year-round

Kohoku Wild Birds Center

OVERVIEW Bird Watching Sanctuary on the Great Lake Biwa A bird-watching facility overlooking the adjacent Lake Biwa Waterfowl & Wetlands Park, serving as a haven for diverse wild bird species throughout the year. Visitors can observe these birds up close using field scopes and gain valuable insights into their habitats from experts at the center. […]

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Odani Castle Sengoku Historical Museum

OVERVIEW Exploring the Azai Clan: Insight into the Sengoku Period The museum is dedicated to chronicling the history of the Azai Clan, a prominent daimyo family that held control of the northern expanse of Shiga Prefecture during the turbulent Sengoku period (16th century), centered around Odani Castle, their main stronghold. In its first exhibit hall,

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Omi kohoan Zen Temple

OVERVIEW A Zen Oasis in Nature’s Serenity and Tranquility Hidden away in the serene countryside of Nagahama, Omi Kohoan Temple, a Rinzai school Zen temple, invites visitors to embrace moments of tranquility within its traditional Zen garden, seamlessly blending with the peaceful natural landscape. Established during the early Edo period, Omi Kohoan Temple was founded

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Azai Folklore Museum

OVERVIEW A Unique Museum Exploring Sengoku History and Local Culture Located within the Azai Culture and Sports Park, this unique museum comprises four facilities: the Local Learning Hall, Itohime’s Hall, the Blacksmith Workshop Hall, and the Nanarin Hall, showcasing a variety of exhibits in each facility. The Local Learning Hall features materials related to the

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Lake Yogo

OVERVIEW Enchanting Lake: A Tapestry of Legends and Tranquil Scenery This enigmatic lake, steeped in ancient legends, stretches across an approximate 6.4-kilometer shoreline circumference. The scenic allure of the lake is ever changing with the annual seasons, attracting nature lovers, cyclists and hikers. Along the Yogo riverbank, the vivid fusion of rapeseed flowers and cherry

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Tonda Bunraku Puppetry Hall

OVERVIEW Preserving Centuries of Bunraku Puppetry Tradition The Tonda Ningyō, a local puppetry troupe, represents the traditional bunraku or ningyo joruri performance, a classic form of Japanese puppet theater originating in the 17th century. The hall stands as a unique cultural gem nestled within Nagahama City’s Tonda area, where it houses centuries of history. Its

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Lakeshore Village of Sugaura

OVERVIEW ”Hidden Village” – a Trip to Medieval Japan **IMPORTANT NOTE** This area is a residential community. Please be considerate by keeping voices down, staying off private property, and not littering. If you’re interested in exploring, consider joining a guided tour. The northern edge of Lake Biwa, often referred to as okubiwako, or “Deep Lake

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Daitsu-ji Temple

OVERVIEW Exploring Nagahama’s Momoyama Cultural Legacy North of Kurokabe Square lies Daitsu-ji Temple, a satellite temple affiliated with Kyoto’s Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, which serves as the headquarters of the Jodo Shinshu (Otani School of True Pure Land Sect). Fondly known as “Nagahama Gobosan,” this temple has held a cherished place within Nagahama’s local community for

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Manyo Blacksmith Hut of Kajiya Village

OVERVIEW A Journey Through Japan’s Blacksmithing Legacy of the Sengoku Era **IMPORTANT NOTE** This area is a residential community. Please be considerate by keeping voices down, staying off private property, and not littering. Tucked in a tranquil valley of the Kusano River, Kajiyacho stands as a village with a deep-rooted blacksmithing heritage that dates back

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Rosa & Berry Tawada

OVERVIEW A Family-Oriented Farm and Garden Experience in Maibara A nature-themed farm and garden amusement park located in Maibara offers a sensory experience focused on healing through nature. Surrounded by natural beauty, visitors can indulge in various seasonal recreation activities like BBQ, pizza-making, sheep wool crafting, harvesting, planting, and feeding sheep. The English garden remains

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Hokoku Shrine

OVERVIEW Shrine Honoring Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi A Shinto shrine dedicated to Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the daimyo of Nagahama Castle. Built in 1600, three years after Hideyoshi’s death, it stands as a tribute from the people of Nagahama in his honor. Alongside Lord Hideyoshi, Ebisu, the deity of prosperity, is also enshrined here. The shrine comes

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Samegai Nakasendo Post Town

OVERVIEW Clear Spring Waters Beside a Historic Gem of the Nakasendo **IMPORTANT NOTE** This area is a residential community. Please be considerate by keeping voices down, staying off private property, and not littering. Located alongside the gently flowing waters of the Jizo River, Samegai once served as the 61st post town along the renowned Nakasendo

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