16 Best Things to Do in Lake Biwa, Japan
If you didn’t plan on visiting one of the oldest lakes in the world while in Japan, you might need to rethink. In less than I week I saw shrines, meditated, cruised around an island and drank sake! So, here’s 16 of the best things to do in Lake Biwa in Shiga to make you change your plans.
Lake Biwa is Japan’s largest freshwater lake, and also one of the oldest lakes in the world (some estimate four million years old). There are 235km of shoreline to explore and it’s one of the best places for an adventure holiday in Shiga. You can visit old temples and shrines, scramble your way up islands, take a cruise on the water and sample sake!
I spent 5 days in Shiga in Autumn and had a wonderful time. I’d been invited on a press trip and didn’t really have much of an idea of what there was to do there, so this was an amazing introduction to Shiga, and I want to show you what you can expect to see.
Shiga forms a mountainous circle around Lake Biwa, and there’s so much to do around here. These are things I got up to, but you can also keep reading to find other reasons to visit Lake Biwa, as well as the best places to stay.
Top Things to Do in Lake Biwa, Shiga
Whether you want to escape into Japan’s spiritual past or ancient brewing practices, or simply breathe in the nature, there’s lots to explore in this wonderful region.
1. Hikone castle/Genkyuen
Hikone Castle was never invaded, thanks to the impenetrable techniques that went into the architecture. So it’s one of the most well-preserved castles in Japan, surviving wars, fires and the Meiji Restoration—when many castles were dismantled.
It’s located in the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, along the eastern shores of Lake Biwa. It was constructed in 1603-1622 by li Naokatsu during the Edo period. It was meant to be a symbol of the li clan’s rule, who were in charge over several generations.
Today, Hikone Castle is a popular tourist destination and one of the best reasons to visit Lake Biwa and is designated as a National Treasure by the Japanese government. It provides valuable insights into Japanese feudal architecture and the history of the Edo period. Every year, many visitors climb to the top of the main keep, which has great panoramic views of Lake Biwa and the surrounding city.