An Illustrated Japan / Kansai / Shiga

Famous Views

The sights a prefecture is known for — the ones on the postcards, and a few that should be.

Biwako Terrace

びわ湖テラス

Shirahige Shrine

白鬚神社

Metasequoia Namiki

メタセコイア並木

Mangetsu-ji Ukimidō

満月寺 浮御堂

Yogo-ko

余呉湖

Mt. Ibuki

伊吹山

Chikubushima

竹生島

Biwako Hakodate-yama

びわこ箱館山

Tarobo-gu

太郎坊宮

Hachiman-bori

八幡堀

Townscape & Scenery

Streets, harbours, hillsides: the places that give a prefecture its face.

Lake Biwa

琵琶湖

Hikone Castle

彦根城

Shirasuka Shrine (Torii in Lake Biwa)

白須賀神社(湖中鳥居)

Metasequoia Avenue (Makino)

メタセコイア並木

Omihachiman Canal District

近江八幡の水郷

Biwako Valley (Biwako Terrace)

びわ湖バレイ(びわ湖テラス)

La Collina Omihachiman

ラ コリーナ近江八幡

Former Toyosato Elementary School (Old School Buildings)

豊郷小学校旧校舎群

Mount Ibuki

伊吹山

Ukimi-do Hall (Mangetsu-ji Temple)

浮御堂(満月寺)

Culture & Tradition

Crafts, festivals, temples and the traditions still practised today.

Ninja Culture (Koka)

忍者文化(甲賀)

Shigaraki Ware (Shigaraki-yaki)

焼き物(信楽焼)

Festivals (Otsu Festival and Nagahama Hikiyama Festival)

祭り(大津祭・長浜曳山祭)

Buddhist Culture (Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei and Miidera Temple)

仏教文化(比叡山延暦寺・三井寺)

Otsu-e (Traditional Folk Paintings)

伝統工芸(大津絵)

Omi Merchant Culture

近江商人文化

MIHO Museum

MIHO MUSEUM

Omi Jofu (Omi hemp cloth)

近江上布

Tarobo Shrine (Aga Shrine)

太郎坊宮(阿賀神社)

Wafune (Traditional Japanese Hand-Rowed Boats)

和船文化

Life & Daily

Food, bathhouses, morning routines — what an ordinary day tastes like.

Omi Beef (Wagyu)

近江牛(和牛)

Funazushi (fermented sushi)

鮒ずし(発酵食)

Lake Fish Cuisine (Ayu and Biwa Trout)

湖魚料理(鮎・ビワマス)

Yaki-saba Somen (Grilled Mackerel with Somen)

焼き鯖そうめん

Matcha & Japanese Tea (Asamiya Tea)

抹茶・日本茶(朝宮茶)

Lake Biwa Cycling (Biwaichi)

ビワイチ(サイクリング)

Kamo-nabe (Duck Hot Pot)

鴨鍋

Tobidashi Boy (Jumping-Out Child)

飛び出し坊や

Ogoto Onsen (Hot Spring Culture)

温泉文化(おごと温泉)

Local Sake (Nihonshu)

地酒(日本酒)