Island Spots in Shiga Area

  • Chikubushima Island
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Nagahamashi Hayazakichou Takeyoshima
    An island two kilometers in circumference located in the northern part of Lake Biwa. The island is the location of the Hogon-ji Temple, counted as one of Japan’s “Three Great Benten Shrines” alongside Itsukushima and Enoshima, in addition to being the 30th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Chikubushima Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Ichikishima-hime-no-mikoto, also stands on the island. The Hogon-ji’s large karamon gate, said to be the last extant piece of the original Osaka Castle; and Chikubushima Shrine’s main shrine building, transported here from Fushimi-Momoyama Castle, are both designated National Treasures.
  • Oki Shima
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Omihachiman-shi Okishimacho
  • Take Shima
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Hikone-shi Hassakacho
  • Yabasekihanjima Island
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Kusatsu-shi Yabasecho

Shiga Areas

around-area-map

Visitors to Shiga prefecture are almost always hopping east across the prefectural border from Kyoto, and they are almost certainly Lake Biwa-bound. Covering an area of 670 square kilometers, Lake Biwa makes up the bulk of Shiga prefecture, with beautiful lakeside paths that offer myriad walking and cycling opportunities, connecting a string of museums, shrines, and picturesque views that finally lead you to Hikone Castle on the eastern side of the lake.

Shiga Photo Album

Browse Interests