Biwako makes us more exciting!
There are many events that are held on the shores of Biwako.
Biwako makes the events more exciting and makes thempracticable.
At the Biwako Fireworks Festival (usually on August 8th), thefireworks reflect on Biwako making a spectacular display. In
the Hot Air Balloon Race Across Lake Biwa (at the end ofNovember), many hot air balloons race across Biwako from46

Takashima to Hikone. At the Japan International Birdman Rally(at the end of July), many unique man-made airplanes competeover Biwako.
At these events, you can see all the beauty that Biwako has tooffer. How lucky we are to be able to enjoy events and Biwako!

47

The Big Three Festivals of the Lake CountryNagahama
Hikiyama Matsuri FestivalThe Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri
Festival is held from April 13th to 16th.
It has a history of more than 400 years.
The biggest attraction about this festival
is the boy’s kabuki theater performed
on four magnificent floats (Hikiyama)
paraded around Nagahama.

Sannousai Festival
The Sannousai Festival is held fromApril 12th to 15th at Hiyoshi Taisha
Shrine. The purpose of the festival is topray for a good harvest. It has a historyof more that 1200 years. On the 14th,
seven Mikoshi will cross Biwako to ashrine in Karasaki and then go back tothe Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine.

How odd are the Festivals there!
Many strange and amazing festivals arefound in Shiga Prefecture. Fire Festivals,^OPJO\ZLÄYL[VWYH`MVYNVVKS\JRHYL
held in many parts of Shiga.
Sagichou Matsuri Festival (around themiddle of March) is one of these. This
festival signals the coming of spring. Atthe festival, Sagichous parade aroundthe town and finally the Sagichous areburned.
There is also a festival named“Nabekanmuri Matsuri Festival” at the48

Chikuma Jinja Shrine (May 3rd). It is afestival in which eight girls around theage of eight parade to the shrine withblack pots on their heads. Chikuma
Jinja Shrine is said to house a god thatis fond of food, so special pots are given[V[OLNVK^P[OJYVWZÄZOLY`WYVK\J[Zand the like.
There are also other many strange
festivals in Shiga. Step into one of these
festivals and you might have a cultureshock.

Otsu Matsuri FestivalThe Otsu Matsuri Festival is held
early in October. Thirteen magnificent
floats made during the Edo period areparaded through the streets of Otsu.
Each of them has a different windup
doll on it. Traditional festival music isalso played and makes the festival moredelightful.
49

Shiga Travel Directory

50

51

Tourist Information CentersOtsu Station Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1-3 Kasuga-cho, Otsu CityACCESS: In JR Otsu Sta.
PHONE: 077-522-3830

Ishiyama Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 2-28 Awazu-cho, Otsu CityACCESS: In Keihan Railway Keihan-ishiyama Sta.
PHONE: 077-534-0706

Ishiyama Tourist Association
ADDRESS: 3-2-28 Ishiyamadera, Otsu CityACCESS: From Keihan Railway Ishiyamadera Sta., 12minon foot
PHONE: 077-537-1105

Sakamoto Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 6-1-13 Sakamoto, Otsu CityACCESS: From JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Sta., 11min onfoot
PHONE: 077-578-6565

Ogoto Onsen Kanko Park
(Tourist Information Center)
ADDRESS: 1-2-17 Ogoto, Otsu CityACCESS: From JR Ogoto-Onsen Sta., 20min on foot
PHONE: 077-578-3750

Katata Station Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1-1-76 Mano, Otsu CityACCESS: A short walk from JR Katata Sta.
PHONE: 077-573-1000

Shiga Tourist Association
ADDRESS: 130-3 Kido, Otsu CityACCESS: A short walk from JR Shiga Sta.
PHONE: 077-592-0378

Kusatsu Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1-1-16 Shibukawa, Kusatsu CityACCESS: In JR Kusatsu Sta.
PHONE: 077-563-6303

Moriyama Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1-9 Umeda-cho, Moriyama CityACCESS: In JR Moriyama Sta.
PHONE: 077-514-3765

Shigaraki Tourist Association
ADDRESS: 1142 Nagano, Shigaraki-cho, Koka CityACCESS: From Shigaraki Kougen Railway Shigaraki
Sta., 7min on foot
PHONE: 0748-82-2345

Omihachiman Station
Tourist Information Center (North Gate)

Hakuunkan (Omihachiman)
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 9 Ishinchomoto, Omihachiman CityACCESS: From JR Omi-Hachiman Sta., 12min by bus(get off at "Osugicho")
PHONE: 0748-32-7003

Azuchi Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1714 Kamitoyoura, Azuchi-cho, Omihachiman
City
ACCESS: A short walk from JR Azuchi Sta.
PHONE: 0748-46-4234

Youkaichi Machikado Joho-kan(Tourist Information Center)
ADDRESS: 13-6 Youkaichi-Honmachi, Higashiomi CityACCESS: From Ohmi Railway Yokaichi Sta., 4min onfootPHONE: 0748-23-4528

Michishirube (Notogawa Station TouristInformation Center)
ADDRESS: 766 Kakimi-cho, Higashiomi CityACCESS: A short walk from JR Notogawa Sta.
PHONE: 0748-42-7744

Plaza Sanpou Yoshi(Higashiomi Tourist Information Center)
ADDRESS: 279 Gokasho Tsukamoto-cho, Higashiomi
City
ACCESS: From JR Notogawa Sta., 10min by bus (get off
at "Plaza Sanpo Yoshi")
PHONE: 0748-48-2100

Hino Machikado Kanno-kan(Tourist Information Center)
ADDRESS: 1284 Murai, Hino-cho, Gamo-gun
ACCESS: From Ohmi Railway Hino Sta., 8min by bus (getoff at "Nishinomiya")
PHONE: 0748-52-6577

Hikone Station Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 40-7 Furusawa-cho, Hikone CityACCESS: A short walk from JR Hikone Sta.
PHONE: 0749-22-2954

Hikone Tourist Association
ADDRESS: 1-51 Osue-cho, Hikone CityACCESS: From JR Hikone Sta., 9min on foot
PHONE: 0749-23-0001

Taga Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 389-1 Taga, Taga-cho, Inukami-gun
ACCESS: From Ohmi Railway's Tagataishamae Sta.,
11min on foot
PHONE: 0749-48-1553

When you take the pick-up bus, there is a possibility that a reservation is required.
To avoid any complications in your travel, please call in advance.

Toyosato Tourist Information CenterMakino Station Tourist Information Center

ADDRESS: 518 Ishibatake, Toyosato-cho, Inukami-gun
ACCESS: From Ohmi Railway's Toyosato Sta., 10min onfoot
PHONE: 0749-35-3737

ADDRESS: 1-14-2 Takagihama, Makino-cho, TakashimaCity
ACCESS: From JR Makino Sta., 2min on foot
PHONE: 0740-28-1188

Louvre Echigawa(Tourist Information Center)
ADDRESS: 895-3 Ichi, Aisho-cho, Echi-gun
ACCESS: A short walk from Ohmi Railway's Echigawa
Sta.
PHONE: 0749-42-8444Nagahama Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1-5 Kitafuna-cho, Nagahama CityACCESS: In JR Nagahama Sta.
PHONE: 0749-63-7055

Yotsuike(Kohoku Tourist Information Center)
ADDRESS: 14-12 Motohama-cho, Nagahama CityACCESS: From JR Nagahama Sta., 8min on foot
PHONE: 0749-65-0370

Takatsuki Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 35-2 Ochikawa, Takatsuki-cho, Nagahama
City
ACCESS: In JR Takatsuki Sta.
PHONE: 0749-85-6565

Kinomoto Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1472 Kinomoto, Kinomoto-cho, Nagahama
City
ACCESS: In JR Kinomoto Sta.
PHONE: 0749-82-5135

Omi-Takashima Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 2245-5 Katsunodaimon, Takashima CityACCESS: In JR Omi-Takashima Sta.
PHONE: 0740-36-1314

Adogawa Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 601-2 Nishiyurugi, Adogawa-cho, TakashimaCity
ACCESS: In JR Adogawa Sta.
PHONE: 0740-32-2464

Omi-Imazu Station
Tourist Information Center
ADDRESS: 1-9 Nakoji, Imazu-cho, Takashima CityACCESS: In JR Omi-Imazu Sta.
PHONE: 0740-22-4201

ADDRESS: Takakai-cho, Omihachiman CityACCESS: In JR Omi-Hachiman Sta.
PHONE: 0748-33-6061

5253

Sightseeing
Lake Biwa-ko Cruise
ADDRESS: 5-1-1 Hamaotsu, Otsu CityACCESS: From JR Otsu Sta., 15min on foot
PHONE: 077-522-4115
URL: http://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/english/

Seta River Cruise
ADDRESS: 1-3, Ishiyamadera, Otsu CityACCESS: From Keihan Railway Ishiyamadera Sta., 8minon foot
PHONE: 077-572-2114
URL: http://www.lakewest.jp/

Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui)

Suigou Meguri(Canal Tour, Shima Pearl Canal Boat)
ADDRESS: 224 Maruyama-cho, Omihachiman CityACCESS: From JR Omi-Hachiman Sta., 12min by bus(get off at "Shiraouguchi")
PHONE: 0748-32-3527
URL: http://homepage2.nifty.com/oumi8/suigou.htm

Hikone Rin-Tak (velotaxi)
ADDRESS: 1-4 Ginza-cho, Hikone CityACCESS: From JR Hikone Sta., 18min on foot
PHONE:090-6552-2215
URL: http://gokan-seikatsu.jp/rintak/

ADDRESS: Kannonji, Otsu CityACCESS: From Keihan Railway Miidera Sta., 5min on
foot
PHONE: 077-522-3830

Takeshima Island Tour

Sakomoto Cable Railway

Chikubushima Island TourADDRESS: 4244 Sakamoto-Honmachi, Otsu CityACCESS: From JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Sta., 25min onfoot
PHONE: 077-578-0531
URL: http://www.sakamoto-cable.jp/pdf/2011_en_pamp.pdf

ADDRESS: Chikubushima Island, Haya zak i-cho,Nagahama CityACCESS: From Nagahama harbor, Ima zu harboro r H i ko n e h a r b o r, to u r i s t s h i p s a r e h e a d i n g to
Chikubushima Island
PHONE: 0749-62-4111
URL: http://www.nagahamashi.org/chikubushima/Hieizan Driveway
ADDRESS: 776-30 Nagarayama, Yamagami-cho, Otsu
City
ACCESS: From JR Kyoto Sta., 60min by bus (get off at"Tanotanitoge")
PHONE: 077-529-2216
URL: http://www.hieizan-way.com/

Okuhiei Driveway
ADDRESS: 4220 Sakamoto-Honmachi, Otsu CityACCESS: From JR Kyoto Sta., 70min by bus (get off at"Enryakuji Bus Center")
PHONE: 077-578-2139
URL: http://www.hieizan.co.jp/

Suigou Meguri(Canal Tour, Omihachiman JapaneseBoat Association)
ADDRESS: 880 Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman CityACCESS: From JR Omi-Hachiman Sta., 12min by bus(get off at "Honenbashi wasen noribaguchi")
PHONE: 0748-32-2564
URL: http://www.suigou-meguri.com/

Suigou Meguri(Canal Tour, Maruyama Canal Tour)ADDRESS: 1467-3 Maruyama-cho, Omihachiman CityACCESS: From JR Omi-Hachiman Sta., 12min by bus(get off at "Maruyama")
PHONE: 0748-32-2333
URL: http://www.za.ztv.ne.jp/tekogi.maruyama/eng.
html

54

When you take the pick-up bus, there is a possibility that a reservation is required.
To avoid any complications in your travel, please call in advance.

ADDRESS: Yasaka-cho, Hikone CityACCESS: From Hikone harbor, tourist ships are available
PHONE: 0749-23-0001

Kohokucho Waterfowl Park
ADDRESS: Imanishi, Kohoku-cho, Nagahama CityACCESS: From JR Kawake Sta., 15min by bus (get off at"Kohokucho Town Bus Yacho Center")
PHONE: 0749-79-1289
URL: http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~kohoku-s/chiiki/kank_kouen.htm

Kohoku Wild-Bird Center
ADDRESS: Imanishi, Kohoku-cho, Nagahama CityACCESS: From JR Kawake Sta., 15min by bus (get off at"Kohokucho Town Bus Yacho Center")
PHONE: 0749-79-1289
URL: http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~nio/eng/index_e.html

Harie Shozu no Sato
ADDRESS: 372 Harie, Shinasahi-cho, Takashima CityACCESS: From JR Shin-Asahi Sta., 20min on footPHONE: 0740-25-6566
URL: http://www.geocities.jp/syouzu2007/

Kaizu Osaki
ADDRESS: Kaizu, Makino-cho, Takashima CityACCESS: From JR Makino Sta., 3min by bus (get off at"Kaizu Osakiguchi")
URL: http://www.takashima-kanko.jp/sakura/55