Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel

A roughly five-minute ride on the massive, state-of-the-art ropeway gondola (121 passengers) will take you to the 1,100-meter summit with a view overlooking the scenic Lake Biwa. A number of …

This sightseeing cruise travels to Lake Biwa’s islands of Chikubushima and Takeshima. The view from the cruise ship gives a true sense of the lake’s magnificence in a way that can’t be …

Take part in a charming trip where you’ll tour the expansive, reed-lined “suigo” canals and explore the historic streets of the Omi merchants. Access: Approximately 50 minutes by car from …

This is the Kyoto-Shiga area’s first fully-featured outlet mall, sited in the verdant surroundings of Ryuo, Shiga, at the side of the Zenkoji River. Access: Approximately 40 minutes by car from …

The cruise ship Michigan starts its services from the Prince Hotel port. Enjoy cheerful presentations by the crew as you experience the spectacular sights of Lake Biwa. Access: Ship can be boarded …

Hachimanyama is the site of the ruins of Hachimanyama Castle, which was built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu, nephew of the Sengoku Period daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Travel from the foot of the mountain to …

Mt. Shizugatake was the site of the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583, and this is where seven of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s finest officers made their name as the Seven Spears of Shizugatake. Take the …

Enjoy matcha tea in the serenity of a Japanese garden at the “Sekishoan Teahouse”, located in Biwako Bunka Park. Access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from the …

“Koto Sanzan” refers to three Tendai sect temples: Saimyoji, Kongorinji, and Hyakusaiji. These temples are located east of the lake on the western side of the Suzuka mountain range, an area …

“Koto Sanzan” refers to three Tendai sect temples : Saimyoji,Kongorinji, and Hyakusaiji. These temples are located east of the lake on the western side of the Suzuka mountain range, an area …

“Koto Sanzan” refers to three Tendai sect temples : Saimyoji,Kongorinji, and Hyakusaiji. These temples are located east of the lake on the western side of the Suzuka mountain range, an area …

This open-air museum is inspired by the works of the French impressionist painters. The museum features reproductions of works by Monet, Renoir, van Gogh, and others on porcelain tiles, and you can …

During the Edo Period, Otsu was called “Otsu hyakucho”, the 53rd and final post-town on the Tokaido, the highway from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto. This “Otsu walking tour” explores the historic …

In his haiku poem about Ukimido, renowned poet Matsuo Basho wrote, “open the lock, let the moon shine in?Floating …

Enjoy abundant natural beauty around the town of Shigaraki, where the art of pottery has flourished since ancient …

Karahashi Bridge has been a familiar landmark to countless travellers throughout the …

Sakamoto, which prospered as a temple town of Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, has about fifty temples with …

As one of the Satobo (Monks’ residence in a temple in a mountain village), the Old Bamboo Institute is among most prestigious Enryakuji …

Located to the east of the city of Kusatsu and the Karasuma Peninsula, this botanical garden features an abundance of flowers …

Miidera Temple, officially named Onjo-ji, houses the well-known “evening bell at …

The nature, architecture and art of Shigaraki combined together created a harmonized space of …

Lake Biwa Museum’s various exhibits, chalked full of fascinating details, enable you to look back on several million years of Lake Biwa-area …

Lake Biwa Cruise is a sightseeing vessel can be boarded from the hotel-front pier (Nionohei Sightseeing …

Ishiyama-dera Temple is famous as the place where Murasaki Shikibu was inspired to write The Tale of Genji, but it is also beloved as a “temple of flowers” at which all kinds of flowers blossom …

The Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, head shrine for Japan’s more than 3,800 Sanno …

The Tenshukaku tower of Hikone Castle has been designated as a special historic national treasure. The picturesque sight of the moonlight floating above Hikone Castle is counted as one of the …

Enryakuji, a World Heritage Site and head temple of the Tendai Buddhist sect, is a truly majestic and sacred …

Harie District located in the Shinasahich? of Takashima City was selected as one of the origins of the 100 Best Water Selections in …

Once ski season begins, ski to your heart’s content in perfect show, both natural and from snowmaking equipment, while taking in stunning views of Lake …

Kurokabe Square is home to charming buildings harking back to the Meiji …

Today’s “Nagahama Hikiyama Festival” originated from the festival parade performed in Nagahama Hachiman Shrine based on the gold dust served to celebrate the birth of Hideyoshi’s …

In the spring at Kaizu-Osaki, along the shore of Lake Biwa, you can pass through a stunning tunnel of 600 cherry trees in full …

Marvel at the world’s largest fountain?measuring around 400 meters in …

The most well-known local souvenir that is representative of Otsu is the Otsu-e (Otsu Paintings). There are now many different varieties from plates and cups to wood products, but these were …