An Adult’s Guide to Shiga Prefecture: Touching the Depths of History and Breathtaking Scenery
When ‘Shiga Prefecture tourism’ comes to mind, the image of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, often takes precedence. However, the true allure of this region lies in its ‘multilayered historical drama,’ where countless warriors and merchants fiercely competed over water transportation, and the passionate dedication of the people who have relentlessly preserved this heritage to the present day.
This time, we’ve skipped all superficial textbook explanations to focus on the ‘authentic local atmosphere’ and ‘deep attractions that can only be understood by visiting in person,’ selecting five absolutely unmissable tourist leisure spots. After reading this, your trip to Shiga will transform from a mere sightseeing tour into a ‘re-experience of history’ that will last a lifetime.
Hachiman-bori Canal
📍 Address: Osugicho, Omihachiman, Shiga 523-0837, Japan
Hachiman-bori Canal is famous as a filming location for period dramas like ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ and ‘Onihei Hankacho.’ The scenery, with white-walled storehouses and stone walls reflected on the water’s surface, is now known as one of Japan’s most evocative cinematic settings, strongly conveying the ‘Edo’ period. However, this beautiful waterway is more than just a well-preserved tourist spot.
This canal, dug by Toyotomi Hidetsugu to forcibly draw Lake Biwa’s logistics into the castle town, was a ‘lifeline’ that brought immense wealth to the Omi merchants. What’s astonishing is that during Japan’s rapid economic growth in the Showa era, it became a ditch filled with domestic wastewater and sludge, nearly being reclaimed by the city as a source of pollution. It was the local Junior Chamber that put a stop to this. Under the desperate slogan, ‘Regret begins the moment the canal is filled,’ they tirelessly cleaned the muddy waters, often facing cold stares from others, and eventually swayed the local government to halt the reclamation project.
The fact that we can now witness this ‘best of canals’ is thanks to the tenacity of nameless citizens who reclaimed something once nearly lost. While the daytime buzz with tourists is enjoyable, the tranquility during sunset, when streetlights reflect on the water, is truly exceptional. Take off your heels, put on comfortable shoes, and as you walk on the uneven cobblestones, reflect on the merchants who once unloaded their goods here and the dedication of the citizens who tirelessly scooped out sludge.
Azuchi Castle Ruins
📍 Address: Shimotoyoura, Azuchi-cho, Omihachiman, Shiga 521-1311, Japan
For Japanese castle enthusiasts, the ruins of Azuchi Castle, the phantom giant fortress built by Oda Nobunaga, can be called a ‘sacred site.’ Although the main keep no longer stands, it is precisely this absence that allows imagination and romance to endlessly expand, captivating many travelers as a Sengoku period wonderland.
Upon paying the 700 yen entrance fee and stepping into the castle ruins, the first thing that catches your eye is the impressive Ote-michi (main path), extending straight for about 180 meters from the Ote-mon (main gate) ruins. On both sides are the massive remains of residences belonging to renowned retainers like Hashiba Hideyoshi and Maeda Toshiie, conveying Nobunaga’s immeasurable intimidation, seemingly daring you to ‘climb to the main keep.’ The path to the summit involves 405 steep and uneven stone steps. Along the breathless climb, you’ll even find stone Buddhas incorporated into the staircase, allowing you to viscerally feel Nobunaga’s fierce display of power, unafraid even of gods and Buddhas.
Once you reach the Tenshudai (main keep base) ruins at the summit, a beautiful view of Lake Biwa unfolds, though its shape has changed since Nobunaga looked down upon it. As the climb is quite strenuous, comfortable sneakers and ample time and energy are essential for your visit. It’s a unique power spot where many exclaim, ‘There’s no other castle ruin this overwhelming, even without a main keep.’
Hikone Castle
📍 Address: 1-1 Konki-cho, Hikone, Shiga 522-0061, Japan
If Azuchi Castle is a ‘castle of imagination without a keep,’ then Hikone Castle is a ‘real historical witness, existing as a national treasure.’ Aiming for World Heritage status, this castle boasts a miraculously preserved main keep that escaped wartime destruction, its majestic appearance is truly breathtaking. The area around the moat is perfect for jogging and strolling, offering beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.
The highlight of sightseeing is undoubtedly ascending to the castle keep. However, what awaits visitors here are ‘stairs that are too steep,’ almost unthinkable by modern building standards. The sense of accomplishment upon clinging to the handrail and reaching the top floor, along with the panoramic view of Lake Biwa and the Okumibuki mountains spreading below, is truly like being a feudal lord. It’s precisely because it’s not fully barrier-free that you can experience the authentic atmosphere of a ‘real castle’ here.
And when discussing Hikone Castle, the presence of ‘Hikonyan’ is indispensable. While feeling the weight of history, the sight of this charming local mascot leisurely strolling through the castle grounds is incredibly adorable, praised for its delightful contrast. As its appearance schedule varies daily, checking the official website for sortie times beforehand is a key tip for visitors. After your visit, stop by Yume Kyobashi Castle Road, the castle town, and enjoy walking through the Edo-period streets with an Omi beef croquette in hand—it’s the ultimate luxury.
Mount Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple
📍 Address: 4220 Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0116, Japan
Mount Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple, a World Heritage site representing Shiga Prefecture and renowned as the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism. The entire mountain is a vast sacred site, and simply walking through the serene forest can make your heart feel purified by its divinity. If accessing by car, be aware that you’ll need to use toll roads like the Oku-Hiei Driveway, which have relatively high fees. However, the views of Lake Biwa from the observation decks along the way, and the vibrant autumn foliage, are beautiful enough to more than compensate for the expense.
As crucial and up-to-date information every traveler should know, the National Treasure ‘Konpon-chudo’ (Main Hall), the central Buddhist hall of Enryaku-ji Temple, is currently in the midst of a major renovation—its first in approximately 60 years. Originally planned for 10 years, the construction period has been extended to restore Edo-period paintings and colors, with completion now scheduled for September 2030.
Furthermore, since January 2026, regular worship inside the main hall’s inner sanctum has been suspended for approximately two years due to full-scale lacquer painting work, with worship now conducted at the Manbaido hall. While some areas are restricted, the valuable scaffolding and intricate work of the temple carpenters, visible only during this renovation period, are in a way ‘a page of history that can only be seen now.’ Be sure to understand the current situation beforehand and enjoy an intellectual journey witnessing the restoration process of a long and rich history.
Metasequoia Namiki (Metasequoia Avenue)
📍 Address: Makino, Makino-cho, Takashima, Shiga 520-1836, Japan F2PP+XV
In Makino-cho, Takashima City, ‘Metasequoia Namiki’ (Metasequoia Avenue) is an overwhelmingly popular scenic spot in Shiga Prefecture, celebrated on social media and in various media. It gained rapid fame for resembling a filming location from a Korean drama and was selected as one of Yomiuri Shimbun’s ‘New Top 100 Japanese Street Trees.’ This 2.4 km long straight road, lined with approximately 500 metasequoia trees, reveals completely different expressions depending on the season: fresh greenery in spring, deep green in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and snowscapes in winter.
Especially during the autumn foliage season, an overwhelmingly golden tunnel forms, even more impressive than in pictures, making you feel as if you’ve stumbled into a scene from a foreign film. As the surrounding area is also a residential road, roadside parking is strictly prohibited. However, you can safely use the spacious free parking lot at the adjacent agricultural park, ‘Makino Pick Land.’
As a practical tip for travelers, it gets so crowded during the day that traffic jams occur for parking. So, if you’re driving, the best time to visit is early weekday mornings, ideally when the sun rises and beautiful sunbeams filter through the trees. Also, while it’s natural to get excited by the magnificent scenery, dangerous etiquette violations, such as stepping into the middle of the road to take photos while engrossed in your camera, have frequently been an issue. Please remember that this beautiful landscape is maintained through the diligent efforts of local residents, including cleaning and pruning, and enjoy the breathtaking view with safety in mind.
Journey’s End: An Adult’s Trip to Shiga, Imbued with Profound Stories
Shiga Prefecture’s tourist attractions are places where simply consuming the scenery would be a waste. From ‘Hachiman-bori,’ revived by the passion of its citizens, to ‘Azuchi Castle Ruins,’ where a warlord’s ambition still resides in the stone steps; ‘Hikone Castle,’ where history and characters coexist; ‘Mount Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple,’ where 1200 years of prayer intersect with modern craftsmanship; and ‘Metasequoia Namiki,’ where seasonal natural beauty captivates people.
Each spot holds a profound story of the people who built, protected, and loved it. The next time you visit Shiga Prefecture, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and immerse yourself in a deeper, more local kind of tourism, feeling the drama etched into the land.
