Plan your Trip
Nagahama Overview
General Information
Population:
As of 2020, the population stands at approximately 113,636.
Area:
The total area is 68,102 hectares, with 37,276 hectares covered by forests, making up about half of the city’s area.
Access
Getting to nagahama:
Located about 60 kilometers from Kyoto and Nagoya, Nagahama is accessible via the JR Hokuriku Main Line and the Lake Biwa Line, which are major regional transportation axes. From Maibara’s Shinkansen station, it’s a 10-minute ride to Nagahama’s city center on the JR Hokuriku Line. The Hokuriku Expressway also offers convenient access for broader regional travel.
Transport within Nagahama:
For travel within the city, especially from the city center to the north, the JR Hokuriku Line is available. In areas without train services, taxis or limited bus routes provide convenient alternatives. Also, consider rental bicycle service available at each JR station or your accommodation.
Climate
Generally characterized by a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, Nagahama, being at the northernmost tip of Shiga Prefecture, is also affected by the Sea of Japan.
The unique geography also brings occasional heavy snowfall in winter, more akin to the snowscapes of Fukui and Ishikawa, our neighbors to the north, than to our southern Kyoto neighbor which has a more typical subtropical climate.
We typically have a month-long pre-summer rainy season in June, followed by hot and humid summers, similar to most of central Japan. Typhoon season is typically from mid-summer to early autumn, yet the area is less prone to severe typhoons than southern Japan.
Payment Methods
For tourists, it’s useful to know that while major credit cards and cashless payment methods are widely accepted, there are still establishments, particularly older shops, where only cash transactions are possible.
Useful Visitor Services
From bicycle rentals to full English guided tours, learn more about all the various services provided to help you enjoy your Nagahama visit!