[13 Popular Date Spots in Shiga Prefecture] Special Moments Framed by Stunning Lake Biwa Views and History

A complex centered on Japanese and Western sweets, developed as the flagship facility of the Taneya Group.
Spread across the hilly area connected to Mt. Hachiman are the main sweets shop, a café, castella shop, food court, bakery, and more, creating the grand world of Taneya.
Unique buildings and shops are scattered across the grounds, where couples can relax and spend time together while enjoying freshly made sweets.

A historic canal in the castle town of Omihachiman, originally built as a moat for Hachimanyama Castle. This canal, which flows around the foot of Mt. Hachiman and into Lake Biwa, is Hachiman-bori.
Its scenery, lined with white-walled storehouses and still carrying traces of the water transport route once used by cargo boats, has also served as a filming location for period dramas.
You can enjoy the view from a traditional roofed boat or walk around the surrounding townscape, spending time in a historic setting where conversation comes naturally.

One of Japan’s three most famous castles, this hilltop castle was completed in 1622, and its keep is designated a National Treasure.
Built in the early Edo period, Hikone Castle is a historic castle also known by the alternate name Konkijo Castle.
You can tour the inside of the castle keep, and the view from the top floor overlooking Lake Biwa is especially memorable. Around the castle are gardens such as Genkyu-en and Rakuraku-en, where you can enjoy changing scenery as you walk through this historic setting.

A sightseeing area in Nagahama’s old town district that makes use of its traditional streetscape.
Craft and art experience facilities and shops are gathered among rows of traditional buildings in the old town.
Centered around the Kurokabe Glass Shop, a black-plastered building constructed in 1900 as the Nagahama branch of the 130th National Bank, the area features shops and hands-on facilities created by restoring historic buildings, allowing you to enjoy crafts and shopping as you stroll through town.
There are also glassmaking workshops and galleries, making it appealing that you can both view works and create something yourself.

A scenic spot in the Takashima area in northwestern Lake Biwa, known for its long, straight, tree-lined road.
Along Prefectural Road Koaraji Makinozawa Line, about 500 metasequoia trees are planted on both sides of the straight 2.4 km road, which is known as Metasequoia Avenue.
The straight road and rows of trees, set against distant mountains, create a beautiful landscape that changes with the seasons, from fresh greenery in spring and colorful leaves in fall to snowy views in winter, making it a great place for a drive or a walk.

A historic shrine on the shore of Lake Biwa, said to be the oldest in Omi. Its large torii gate standing in the lake is known as a scenic spiritual spot.
Across National Route 161, a vermilion-painted grand torii stands in the lake, and because the view recalls Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, the shrine is also called the “Itsukushima of Omi.”
The grand torii appears to float on the water, overlapping beautifully with the lakeshore scenery and offering views that change with the time of day.

A mountaintop resort in the Takashima area with views of Lake Biwa.
In summer, it can be enjoyed as a green season destination with flowers, and in winter as a ski resort with silver-white slopes.
At the summit, you will find flower gardens, photo spots, cafés, and more, while in winter you can also enjoy skiing and snowboarding with views of Lake Biwa from the slopes.
A gondola ride of Approx. 8 minutes, while gazing out over the scenery of northern Lake Biwa, is also a memorable experience.

Biwako Terrace is a nature resort overlooking Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, from an elevation of Approx. 1,100 m.
After taking the 360-degree glass ropeway to the mountaintop, you can enjoy sweeping lake views from a terrace with wooden decks and water features. If you then transfer to two chairlifts and head up to Mt. Horai, an even grander panorama opens up, stretching as far as Kyoto and Osaka.
You can spend your time however you like in this open setting, whether relaxing on the deck or enjoying a café or restaurant while taking in the view.

The head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, it is home to many cultural properties, including the National Treasure Kondo Hall.
Its vast grounds feature many highlights, including the National Treasure Kondo Hall, numerous temple buildings, and four gardens. Long known as a famous cherry blossom spot, the temple is also lit up at night in spring, when more than 1,000 cherry trees bloom and the entire precinct is wrapped in vibrant scenery.
The atmospheric temple grounds have also been used as filming locations for many movies and TV dramas, making it possible to enjoy a filming location tour within Mii-dera alone.

A hall extending over the water, built within the grounds of Mangetsu-ji Temple on the western shore of Lake Biwa.
Called Ukimido because it appears to float on the lake surface, it is one of Lake Biwa’s most famous scenic spots.
The hall stands at the end of a bridge, allowing you to enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa with the feeling of standing above the water.
It is also known as “Katata no Rakugan,” one of the Eight Views of Omi, and has long been cherished by many people. The changing look of the lake throughout the day is also striking.

An art museum set in the mountains of Shigaraki, displaying ancient art from around the world as well as Japanese art.
From the reception building, visitors travel along an approach road of Approx. 500 m across a valley to reach the museum building. Highlights include the route through a tunnel and suspension bridge, as well as the architecture, much of which is built into the ground, creating a space integrated with nature.
In addition to the exhibition rooms, couples can also share a special time through the mountain views seen through glass windows and time spent at the café.

A park with a wide range of functions related to ceramics, including sharing information about Shigaraki ware.
The park is made up of four areas, including a ceramics museum, exhibition facilities, and production studios, where visitors can enjoy viewing Shigaraki ware and shopping at the store. Outdoors, there are open spaces dotted with large-scale works, and the grounds can also be enjoyed as a nature-rich park, where you can encounter a variety of artworks and scenery as you stroll.
Another appeal is being able to spend time in a spacious setting while enjoying both exhibitions and nature.

A vast temple whose grounds cover the whole of Mt. Hiei at an elevation of 848 m, founded in 788 by Saicho, who established the Tendai sect.
It is divided into three areas, Toto, Saito, and Yokawa, with more than 100 halls and pagodas scattered throughout the mountain.
Historic structures such as the Konpon Chudo, the main hall, and approach paths surrounded by nature spread across the site, allowing visitors to experience both faith and history as they explore the mountain.
Amid scenery that changes with the seasons, it is a place to spend a quiet, peaceful time together while walking the temple paths.

A fountain spot off the shore of Otsu Port and one of Lake Biwa’s representative attractions.
A total of 66 fountains line the breakwater over a length of Approx. 440 m, creating an impressive spectacle that rises to heights of Approx. 40 m.
At night, the fountains are lit in three colors, clear, green, and orange, making them look almost like fireworks.
Combined with the lights reflected on the water, the scene creates a dreamy atmosphere where you can relax by the lakeside.

A sightseeing cruise departing from and returning to Otsu Port, popular for enjoying a trip on Lake Biwa.
The Michigan Cruise is a course that boards a large sightseeing boat from Otsu Port and circles the southern part of Lake Biwa.
On board, you can enjoy live music and buffet-style meals (reservation required), while the deck offers open views unique to being on the lake. At night, the illuminated ship and the lake scenery come together to create a special atmosphere for a relaxing time.

A bridge of Approx. 1.4 km spanning Lake Biwa and connecting Otsu City and Moriyama City.
Because of its gently curved design, with the middle section raised higher, you can enjoy wide views of the surrounding scenery as you cross above the lake.
That makes it a great place for a refreshing drive while taking in an open panoramic view of the Lake Biwa surface and the townscape on the opposite shore, both of which change with the time of day.
At night, city lights reflect on the water, creating a romantic scene perfect for ending a drive.

A long-established specialty restaurant for Omi beef in Omihachiman.
What clearly sets it apart from other restaurants serving Omi beef is that it uses Omi beef carefully raised over Approx. two and a half years on its own ranch.
The beautifully marbled meat is tender, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, sweet juices. You can enjoy Omi beef prepared in a variety of ways through course meals and à la carte dishes, all in a calm setting where you can dine at a relaxed pace.

Founded as a mountain lodge in front of Myooin Temple and Jishu Shrine, the inner sanctuary of Mt. Hiei.
In a refined space that makes the most of Japanese architectural beauty, you can savor dishes made with Shiga ingredients sourced from places such as the Hira Mountains and Lake Biwa.
The menu features seasonal ingredients such as wild mountain vegetables and river fish, adding to the appeal of enjoying the flavors of the season. In this calm setting, you can take your time over both the meal and conversation.

A traditional inn-restaurant standing on the shore of Lake Biwa, where you can enjoy a meal with lake views.
Inside, a wall-sized window lets the grand view of Lake Biwa come into sight from both the counter seats and table seats.
Centered on funazushi, a traditional food of Omi, you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine that incorporates the blessings of Lake Biwa. Both lunch and dinner are by reservation-only course meals, and dining without an overnight stay is also possible.
While gazing at the lake, you can enjoy your meal in a slow, relaxed atmosphere.

A resort hotel standing on the shore of Lake Biwa, where you can fully enjoy lake views. It offers five types of guest rooms, and every room overlooks Lake Biwa.
Inside the hotel are Japanese and Western restaurants as well as a bar, where you can enjoy dishes made with Omi beef and ingredients from Shiga. There is also a large public bath and an open-air bath overlooking the lake, allowing you to spend a relaxing stay.
With lake views spreading out from the guest rooms and various places throughout the hotel, you can enjoy a stay that feels far removed from everyday life.

A 38-story high-rise hotel on the shore of Lake Biwa, designed by architect Kenzo Tange.
The guest rooms are arranged across three floor categories, the EIZAN Floor, Sky Floor, and Lake Floor, and from any room you can relax while enjoying views of Lake Biwa and mountain ranges such as the Hira Mountains.
The hotel offers a variety of restaurants and bars, making it easy to choose a dining option that suits the occasion. Rental bicycles are also available, so you can spend time exploring the area while enjoying the breeze along the lakeshore.
With the sense of openness that comes from staying on a high floor, you can enjoy your stay while looking out over both the lake and the city.

A hot spring inn in Ogoto Onsen with a history of 1,200 years, where you can enjoy bathing with views of Lake Biwa.
From the top-floor open-air bath and large public bath, you can look out over Lake Biwa and Mt. Hiei, and the guest rooms also come in a wide range of styles, including Japanese-style rooms and rooms with open-air baths.
Another welcome point is the availability of private reservable baths for a more intimate bathing experience.
With relaxing moments to enjoy in the hot springs, over meals, and in the guest rooms, this is a fitting place for an anniversary stay.