2025 Takashima Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Speaking of Japan's sea torii, the first thing that comes to mind is Hiroshima's Itsukushima Shrine. In fact, there is also a mini version of the sea torii on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga, which is the Shirahige Shrine known as the "Omi version of Itsukushima". There are many Shirahige Shrines throughout Japan, but the one in Shiga is the head shrine, and its sea torii gate seems a bit bigger. As the oldest shrine in the Omi region, Shirahiko Shrine was founded more than 2,000 years ago and enshrines Sarutahiko-no-Okami. The location of Shirahige Shrine is relatively remote, so it is more convenient to drive there by yourself, but you need to pay attention to your own safety when taking pictures, because there is a main road with heavy traffic between the shrine and the torii, and there are iron railings on the shore, so crossing is basically prohibited. #Shiga Travel #Lake Biwa #Shirahige Shrine

Walking all the way from the station, after turning a corner, the torii gate majestically stands on the lake. The torii gate on the water has always been a dreamy existence. It takes about an hour and a half to travel from Osaka to Omi-Takashima. Upon arrival, you can choose to take a taxi, ride a bicycle, or walk (I walked back and forth this time, which took about an hour). The bicycle rental fee is 500 yen per use. When heading from the station to Shirahige Shrine, it is recommended to walk on the right side. There is a sidewalk all the way. If you walk on the left side, there is a section without a sidewalk, which is quite dangerous! Additionally, if you happen to encounter rainy weather, even if it has just cleared up, be sure to prepare a raincoat. The place to take pictures of the torii gate is close to the road, and without a raincoat, you might get splashed all over by passing trucks. 😂 ⭐ When departing from Osaka, be aware that the train will split into two lines after arriving in Kyoto. Make sure you are in the car heading towards Omi-Takashima.

The 2.5-kilometer-long Metasequoia Tree-lined Avenue is hailed as a hidden autumn foliage gem in Japan. The road stretches from Makino Highland to Makino Agricultural Park, with 500 tall and dense Metasequoia trees planted in orderly intervals along both sides. During the autumn foliage season, the trees transform into a tunnel of red and yellow leaves, creating an endless view of autumn colors. Whether driving through this vibrant universe or strolling along the road to admire and photograph the foliage, the sight of towering Metasequoia trees ablaze in orange-red hues is a breathtaking spectacle.

Lake Biwa. Hello everyone, I am Xiaolu, today I am sharing Lake Biwa in Japan. Lake Biwa is located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, with an area of 674 square kilometers and a shoreline of 241 kilometers. It is named after the natural shape of the traditional Japanese musical instrument Biwa. This geographical location is in the central part of Japan, surrounded by beautiful mountains and lush forests. The lake presents a beautiful arc shape, covering a huge area, like a lake ocean. Lake Biwa is considered one of the oldest lakes in the world, formed at least 4 million years ago. About this lake, there are not only many ancient legends and stories, but also a large number of art works related to it. Lake Biwa is famous for its biodiversity and has many endemic species, from fish, birds, to rare mollusks. To get to Lake Biwa from Kyoto, just take the JR Tokaido Line from Kyoto to Otsu, and you can reach this beautiful lake in 10 minutes. Next, we will introduce the main attractions of Lake Biwa. Ukimido Ukimido is one of the main scenic spots of Lake Biwa. It is also known as one of the Eight Views of Omi and is loved by many haiku poets, including the famous Matsuo Basho. The formal name of the temple is 'Kaimon Mountain Mangetsu Temple', which was built by the monk Gen Shin (Eshin Sozu) of Hieizan during the late Heian period (794-1185) to pray for the safety of the lake water and the peace of all people. Since then, for over 1000 years, Ukimido has been guarding the safety of this important lake traffic area. Chikubushima Chikubushima is a small island located in the northern part of Lake Biwa, but it has been revered as a sacred island since ancient times. There are Hogyoji Temple and Tsusumafu Asama Shrine. Tsusumafu Asama Shrine is very popular as a place of power, and there is a mysterious atmosphere in the Dragon God's place of worship, where there is a unique way of making wishes 'Kawarake Nage'. The view of Lake Biwa from the boat makes you linger. Kaizu Osaki Kaizu Osaki extends to Lake Biwa, and cherry trees stretch for more than 4 kilometers. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom in full bloom, and rows of cherry trees stand on the vast lakeside. Kaizu Osaki stands with more than 600 cherry trees with lush branches and leaves, most of which have a history of more than 50 years. Under the contrast of rocks and the green water of Lake Biwa, the beauty of cherry blossoms is intoxicating. Cherry trees bloom all the way along the lakeside avenue, making people feel like they are wandering in a cherry blossom tunnel. If you want to enjoy the cherry blossom scenery, why not leisurely row on Lake Biwa. From the lake, you can see the spectacular cherry blossom beauty of Kaizu Osaki. Biwa Lake Valley Biwa Lake Valley overlooks the west bank of Lake Biwa. Since 1965, it has been a ski resort and an outdoor activity paradise in the off-season. This is the best ski resort near Kyoto. Biwa Lake Valley is 1,100 meters above sea level and has eight different ski trails. Half-pipe, curved track, cat track and sled snow track, there is also a ski park suitable for skiers of all levels. All equipment can be rented at the ski resort. The Zekkei Ropeway cable car here can accommodate 121 people, with glass on all sides, you can see the beautiful views of Lake Biwa, snow slopes and autumn leaves. Travel

This is what we are introducing this time! Shiga Prefecture, "Makino Sunny Beach Lake Terrace" This is a spot that only a few people know about 📍 Surprisingly, there are still many people who don't know about it? ! ✨ It is actually located about 10 minutes by car 🚗 from the famous "Metasequoia Avenue 🌲" ⛱️✨ Have you heard the name of the spot we are introducing this time and thought Oh? ! 🤔 ? 🙋♀️ Even though it is called a beach ⛱️, Shiga Prefecture does not have the sea (or to be precise, it does not face the sea)!! Right! This is a spot along Lake Biwa✨ This is the northernmost point of Lake Biwa, and the water is very clean🌈 This is Takagihama Auto Campsite🏕️ ⚫︎It's a lakeside beach and campsite, and they also have canoes🛶, SUP, rental bicycles🚲, restaurants, and coffee shops🍰☕️ It seems that you can stay outside or in individual buildings😳 There's also a large parking lot🅿️(paid) It's a large, symbolic gate right next to it🤍 If you just want to take photos, Of course, you can take photos for free, and take a leisurely stroll around the lake 👏 The only problem is the parking 🅿️😅 There is a place to park next to the gate, but if you park there, your car will appear in the photo 💦 The parking lot at Takagihama Auto Campsite right next to it is paid, 🚌3900 yen for large vehicles 🚗1300 yen for regular cars 🏍️800 yen for motorcycles so it's a bit expensive if you're just going to take photos 🥲 So, what I recommend is if you use the cafe on the premises, you can park for free! This is the most recommended one☝️✨ If you have the chance, please relax at the cafe☕️, take some cool photos and make some memories☺️ 《Save》 it and use it for your outing plans❤️ 📝﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏Spot details 📍 Makino Sunny Beach Lake Terrace 🏷️ Nishihama, Makino-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture 🕐 24 hours 💰 Free 🚗 Free (However, if you take photos, they must be in a location that will be reflected) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏ Tips 🚗 About parking As mentioned above, there are free parking spaces, but if you park there, your car will be reflected in your photos. So, although Takagihama Auto Campsite, which is right next to it, usually charges a fee, those who use the cafe on the premises can use the parking lot for free 👏 🗺️ About how to search on the navigation system However, if you enter "Makino Sunny Beach", you may be directed to the wrong place. Makino Sunny Beach is long horizontally, so if you don't enter "Makino Sunny Beach Lake Terrace," you may be guided in the opposite direction or not be able to find the spot💦 In fact, no matter which post you look at, this spot is only listed as "Makini Beach," so when I entered it as it was and navigated🗺️, I was taken to a completely different place😂🚗💦 After that, I had to look for it on my own, so I lost time⏰💦 📸About how to take pictures with a camera It's more realistic to take a picture from below✨ Sometimes, someone's car is parked in front of the gate, and even though I was there on a weekday, I wonder if there were students on a field trip? I ended up coming back at a different time, and everyone was sitting in front of the gate eating their lunch🍱, so I ended up losing time again😂😂😂 I think it's a hidden spot and there are relatively few people, but that's what happens, so it's better if you have the time to wait patiently✨ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - \Couple who loves going out/ ▷Instagram　@oneandonly.us We're currently posting about places to go out, mainly in Kansai and Shikokuϟ We're also looking for your recommended places👏 #ShigaPrefecture #ShigaTourism #ShigaTrip #DateSpot #PhotogenicSpot #PhotogenicPhoto #Beach #DomesticTravel #RecommendedForDates #tripmemory2023

Unasyo is a Japanese restaurant located at Omi-Imazu station. The restaurant has limited seating, you have to take off your shoes if you sit on Tatami room. Smoking is allowed in the restaurant. The food is of high quality and very delicious with reasonable price. I highly recommend this restaurant if you visit Omi-Imazu. Restaurant: Unasyo Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday 5:30pm-10:30pm Price: 3000-5000yen Location: Japan, 〒520-1631 Shiga, Takashima, Imazucho Nakoji, 1 Chome−３−10 Getting there: 5 mins walk from Omi-Imazu JR station #Omi-Imazu #biwakovalley #osaka

Omi Imazu is not considered a tourist area now, it's not easy to find a restaurant. I found this restaurant located just opposite Omi-Imazu station, with high quality Japanese food. The restaurant is spacious, mainly local visitors and non-smoking. They served a wide variety of food, from soup udon to Japanese set dinner, sushi, sashimi etc. Restaurant: Nishian Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday 11:30am-2:00pm, 5:00pm-9:30pm Price: 500-2000yen Location: Japan, 〒520-1622 Shiga, Takashima, Imazucho Nakanuma, 1 Chome−１−1 Getting there: 1 min walk from Omi-Imazu JR station #omiimazu #biwakovalley #osaka

Hotel Kaito is the only hotel at Omi-Imazu station with public bath. The hotel is quite old but clean and tidy. The room is spacious, but with limited amenities. They provide towels and soap. You have to buy the amenities you need at the reception, such as toothbrush, razor etc. Hotel breakfast is nice, traditional Japanese style breakfast. The hotel is near to Biwako Lake, about 10 minutes walking distance. If you are looking for some attractions away from the city, visit Biwako Lake. Hotel Kaito Location: 1 Chome-６-10 Imazucho Nakoji, Takashima, Shiga 520-1631 Getting there: 1 minute walk from Omi-Imazu JR station Nearby Attraction: Biwako Lake #biwakovalley #osaka

In the afternoon when it is still cold, there are still two or three hours before sunset and dinner time. This is the best time to take a walk. Take a stroll along the trail along the shore of Lake Biwa and Inukami River, and admire the street view as you pass Sho Sakai Park, where you can feel the atmosphere of spring gradually returning to the earth. After staying in Sho Sakai Park for a while and watching the sunset, we continued our leisurely walk towards downtown Hikone. We arrived in the city in about 60 minutes. There are many restaurants concentrated in the city, and you can slowly look for specialty restaurants. For dinner, we chose a traditional Japanese ramen restaurant. The enthusiastic owner and chef performed a one-man show, wandering around the floor and the kitchen. I watched the boss's back as he was busy preparing ramen for everyone. In a few minutes, he served the hot traditional Japanese beef ramen. After seeing the boss stop, we exchanged a few words. The boss is really amazing, proficient in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Thai and Korean. He is truly a hidden dragon and crouching tiger! IG: meditation_me_time #travel #Japan #Shiga #Lake Biwa #Hikone Castle #Traditional Food #Sunset #Yoga #Yoga Retreat #sadhguru #Inner Engineering #Meditation #Vertebral Arch Protection #Vertebral Arch Fracture

February self-drive trip, Kyoto the next day went, White Beard Shrine is located on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, famous for its fantastic scene of the torii gate in the lake, since it is not far from Kyoto, it is very suitable for a day trip to Kyoto for a day trip. In fact, Japan has three well-known water torii ⛩️, distributed in: Hiroshima, Shiga and Ibaraki prefectures, personally think the most beautiful of the White Beard Shrine in Lake Biwa, a very good attraction near Kyoto 👍🏻👍🏻☄️ #WhitebeardShrine

#tokyo Hase-dera Temple, also known as Hase-kannon Temple, is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Kamakura. The temple is known for its large wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. We climbed up a set of stairs to a hilltop observation deck for views of the surrounding area. The view was really great. We felt very peaceful to be up there. The garden within the temple compound was also very pretty. #Japan

Lake Biwa valley, about an hour's drive from Kyoto, at Shiga Station JR there is a shuttle bus directly up, the service is very sparse, you really need to see the right time, the temperature difference between the mountain and the mountain is very large, to prepare a warm patch and jacket, the snow mountain snow is really cold, but there is a restaurant to buy hot drinks and food, is a good experience, if you sit near the window, can see the snow view of Lake Biwa 💕 # Lake Biwa

#gohiking Kibune hike starts at the picturesque town and ends at the kurama temple. if you want a more challenging climb, start from kibune small town. the upslope are steeper and not as well structure stairs, bring walking sticks as that will help. it will take about 2-3h for a 2-3km hike, I will rate is as moderate for beginners as the stairs are really steep for prolonged period. there are railings along the way but you cannot really rely on them all the way as well. saw few walking groups, it is generally safe to hike as the police/community has identify certain spots as k1 k2 k3 in case you need to call for emergency help halfway. bring water and not food in case of bears.

#Outdoor Hotel & Restaurant Reposer Makino ☆☆☆☆☆ 　Reposer means "rest" in French. You can see Lake Biwa right in front of you, and take a rest that you can't get in the city. 　You can have a barbecue on the garden terrace. 🔥🔥🔥 　There is also a spacious bath. ♨♨♨ 　Hotel & Restaurant Reposer Makino offers accommodation that you can't get in the city or in the town, and you can also have a barbecue, so it's recommended. ☆☆☆☆☆ 　 　

Makino Metasequoia Trees in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture 🌿 There are about 500 Metasequoia trees along the road leading to Makino Plateau, and it is a spectacular sight. You can hardly see it in the city! This time, I took a photo in the middle of winter. Luckily, there were few people because it was winter ❄️ It seems that the scenery is completely different depending on the season, so I would like to visit again if I get the chance in the season of fresh greenery or autumn leaves 🙌 Point ✍️ The official website frequently posts photos of the current state of the trees! I recommend checking it before going because you can check the condition you want to see! [Address] Access by car 🚗 〒520-1835 Makino, Makino-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture #Travel episode #Travel strategy #Metasequoia trees #Shiga sightseeing #Shiga trip #Japan's beautiful scenery #Japanese scenery #Snow scenery #Drive date #Drive Kansai #Drive spot #Forest bathing #Outdoor

Adults: 1,800 yen. Unlimited time. Take home 150g of blueberries as a souvenir. Compare the taste of organic blueberries as you pick and eat them. Sweet, sour, delicious. You could easily eat more than 100 of them. On weekdays, there is no reservation, so you can enjoy yourself to your heart's content. It seems to be popular with children too. There is a row of metasequoia trees nearby. #Breathtaking views #Western Japan #Gourmet food #

Shirahige Shrine, known as "Omi's Itsukushima" for its vermilion torii gate built in Lake Biwa, is a spectacular power spot. As it is located along the national highway and has a lot of traffic, it is recommended that you do not cross the road and use the observation deck "Lake Aiko Shirahigedai" set up in front of the shrine office! Information current as of July 2022. #Spectacular views #Shiga Prefecture #Visiting shrines and temples #Photogenic spots #Western Japan

A beautiful tree-lined road with fresh greenery🌳 A perfect spot for Instagram, with about 500 metasequoia trees lined up over a 2.5km stretch🌟 I stopped by on my way back from visiting Lake Biwa Valley🚗 ³₃ Maybe because it was a weekday afternoon to evening, there were few people and cars, making it perfect for taking photos📸😉 The tree-lined road was beautiful under the clear skies, but it was also impressive to see the colors of the trees gradually deepen as the evening approached🤔 During the autumn foliage season, the trees turn orange, which is also a wonderful sight🥰💭 #Shiga #ForestBathing #MetasequoiaRoad #SummerShortTrip #JapanGenkiProject #CoupleTrip #AmazingNature #SummerShortTrip #BreathtakingView

Kaizu Osaki near Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture. This is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. There is a row of cherry blossom trees along the shore of Lake Biwa for about 4km. It is a popular tourist spot, and when I went there, a shuttle bus was running from the temporary parking lot. If you take a boat, you can see the cherry blossoms from the boat, so it is recommended. Address: Kaizu, Makino-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture #Flower viewing spot

Sailing past Kaizu Osaki during peak sakura season felt like drifting through a living watercolor. The cherry blossoms spilled over the edge of the peninsula, their reflections dancing on Lake Biwa’s glassy surface. With every breeze, petals rained softly onto the boat, creating a dreamscape that blurred the line between lake and sky. It wasn’t just a view—it was a moment suspended in magic. #cherryblossom25

#cherryblossom25 Missed the full bloom in Kyoto? No worries — just head to nearby Shiga, and you might catch the magic like I did! I arrived just in time for peak bloom at Kaizu Osaki, and it was absolutely breathtaking 💗 🌸 Kaizu Osaki is one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan, stretching along the shores of Lake Biwa. This sakura avenue runs for 4 kilometers, lined with around 800 cherry trees. On sunny days, it’s a dream: flowers blooming by the lakeside, with views that feel straight out of a fairytale. ✨ 💖 Picture this: Strolling on a quiet lakeside path Picnicking under soft pink petals Locals gently rowing boats across the calm waters... too perfect for words! 🚃 How to get there from Kyoto: Take the JR line to Makino Station, about 1.5 hours You can also take a Lake Biwa sightseeing cruise — advance booking recommended! 🗓️ Suggested Plan: Spend the morning exploring Miidera Temple and the surrounding cherry blossoms In the afternoon, head to Kaizu Osaki ⚠️ My train was delayed, so I arrived around 4 PM. At Makino Station, you can rent a bike or e-bike, but make sure to return it by 5 PM. I walked instead (about 30 minutes), and the route was full of unexpected lovely views. And once I saw that endless stretch of cherry blossoms? It was 100% worth it 💕🌸 #travel

#cherryblossom25 Kaizu Osaki in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, is a 4km-long sakura haven along Lake Biwa's western shore. Its "sakura tunnel" of 600 Somei Yoshino trees reflecting on the lake—selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Sakura Spots—creates a view unlike any other. Kaizu Osaki offers a unique "waterside sakura" experience, with petals dancing on lake breezes—spring's pure poetry. Why Kaizu Osaki? ✔ Japan's only "lakeside sakura tunnel" ✔ Less crowded for relaxed viewing ✔ Ultimate photo ops combining lake and blossoms

Shirahige Shrine, the oldest shrine in Omi Shirahige Shrine is the oldest shrine in Shiga Prefecture. The large torii gate on Lake Biwa is also a popular check-in attraction. Many trips to Shiga will definitely include the Torii Gate in the Lake. The big torii in the lake is a popular attraction that you must visit and check in. Cross the road from Shirahige Shrine to the large torii gate on Lake Biwa opposite. There is a lot of traffic, so be sure to pay attention to the traffic before crossing the road. Safety first. Shirahige Shrine 215 Ukawa, Takashima, Shiga 520-1122 Japan 215 Ukawa, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture Zip Code: 520-1122 #Lake Torii #MarchGoodPlaces2025

We decided on a cherry blossom-chasing trip at the last minute, and originally expected to miss the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, so we decided to go to Shiga Prefecture, north of Kyoto. Just in time for the cherry blossoms to be in full bloom and a sunny day! If you have friends coming to Kansai these days, you can consider coming and have a look. It only takes two stops from Kyoto! After getting off at Otsu Station, walk towards Miidera. 📸Photo taking spots (taken on 2025.4.12): 1️⃣ Kawaguchi Park: Swing under the cherry trees and see a beautiful clock. 2️⃣ Lake Biwa Canal: Layer upon layer of cherry blossoms! 3️⃣ Mii Temple: 🎫600 yen The famous moon-viewing stage requires advance reservations, 3,000 yen for 5 minutes, and a group is limited to 6 people. Because the appointment was fully booked very early, I could only shoot from the side. Go up one more platform and you can overlook the cherry blossom sea view! On the way back, I was able to take pictures of the train passing by near Miidera Station, as well as the slide and picnic scene under the cherry trees. It was really beautiful! In addition, Shiga's Kaizu Osaki is fully bloomed on the weekend, it's worth a try!

Why not reset your mind and body at Mutsuyazakihama, a quiet beach surrounded by nature on the shores of Lake Biwa? ⛺️✨ On the flat lawn that spreads out in front of the lake, you can set up a tarp and relax, enjoy a picnic, or just spend your free time. It can also be used as a campsite, and on clear days you can enjoy a beautiful sunset with the Hira mountain range in the background...! With the sound of the waves as background music, you can read a book, take a nap, or have a bonfire---forget about your daily life and enjoy a luxurious time just facing the lake 📍Basic information (check the website for the latest information) ✴︎Address: Shimoogawa, Azumigawa-cho, Takashima-shi, Shiga Prefecture ✴︎Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Azumigawa Station ✴︎Fee: Reservations and fees required for camping (day trips also available) ✴︎Opening hours: Available all year round (depending on the weather) Have a relaxing time at Lake Biwa's hidden healing spot...! It's also perfect for your first lakeside camping experience♪ #Domestic travel #Spring 0 yen trip

The Metasequoia Avenue in Makino Town, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, is a spectacular spot with about 500 trees stretching for about 2.4 km, changing its appearance with the seasons! Especially in the seasons of fresh green leaves and autumn leaves, the tree-lined avenue looks like a scene from a movie, and is sure to look great on social media. Near the avenue is Makino Kogen Campground, which is perfect for a camping trip where you can relax in nature. It is full of charm in all seasons, with fresh green leaves in spring, playing in the river in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter! It also has a hot spring, so you can relax and unwind after activities. 📍Basic information (check the website for the latest information) ✴︎Address: Hiruguchi to Makino, Makino-cho, Takashima-shi, Shiga ✴︎Access: 5 minutes by car from JR Makino Station / 25 minutes on foot ✴︎Price: Free to view the Metasequoia Trees / Campsites vary depending on the plan ✴︎Opening hours: Campsites open all year round (reservation required) [Travel Tips] ・The tree-lined road is a road, so please be careful when walking or taking photos! ・Refresh yourself from the outdoors at Sarasa no Yu hot springs in Makino Plateau♪ ・It gets especially crowded during the autumn leaves and snowy seasons, so we recommend visiting early in the morning! A relaxing Metasequoia trip where you can enjoy camping and a scenic drive together. Enjoy a luxurious time surrounded by nature♪

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel 💡 Tips

#DomesticTravelGuide I went to Omi-Maiko! I wanted to see the sunset at Shirahige Shrine⛩️, but unfortunately it was cloudy💦