What is Shiga known for?

Shiga Prefecture is the area around Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. It is separated from Kyoto by a mountain range and features many places of historical and religious interest, such as Hikone Castle. It is a great getaway after visiting the crowded Kyoto. There are numerous campsites, beaches and areas for swimming that are popular in summer. Lake Biwa is also popular among cyclists who tour the lake in two or three days. You can also do island hopping with a cruise boat. During the colder sea…

Shiga is an area in SHIGA, Japan.

What are the best places to visit in Shiga?

WOW U lists 22 spots in Shiga. Popular spots include Koka Ninja House, Biwako Hakodateyama, MIHO MUSEUM, Biwako Valley, Uguigawa River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms.

Can I book a guided tour in Shiga?

Yes. WOW U lists activities in Shiga hosted by Locals, the local guides who live in the area. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U.

Can I visit a Japanese family's home near Shiga?

Yes. WOW U lists home visits in SHIGA, where a local host welcomes you into their own home.

WOW U is a booking platform that connects travellers directly with local guides in Japan, called Locals. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U, and every experience can be reviewed afterwards. More than 6,100 Locals are registered on WOW U. Reviews left by travellers average 4.7 out of 5.

Shiga

Spots in this area(22)

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Culture Experience Beautiful Scenery History Art & Architecture Outdoor Activities Insta-worthy Entertainment Food & Drink Unesco World Heritage Shopping

Shiga

Koka Ninja House

A real Edo-era safehouse with trapdoors, spin doors, and live shuriken.

Art & ArchitectureCulture ExperienceHistory

Shiga

Biwako Hakodateyama

882 wind chimes ring above Lake Biwa — gondola up, summer bloom below.

Beautiful SceneryInsta-worthyOutdoor Activities

Shiga

MIHO MUSEUM

I.M. Pei hid a world-class museum inside a Shiga mountain.

Art & ArchitectureBeautiful SceneryFood & Drink

Shiga

Biwako Valley

Ride a glass gondola up, then sip coffee above Lake Biwa's full expanse.

Beautiful SceneryFood & DrinkOutdoor Activities

Shiga

Uguigawa River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms

A thousand blossoms glow along a mountain stream after dark.

Beautiful SceneryInsta-worthy

Shiga

Biwako Lake

A 4-million-year-old lake where endemic trout swim beneath migrating winter bir…

Beautiful SceneryOutdoor Activities

Shiga

Biwako Kisen Steamship

Drift across Japan's largest lake, 670 km² of open water.

EntertainmentOutdoor ActivitiesBeautiful Scenery

Shiga

Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Garden Mizunomori

Lotus pads float before mountain peaks on the misty Biwako shore.

Beautiful SceneryOutdoor ActivitiesInsta-worthy

Shiga

Azuchi Castle Ruins

Climb the stones where Nobunaga's tower burned in 1582.

Art & ArchitectureHistory

Shiga

Seiuemon Pottery

Where 800-year-old kiln ash still shapes the clay you touch.

Art & ArchitectureCulture ExperienceHistory

Shiga

Omi Jingu Shrine

A 1940 shrine honoring the emperor who rewrote Japan's rulebook.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Shiga

Keisokuji Temple

Crimson maples line a forest path that locals saved from ruin.

Beautiful SceneryCulture Experience

Shiga

Ishiyamadera Temple

Where a court lady dreamed up the world's first novel, circa 1004.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Shiga

Shirahige Jinja Shrine

A red torii rises from Lake Biwa — glowing at dusk, mirrored at dawn.

Beautiful SceneryCulture ExperienceHistory

Shiga

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

The mountain monks trained here — until Nobunaga burned it down.

Beautiful SceneryCulture ExperienceHistory+1

Shiga

Lake Biwa Museum

Walk through glass as catfish and bass glide overhead, lake-deep.

EntertainmentHistory

Shiga

Taga Taisha Shrine

Where Hideyoshi built a bridge to heal his mother, love gods still listen.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Shiga

Koka Ninja Village

Slip through trap doors where real ninja descendants once hid.

Culture ExperienceOutdoor Activities

Shiga

Hachimanbori Waterway

Drift past white-walled merchant storehouses on a quiet canal cruise.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Shiga

Genkyuen and Rakurakuen Gardens

Stroll the pond path a feudal lord once walked at dusk.

Beautiful Scenery

Shiga

Kurokabe Square

A 1900 bank reborn in glass — browse art, then blow your own piece.

Art & ArchitectureCulture ExperienceShopping

Shiga

Hikonejo Castle

One of four castles never torn down — its keep still stands untouched.

Art & ArchitectureCulture ExperienceHistory

Activities in Shiga

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by Tomoko Yoshihara

Shiga

Hikone visit for 4 hours

Approx. ¥10,000 / guest

Home Visits in SHIGA

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Enjoy the charm of Obanzai, a part of Japanese culture

by Toshie Izumi

SHIGA

Enjoy the charm of Obanzai, a part of Japanese culture

Approx. ¥11,000 / guest

Locals in SHIGA

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Licensed Guide

Japanese / English

SHIGA

Tomoko Yoshihara

HistoryCultureNature+1

Licensed Guide

Japanese / English +1

SHIGA

Tadashi Sugihara

MusicHistoryAnime･Manga+7

Japanese / English

SHIGA

Azu Kurimoto

MusicMoviesAnime･Manga+2

Frequently asked questions

What is Shiga known for?: Shiga Prefecture is the area around Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. It is separated from Kyoto by a mountain range and features many places of historical and religious interest, such as Hikone Castle. It is a great getaway after visiting the crowded Kyoto. There are numerous campsites, beaches and areas for swimming that are popular in summer. Lake Biwa is also popular among cyclists who tour the lake in two or three days. You can also do island hopping with a cruise boat. During the colder sea…
Where is Shiga?: Shiga is an area in SHIGA, Japan.
What are the best places to visit in Shiga?: WOW U lists 22 spots in Shiga. Popular spots include Koka Ninja House, Biwako Hakodateyama, MIHO MUSEUM, Biwako Valley, Uguigawa River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms.
Can I book a guided tour in Shiga?: Yes. WOW U lists activities in Shiga hosted by Locals, the local guides who live in the area. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U.
Can I visit a Japanese family's home near Shiga?: Yes. WOW U lists home visits in SHIGA, where a local host welcomes you into their own home.
What is WOW U?: WOW U is a booking platform that connects travellers directly with local guides in Japan, called Locals. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U, and every experience can be reviewed afterwards. More than 6,100 Locals are registered on WOW U. Reviews left by travellers average 4.7 out of 5.