Hiyoshi Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is the head shrine of approximately 2,000 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sannō shrines across the country, hence it is also known as the Sannō Head Shrine, Hiyoshi Taisha. The earliest reference to this shrine can be found in Japan’s 8th-century historical text, the Kojiki, attesting to its long history. In 1571…
Taga Taisha Shrine is located in Taga Town, Inukami District, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Established before the Age of the Gods, it is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. The shrine enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the parents of Amaterasu Omikami worshipped at Ise Grand Shrine. Revered as deities for longevity, love, and wealth, the shrine is deeply respected by many. Locals call it…
Chikubu Island is located in the northern part of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, and falls under the jurisdiction of Nagahama City in Shiga Prefecture. Covering a total area of 0.14 square kilometers, the island’s highest point reaches an elevation of 197 meters. Covered with coniferous trees, the island boasts picturesque scenery and has been designated as both a National Place of Scenic Beauty and a National Historic Site by the Japanese government. It is also one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa and has appeared…
Kurogane Plaza is located in Nagahama City on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is a bustling commercial district full of retro charm, where over 30 shops feature black architecture and specialize in glass-related items such as accessories, workshops, galleries, art museums, cafes, and restaurants — making it a quaint and atmospheric shopping street. Kurogane...
Also known as the "Golden Turtle Castle," Hikone Castle is an ancient fortress located in Kinsei-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is a wooden, connected-enclosure style hilltop castle. Along with Himeji Castle, Inuyama Castle, and Matsumoto Castle, it has been designated as a National Treasure of Japan by the Japanese government. It is also one of only four surviving wooden castles among Japan’s National Treasures and Historic Sites. Hikone Castle is an important...
Originally known as Lake Omi, Lake Biwa is located in the central-western part of Honshū, Japan, covering an area of 670 square kilometers, making it the largest freshwater lake in Japan. Adjacent to Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, Lake Biwa served as the primary water source for both Kyoto and Ōtsu. It also supported the development of local and surrounding industries such as textiles, trout farming, and pearl cultivation, frequently appearing in Japanese literary works—especially as themes in poetry and historical war accounts. Formed around 4 million years ago due to tectonic movements, Lake Biwa is the third oldest lake in the world. Over millennia, its ecosystem has remained well-preserved, home to approximately 1,100 plant species (including 58 endemic ones), 46 fish species, 40 mollusk species, and about 70 types of aquatic plants. Its rich ecological environment has made it one of the favorite habitats for migratory birds, with roughly 5,000 species visiting annually to breed. The scenic shores of Lake Biwa have established it as one of Japan’s premier tourist destinations. In June 1945, through a public selection process, the “Eight Views of Ōmi” were chosen: “Misty Rain – The Woods of Hiei,” “Setting Sun – The Clear Stream of Seta River,” “Cool Breeze – The White Beaches of Uchidezaki,” “Dawn Fog – The Rocky Shores of Haizuki,” “New Snow – The Grand View of Mount Ibuki,” “Bright Moon – The Ancient Castle of Hikone,” “Deep Green – The Reflections of Chikubushima,” and “Silent Water – The Water Town of Azuchi-Hachiman.” These views collectively form the world-renowned “Eight Views of Lake Biwa.”
Akita City is a city located in the northwest of Japan's Tohoku region and in the central part of Akita Prefecture. It serves as the prefectural capital and is the most populous city in the prefecture. This city is a garden-like urban area where tree-lined green spaces can be found everywhere. To the east lie the Dewa Mountains that surround the sacred Mount Taihei, while to the west is the Japanese Sea, famous for its spectacular sunsets — stretching endlessly as far as the eye can see…
Shirahama Town is a town located in Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. To distinguish it from Shirahama (formerly part of Awa District) in Minami-Boso City, Chiba Prefecture, it is commonly referred to as Nanki-Shirahama. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, it is like a jewel embedded in the azure Pacific Ocean. With its fresh air and beautiful environment, the infinite beauty of nature…
Cape Shionomisaki is the southernmost cape on the island of Honshu facing the Pacific Ocean, located near Nachikatsuura Town in Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park. The area around the cape enjoys a mild winter climate and is home to subtropical plants such as banyan trees and palms...
Wakayama Castle is situated on Mount Torafusu in the heart of Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, and is therefore often referred to as Torafusu Castle. It was originally a renkaku-style hirayama castle built in 1585 by Toyotomi Hidenaga, and is counted among Japan’s three great connected hirayama castles alongside Matsuyama Castle and Himeji Castle. The Kino River flows along the northern side of the castle, serving as a natural…
Wakayama Yacht Harbor is an island-type resort located on Wakayama Bay in Wakayama City, Japan, and is the most representative coastal amusement destination in the Kansai region. Surrounded by the sea and boasting a prime location with convenient transportation, it takes visitors approximately 40 minutes to reach by car or bus from Kansai International Airport. Wakayama Yacht...
Ōtsu City is the capital of Shiga Prefecture, Japan, located on the southwestern shore of Lake Biwa. It serves as a key hub within the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, Chūkyō, and Hokuriku economic zones. Situated at the southern end of Japan’s renowned Lake Biwa, the city is an important transportation nexus for both land and water routes, strategically positioned near Kyoto, earning it the nickname “Little Osaka.” Ōtsu is a city of breathtaking scenery…
Nagahama City is located in the northeastern part of Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the area surrounding Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, as well as the drainage basin of the Shigaraki River. The city also includes the nationally designated historic site, Chikubu Island. The city primarily develops its economy through tourism. The Hosshō-ji Temple and the Hōsen-ji Temple on Chikubu Island, along with the Keiunkan Inn—a nationally important cultural property—are major attractions, alongside other key architectural sites…
Hikone City is located in Shiga Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. It is the largest city and a major tourist destination on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa. The city developed around Hikone Castle, which was first constructed in 1603 and has since become a renowned sightseeing spot. Hikone Castle is now a national treasure of Japan and is one of only four surviving wooden castles in the country...
Enryaku-ji is a temple located in Sakamoto Honmachi, Ōtsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It was founded in the 7th year of the Enryaku era (788 AD) by Saichō, the founder of the Tendai sect, and has the mountain name "Mount Hiei" with the main deity being the Medicine Buddha. It is said that the founders of various sects, including Hōnen of the Pure Land sect, Shinran of the Jōdo Shinshū, Nichiren of the Nichiren sect, Dōgen of the Sōtō sect, and Eisai of the Rinzai sect...
Wakayama City is located at the mouth of the Kii River in Japan’s Kansai region and serves as the prefectural capital, economic hub, and cultural center of Wakayama Prefecture. Historically, the city flourished as a castle town of the “Kishu Domain with 555,000 koku,” one of the Tokugawa Gosanke, and still retains a rich historical atmosphere. Wakayama City boasts lush natural surroundings and…
Shingu City is located at the eastern end of Wakayama Prefecture and the eastern part of the Kumano region, serving as the administrative, economic, and cultural center of the Kumano area. Legend has it that deities reside in the mountains of Kumano, attracting pilgrims from afar since ancient times. Moreover, the city is one of the areas richest in relics and legends related to Xu Fu. Shingu boasts breathtaking natural scenery...
Nanki-Shirahama Onsen is located on the southeastern coast of the Kii Peninsula in Shirahama Town, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. Originally named "Shirahama Onsen," it was renamed to its current name in recent years. The town surrounding Nanki-Shirahama Onsen has become one of Wakayama Prefecture’s most renowned hot spring resorts, attracting numerous visitors who come to soak in the therapeutic waters…
Nachi Falls is located in Nachikatsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It stands 133 meters high, is 13 meters wide, and has a plunge pool 10 meters deep. Along with Kegon Falls and Amida Falls, it is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Waterfalls. On July 1, 2004, Nachi Falls was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range...
Dojoji Temple is a Tendai sect Buddhist temple located in Hidakagawa Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Its mountain name is "Tenneisan," and its principal deity is the Thousand-Armed Kannon (Goddess of Mercy). Legend has it that the temple was commissioned by Emperor Monmu and built by the monk Gyōon in the first year of the Taihō era (701 AD), making it a historically significant site. The wooden Thousand-Armed Kannon statue preserved within the temple to this day...