Lake Biwa and Waterside Scenes
A Heritage of Water in Living and Prayer

What is Japan Heritage?
1. The Purpose and Objectives of the “Japan Heritage” Designation Program

2. Directions of the Japan Heritage Project

The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, has created a plan to promote
Japan’s cultural properties and cultural traditions in order to revitalize regional economies.
The concept is to package and utilize Japan’s preserved tangible and intangible culturalproperties through narratives based on unique regional histories, traditions, and customs
passed down for generations. Effective initiatives are thus needed to disseminate
information, develop talent, pass on traditions, and improve the environment.
By applying the “Japan Heritage” designation, the Agency authorizes the utilization ofthese compelling historical legacies and their unique features to tell a story about theculture and traditions of Japan. The Agency also provides support for comprehensive
efforts that utilize these fascinating tangible and intangible cultural properties—essential
for telling each story—for regional heritage tourism.

The Japan Heritage Project is designed to carryout the following three courses of action.
(1) To identify the many cultural properties of eachregion and package them with a story(2) To preserve and utilize these cultural properties
cohesively for regional heritage tourism(3) To strategically and effectively promote heritage
tourism within Japan and abroad

Japan Heritage “Water Culture” Tourism Promotion Council
Shiga Prefecture, Otsu City, Hikone City, Omihachiman City, Takashima City, Higashiomi City, Maibara City
Biwako Visitors Bureau
Shiga Prefectural Association for Cultural Heritages
Japan Heritage “Water Culture” Toursim Promotion Council Secretariat (within the Tourism and
For Inquiries

International Exchange Bureau, Department of Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Labor, Shiga Prefecture)
Tel: 077-528-3741 / Fax: 077-521-5030

Japan Heritage — Lake Biwa, ShigaS H I GA BI WAK O J A PA N H E R I TA G E

A Culture of Living with Water

W a t e r , I n v o ca ti o n s an d
Pe a ce f u l Livin g

Wel c o m e to w ater c oun tr y.
Rainwater from the mountains surrounding Lake Biwa seeps
underground, becoming spring water that flows into rivers
that in turn flow into the ancient basin that forms Japan’s largest
freshwater lake. People rely on that water to thrive.
Feeling gratitude for the water, people living in the upper
reaches of a river in their daily activities have always
taken care not to pollute the water for people living downstream.
Water is the wellspring of nature that enhances our lives andfacilitates the flow of time.
Welcome to water country—Shiga.
And experience its life-giving water.
The Japan Heritage Promotion Project

People have long used water with great skill to support their lives. Water was distributed to each house in Takashima on thewest side of Lake Biwa through an ancient water system built in the Edo Period. Connected pipes made of bamboo thus
carried spring water from distant mountains to places where it was needed. Residents built a water tank in their home known
as a tamemasu that worked on the principle of a siphon at important points. A lot of effort goes into maintaining thefunctioning of this system today. In the plains, people use gushing spring water by creating a kitchen washing area known asa kabata with separate basins for drinking water, cooking, and washing. When plates are washed, the food scraps feed the
koi carp kept there. Visitors have the opportunity to observe this modest, wise way of using such an overflowing resource.
Other sights unique to this region include stone walls built to protect villages from wind-whipped waters of Lake Biwa, or
people washing clothing against planks of wood extending from the shoreline, or preserved buildings along an ancient post
town road. At one time there were dozens of lagoons—inner lakes—around Lake Biwa. Most were turned into farmland
through drainage and land reclamation, but the largest, Lake Nishinoko, still remains in the Omihachiman area, fostering
industries such as fishing and the reed industry even today. People learned to live within the ecosystem, cutting reeds in theautumn and burning the stalks in early spring, a process repeated seasonally to promote the regenerative cycle.
In the village of Iba, adjacent to nearby Lake Iba-naiko, waterways crisscross the village, reminding visitors of an age whenboats regularly plied the waters, transporting people for fishing or farming the rice paddies. Every house had stone steps
leading down to the canal for scrubbing and washing in the clean water. Examples of these stone steps, known as kawato,
still remain today.
In Hikone, at a Japanese garden with a lake at its center, spring water and lake water are used masterfully to create awaterfall flowing from rocks on a small island; it also has a sandbar that utilizes the changing surface of the lake. The
arrangement of rocks in the garden and use of water create a highly abstract, artistic landscape.

A Culture of Prayer with Water
People have long feared floods and drought and believed that spirit dwells in the purity of water. They conduct rites with asense of gratitude to venerate water as if it were a god. In Maibara, the ancient post town of Samegai-juku has pure springwater gushing from the ground. Legend has it that Prince Yamato Takeru, who was injured by a poison arrow, cooled his
fever in the spring here known as Izame no Izumi. Also, in this delta region that is susceptible to droughts, a Taiko Odori
drum dance is still performed today that originated in prayers for rain. In Takashima, timber is floated down the Adogawa
River to Kyoto. The raftsmen built seven shrines along the river, known as Shikobuchi shrines, to protect themselves fromthe river demons. At Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei in Otsu, established by the founder of Tendai Buddhism, Saichō(767–822), the principal object of worship is the Medicine Buddha (Yakushi Nyorai). This is the Buddha of the Pure Land of
Water (Eastern Pure Land), who shines the color of lapis lazuli (blue). Looking out to the east from Mt. Hiei is a panoramicview of Lake Biwa, shining blue. People long ago praised the scenic beauty of the lake, calling it a Buddhist paradise in asacred song, “Not a lake, that lake in Omi, but Tendai Yakushi’s pond” (Poems to Make the Accumulated Dust Dance). Also,
many Tendai sect temples and shrines were built to surround this “Pure Land of Water” in a syncretic fusion of Shintoism andBuddhism, particularly with statues of the Medicine Buddha and Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Still today, muchreverence is paid to these representations of healing power, as people pray for deliverance from illness and calamity.
At the foot of the sacred Mt. Hiei are three sohonzan (head) Tendai temples and Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine, a head shrine with3,000 subsidiary shrines around the country, plus a sacred spring said to be the place where emperors of yore were given
their first bath as infants. Still today Shinto ceremonies are held in which portable shrines are sent out onto the lake. In
connection with the shrines and temples built in the mountains facing Lake Biwa in Takashima and Omihachiman, visitors
can see vermillion gates standing in the water or witness the religious austerity of jumping into the water from a plank
extended from the lakeside. Only here can one see such unique structures and practices that highlight the deep connection
between water and prayer.

A Culture of Food and Water

The Japan Heritage Promotion Project

1 Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako

The water that has given rise to special lifestyles and prayers has also led to unique occupations and food culture.
On the coast of Lake Biwa and at the mouth of rivers, one spring attraction for visitors to watch is Oisade net fishing,a traditional method in which a net attached to a pole adorned with bird feathers is used to scoop up young ayu
sweetfish alive. Other traditional fishing methods that take advantage of a thorough knowledge of fish behavior thatcan be seen only at Lake Biwa include the use of stationary bamboo yana weirs stretched out in a fan shape at themouth of a river or arrow-shaped eri fish traps set along the coast.
Fish caught in Lake Biwa were a mainstay of people’s diet, and gave rise to traditional regional cuisine. Visitors canenjoy culinary delights prepared from endemic fish species such as isaza (goby), honmoroko (willow minnow), andbiwamasu (cherry salmon). Funa-zushi—fermented funa (freshwater carp)—and other types of fermented sushi are
made from fish caught in the spawning season as they go upstream in large numbers to lay eggs. The technique is a
crystallization of knowledge on how to preserve fish for more than a year and is closely related to festivals andtraditional rituals performed as prayers for abundant harvests.

Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako

2

Lake Biwa and Waterside Scenes

A Heri tage of Water i n Li vi ng a n d Pra yer

Shiga Prefecture, with Lake Biwa in the center of the Omi Basin, is an area with a great abundance of water, as rainfall
at the base of the surrounding mountains flows downward in rivers. A culture of water was born throughout the areathat reflects Japanese lifestyles and prayer−a culture that remains alive today.

A Culture of Living with Water
Hokuriku
Main Line
Omi-Shiotsu

Waterfront scenery at Kaizu,
Nishihama, and Chinai

Shiga
Prefecture

Kinomoto

Mountain village
scenery at
Higashikusano

MakinoKyoto Prefecture

Tokyo Metropolis
Omi-Imazu

Osaka
Prefecture

Faith in the Shikobuchi
deitiesAsahi Honen Taiko Odori(Japanese drum dancing)

Nagahama

Omi-Takashima■ Hikone City

■ Takashima City ■ Higashiomi City
■ Maibara City

SamegaiGenkyuShirahige Shrine
Rakurakuen Garden Hikone

KatataSakamoto

Lakeside Districtof Omihachiman

Yamashina

To Osaka

Mii-dera

KyotoHigashi IC

Gokasho Kondo

Genkyu Rakurakuen GardenThis is the largest island in Lake
Biwa and the only freshwater
island in Japan where fishing is
still a vital industry.

Omi merchants’ residences andfarmhouses create a special
historical atmosphere in thistown with beautiful water
channels.

This strolling garden around apond with an island in the centerand bridges over inlets offers awonderfully varied landscape.

Gardens of the former suburban
residence of the lord of the
Matsubara clan at Hikone (Ohama Palace)
Built on the lakeside. This
tidewater pond is connected to
the level of water in Lake Biwa,
creating regular variation at thewater’s edge.

Yokaichi IC
Ryuo IC

Kusatsu

Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei

Otsu

Otsu IshiyamaIC dera

Okishima Island

Omihachiman

The head temple of the Tendai
sect, built high above Lake Biwa,
praised as a Pure Land in thisworld as the lake of the Medicine
Buddha.

Kusatsu Tanakami IC

Kyoto

Lakeside District ofOmihachiman

Mountain village scenery
at Higashikusano

A mountain village at the sourceof the Anegawa River, whichflows down from Mt. Ibuki, has
one of the heaviest snowfalls in
Kansai.

A Culture of Prayer with Water

Ohmi Railway

Hieizan-Sakamoto

Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line

Onjo-ji Temple (Mii-dera Temple)

Gokasho

Notogawa

Waterfront scenery at Iba
Clean water from the river ischanneled throughout the town,with the system connecting to an
inner lake.

This unique inner lake, Japan’s
first designated important
cultural landscape, is a wetland
protected by the RAMSAR
convention.

Waterfront scenery at Iba
Isakiji Temple
Meishin Expressway
Gokasho Kondo

Ogotoonsen
JR Tokaido Main Line

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei

Chomeiji
TempleWaterfront scenery at Omizo
A place of ancient water
channels and conduits. Inner
Lake Otomegaike and the “water
castle” Omizo Castle tell thetales of history.

To Nagoya

Maibara IC
Gardens of the former
suburban residence ofthe lord of the Matsubara
clan at Hikone (Ohama Palace)

Waterfront scenery at Omizo

Okishima Island
JR Kosei Line

Waterfront scenery atHarie and Shimofuri

Underground spring water flows
from everywhere in thesevillages, where people still use
kabata basins to harness thewater.

Samegai-juku post town

Hikone IC■ Omihachiman City

Waterfront scenery at Kaizu,
Nishihama, and Chinai

Lake shore stone walls andcommon wells, with a fishingport and sand beach—life today
is still lived in close connection
with water.

Tokaido Shinkansen

Waterfront scenery atHarie and Shimofuri

Shin-Asahi

MaibaraLegend of Cultural Properties■ Otsu City

Mt. Ibuki
western foothills

Hokuriku
Expressway

Seta-Higashi IC

Shin-Meishin Expressway

Keiji Bypass

Onjo-ji Temple (Mii-dera Temple)

The head temple of the Tendai
Jimon sect. Has a sacred springwhere three emperors of yorewere given their first bath as
infants.

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Chomeiji Temple

Isakiji Temple

The head shrine of all Hiyoshi,
Hie and Sanno shrines. The
annual ritual of seven mikoshi
transported by boat across thelake is a grand sight.

Built with a spectacular view
over the lake, the temple has a
Medicine Buddha statue kept
from public view since feudal
times.

Famous for the ascetic practiceof jumping off the end of a plank
extending out over Lake Biwa.
The temple is closely linked to
the worship of water.

Samegai-juku post town

Mt. Ibuki western foothills

Asahi Honen Taiko Odori(Japanese drum dancing)

Shigaraki Kogen Railway
Shigaraki

Shirahige Shrine［ From Haneda Airport ］ Haneda Airport(Tokyo International Airport)

15min.

Shinagawa［ From Chubu Centrair Chubu Centrair Meitetsu LineInternational Airport ］International Airport
28min.
（Centrair）

Nagoya［ KansaiKansai International
AirportInternational Airport ］

Osaka

JR Kansai Airport
Rapid Service

60min.

Shinkansen
130min.
Shinkansen
44min.
JR Tokaido
Main Line
39min.

Kyoto

Kyoto

JR Tokaido
Main Line
10min.
JR Tokaido
Main Line
10min.

The large torii gate standing in
the lake resembles the shrine at
the island of Itsukushima(Miyajima) in Hiroshima andpresides over travels on Lake
Biwa.

Otsu

A post town on the Nakasendo
highroad along the Jizo Riverthat legend says connects
pilgrims to the water goddess of
Mt. Ryozen and the providenceof Buddha.

A Culture of Food and Water

Mt. Ibuki has been revered sinceancient times as the dwellingplace of the goddess of waterand is today still an object offaith.

In villages of the area even today
this drumming procession to themountains is held in gratitude forrain.

Traditional country-style cooking(Shiga’s culinary cultural properties)

Traditional fishing methods

Traditional freshwater fish cuisine, Ebi mame (shrimp andbeans), Funazushi (fermented carp)

Otsu

Representative fish of Lake Biwa(“Eight Delicacies of Lake Biwa”)

Otsu
Oisade (net) fishing

3 Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako

Faith in the Shikobuchi deities

The Shikobuchi gods have been
revered for protecting the men
who transported goods
downriver on wooden rafts fromriver demons.

Yana (weir) fishingEri (trap) fishing

Koayu (small sweetfish), Biwa trout, hasu (three-lips),
isaza goby, goby fry, nigoro-buna carp, suji-ebi (lakeprawn), honmoroko
Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako

4

Otsu City
The city of Otsu extends from thesouthwest to south shore of Lake
Biwa, and since ancient times
has been a key transportation
hub for lake travel.
In the Edo Period, it was the basefor a union of ship operators
traversing Lake Biwa known as
the Otsu Hyakusosen (literally,
100 ships of Otsu). Otsu was also
a post town along the old Tokaido
route that flourished with people
transporting goods back and forth
over land. Folk culture also
developed here, such as Otsu-epainting and the production anduse of Otsu soroban (abacus).
The three main temples of Tendai
Buddhism are located in Otsu—
Enryakuji, Onjo-ji (Mii-dera), andSaikyoji—along with other ancient
temples and shrines, including
Hiyoshi Taisha andIshiyama-dera. It is also the homeport for the “Michigan,” asightseeing boat that plies Lake
Biwa.

Also a UNESCO World Heritage,
its numerous halls and pagodas area sight to see

The Konpon Nyorai Statue Presides Over the Water World
OtsuCity

A Culture of Prayer with Water

The “mother mountain” of Japanese buddhism

Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei
■ Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei
■ Onjo-ji Temple (Mii-dera Temple)■ Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

World Cultural Heritage andNational Historic Site and National Treasure

The head temple of the Tendai sect, looked up to as the “mothermountain” of Japanese Buddhism and a symbol of the prayer forworld peace. The vast, lapis lazuli Lake Biwa stretches out below,
praised as a Buddhist paradise in a sacred song: “Not a lake, thatlake in Omi, but Tendai Yakushi’s pond.”● Nearest station : 10 min. walk from Sakamoto Sta. on the Keihan IshiyamaSakamoto Line, change to the Sakamoto Cable Car and get off at the end;
Or a 20 min. walk from Hieiezan-Sakamoto Sta. on the JR Biwako Line,change to the Sakamoto Cable Car and get off at the end● Hours : To-do Area
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Mar. to Nov.)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Dec.); 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Jan., Feb.)
Sai-to and Yokawa Areas
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Mar. to Nov.)
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Dec.); 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Jan., Feb.)● Admission : Combined pass for all three areas (To-do, Sai-to, and Yokawa): 700 yen
for adults; 500 yen for junior high and high school students; 300 yen for elementary
school students● Inquiries : 077-578-0001

The patriarch of Tendai Buddhism, Saichō (766-822), founded Enryakuji in 788. He had the temple
built atop Mt. Hiei, dedicating the main ritual hall (at first called Ichijō-shikanin and later Konpon
Chūdō) to the principal worship of the Medicine Buddha (Yakushi Nyorai). The entire mountainencompasses temple grounds, extending north to south and straddling Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.
It is divided into three areas—To-do (east area), Sai-to (west area) and Yokawa—with numerous
temple structures. In the early Kamakura Period (1185-1333), Jien, a Tendai abbot, wrote the
Gukanshō (Jottings of a Fool), a historical and literary work about the history of Japan, in which hedescribes Mt. Hiei as the quintessential sacred mountain. He called it more than a mountain by terrain;rather a spiritual summit. And directly below is Lake Biwa, with such great abundance in its vast
waters. The sun rising from the east recalls the image of Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai, the Buddha of theEastern Pure Land. For these many traits, Enryakuji has been highly revered through the ages.

The Womb of Life and Culture
In an age even more ancient than the founding of Enryakuji, Mt. Hiei was revered as the sacred
dwelling place of the deity Oyamakui-no-kami. Rain falls upon the mountain, providing water to irrigate
the rice paddies in the foothills, sustaining human life. Similar to worship of the Buddha, people inearlier times offered prayers to the gods of nature dwelling on Mt. Hiei for the water, wood, and rockthey used. Far before the introduction of Buddhism to Japan, people here felt the presence of gods innature, and that sentiment still persists today in people’s hearts and minds. Just as a river will branch
into several distributaries, the teachings of Mt. Hiei gave rise to new schools of Japanese Buddhism.
These schools were founded during the Kamakura Period by such noted priests as Honen, Shinran,Nichiren, Dogen, and Eisai. Much has descended from the mountain to enrich people’s live besides
water.

Magnificent Views of Expansive Scenery
Stone walls in the temple town of Sakamoto are built in the anouzumi style, with natural stones thatlock together. Visitors can ride up to Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei from the town using the Sakamoto
Cable Railway. This cable car system opened in 1927 and is Japan’s longest at 2,025 meters. Oncethe cable car rises above the deep forests, riders get an expansive view of Lake Biwa out thewindows, gloriously reminiscent of the lake’s other appellation, “Tendai Yakushi’s pond.” On thesummit, visitors are treated to the wonder of numerous ancient buildings and structures. Other
attractions on Mt. Hiei include the amusement park Yumemi-Ga-Oka, which has a cycle monorail thatoffers a panoramic view of Lake Biwa and the city of Otsu, and Garden Museum Hiei, a garden park
inspired by Impressionist painters such as Monet and Renoir.

Japan Heritage

Otsu City

6

Places to go
after seeing
the Japan
Heritage sites

One of the top spots in Kansai forspring cherry blossom viewing witha thousand sakura trees
on the temple grounds

Otsu City

A Culture of Preyer with Water

Onjo-ji Temple(Mii-dera Temple)

Around the Area

A temple consecrating sacred spring water
National Treasure, Important Cultural Property● Nearest station: 10 min. walk from Mii-dera Sta. on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line● Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
● Admission: 600 yen● Inquiries: 077-522-2238

̶ The Romance of History ̶

The official name of the temple is Nagarayama Onjo-ji.
It is the head temple of the Tendaijimon sect of
Buddhism. Its common name, “Mii-dera” (“temple ofthe three wells”), comes from the miraculous spring inwhich it is said the three emperors Tenji, Tenmu andJito were given their first bath as newborns. The temple
holds more than 100 national treasures and important
cultural properties, including the Kannon-dō, Shaka-dō,
and Tōin halls. The main hall itself (Kondō) is a nationaltreasure. Dedicated to Kannon (Bodhisattva of
Compassion), the temple is the 14th of 33 temples on
the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage of western Japan. Also
well known is the “evening bell at Mii-dera Temple,” oneof the famous “eight views of Omi,” and Benkei’s bell,with its own legend. The temple is especially packed
with visitors in the seasons for viewing cherry blossoms
and autumn foliage. The temple offers various popular
programs by reservation, including Zen meditation andmaking wrist rosaries.

Okuhiei Driveway

Enryakuji
Templeon Mt. Hiei

❷ The Former Chikurin-in

Shinto shrines among select water spots
National Treasure, Important Cultural Property
Built for the guardian deity of the capital of ancient
Kyoto and the Tendai Sect. So old, the shrine’s
establishment is noted in the Kojiki, the oldest extant
chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century.
Hiyoshi-Taisha is the head shrine of approximately 3800
Sanno shrines throughout Japan. The main shrine to theeast is dedicated to the deity enshrined at the sacred Mt.
Hachioji, Ōyama Kui no Kami, while the main shrine to
the west was involved in the ceremonial transfer of thedeity Ōkuninushi from Mt. Miwa in Nara Prefecture upon
the transfer of the ancient capital to Otsu-kyo. Both east
and west shrines are built in a rare architectural style
known as Hie-zukuri. There are also many shrinebuildings of great architectural beauty in the forest along
the Omiya River, which appear even more wonderfulwhen the autumn leaves turn color. The Sanno Matsuri,
one of the Three Great Festivals of Lake Biwa, is anannual festival with a particularly stirring Yoimiya Otoshi(Shinto ritual) held on the night of April 13.

3

Sakamoto

C
Karasaki

KeihanIshiyama-Sakamoto
Line

Lake Biwa

161
Kosei LineLoc 5-2-13 Sakamoto, Otsu
℡ 077-578-0955

Hieizan-SakamotoHrs 9:00〜17:00

Ojiyama

Adm Adults: ¥320 12 and under: ¥160

MiideraTemple 4

A B

OtsukyoMiideraD

Hamaotsu

Otsu

Zeze

E

【By Train】
JR Kosei Line

Ogotoonsen❶Sakamoto Stroll
Loc Sakamoto, Otsu
Info Sakamoto Tourist

Information
077-578-6565

Hieizansakamoto
Otsukyo❸ Ogoto Onsen Kanko Park
Hot springs discovered approx. 1200 years ago
Loc℡

Maibara

JR Tokaido Main Line
(Biwako Line)43 min.
on Special
Rapid Service
12min

Kyoto Yamashina Otsu Zeze
9 min. on Rapid andSpecial Rapid Service

1-2-17 Ogoto, Otsu

077-578-3750 Hrs 8:00〜18:00

Fo r g e t y o u r b u s y l i f e a t M i i - d e r a Te m p l e

A Hand-copy the Heart Sutra
Recommended for beginners

When you hand-copy a sutra or trace a
Buddhist image, you are momentarily freed
from worldly thoughts and become
refreshed. Many other trial courses arealso offered, including Zen meditation.
Please try one upon your visit.
Loc 246 Onjoji-cho, Otsu

Serving temple food in frontof the guardian gate

B Restaurant Fugetsu

Experience
temple food,the source ofJapanesecuisine,developedwith wisdom
over thecenturies.

℡ 077-522-2238

Hrs 9:00〜17:00 Adm Adults: ¥1,000 18 and under: ¥500

Notes: Course participation requires advanced registration. Fees are charged for courses, alongwith the separate temple admission and parking fees. If you wish to learn about Buddhism or
Mii-dera Temple, please speak to a priest in attendance.

Loc 246 Onjoji-cho, Otsu ℡ 077-524-0638
Hrs 8:30〜17:00

Historic sites at castles built by Lake Biwa
❹The View of Lake Biwa from Mii-dera Temple

The mid-April Sanno Matsuri is
a Shinto festival very worth seeing● Nearest station: 10 min. walk from Sakamoto Sta. on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line, or 20 min. walk from Hieizan-Sakamoto Sta. on the JR Kosei Line● Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
● Admission: 300 yen for adults; 150 for children● Inquiries: 077-578-0009

An unforgettable scenic view

C Site of former Sakamoto Castle
Monument on the site of a castle once built by
Akechi Mitsuhide under orders from Oda Nobunaga
Loc 3 Shimo-sakamoto, Otsu

7 Japan Heritage Otsu City

21

Hieizan
Driveway

Seasonal atmosphere of temple quarters

A temple town at the foot of Mt. Hiei blessed with abundantnature and the scenery of Lake Biwa. Walls made of naturalstone, built by stonemasons in a guild called Anoushu, create an
enduring, unhurried atmosphere.

Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine

HiyoshiTaishaShrineSakamoto
Cable Railway

Temple town at the foot of Mt. Hiei

A Culture of Preyer with Water

Ogotoonsen

367℡ SakamotoTourist Information
077-578-6565

D Site of former Otsu Castle

E Site of former Zeze Castle

Monument on the site of a castle once built underorders from Toyotomi Hideyoshi at a strategic location
for guarding transportation on Lake Biwa

Once a beautiful lakeside castle built upon orders of
Tokugawa Ieyasu after the Battle of Sekigahara℡ Otsu Station TouristInformation Center
077-522-3830℡ Otsu Station TouristInformation Center
077-522-3830

Loc Hamaotsu, Otsu

Loc 7 Honmaru-cho, Otsu

The view is wonderful from Kannon-do hall high up at Mii-dera
Temple, looking out over Lake Biwa and Otsu. On the vast
temple grounds one can enjoy seasonal flowers in bloom. The
cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn are big
attractions. All year round there is plenty to see at the temple.
Loc 246 Onjoji-cho, Otsu

℡ 077-522-2238

Japan Heritage

Otsu City

8

Adm ¥600

HikoneCity
Hikone Castle, which stands on a
craggy rock named Mt. Hikone at
the edge of Lake Biwa, was thecastle of the 14th lord of the Ii
clan, a family lineage that
produced a succession of chief
ministers in the Edo Period. The
city of Hikone flourished as atown that grew up around thiscastle. Surrounding the castle are
public gardens such as
Genkyuen and Ohama Palace
gardens, built originally by feudallords as part of family villas. The
style of these gardens features awalking path around a pond andare leading examples of exquisite
Japanese garden design using
water.
Many scenic aspects of both thecastle town and post town are
well preserved and enjoyable forvisitors to walk around and see.

Daimyo villa gardens
incorporate famous garden scenes
from Japan and China

Gardens are opened for special viewings in spring and autumn.
Fall strolls around the gardens are especially recommended withthe ginkgo leaves and Japanese maples in full color
A Culture of Living with Water

Hikone City

Landscape changes with the level of water in the pond

Gardens of the former suburban residenceof the lord of the Matsubara clan at Hikone (Ohama Palace)
National Place of Scenic Beauty■ Genkyu Rakurakuen Garden■ Gardens of the former suburban
residence of the lord of the Matsubara
clan at Hikone (Ohama Palace)

A Culture of Living with Water

A reproduction of famous spots in Japan and China

Genkyu Rakurakuen Garden (Genkyuen)
National Place of Scenic Beauty

Genkyuen was constructed to model the scenery of Lake Biwa. The large pond in the centerhas an island and nine bridges over inlets. It is a strolling garden with varied landscape.

Employing an inverted siphon principle, the water for the pond is conveyed up from the outermoat, which has an abundant flow of spring water. Today, the suburban residence is called

Rakurakuen and the strolling garden Genkyuen. The pond has a boathouse, and at one timeboating was enjoyed within the garden as a refined leisure activity. The adjacent residence
Rakurakuen was built together with the garden by the fourth lord of Hikone, Ii Naooki, as afamily residence for the Hikone clan. It is also known as Keyaki Goten (Palace).

● Nearest station : 15 min. walk from Hikone Sta. on the JR Biwako Line● Hours : 8:30 a.m. – 5 :00 p.m.
● Admission : With Hikone Castle 600 yen for adults; 200 yen for children● Inquiries : Hikone Castle Administrative Office 0749-22-2742

A suburban residence of the lord built around 1810 by Lake Biwa by Ii Naonaka, the 11th daimyo of the Ii clan. Half of the approximately
two-hectare (five-acre) land area is a strolling garden that reflects the environment of Lake Biwa—its water and mountains. In an earlier age,the scenery of Lake Biwa, Mt. Ibuki, and Mt. Sawa could be seen from the garden. The pond at the center of the garden is a tidewater pondthat is affected by the level of water in Lake Biwa and the inner lake of Matsubara Naiko. It is the only one of its kind in Japan that is filledwith fresh water. At one time there was a boat landing with a waterway that led from the pond to Lake Biwa, and also through Matsubara
Naiko to Hikone Castle and the bronze statue of Benzaiten. Today, the garden is open to the public in spring and autumn.
Main castle keep dates from the 1600s

Hikone Castle

National Treasure, Important Cultural Property,
Special Historic Site
Hikone Castle was built as a base for the Ii clan overlooking Lake Biwa
on a hill called Mt. Hikone to maintain its control over the Western region.
The three-story, white-walled main castle keep is surrounded by a double
moat and dates back 400 years. The majestic castle is a symbol of
Hikone, having survived 260 years from the start of its construction in
1601 through 14 generations of Ii clan lords to 1860 without a single
transfer of fiefdoms or attack. The inner moat reflects Mt. Hikone, which
has an evergreen broad-leaved forest, and across the seasons thescenery looks like an exquisite painting. It is one of five castles in Japan
designated as national treasures, joining Himeji, Matsumoto, Inuyama,and Matsue Castles.

● Nearest station: 15 min. walk from Hikone Sta. on the JR Biwako Line● Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
● Admission: 600 yen for adults; 200 yen for children● Inquiries: Hikone Castle Administrative Office 0749-22-2742

Japan Heritage

Hikone City 10

Places to go
after seeing
the Japan
Heritage sites

Omihachiman
City❶Umoreginoya

The city of Omihachimandeveloped historically from thetowns of two castles on theeastern shore of Lake Biwa—
Azuchi Castle built by Oda
Nobunaga and Hachimanyama
Castle built by Toyotomi
Hidetsugu in the 16th century.
The inner lake Nishinoko, in thenortheastern part of the city,
forms the lakeside district;pleasure boats that ply its waters
are popular with tourists. Also
visible is the biggest island in
Lake Biwa, Okishima. It is
Japan’s only inhabited freshwaterlake island.

❷Hikone Castle Museum (inside Hikone Castle)

The childhood home of feudal lord Ii Naosuke

House items belonging to the Ii Clan

Loc 1-11 Osue-cho, Hikone ℡ 0749-23-5268

Loc 1-1 Konki-cho, Hikone ℡ 0749-22-6100

Hrs 9:00〜16:00 (Irregular holidays)Hrs 8:30〜17:00 (Last entry at 4:30 p.m.)

Adm Adults: ¥300 High school: ¥200

Adm Adults: ¥500 Children: ¥250

Junior and elementary: ¥100

A Japan heritage selected asa nationally important culturallandscape for its abundance ofwater and greenery

Hikone City

Around the Area

̶ Historical Heritage of a Castle Town ̶

Hikone Port

Gardens of the former suburban residenceof the lord of the Matsubara clan at Hikone(Ohama Palace)
Prefectual
Athletic Field and Track
Konki Park

Mt.
Sawayama❸B

Genkyu Rakurakuen Garden
Hikone-jo
Castle❷Yu
Ca mekstle yo
Ro bas
ad hi

❹

❶A

Elegant blossom viewing from a traditional houseboat【By Train】
JR Tokaido Main Line
(Biwako Line) 5 min.
on Special
Rapid Service

MaibaraHikoneKyoto JR Tokaido Main Line

Hikone Sta.

(Biwako Line) 47 min.
on Special
Rapid Service

A ride on the Osuki Yakatabune, a barge-style boat associated with the Ii
family, offers a great view of cherry blossoms from the castle moat,
highly recommended in season.
❸Osuki Yakatabune

Ride the lord's boat

Loc Genkyuen-mae boat landing℡ Koedo Hikone, NPO

Omihachiman
City080-1461-4123 Adm Adults: ¥1,300 *¥1,500 in cherry blossom season

Hrs Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

One boat per hour
Weekends, holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. One boat per hour (Special nighttime
runs in cherry blossom season.)Experience genuine g reen tea by Hikone Castle

A Hosho-dai Teahouse

Tea hospitality in a luxurious space

B Choshoan Teahouse

Take a breather before climbing up to the castle■ Lakeside District of Omihachiman■ Okishima Island■ Isakiji Temple■ Chomeiji Temple

A Culture of Living with Water

Waterfront living fostered by a symbiosis with nature

Lakeside District ofOmihachiman
Important Cultural Landscape❹Yumekyobashi Castle Road
Streetscape of the Edo Period
Starting at Kyobashi Bridge, which crosses the outermoat of Hikone Castle, this reproduction of an
Edo-period castle town street extends north–south for
350 meters and is lined with unique miscellaneous
goods stores and restaurants. Walking up and down thestreet gives visitors the feel of feudal Edo.
Getting to Yumekyobashi Castle Road

From Hikone Castle walk south along the inner moat in front of thefront gate with the ticket booth; just cross Kyobashi Bridge.

11 Japan Heritage

The teahouse name means a high ground where
the mythological phoenix flies in the sky. On themap of Genkyuen drawn in Edo period more than
300 years ago it was listed as one of the 10
attractions of the garden. One can have matcha
green tea with a traditional Japanese sweet while
enjoying a panoramic view of the pond garden.

A charming Japanese-style teahouse with a viewof the castle keep and below. The time signal bell
(Jihosho) right next door was cast in 1844 andtoday is rung five times a day to give people thetime below the castle. The sounds of bell andinsects have been selected as one of the “Top 100
Soundscapes” of Japan.

Loc 3-41 Konki-cho, Hikone

Loc 1-1 Konki-cho, Hikone℡ Hikone Castle Management OfficeHrs 9:00〜16:00（last order）

Adm Garden and castle: ¥600

Hikone City

0749-22-2742

Garden only: ¥200

℡ Hikone Castle Management OfficeHrs 9:00〜16:00（last order）

0749-22-2742

Selected as one of the eight best views ofLake Biwa—the Azuchi Hachiman Water
Channels in Spring. A leisurely paddle boattakes visitors through Biwako’s inner lake of
Nishinoko with its stands of reeds. The lake ishome to countless water fowl and fish. The
distinctive scenery and abundance of nature
at the lake have been carefully maintained by
the people of Omihachiman through centuries
of moderation in use. In 2006, the Wetland in
Omihachiman was designated the country’s
first important cultural landscape.

Adm Castle: ¥600

Japan Heritage

Omihachiman City 12

A Culture of Prayer with Water

A sacred peninsula-tip temple dedicated tothe unmovable wisdom king Fudō Myōō

Isakiji Temple

Isakiji Temple is also called by its honorific mountainname “Ikiyasan” and is counted as one of the threeholy places in the Tendai Shugendō, next to the Myōō
Hall of Mudōji Temple on Mt. Hiei and Katsuragawa
Myōō-in.In the eighth-century Nara period, the founderof the Shugendō religion of mountain asceticism, En
no Gyōja, is said to have named the temple for a wildboar that led him to the spot. During a religious
training period in mid-summer known as Sennichie,
the trainee monks doing a one-thousand-day
mountain practice walk out onto a plank extended out
over Lake Biwa and jump from a significant height.
This ceremony is known as “saotobi”. It signifies theascetics gaining a new rebirth from the mother lake,
after having gained strength from the thousand-day
practice.

● Nearest station: Omihachiman Sta.on the JR Biwako
Line; from station take the Ohmi Railway Bus 30 min.
to Horikiri Port● Inquiries: 0748-32-7828

The temple gate standing above
the plank is a famous spot once visitedby worshippers by boat

An exceptional view of Lake Biwa
from the main hallat the top of 808 stone steps

A Culture of Prayer with Water

Kannon Jodo (the pure land of the formless saviordeity)in the Water

Chomeiji Temple

Important Cultural Property, Prefectural
Tangible Cultural Property
According to temple legend, this was the site where a loyal
retainer, Takeshiuchi no Sukune, prayed for a long life and was
rewarded with life to the age of 300, for which the temple wasnamed Chomeiji, the “temple of long life.” From the lakeside
one must climb 808 stone steps to reach the main hall. The
temple is dedicated to the thousand-armed Kannon, the Shō
Kannon, and eleven-faced Kannon, bodhisattvas ofcompassion. The temple has many nationally designatedimportant cultural properties, such as a statue of the guardiandeity Bishamonten. All of the temple’s structures are culturalproperties, either prefectural or municipal designations. Before
land reclamation began on the shores of the lake, the temple
was atop a large island surrounded by Lake Biwa, Dainakanoko
and Tsuda-naiko, and was visited by boat by worshippers
coming from the 30th pilgrimage temple, Hogonji Temple, on
Chikubu Island. On the Chomeiji temple pilgrimage mandara, ascene is depicted of worshipers passing through a torii gatefrom Lake Biwa, with the image of the dragon maiden proferringa sacred torch to the deity Benzaiten on the shore of the lake.
● Nearest station: Omihachiman Sta. on JR Biwako Line;
from station take Ohmi Railway Bus 25 min. to Chomeiji
bus stop● Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
● Inquiries: 0748-33-0031

13 Japan Heritage Omihachiman City

An ancient island,
once venerated as the home of gods

A Culture of Living with Water

Japan’s only inhabited lake island

Okishima Island
Okishima Island is the largest island of Lake Biwa, with 300 or so inhabitants. It
is the only inhabited island on a freshwater lake in Japan, and is of great
academic interest for many reasons. When it was uninhabited, people prayed toit as the home of gods that protected transportation on the lake. It is said to havefirst been inhabited by descendants of the warrior Seiwa Genji, who lost civil war
battles in 1156 and 1159, after which time it became settled. The beautiful viewsof Chomeij Temple and the mountains of Suzukayama and Hirasan are unique tothis island with its position in the middle of Lake Biwa. Fishing has been the main
occupation of islanders, both fishing and fish processing. Many unique fishingmethods and a distinctive food culture developed. Island life, supported by thenatural abundance of the lake, has a nostalgic air.

Japan Heritage

Omihachiman City 14

Places to go
after seeing
the Japan
Heritage sites

Takashima
City

Hachiman-bori Moat is wellknown as the setting ofJapanese dramas. The
presence of many white,
earthen-walled buildings andpreserved houses create acharming historical atmosphere.

The city of Takashima is situatedon the northwest side of Lake
Biwa. Its area is slightly greaterthan that of the lake, making it thelargest of the 13 cities in Shiga
prefecture. It is beautifully
forested, especially with the Hiraand Nosaka Mountains. The lakewater quality remains high here
and the environment is filled withnatural bounty. A unique religion
based on water still exists here,
along with distinctive lifestylecustoms; its water circulation
system, closely tied to people’s
lives, has recently come under alot of attention.

❶ Hachiman-bori Moat
The promenade is perfect for awaterside walk.
Loc Miyauchicho, Omihachiman

Omihachiman City

Around the Area

Leisurely canal boat tour

̶ Feel the Charm of Genuine Japan ̶
琵琶湖1,000mIsakiji Temple

Okishima
IslandB
3

C

1

Lakeside Districtof Omihachiman
Chomeiji
Temple 2
Lake2
2
Nishinoko

Hachimanyama
Ropeway

JR Tokaido Main Line
(Biwako Line) 19 min.
on Special
Rapid Service

2

A
Omihachiman Sta.

Azuchi Sta.

The Azuchi Hachiman Water Channels in Spring are
famous. Enjoy a ride on a yakatabune flat boat on the
inner lake of Nishinoko. Superb in spring to see thecherry blossoms and rapeseed blossoms as well as insummer when the reeds are green; in fact, thescenery is special any time of the year.

【By Train】

Lake Biwa❷ Water ride

MaibaraFeel the seasons of Japan●Suigo-No-Sato Maruyama●Biwako Kanko
Loc 1467-3 Maruyama-cho, Omihachiman Loc 639-1 Nakanosho-cho, Omihachiman℡ 0748-32-2131℡ 0748-32-2333(Biwako Line) 33 min.
on Special
Rapid Service

Get travel information at
this Meiji-era Western-style building

B Kawara Tile Museum
Try your hand at ceramic art

Loc 738-2 Taga-cho, Omihachiman℡ 0748-33-8567

Hrs 9:00〜17:00(Last entry: 4:30 p.m.)

Adm Adults: ¥300 Junior high and elementary: ¥200

Omihachiman City Museum

for Purcha
ms
se
te

Loc Osugi-cho, Omihachiman

15 Japan Heritage Omihachiman CityI

■ Shirahige Shrine

C (Local History Museum)Western-style building−former Hachiman Police Station

Traces of an ancient port town

Waterfront of Kaizu,
Nishihama and Chinai
Important Cultural LandscapeThe districts of Kaizu, Nishihama, and Chinai once
flourished as port town, post town, and fishingvillage. Built along the shoreline of the lake, they are
distinctive for their stone breakwaters. The
waterfront scenery in these districts was selected as
Japan’s fifth important cultural landscape in 2008.
The key components of the landscapes are the stone
walls of Kaizu and Nishihama, the former warehouseof the fishing guild, and machiya townhouses built bymerchants. The machiya are wooden structures thatdate to the end of the Edo Period (up to 1868) lining
the street, serving as accommodations for travelers
or housing commercial businesses.

Loc 2-22 Shinmachi,

Cafés and machiya-style shops of long standing
along the way
Near Himure Hachimangu Shrine, right next to
Hakuunbashi Bridge that crosses the Hachimanbori moat.
Has an atmosphere of olden days with Omi merchants’
townhouses and kura built from the 1910s to 1930s.

■ Waterfront of Harie and Shimofuri■ Shikobuchi Faith in the Adogawa
River Area

(Tourist Information Center)

Built in 1877 by Omi merchants, the building served as
Hachiman Higashi School. It was constructed with theenthusiasm of the merchants of Hachiman with thecooperation of the local residents and employs traditional
Japanese building techniques while being completely
Western-style in appearance. Today it houses a tourist
information center where visitors can get information andview and buy specialty goods from the area.

■ Waterfront of Kaizu,
Nishihama and Chinai■ Waterfront of Omizo

Hakuun-kan❸ Hachiman-bori stone walkway

A Culture of Living with Water*The route may vary by operator.

Spots to See Around Omihachiman

A

Takashima
City●Omihachiman Sightseeing Cooperative ●Shima Pearl Canal Boat
Loc 880 Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman Loc 224 Maruyama-cho, Omihachiman℡ 0748-32-3527℡ 0748-32-2564

Omi
hachi
man

Kyoto JR Tokaido Main Line

Ohmi Railway

The high stone walls built
along the lake shore createa landscape like no other

Omihachiman℡ 0748-32-7048

Items for Purchase
Upper left: Red konyaku ¥480
Lower left: Yōkan (sweet bean jelly) ¥280
Upper right: Fu (wheat gluten with mustard-vinegar miso) ¥500
Lower right: Omi beef curry ¥700
Loc 9 Ishincho-moto, Omihachiman ℡ 0748-32-7003
Hrs 9:00〜17:00

Hrs 9:00〜16：30(Last entry: 4:00 p.m.)

Adm Adults: ¥900

Junior and elementary: ¥500

* Pass covers admission to:
the Local History Museum,
History and Folklore Museum,
former Nishikawa Residence
and former Ban Residence

Japan Heritage

Takashima City 16

People’s clever system for using clear waterfrom rivers is still in use today

The great shrine gate puts on a different facewith changes in light and season

A Culture of Living with Water

A Culture of Prayer with Water

The flow of life-giving waterGrand torii gate standing in the lake

Waterfront of Harie andShimofuri

Shirahige Shrine

Important Cultural Property (building)

Important Cultural LandscapeThe districts of Harie and Shimofuri, which have spring water (Shozu)
gushing up from underground, are known for their kabata culture,ever-running water in kitchen basins that demonstrate care taken withwater in everyday life, even today. The spring water flows from theHarie-Okawa River and Koike River through the inner lakes to Lake Biwa.
The lake shoreline is taken over by reed beds, and the scenery remains
today much as it was in the earliest days of Japan. Reed beds are aspawning ground for many types of fish that inhabit Lake Biwa. You canenjoy scenes of life-giving water flowing through the quiet countryside here.

17 Japan Heritage Takashima City

The oldest shrine in Omi with a famous large torii gate rising out of
Lake Biwa. The name “Shirahige” means “white beard” and theshrine is dedicated to the god of long life. It is one of the top power
spots for visitors to Shiga. Also of interest are the many inscriptionsof tanka poems by celebrated poets engraved on a monument
within the shrine precinct. One poem is by the early modern poet
Tekkan Yosano and his wife Akiko Yosano, written upon their visit,
extolling the clear spring water that flowed in front of the shrine.
● Reserve for a tour. “Harie Shozu-no-Sato Committee”
Tel: 0740-25-6566 Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (In winter until 3:00 p.m.)● Light-up of the torii gate in the water Days : (1) Saturday, Sunday from sunset for approx. 2 hours(4) Jan. 1 – 5 from sunset until 9:00 p.m. ● Inquiries: 0740-36-1555(2) Sept. 5 fr om sunset until 10:00 p.m.

(3) New Year’s Eve until daybreak

Japan Heritage

Takashima City 18

Places to go
after seeing
the Japan
Heritage sites

Takashima City

Around the Area
̶ Enjoy Nature to the Fullest ̶
21

Unwind at Highland Hot Springs
This onsen facility at Makino Kogen
features a spacious “bade zone” withheated swimming pool for use withbathing suits, plus a standard large baththat includes an open-air bath andlow-temperature herbal bath. Relax after
camping, skiing, or other outdoor activity.

Famed sa the final battle spot of
the Fujiwara no Nakamaro Rebellion in 764

3
Makino Sta.

Waterfront sceneryat Kaizu, Nishihama,and Chinai
Omi-Nakasho Sta.

Omi-Imazu Sta.
Faith inthe Shikobuchi gods

B
Kosei Line

Waterfront sceneryat Harie and Shimofuri
Shin-Asahi Sta.

Adogawa Sta.
OmiTakashima Sta.

A Culture of Living with Water

Communicates water usage wisdom

Waterfront sceneryat Omizo
Important Cultural LandscapeIn ancient times, Omizo flourished as the area surrounding Katsunozu port, connecting Wakasa (today
southern Fukui) and the territories in the vicinity of Kyoto. The place names of the area appear in literaturesuch as the Man’yoshu, compiled in the eighth century. Lake Otomegaike, one of Lake Biwa’s inner lakes,
was the location of the finale of the biggest civil war battle of the Nara period, the Fujiwara no Nakamaro
Rebellion. Also, Oda Nobunaga built Omizo Castle as a strategic stronghold for controlling Lake Biwa in theclosing years of the Warring States period. Omizo is known for its mountain spring water and well water thathave been skillfully used in people’s lives since ancient times, with special customs that still exist today.

A
Waterfront scenery at Omizo
Shirahige Shrine【By Train】

A Highland Area for Outdoor Leisure

At the foot of Mt. Akasaka, in winter Makino Kogen has
a snowy ski slope and from spring to autumn a carpetof green lawn. Many sports facilities are available,from Makino Rinkan Sports Center to a campground,ground golf, and restaurant. It is a highland resortarea for safe playing for the entire family.

❶Makino Kogen
Loc 931 Makino-cho Makino,

Takashima1
Hrs 9:00〜17:00℡ Makino Kogen

Management Office
0740-27-0936

OmiTakashima❷ Makino Kogen Onsen Sarasa
Loc 931-3 Makino-cho Makino, Takashima (at Makino Kogen)Hrs

Weekdays 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Weekends/holidays 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m℡ 0740-27-8126

Adm Bath: Adults ¥700 Children: ¥350

Full area (includes heated swimming pool):
Adults ¥1,200 Children: ¥600

Via JR Kosei Line38 min.
on Special
Rapid Service

Kyoto

161

OtsukyoTo Maibara▶

Yamashina Otsu

A Takashima Village
Repurposed Edo-era buildings

A Culture of Prayer with Water

Gods that chase away river demons

Faith inthe Shikobuchi gods

A unique religious faith of
the Adogawa River system protects raftsmen
from the demons of the river

The Shikobuchi gods are guardian deities ofraftsmen belonging to a religious faith unique to the
Adogawa river basin. A legend is told in which a
Shikobuchi god and his son were rafting down the
Adogawa and when they reached Obuchi, a kappa
pulled the boy underwater to cause mischief, but thegod chastised the demon who pledged from then on
to keep rafts safe. The Adogawa River has many
whitewater sections, and the dangerous work
performed by raftsmen was life-threatening, so theybuilt shrines for the Shikobuchi gods at dangerous
spots along the river to chase away the riverdemons.

150-year-old merchants’ residences wererenovated by hand as a local commerce
project and remodeled as “villages” that
include studios for trying your hand at dyeing
cloth or making candles. You can also enjoy atasty restaurant meal here.
Loc 1400 Katsuno, Takashima (Village 1-8)
℡ Biwako Takashima Tourist Association

Jizake (Local Sake) Made with the Clean Water of Lake Biwa

B Takashima Marugoto Department Store
Find all Takashima specialties

A full range of specialty
products fromTakashima are sold at a
tourism and products
exhibition area. You
can purchase clothing
made of Takashima
Crepe and many more
traditional items here.

❸Metasequoia Road
A wondrous tree-lined straight road
The tree-lined road extends for 2.4 km and passes
through Makino Pickland. About 500 metasequoias line
the road, creating a picturesque highland-like approach
to Makino Kogen.

asahi, Takashima℡ 0740-33-7103

Closed Tuesdays

Takashima City

Takashima jizake is made from the clean source
water that feeds Lake Biwa, tasty rice of Omi,
and the traditional skills of master brewers. Eachsake has a different flavor.

Loc 1-10-1 Shin-asahicho-

Hrs 10:00〜18:00

19 Japan Heritage

0740-36-2011(Left to right) Biwa no Choju (Ikemoto Shuzo);
Furosen (Uehara Syuzou); Chikubushima (Yoshida
Shuzo); SORA (Kawashima Sake Brewery);Satoyama (Fukui Yahei Shoten)

Loc From Hiruguchi to Makino, Makinocho, Takashima℡ Makino Pickland

Japan Heritage

0740-27-1811

Takashima City 20

A Culture of Prayer with Water

Traces of an old lakeside district

Higashiomi
City
The city of Higashiomi spreads
from the Suzuka Mountains along
the Echi River to Lake Biwa.
The clear water that flows down abeautiful ravine from Eigenji
Temple passes through beautiful
canals in a historicalneighborhood in the corner of theGokasho district that has both
Omi merchants’ residences andfarmhouses.
Walking along a canal one canspot brightly colored carp
swimming in the clear, flowing
water.
The channels connect to the Iba
waterfront. After the water’s use
in people’s lives, it returns to its
mother, Lake Biwa.

Waterfront scenery of Iba
Iba in Higashiomi City is a waterfront village
on the eastern plain of Lake Biwa. At one
time, the Iba River flowed down to the village
from Mt. Kinugasa, and passed through a
network of water channels used by thepeople. The village was a hub community inthe inner lake district.
As part of the Iba Matsuri, held every May, a
Shinto event called saka-kudashi is held, inwhich the men of the village drag heavy
mikoshi shrines carrying the gods down themountain through the village to the lake. The
distance from the shrine on the top of themountain to the large torii gate at the foot isabout 500 meters and a 170-meter drop in
elevation along a steep slope. Along the way
are a huge boulder and other obstacles.
Three of these shrine floats are hauled down
in a stirring event.

Higashiomi
City

Clear water flows throughthe channels where brightly colored carp swim

■ Waterfront scenery of Iba

A Culture of Living with Water■ Gokasho Kondo

The locale of Omi merchants

Gokasho Kondo

Important Preservation District for Groupsof Traditional Buildings

Lifestyles unchanged from the past inwhich water plays a central part can only
be seen here on the shores of Lake Biwa.

The Gokasho Kondo District has strong ties to the merchants of Omi and has been
designated by the national government an important preservation district for a group of
traditional buildings. It was once a rice-growing village and in the early seventeenth century the
territory belonged to the shogunate. In the Genroku era (1688-1704) it served as aresidence-town for the Yamato Koriyama clan. In the Kondo district, there were temples inthree directions around the center of the town, and from the end of the Edo Period into theearly part of the Showa era (starting in 1926) the district had a magnificent historical
townscape comprised of the opulent residences of Omi merchants and traditional farmhouses.
The town is lined with traditional white-walled buildings, storehouses with thick earthen walls,
and outer walls boarded neatly with boat planks. Brightly colored carp swim through the water
channels, and one can feel the atmosphere of affluence from days of yore in the area.
● Nearest station: Notogawa Sta. on the JR Biwako Line; take bus 10 min. to “Plaza Sanpoyoshi”; or a 30 min. walk from Gokasho Sta. on the Ohmi Railway Line
● Inquiries: Higashi Omi Tourist Association 0748-48-2100

Japan Heritage

Higashiomi City 22

Places to go
after seeing
the Japan
Heritage sites

MaibaraCity❶ Notogawa Museum

Strategic transportation points inolden times included the post townof Maibara along the old Hokkoku
Kaido (Northern Country Route)and the post towns of Banba,
Samegai, and Kashiwabara on the
Nakasendo highroad. Much of thehistorical atmosphere remains inthese places.
Mt. Ibuki to the northeast of thecity is the highest peak in Shiga
prefecture. The rainwater from thismountain and snow melt flows
underground and becomesabundant spring water in thefoothills that has given rise tounique water landscapes andlifestyle customs.

Features nature, history andfolk culture of the area

This local museum shares the same building
with the Notogawa Library. On permanent
exhibition are rooms reconstructed in thestyle of the immediate post-WWII decadeand 1965-1975—a flashback to how people
lived in a slightly earlier time.
Loc 2225 Yamajicho, Higashiomi

Hrs 10:00〜18:00℡ 0748-42-6761

Higashiomi City

Around the Area
̶ The Locale of Omi Merchants ̶Gokasho Kondo
Important Preservation
District for Groups of
Traditional Buildings【By Train】

B❸

Iba District

Gokasho8A

JR Tokaido
Main Line(Biwako Line)
13 min.
on Special
Rapid Service

5 min.
Omihachiman
Tokaido Shinkansen
Ohmi Railway

Maibara❷Notogawa
Gokasho❶
Waterfront scenery at Iba

Notogawa Sta.

The park consists of a giant waterwheel that ispreserved at the edge of the Iba-naiko lagoon,
one of the few inner lakes of Lake Biwa thatremain. In summer, a local dragon boat racing
tournament is held here.
Loc 1269 Ibacho, Higashiomi

JR Biwako Line℡ Water Wheel Museum

0748-42-3000

A Higashiomi Tourism
Plaza Sanpoyoshi

Samegai-juku post town
National Tangible Cultural Property,
Municipal Tangible Cultural Property
The place name, Samegai, originates in the legend of Prince
Yamato Takeru, who was healed by the famed spring waterthat is the source of the Jizo River from his injury fighting the
giant serpent of Mt. Ibuki. The post town was a place thatprovided laborers and horses to traveling feudal lords andgovernment officials in the Edo Period, and had facilities forrepacking loads for further travel. Several of these extremelyrare historical buildings remain perfectly intact today. With
the Jizo River right alongside, the town features beautiful
scenery that demonstrates a harmony with nature, seen in thetiny flowers that bloom underwater in the water channels, in
combination with the historical atmosphere of once
prosperous days. The “Izame no Shimizu” spring was recently
selected by the Japanese government as one of the mostrenowned 100 water sources of the Heisei era.

MaibaraCity

Hrs 9:00〜16:00

Start Here to Tour Gokasho

A Culture of Prayer with Water

Lovely underwater blooming flowers● Nearest station: 5 min. walk from Samegai Sta. on the JR Tokaido Main Line
● Inquiries: Maibara City Sightseeing Division 0749-58-2227❷Notogawa Waterwheel and Canoe Land

Ohmi Railway
34 min.

Kyoto 33 min. on
Special Rapid Service

Park with Giant 13-meter-high Waterwheel

The Jizo River flows by with tiny flowers blooming in
the water from mid-May to September■ Samegai-juku post town
■ Mt. Ibuki western foothills■ Higashikusano mountain village
landscapeThe tallest mountain in Shiga andone of the top 100 mountains in Japan,
known since ancient times as
an abundant source of medicinal herbs
and alpine plants■ Asahi Honen Taiko Odori Dance

Association

This building houses the tourist information centerand specialty goods store for Higashiomi. It is an
essential stop when seeing the Gokasho area.
Get your souvenirs here before going home.
Loc 279 Gokasho-tsukamoto-cho, Higashiomi℡ 0748-48-2100

Hrs 9:00〜17:00

A wealthy merchants’ town with historical atmosphere

B Gokasho Omi Merchant’s
Residence

A Culture of Prayer with Water

Loc Gokasho-Kondo-cho, Higashiomi℡ 0748-48-3399

Hrs 9:30〜16:30 Adm Admission to 3 buildings: Adults: ¥600 Children: ¥300

❸ Kondo Machinami Preserved Exchange CenterLoc 904 Gokasho-Kondo-cho, Higashiomi
Hrs 10:30〜16:30℡ 050-5801-7107

23 Japan Heritage Higashiomi City

Mt. Ibuki western foothills

National Historic Site, National Natural Monument

Free admission and a popular spot to enjoy tea.
The former home of Tomijuro Nakae, the third of fourbrothers who founded the former Minakai Department
Store. The center is popular with tourists for its souvenir
shop and exhibition corner. The building, which once
belonged to a wealthy merchant, is worth seeing in itself.

A sacred mountain of bounty●Nakae Jungoro Residence
The home of one of the brothers that ran theformer Minakai Department Store. It has two
kura (storage warehouses) and a display ofmany Obata Deko dolls inside.

●Tonomura Shigeru Residence
Former home of a Japanese author known forwritings about the Omi merchants in his Ikada
series of books. This is the home where he wasborn, with many cultural materials also on display.

●Tonomura Uhee Residence
Tonomura Uhee was a wealthy merchant,
listed as one of Japan’s wealthiest people in
the Meiji era. The main structure of hishome was built in 1860 and is the homewhere he grew up.

Since ancient times, Mt. Ibuki has been revered as the abode of the god of water. The mountaingod, which, according to legend, defeated Prince Yamato Takeru as a giant serpent, is revered as
the god of water. Since the eighth century, mountain ascetics have stood under a waterfall here togain the strength of this god, and large temples once stood on every ridge. The spring water thatflows from Mt. Ibuki even today supports people’s lives ceaselessly, and those who live in thewestern foothills understand the importance of that water and have a strong religious faith in Mt.
Ibuki and its water power.

Japan Heritage

Maibara City 24

Places to go
after seeing
the Japan
Heritage sites

Maibara City

Around the Area

̶Be Healed by the Flow of Pure Water ̶SamegaiAB

Mountain village
scenery at
Higashikusano

1

2
Samegai vicinity
Hokuriku
Expressway

A dance originating in prayers for rain,
today it is held in gratitude to the water god of Mt. Ibuki

Nagahama

Flowers Blooming in Water of
Jizo River(Mid-May to late September)

A Culture of Prayer with Water

In gratitude to Mount Ibuki

Asahi Honen
Taiko Odori Dance
National Intangible
Folk Cultural Property

This is a rain dance that dates back approx. 1300 years. It is said that it began to rain when the feudal
lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi celebrated his victory in the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583 with war drums andbells. Thereafter, drums and bells started to be used in prayers for rain. The processioners wear a
traditional umbrella-like hat, an undervest, striped pantaloon-style hakama, white tabi, grass sandals
and a red, cape-like arm covering. Their drumsticks are made of bamboo and they have golden, plaitedand paper streamers hanging from their backs. The tradition has been carried on without interruption,even after WWII, and it became a nationally designated intangible folk cultural property in 1974.

A Culture of Living with Water

Waterfront at headwaters of Lake Biwa source

Higashikusano mountainvillage landscapeImportant Cultural Landscape

The Higashikusano district is a mountain village
situated in an upstream valley on the Anegawa River.
The village is closed in by mountains all around, but
long ago roads were built over mountain passes andexchange flourished—more with the Gifu prefectureside than with Maibara. The district has one of theheaviest snowfalls in western Japan, and homes havelong, steep eaves known as kaidare, as well as water
storage facilities also used for melting snow known asike, and wash basin areas where the water channels
were dammed up, known as kawato. All of theseinventions for coping with heavy snows can beobserved in the village.

25 Japan Heritage Maibara City

The mountains provide good quality granite
used to build granite mortars

Mt. Ibuki
western foothills

Hokuriku Main LineA Top 100 Renowned Water Sourceof the Heisei Era

This natural spring emerges from undergroundafter years beneath Mt. Ryozen. It is known
through legend for healing the ill Prince Yamato
Takeru, from which its name derives, which means“healing spring.”

For Gourmet Visitors to Samegai

Plants flourish in the water thatmaintains a temperature of around
14°C throughout the year. Flowers
bloom in the Jizo River from Mid-May tolate September every year.

❶ “Isame no Shimizu” Spring

TokaidoMain Line

Samegai
Maibara Sta. Maibara
IC

58 Samegai, Maibara(By Samegai Sta., free walking)

Loc℡

Maibara Tourist Association
0749-58-2227

Samegai, Maibara(short walk from Samegai Sta., free walking)℡

Maibara Tourist Association 0749-58-2227

Meishin Expressway

Samegai-juku
post town

C3【By Train】
JR Tokaido
Main Line 5 min.
To Ogaki▶

MaibaraSamegai❷ Baikamo flowers blooming underwater

Loc

Asahi Honen
Taiko Odori(Japanese drum dancing)

JR Tokaido Main Line
(Biwako Line)
53 min. on Special
Rapid Service

Kyoto

C

B Samegai-juku Toiya-ba

Archives museum in a cultural property

A long-standing restaurant

A in the post town of Samegai
Chojiya

The shop sells a crunchy rice cracker revived fromthe 17th century. Soft ice cream with the aroma of
baikamo flowers is another treat during a walkaround the town.

Loc 123 Samegai, Maibara℡ 0749-54-2163

Hrs 9:00〜17:00(Last entry: 4:30 p.m.)

Closed Mondays (or the following day if a national holiday)

Adm Adults: ¥200 Junior high and elementary: ¥100

C Samegairo❸Shiga Pref. Samegai Trout Farm
Japan’s first trout farm

Restaurant for lovers of nature, history and culture
Loc 2054 Kaminyu, Maibara(next to Samegai Trout Farm)℡ 0749-54-0120

Hrs 11：30 〜 17：00
Closed Thursdays

between Dec. and March(Unfixed days closed
between April and Nov)

Loc 392 Samegai,

Maibara℡ 0749-54-0128
Hrs 9：00 〜 19：00

Closed Wednesdays*Inquire about an evening meal

Established in 1878 for breeding Biwa masu (Biwasalmon) and other freshwater fish. Amago trout and
Iwana (white-spotted charr) are among the many types offish you can catch and eat grilled with salt on the spot.
Loc Kaminyu, Maibara℡ 0749-54-0301

Hrs July to Sept.: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Oct. to Nov., Mar. to June: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Dec. to Feb.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Adm Adults: ¥500

University/High school: ¥300 Younger: no charge

Samegai mochi crackers ¥110
Japan Heritage Maibara City 26

Nearby Cultural
Properties

Revel in the Scenery of the Japan Heritage of Lake Biwa

The location of wollastonite, a natural monument

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Biwa in any season.

Ishiyama-dera Temple

Take a leisurely all-day cruise to the islands or zip around the south.

National Treasure, Important Cultural Property
The only river flowing out of Lake Biwa is the Seta River. Ishiyama-dera
stands on its western bank at the foot of Mt. Garan. This ancient temple
is said to have been founded in the late Nara Period in 747 by the priest
Rōben by decree of the Emperor Shomu. The temple served as a kind ofgovernment office, supplying timber and other materials to the capital
Nara. The notable scenic point at Ishiyama-dera is its wollastonite rock,a designated natural monument. The principal object of worship is the
Nyoirin Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), who sits upon this rock. The
temple’s moon-viewing platform overlooks the clean waters of the Seta
River and is a symbol of the “Autumn moon at Ishiyama-dera,” one of thefamous “Eight Views of Omi.” The spring water that emerges below thisplatform and the building that covers the spring (Akaiya) offer adistinctive water landscape scene.

Various boats ply the waters.
Why not travel on the water andfeel the lake breeze against your skin?

Lake Biwa Cruises

The temple of Murasaki Shikibu,
11th century author of The Tale of Genji● Nearest station: 10 min. walk from Ishiyamadera Sta. on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line; or Ishiyama Sta. on the JR Biwako Line; take bus 10 min. to Ishiyamadera Sanmon-mae● Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
● Admission: 600 yen● Inquiries: 077-537-0013

BIWAKOCRUISE
Water Tour A high-speed jaunt around the lake’s southern end

Water Tour The classic cruise on Lake Biwa

❶ Michigan Cruise

Graceful Gardens Designed with Water

An early American-style paddle
steamboat with luxurious
interior and a panoramic view
from the sky deck. Enjoy theresort atmosphere or just travelfrom one port to another.

Saikyoji Temple
Important Cultural Property

Buddhist prayers are recited at this hall day
in and day out as religious training

Saikyoji, a sacred site along the thousand-day walking route followed by
mountain ascetics. It stands between Imurodani—one of the major
structures of Enryakuji Temple—and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, which
enshrines the guardian deity of Mt. Hiei. It is located on a hill overlooking
Lake Biwa.
Saikyoji has four gardens. The main one is on the south side of the kuri
(priests’ quarters), featuring a simulated waterfall in a dry garden. It has anearly two-meter-tall standing stone in the center, flanked by anarrangement of side stones. Contrast is provided by the garden on thewest side of the kyakuden (reception hall), which has a pond in the center
filled with water from Lake Biwa. In the pond are decorative stones with astone bridge going across, creating a placid atmosphere. Dry waterfall andpond: graceful, masterfully designed gardens and a study in contrasts.

27 Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako❸ Tour of Islands Cruise

Chikubu Port
Nagahama
Port

Imazu
Port

Oki noShiraishiRocks
Oki no Shiraishi
Rocks

TakeshimaIslandOkishima
IslandFor inquiries,
contact the Biwako Kisen Reservations Center

HikonePort
Water Tour Go to Lake Biwa’s power spot

❹ Chikubu Island Cruise

Chomeiji Port
Biwako Ohashi
Port
Ogoto-onsen
Port
Yanagasaki
Lakeside ParkPort
Otsu Port

Niono-hama
SightseeingPort

For inquiries,
contact the Biwako Kisen Reservations Center

IshiyamaderaPort

For inquiries,
contact the Biwako Cruise
Reservations Center or Ohmi Marine
Okishima Island

Water Tour Ride the river on a paddle steamer

Time slip into the past
on an old-style
paddle-wheel boat, theIchiban-Maru, to see
the scenery at aleisurely pace.

❺ Takeshima Cruise

The entire island is considered sacred as the precinct of
Kentoji Temple of the Nichiren Sect.
For inquiries, contact Ohmi Marine

For inquiries, contact Lake West Kanko

For Inquiries■ Biwako Cruise Reservations Center
TEL. 077-524-5000 (Reception: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Toll-free call 0120-050-800(from landline only)
www.biwakokisen.co.jp

A small, sacred island justtwo kilometers incircumference with nationaltreasures—Hogonji
Temple’s Karamon(Chinese) Gate andTsukubusuma Shrine. The
island has become popular
in recent years as a “power
spot,” visited by bothworshippers and tourists.

❻ Setagawa River Cruise

Water Tour Shape-shifting island from many viewpoints

Considered an “island of the gods.”

A convenienthigh-speed ride to
see the southernarea of the lake.
Take a quick ride out
onto the lake or use
the boat as a meansof transportation
between ports.

Chikubu Island

Water Tour Full-day enjoyment of the lake world

Take the entire day to visit all four
special islands in Lake Biwa. This is
the only cruise that goes slowly up
and down the entire length of the lake.

Chikubu Island
The island is considered an “island of the gods.” Since ancient times, thewater goddess Azai-hime-no-mikoto was worshipped in the northern areaof Lake Biwa. She is believed to be a deification of the mother principle innature—the mountains that produce water, the source of all life. It seems
only natural that a mother god would be worshipped on Chikubu Island,
which stands in Lake Biwa, where all of the water originating in themountains ultimately flows together.
When Buddhism arrived in Japan, the beliefs held in Chikubu Island were
influenced. Azai-hime-no-mikoto took in Buddhism and she became cladin the form of the deity Benzaiten, a Japanese Buddhist goddess who
originated from the Hindu goddess Sarasvati. In India, she is agoddess of water, a deification of the Sarasvati River. The traits of
Azai-hime-no-mikoto and Benzaiten naturally overlapped and people
continued to pray to nature and the mother principle, now deeply tied to
Benzaiten.

For inquiries,
contact the Biwako Kisen
Reservations Center● Nearest station: 20 min. walk from Sakamoto Sta. on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line● Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ● Admission: 500 yen ● Inquiries: 077-578-0013

Lake Biwa’s No. 1 Power Spot

❷ South Lake Route High-Speed Cruise* For details on each type of cruise see our website.

■ Ohmi Marine
TEL.0749-22-0619
www.ohmitetudo.co.jp/marine/■ Lake West Kanko
TEL.0120-077-572
www.lakewest.jp

Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako 28

Lake Biwa Traditional Fishing Methods
and Culinary Culture
Experience the rich tastes of the Omi region.

The “8 Delicacies” ofLake Biwa + Omi Beef
Course Meal with Sukiyaki

On Okishima Island one can buy funazushi and lake fish dishes as specialty foods to take home.
There are also restaurants to eat at if reservations are made in advance.
Kyukamura Ohmi Hachiman, a hotel with dining, stands on the opposite mainland shore.
There you can experience a special course meal prepared with fish that only inhabit the lake.

Popular Dishes

Kyukamura Ohmi-Hachiman

A culinary culture unique to the Lake Biwa area basedon the endemic fish species in the vicinity of OkishimaIsland is still alive today. A course meal featuring thisspecial food source together with sukiyaki preparedwith Omi Beef is available year round. Don’t miss thisexperience of the rich tastes of Lake Biwa.

Koayu Tempura

Fresh-caught small sweetfish are dipped in batter anddeep-fried until crispy. The slightly bitter innards, combinedwith the distinctive aroma of the fish, is a special taste
experience one can enjoy in spring to summer.

http://www.qkamura.or.jp/ohmi/● Nearest station: Omihachiman Sta. on the JR Biwako Line; from station take theOhmi Railway Bus 43 min. to Kyukamura Ohmi-Hachiman● Cost: ¥3,300 (includes hot spring)● Inquiries: 0748-32-3138

Ebi Mame (Shrimp and beans)

Home delivery of home-style cooking

Shiga has many dishes that combine small fish andsoybeans cooked together. One of the most representative
is shrimp and beans. The two ingredients are cooked withsweet and spicy flavoring, yet there are many styles andvariations of the dish.

Home-Style Cooking ofOkishima

Fishery cooperative wives’ group offers local
delicacies by mail order.

Funazushi (Fermented carp)

This delicacy of Lake Biwa is made with nigoro-buna carp. The fish is caught in early spring and pickled in salt. In thesummer it is stuffed with boiled rice and fermented for a year or more. It is said that modern-day sushi derives from thisparticular dish.

Traditional Fishing Methods

The wives’ of the Okishima fishery cooperative call theirgroup the Kotobuki-no-kai. Together they cook fresh fishcaught in Lake Biwa and prepare seasonal dishes which
they sell via the Internet. Visitors who want to try theirhome cooking in person must make a reservation. The
Okishima wives will treat you to their seasonal fish cuisine
according to your budget.

For home delivery of Okishima
home-style cooking* Please visit the website for ordering instructions.
http://www.biwako-okishima.com/takuhai.html

Oisade (Net) Fishing● Nearest station: Omihachiman Sta.on the JR Biwako Line;
from station take the OhmiRailway Bus 32 min. to Horikiri Port;
take Okishima-Tsusen boat for 10 min. to Okishima Fishing Port
Inquiries:
The wives’ of the Okishima fishery cooperative●“Kotobuki-no-kai” 0748-47-8787

The Eight Delicacies of
Lake Biwa？
Hasu (three-lips)

This is a fish-eating fish, rare for freshwater fish in thisfamily that includes carps and true minnows. In Lake Biwa itprimarily feeds on koayu. Because it has many tiny bones, it
requires a deft touch to eat, but people enjoy the delicate,light, white flesh and prefer the fish broiled with salt.

Nigoro-buna (carp)

A species unique to Lake Biwa, it inhabits the lakebottom offshore. This fish has been the main ingredientin funazushi, the fermented delicacy, since the eighth
century. The female fish, when filled with roe, isespecially prized.

29 Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako

Koayu (small sweetfish)

Schools of koayu in the shallow water along the shore are
driven into a large net called a sade-ami—which has crowfeathers attached to the top of a long rod—by slapping it on
the water’s surface. This fishing method has been used at
Lake Biwa since ancient times.

A species unique to Lake Biwa that lives in deep water
offshore, trout eat koayu and different kinds of shrimp. It
is caught primarily in June to September when the fish
has plenty of fat. Because it swims upstream in heavy
rains, it is also called “Biwa salmon.”Isaza (goby)

Goby frySuji-ebi (lake prawns)

Prawns are an essential food for the people of Shiga, abounty from the lake that goes into the country-styleebi-mame “shrimp and beans” dish. When alive it is atransparent brown color; but it turns shrimp red whencooked.

Eri (Trap) Fishing

An eri trap is a set of umbrella-like large nets that stick out
into the lake from the shore. They are a special feature that
adds poetic charm to Lake Biwa. Fish swim deep into themaze of fixed nets and become caught. This fishing method
has been used in the lake for approximately 1500 years,
and is a method also used in China and Southeast Asia.

Biwa trout

This fish grows to a size of about 10 cm (4 inches) in lengthand a weight of 5–20 grams. Most grow to maturity in Lake
Biwa, but their distinctive feature is growing into adult fish
while remaining small. Its scales are smoother and finer
than saltwater sweetfish, with a better taste, people say.
A fish in the gobioid suborder that inhabits the northernpart of Lake Biwa offshore. Deep-frying makes the hardbones edible. Catches rise and fall from year to year,with big catches in some years and next to nothing inothers.

Yana (Weir) Fishing

Yana fishing was once carried out in rivers around Japan,
but most of these were set up to catch descending ayu that
had gone upstream for spawning. This is known as
kudari-yana. On the other hand, the yana fishing carried out
in the Lake Biwa system is all nobori-yana, the catching offish migrating upstream from the lake. This fishing method isstill used today on the Anegawa and Adogawa rivers.

These are the fry of yoshinobori goby that only live inLake Biwa, and are caught in fishing nets in summer.
They are popularly cooked with soy sauce and sugar.
Freshly caught and boiled in salted water, they reveal alight sweetness.

For more infor mation on the
Ja pa n Herita g e sites of Shig a ,visit our website.

Honmoroko

The Japanese willow shiner is said to be the most deliciousof the fish in the carp and minnow family. The female withroe caught at the beginning of spring is especially prized.
Those caught in autumn have plenty of fat, enough to drip
and cause flames to jump when grilled over charcoal.

http://ja.multilingual.biwako-visitors.jp/japan-heritage

Japan Heritage Shiga ・ Biwako

30