Lake Biwa in Otsu, closed on March 30, 2008 after 47 years. The museum opened in 1961 and served as an art museum, centering on Buddhist art, and aquarium for lake fish. Parts of the museum's collection were later transferred to other museums in Shiga. Its collection of about 5,000 pieces includes National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The lookout deck on the top floor gave a panoramic view of the lake. Due to financial reasons, the cash-strapped prefecture decided to close the museum which will continue to store its collection.
• Nishi-Otsu Station (西大津駅) on the Kosei Line changed its name to "Otsu-kyo" 大津京駅 on March 15, 2008. This is an attempt to have people recognize that Otsu was once the capital of Japan.
• Ogoto Station (雄琴駅) on the Kosei Line changed its name to "Ogoto Onsen" おごと温泉駅 on March 15, 2008. This is an attempt to get more people to visit Ogoto Spa.
• 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.
• On Sept. 6, 2007, Shiga's very first pro sports team, the Shiga LakeStars, was approved to join the bj League, Japan's fledging pro basketball league. The LakeStars will start playing from the fall 2008-2009 season.
• 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.
• The year-long, annual NHK Taiga Drama aired in 2006 on NHK on Sundays at 8 pm. Titled "Komyo ga Tsuji," the TV series is about a samurai named Yamauchi Kazutoyo and wife Chiyo (born in Shiga) during the feudal era of the late 16th century. Shiga is featured as one of the main settings of the story.
• In Jan. 2006, Yasu High School became Shiga's first National Senior High School Soccer champion after defeating Kagoshima Jitsugyo 2-1 at Tokyo's National Stadium during the 84th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
• Construction of a new and controversial shinkansen bullet train station was approved in 2005. It was to be built in Ritto city near Tehara Station on the Kusatsu Line. Tentative name of the station is Biwako Ritto Station. It was to be financed by the neighboring municipalities. The city of Otsu which is 10 min. away from Kyoto Station where the shinkansen stops, opposed any financial contributiuon, but later relented. However, after the election of the new governor of Shiga, Kada Yukiko who was opposed to the new train station, the project has been put on hold.

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.

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 Goodwill Association	高島市勝野215 高島市企画調整課内	0740-36-2007 Fax: 0740-36-1467 t-shinko@takashima.shiga.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.

Here's a list of overseas Kenjinkai:

• http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~zenjiren/addressovs.htm

Here are some Shiga Kenjinkai Web sites:

• http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~zenjiren/ - National Federation of Shiga Kenjinkai
• http://i-shigaken.com/ - Ishikawa Shiga Kenjinkai
• http://www.n-shigaken.com/ - Niigata Shiga Kenjinkai
• http://takanobo.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ - Fukui Shiga Kenjinkai
• http://www.geocities.jp/ibashiga_top2/top2.html - Ibaraki Shiga Kenjinkai
• http://www2.ocn.ne.jp/~os-shiga/index.html - Osaka Shiga Kenjinkai
• http://www.geocities.jp/tasii00/sigaken.html - Shizuoka Shiga Kenjinkai
• http://www.kyotoshigakenjinkai.jp/ - Kyoto Shiga Kenjinkai

More details here.

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
• 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 | 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

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