Spots in Koto / Hikone Area

  • Taga Taisya Shrine
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    4.0
    157 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Inukamiguntagachou Taga 604
    A Shinto shrine located in Taga, Taga Town, Inukami County, Shiga Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to the gods Izanagi-no-Okami and Izanami-no-Okami. Known locally as “O-Taga-san,” the shrine is believed to grant worshippers long life and luck in love. During the Kugatsu Korei-sai festival on September 9, a “Kochi Kochi” sumo competition is held which predicts whether the year’s harvests will be good or poor.

    Peaceful,quiet,clean air... You can refresh your mind. Also you can buy some local foods and staffs around this shrine. Many shop are there.

  • Hikone Castle
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    4.5
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Konkichou 1-1
    A castle built over a period of some 20 years by Ii Naokatsu, the son of Ii Naomasa, who was counted as one of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s four greatest generals. Many of the structures, including the castle tower; turrets; and the Genkyuen, a garden for the Shimoyashiki villa; look as they did when first constructed and are designated National Treasures. The large horse stable, with its walls built in the early modern period, is a particularly rare example of such a structure and is designated a national Important Cultural Property. The inner moat can be circled in a pleasure boat that belonged to the Ii clan; ride it and you will feel like a daimyo (feudal lord) yourself.

    彦根城と城下町の建設は、今からおよそ410年前の慶長9年(1604)に始まり、20年近い歳月を経て完成しました。その中心をなしたのが、天守のある本丸です。現在の本丸には天守の建物しか残っていませんが、かつては藩主の御殿である「御広間」や「宝蔵」、そして「着見櫓」なども建っていました。 天守は3階3重、つまり3階建て3重の屋根で構成されています。規模は比較的小ぶりですが、屋根は「切妻破風」「入母屋破...

  • Hikone Castle Museum
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    4.0
    175 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Konkichou 1-1
    A museum located in Konki-cho, Hikone City. The museum is located on the site of Hikone Castle’s front palace and operates out of a recreation of that now destroyed structure. The museum contains some 45,000 pieces of valuable works of art, handicrafts, and ancient documents handed down for generations in the Ii clan, who once ruled ancient Hikone domain; as well as over 91,000 items relating to Hikone.

    It is a museum of Hikone Castle. When you buy a combination ticket, you can visit the castle, garden and this museum. I strongly recommend you to buy it and visit this museum. There are interesting...

  • Genkyu-En
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    4.5
    184 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Konkichou 3
    This is a garden with a large central pond and a circular walking trail located northeast of Hikone Castle. It was said to have been built by Ii Naooki, the fourth feudal lord of Hikone domain. This is a famous garden built with every luxury imaginable from the Edo culture—it is designed after a palace garden from the Chinese Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Buildings such as Rinchikaku, artificial hills of Houshoudai are built as if they project out into the large lake, and trees, shrubs and rocks are cleverly arranged to imitate “Omi Hakkei” (Eight Views of Omi). The illumination is also well worth seeing, which is held in November during the season for autumnal leaves.

    Originally, I was going to pass on the gardens but it came included with the castle so I decided to come. I am glad I visited the garden because it was beautiful and there were amazing views of the...

  • Koto-sanzan Saimyoji Temple
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    4.5
    81 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Inukamigunkourachou Ikedera 26
    A Buddhist temple located in Ikedera, Kora Town, Inukami County, Shiga Prefecture. Founded in 834, the temple’s all hinoki cypress three tier pagoda and main temple, built in the Kamakura period, are designated National Treasures. The Horai Tei garden on the temple’s grounds has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty and is also a renowned destination for fall foliage viewing. Together with the Tendai Buddhist KONGOURINJI-Temple and the Hyakusaiji Temple, also located in the Koto area, this temple is counted as one of the “Three Temples of Koto.”

    The garden was stunning with momiji at peak right near blooming sakura. This is one of the few places where you can see gorgeous sakura and momiji at the same time. We have seen winter blooming...

  • Roadside Station Aito Marguerite Station
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    4.0
    55 Reviews
    Transportation
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Imotochou 184-1
    A roadside station situated along the Oumi-Green Road in Imoto-cho, Higashiomi City. Station facilities include a farm fresh shop selling local agricultural products, workshops which make and sell foods like confections and gelato, and a shop selling additive-free foods made with local ingredients. Activities such as flower arranging classes, pizza making, and cooking classes are held in the station’s Denen Seikatsukan building. There is also a buffet restaurant serving dishes made with local vegetables and shops selling local specialty products and knickknacks made with herbs.

    農産物などの大きいスーパーと、雑貨やフラワーアレンジメント関連のお店、ケーキ店などがあり、野菜や花はとても新鮮で安かったてす。 雑貨もあまり見ない様な、お洒落な物も多かったです。 駐車場は広く、すぐ前の広場ではコスモス畑があり満開で奇麗でした。

  • Tarobogu Shrine (Aga-jinja Shrine)
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    4.5
    60 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Owakichou 2247
    A Shinto shrine located in Owaki-cho, Higashiomi City. Dedicated to Masaka-Akatsu-Kachihaya-Hiame-no-Oshihomimi-no-mikoto, first son of Amaterasu-Omikami, according to legend “Tarobo” is derived from the name of a tengu goblin that protected the shrine. The shrine is said to grant worshippers victory and better fortunes, and, further, these boons are said to be granted quickly; accordingly, the shrine has attracted large numbers of worshippers since ancient times and has said to have been visited by such famous historic personages as the great monk Saicho and the samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

    修験道の山です。約1億年前の火山活動で出現したカルデラの名残りです。湖東流紋岩と名付けられた巨石が露出した特別な光景は古代から神奈備山として信仰されていて夫婦岩が御神体です。

  • KONGOURINJI -Temple
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    4.5
    76 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Echigunaishouchou Matsuoji 874
    A Buddhist temple located Matsuoji, Aisho Town, Echi County, Shiga Prefecture. The temple was founded by the great priest Gyoki in 741. Together with the Tendai Buddhist Saimyoji Temple and the Hyakusaiji Temple, also located in the Koto area, this temple is counted as one of the “Three Temples of Koto.” The main hall, built during the Kamakura period to commemorate victory during the Mongol invasion, is designated a National Treasure. The garden of the Myojuin Temple located on the grounds is designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

    湖東三山の1つで聖武天皇の勅願で開かれた古刹です。湖東三山スマートICのすぐ近くなので、車で行かれる場合はそちらで降りると良いでしょう。以前にも来たことがありますが、紅葉終わりかけでしたので、改めて見頃の時期に訪問しました。 湖東三山は何処も紅葉で有名ですが、こちらの紅葉が一番美しいと思います。黒門から西谷堂までの参道は紅葉に覆われて紅葉のトンネルを形作っており、見ごたえがあります。名勝庭園は真っ...

  • Roadside Station Seseragi no Sato Kora
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    3.5
    19 Reviews
    Transportation
    Shiga Pref. Inukamigunkourachou Kanaya 1549-4
    A roadside station situated along the Oumi-Green Road in Kanaya, Kora Town, Inukami County, Shiga Prefecture. The station has a farm-fresh shop selling local agricultural products and processed goods, an eating space, a takeout brick oven pizza place, a restaurant serving rice bowls and set meals, and a crepe shop.

    犬上郡甲良町の国道307号にある道の駅。 それ程大きくありませんが、トイレ、売店(地元の野菜、駄菓子、お土産など)、レストラン(食堂、クレープ屋、ピザ屋)などが有りました。 売店は現金のみで、クレジットカードやスマホ決済は出来ませんでした。

  • Roadside Station Okueigenji Keiryu no Sato
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    3.5
    18 Reviews
    Transportation
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Tatehatachou 510
    A roadside station situated along the Happu Highway in Tatehata-cho, Higashiomi City. The station operates out of the former Mandokoro Junior High School building. The station sells local specialty products such as Mandokoro tea and Eigenji konnyaku devil's tongue jelly. There are also two restaurants serving dishes such as Omi beef rice bowls and “Eigenji Dam Curry” modeled after the Eigenji Dam. In addition, there’s a small museum corner with aquariums containing fish from the Echi River and Lake Biwa as well as exhibits on traditional local unpainted wooden crafts.

    石榑峠にトンネルが開通してから八風街道の利用頻度が上がりました。こちらはトンネルと永源寺門前の中間あたりに位置する廃校を利用した施設で、道の駅のみならず役所の支所や診療所なども併設されています。域内を回る自動運転バス実証実験の拠点でもあります。 物販は質量ともにこれといった売りに乏しいですが、付近の紅葉を愛でながらの休憩は悪くありません。

  • Toyosato Elementary School Former School building Mure
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    4.5
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Inukami-gun Toyosatocho Ishibatake 518

    滋賀県内にあるヴォーリズ建築の中でも大きな施設。平日は公共施設や図書館に利用されており施設の維持管理は大変だと思います。映画のロケやアニメの舞台になるなど素晴らしい建築物です。

  • Eigenji Onsen Happuno-yu
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    4.0
    19 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Eigenjitakanochou 352
    A hot spring bathhouse located in Eigenji Takano-cho, Higashiomi City. The bathhouse has an outdoor bath with a sweeping view of the beautiful Echi River, indoor baths, and a medicinal herb bath. Other facilities include a stone sauna, massage parlor, and Korean-style skin scrubbing area. After your bath, you can enjoy the rest area, karaoke rooms, a manga and book corner, and a drinks corner. The bathhouse’ adjoining restaurant serves à la carte dishes as well as traditional kaiseki course cuisine made with local Omi ingredients (reservation required).

    永源寺の近くにある温泉施設。紅葉狩りの後の一風呂は最高。露天風呂からは愛知川の流れを見ることができる。館内は清潔感があり、休憩室やレストランも完備している。帰りは近江八幡までの無料送迎バス(ただし本数は少ない)に乗せてもらった。

  • Ryotanji Temple
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    4.0
    36 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Furusawachou 1104
    A Buddhist temple located in Furusawa-cho, Hikone City. The temple was founded in what is now Shizuoka Prefecture during the Nara period by the great priest Gyoki. The family temple of the Ii clan for generations, the temple was moved to Hikone when the general Ii Naomasa became the lord of Sawayama Castle. The temple is famous for its beautiful gardens. The temple holds a Daruma Festival each year on April 1 and 2; during the festival, 3,000 Daruma dolls are consecrated.

    I visited this temple in month of April so it appeared to be blessed with nature. Everything was go green and the cherry blossom in early April made it look surreal. Probably one kilometer away from...

  • Soanji Temple
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    4.0
    36 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Honmachi 2-3-7
    A Buddhist temple located in 2 Chome Hon-machi, Hikone City. The temple was moved here from Kozuke Province by Ii Naomasa, the first lord of Hikone. The temple’s principal object of worship is a figure of Amitabha believed to have belonged to Yodo-dono which was taken out of Osaka Castle during the summer siege on the fortress. The temple was also used to house a Korean delegation to Japan during the Edo period.

    夢京橋キャッスルロード沿いにあるお寺ですが、散策中に朱塗りの山門(通称赤門)や境内に咲くピンクの見事な八重桜が目に付き訪れました。そのお寺に徳川家康公の御位牌や、石田三成公の念持仏、そして、淀殿の念持仏が安置されていることなど、門前の案内板で初めて知りました。 更に、妻が帰宅して調べると、淀殿の念持仏が御本尊の阿弥陀如来であること、また、赤門は石田三成公の佐和山城から移築したことや、大坂夏の陣で討...

  • Umoreginoya
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    3.5
    35 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Osuechou 1-11
    A historic building located close to Hikone Castle in Osue-cho, Hikone City. Ii Naosuke, chief minister during the closing days of the Tokugawa shogunate, spent here for 15 years from his teens to his 30s, engaging in study and training in martial arts. Naosuke named the building “Umoreginoya,” which translates to “Buried Tree Hut,” and composed a poem about it, as well: “Even though/I live the cold life/of a hermit/like a tree buried in the earth/I am not yet buried.”

    彦根藩第11代藩主井伊直中の嫡子ではなく14男として生まれたがために、藩主の座には程遠く大名家への養子縁組もまとまらない井伊直弼が、17歳から32歳までの不遇時代を過ごした屋敷跡です。 屋敷の名は、輝かしい将来が望めない己の身を、地中に埋没したまま日の目を見ずに生きる樹木「埋もれ木」に喩えて詠んだ和歌に因む直弼自身の命名。 彦根城中堀に面する一角に、直弼のような所謂部屋住み用の控え屋敷として創建さ...

  • Gokurakuyu Hikone Branch
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    3.5
    11 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Shiga Hikone-shi Nishinonamicho 175-1
    A nine-minute walk from Hikoneserikawa Station on the Ohmi Railway. This deluxe bathhouse has unusual and novel baths, such as a bath filled with water from an artificial high concentration carbonated spring recreating the natural carbonated springs which are only found in a few places in Japan; and an electric bath which uses low frequency electrical stimulation to ease fatigue, stiff shoulders, and lower back pain. The bathhouse also has two different outdoor baths and three varieties of saunas. In addition, the bathhouse provides a full array of options for resting and relaxing outside of bathing, including a restaurant open until 1 a.m., beauty treatment and chiropractic services, a comic book space filled with comic books that you can read as much as you like just by paying the small bathhouse entry fee, a lounge with some 30 reclining chairs, and a tatami mat space where customers can lie down.

    各地にある極楽湯の彦根店。 こじんまりしつつも最小限の設備は整っていて名神の 彦根インターからも近いので彦根や長浜観光の帰りに ひとっ風呂浴びて汗を流すのにも便利。

  • Tenneiji Temple (500 Arhats)
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    4.0
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Hikoneshi Satonechou 232
    A Buddhist temple located in Satone-cho, Hikone City. The temple was built by Ii Naonaka, then lord of Hikone Domain. The temple is famous for its 500 arhat figures carved by the renowned Komai Choun. It is said that those who stand in the arhat hall and gaze at the 500 figures arrayed side by side are sure to find one whose face seems to be looking into their very soul.

    彦根インター近くにあり、車で行くのが良い。ここの五百羅漢はすべてがそろっており、圧巻。一見の価値あり。

  • House of Gokasho Omi Merchant, residence of Tonomura Shigeru
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    4.0
    18 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Gokashoukondouchou 631
    A historic building located in Gokasho Kondo-cho, Higashiomi City. This grandiose residence was the birth home of Shigeru Tonomura, a renowned author and the nephew of fourth generation Omi merchant Tonomura Uhei. The residence was built as a branch home for the Tonomura family. Today, the residence’ storehouse is used as the Tonomura Shigeru Bungakukan literature museum, which contains exhibits on the author.

    このお屋敷は作家「外村繫」の生家で文学館も兼ねています。文学資料は蔵に展示されていて詳しく見ごたえが有ります。昭和14年に池谷賞・昭和31年には野間文芸賞をはじめ数々の賞を取った有名な作家です。興味のある方には必見です。

  • Hyakusaiji Temple
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    4.5
    7 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Hyakusaijichou 323
    A Buddhist temple located in Hyakusaiji-cho, Higashiomi City. Founded by Prince Shotoku in 606, it is the oldest temple in Omi and has been designated a National Historic Site. The temple’s principal object of worship is an eleven headed figure of the Kanzeon Bodhisattva which is also known as the “Garden Tree Kannon.” Together with the Saimyoji Temple and KONGOURINJI-Temple, it is counted as one of the Three Temples of Koto.

    ツアーで訪問しました。お参りの後見学しました。百済寺本坊の喜見院の横に広がる庭園で、山を借景に池と大岩を配した池泉回遊式庭園です。「天下遠望の名園」で、本坊から見る庭園は紅葉が大変美しかったです。庭園内の道を通り、少し上った所にある遠望台から見る庭園も美しく、また遠望台からは遠く琵琶湖や比叡山まで展望できます。

  • Eigenji Temple
    rating-image
    3.5
    7 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shiga Pref. Higashioumishi Eigenjitakanochou 41
    A Buddhist temple located in Eigenji Takano-cho, Higashiomi City. The temple was founded by the monk Jakushitsu Genko after Sasaki Ujiyori, the military commission of Omi, donated the land in 1361 during the Nanboku-cho period. The temple’s principal object of worship, a “hidden Buddha” figure depicting the Kanzeon Bodhisattva, is displayed to the general public only once every 25 years or so. The temple’s grounds are also a renowned destination for fall foliage viewing.

    五色幕がカラフルな本堂に比べて、ちょっと目立たないが、なかなか立派な鐘楼。ただし、火災のため何度も再建されているらしい。

Shiga Areas

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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.

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