Top Things to Do in Shiga Prefecture: A Detailed Guide for American Tourists

Top Reasons to Visit Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture, located in the Kansai region of Japan, offers a diverse range of attractions for tourists from America. Whether you’re interested in natural beauty, historical landmarks, or delicious local cuisine, Shiga has something to offer everyone.

Here are just a few of the top reasons to visit Shiga Prefecture:

• Stunning natural landscapes: Shiga is home to Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan. Visitors can enjoy scenic cruises on the lake, go fishing, or simply relax on the shores. Shiga is also home to a number of mountains and forests, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.
• Historical landmarks: Shiga is home to a number of historical sites, including Hikone Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in Japan. Visitors can explore the castle’s many towers and turrets, and learn about its history. Other historical sites in Shiga include the Hieizan Enryaku-ji temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Delicious local cuisine: Shiga is known for its delicious food, including saba so-men (grilled mackerel over noodles), and omi beef, a type of high-quality beef. Visitors can enjoy these and other local specialties at a variety of restaurants throughout Shiga.

Shiga Prefecture is a great destination for tourists from America who are looking for a diverse and enriching travel experience. With its beautiful natural scenery, historical landmarks, and delicious local cuisine, Shiga has something to offer everyone.

Attractions

Metasequoia Namiki Road

Metasequoia Namiki Road is a stunning 2.4-kilometer road lined with over 500 metasequoia trees. Visitors can enjoy walking or biking through the road, and take in the beautiful scenery. The road is especially popular in autumn, when the leaves of the metasequoia trees turn a vibrant golden color.

Tsuruya Pan Marui Shokupan Senmonten

Tsuruya Pan Marui Shokupan Senmonten is a bakery specializing in round loaves of bread. Visitors can purchase a variety of breads, including the popular “salad pan,” a bread roll filled with pickled daikon and mayonnaise. The bakery also offers a variety of other breads, including sweet breads, savory breads, and seasonal breads.

Kurokabe Square

Kurokabe Square is a historic district with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Visitors can browse through the shops for souvenirs, or enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants. The district is known for its black-walled buildings, which give it a unique and charming atmosphere.

Tsubakiro

Tsubakiro is a glass museum housed in a former bank building. Visitors can view a variety of glass products, including jewelry, tableware, and sculptures. The museum also offers a variety of workshops and classes, where visitors can learn how to make their own glass products.

Yokaro

Yokaro is a restaurant specializing in saba so-men. Visitors can enjoy a variety of saba so-men dishes, including the traditional dish with grilled mackerel over noodles. The restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, including other types of noodles, rice dishes, and side dishes.

Cafe Kanau Shojuan

Cafe Kanau Shojuan is a cafe located in a 100-year-old building. Visitors can enjoy a variety of desserts, including the popular “Hanabiyori,” a dorayaki filled with butter and cream cheese. The cafe also offers a variety of other desserts, including cakes, pies, and ice cream.

Omigyū Curry Bread

Omigyū Curry Bread is a bakery specializing in curry bread made with Omi beef. Visitors can purchase a variety of curry bread, including the popular “Kuro” curry bread, made with a black curry sauce. The bakery also offers a variety of other breads, including sweet breads, savory breads, and seasonal breads.

Hachimanbori

Hachimanbori is a canal that runs through the city of Omihachiman. Visitors can take a boat ride on the canal and enjoy the scenery. The canal is lined with traditional buildings and bridges, and visitors can also see a variety of boats and waterbirds.

Tsuruya

Tsuruya is a confectionery shop specializing in traditional Japanese sweets. Visitors can purchase a variety of sweets, including the popular “Tsuburamochi,” a mochi filled with sweet bean paste. The shop also offers a variety of other sweets, including dorayaki, manju, and yokan.

Kore ga Kakigori Style Hamagura

Kore ga Kakigori Style Hamagura is a shaved ice shop specializing in shaved ice made with natural ice. Visitors can purchase a variety of shaved ice flavors, including the popular “Momo” shaved ice, made with peach syrup. The shop also offers a variety of other shaved ice flavors, including strawberry, mango, and green tea.

Hachiman Shrine

Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Hachiman. Visitors can pray for good luck and fortune at the shrine. The shrine is also known for its beautiful architecture and its large collection of votive offerings.

La Collina Omihachiman

La Collina Omihachiman is a large complex with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Visitors can purchase souvenirs, enjoy a meal, or simply relax in the beautiful surroundings. The complex is also home to a number of museums and art galleries.

Club Harie

Club Harie is a bakery specializing in baumkuchen. Visitors can purchase a variety of baumkuchen, including the popular “Baumkuchen Sand,” a baumkuchen filled with cream. The bakery also offers a variety of other baked goods, including cookies, cakes, and pies.

Delicacies

Saba so-men

Saba so-men is a dish made with grilled mackerel over noodles. The mackerel is usually grilled with a sweet and savory sauce, and the noodles are typically made from wheat or buckwheat. Saba so-men is a popular dish in Shiga Prefecture, and can be found at many restaurants throughout the region.

Omi beef

Omi beef is a type of high-quality beef that is raised in Shiga Prefecture. The beef is known for its marbling and its rich, flavorful taste. Omi beef is used in a variety of dishes, including steak, shabu-shabu, and sukiyaki.

Tsuburamochi

Tsuburamochi is a type of mochi filled with sweet bean paste. The mochi is made from glutinous rice flour, and the sweet bean paste is made from azuki beans. Tsuburamochi is a popular snack in Shiga Prefecture, and can be found at many confectionery shops throughout the region.

Momo shaved ice

Momo shaved ice is a type of shaved ice made with peach syrup. The shaved ice is made from natural ice, and the peach syrup is made from fresh peaches. Momo shaved ice is a popular summer treat in Shiga Prefecture, and can be found at many shaved ice shops throughout the region.

Souvenir Guide

Metasequoia souvenirs

Metasequoia souvenirs are a great way to remember your visit to Metasequoia Namiki Road. Visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs, including keychains, postcards, and other items featuring the beautiful trees.

Kurokabe Square souvenirs

Kurokabe Square souvenirs are a great way to remember your visit to the historic district. Visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs, including glass products, ceramics, and other items from the shops in the district.

Omihachiman souvenirs

Omihachiman souvenirs are a great way to remember your visit to the city. Visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs, including Omi beef products, tea, and other items from the shops in the city.

La Collina Omihachiman souvenirs

La Collina Omihachiman souvenirs are a great way to remember your visit to the complex. Visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs, including baumkuchen, chocolates, and other items from the shops in the complex.

Detailed Itinerary