Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan. It is a freshwater lake that was initially formed about 4 million years ago, and is one of the oldest of the 20 Ancient Lakes of the World. Lake Biwa acts as a precious water source for the Kinki region, and there are many places where you can swim or enjoy activities like SAP yoga or wakeboarding, just like you could at the ocean. Chikubushima Island, located in the northern part of the lake, is also home to Hogonji Temple, where the main hall is one of the three great Japanese shrines dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten (along with those at Miyajima and Enoshima), who is known as the goddess of everything that flows, including water, speech, music, and learning. The island can be easily accessed by ferry from Hikone.
-30-minute walk or 5-minute drive from Hikone Dharmakur to the shore of Lake Biwa.

Nagahama is blessed with rich natural scenery thanks to its location next to Lake Biwa, where various waterfowl can be seen throughout the year, but especially in winter. Surrounded by mountains, visitors can also enjoy learning about the history of the Warring States Period at Nagahama Castle Historical Museum and Shizugatake Battlefield.
The city center also retains a traditional and pretty townscape that is steeped in the history and culture of the northern area of Lake Biwa.
-20 minutes by car from Hikone Dharmakur
Or -25 minutes by train from JR Hikone Station to JR Nagahama Station

Rising some 1,377 meters above sea level, Mount Ibuki is the highest peak in Shiga Prefecture, and has been selected as one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, making it popular among climbers and hikers all year round.
From the summit, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views stretching out over Lake Biwa, the Japan Alps, and even as far as Ise Bay on a clear day. It is also home to an alpine flower field near the summit, and the surrounding area is a treasure trove of wild birds and insects.
-40 minutes by car from Hikone Dharmakur to the trailhead of Mt. Ibuki
-3 hours climb from Mt. Ibuki trailhead to the summit

Kyoto features numerous UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites dotted around the city, making it one of Japan's leading tourist destinations. Popular attractions include the Arashiyama and Gion districts, Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The city served as the ancient capital of Japan (from 794 to 1868) and thanks to its blend of traditional culture and modern infrastructure it continues to attract visitors from all over the world. Kyoto also makes a good base for sightseeing in the surrounding areas. Hikone Dharmakur, located in neighboring Shiga Prefecture, can be reached in less than an hour from Kyoto.
-50 minutes by JR Line Trains from Hikone Dharmakur

Omihachiman is located almost right in the center of Shiga Prefecture, and is an ancient merchant town. Visitors can enjoy a scenic glimpse into the past with a stroll along Shinmachi Street with its array of former merchant townhouses, or visit the Kusatsu-juku Honjin, where feudal lords would stay during their long journeys in the Edo period. The ruins of Azuchi Castle, built by the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga, are also located here. The picturesque townscape with its traditional wooden buildings attracts plenty of culture and history buffs, as well as walkers.
-35 minutes by car from Hikone Dharmakur

Located in Omihachiman and opened in 2015, La Collina is the flagship store of Taneya, and includes their Japanese and Western confectionary shops, Taneya Club and Club Harie. The building has an eye-catching exterior, featuring a roof covered with grass that blends seamlessly into the scenic mountainscape behind. La Collina has sections selling both Japanese and Western confectioneries, a baumkuchen specialty store, a castella cake shop, and more.
-35 minutes by car from Hikone Dharmakur
Or -40 minutes by train and bus: JR Line Train from Hikone Station to Omihachiman Station (15 mins) ⇒ Bus to Kitanosho La Collina Mae Bus Stop (10 mins)

Rows of traditional merchant houses with white washed walls and wooden fences are located in the Gokasho Kondo area of town, which has been designated as an Important Preservation District for a Group of Traditional Buildings. The area has strong historical links to the Omi merchants who lived in the area, and features canals crisscrossing the streets in which carp swim gracefully. The district has been designated as a Japan Heritage site since 2015.
-35 minutes by car from Hikone Dharmakur
Or -45 min. by train and bus: Hikone Station to Notogawa Station (15 mins) - Omi Tetsudo Bus to Kondo bus stop (10 mins) – then 10 mins on foot from there.

Affectionally known as "Otaga-san", this is the largest shrine in Shiga Prefecture and welcomes approximately 1.7 million worshippers annually. It is famous for its weeping cherry blossoms in spring and crimson autumn leaves in fall, and is worshipped as the deity of longevity, match-making, and protection from bad luck. From the Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the Edo period (1603-1868), many famous samurai families came to worship at the shrine as well as the general public, and it is the head shrine of the currently 239 Taga branch shrines located throughout Japan. When the cicadas sing in summer, the shrine offers a cool and refined sanctuary from the heat, whilst in the depth of winter the shrine’s pavilions offer a warm and inviting respite from the cold and snow.
-15 minutes drive from Hikone Dharmakur

The Sagawa Art Museum overlooks Lake Biwa and is surrounded by beautiful nature. The museum opened in 1998 and is located in Moriyama, in the ancient district of Omi. The museum’s collection focuses primarily on works by three modern Japanese artists: the painter Ikuo Hirayama, the sculptor Sato Churyo, and the ceramic artist Raku Kichizaemon XV Jikinyu. The museum is located in a scenic area with Mt. Hiei and the Hira Mountain Range in the distance and Lake Biwa to the front. The architectural beauty of the museum has been highly praised for its harmony with nature, and has won numerous awards.
-50 minutes by car from Hikone Dharmakur
Or -90 minutes by train and bus: Take the JR Line Train from Hikone Station to Moriyama Station. Then take the Omi Tetsudo Bus and get off at ‘Sagawa Bijutsukan’ Bus Stop.

Many sake breweries in Shiga Prefecture are to be found dotted around Lake Biwa, as well as in the cities of Otsu and Kusatsu, and also in Koka, a renowned ninja village. Thanks to Shiga's long history of rice cultivation, many sake breweries employ this knowledge to produce local rice for sake brewing, which gives each sake its own distinctive and rich taste. Water is also important for sake brewing quality, and most of Shiga's local sake is brewed using groundwater from the nearby mountains.

Shigaraki ware is a type of stoneware pottery produced around the town of Shigaraki in Shiga prefecture. It is one of the six ancient and most noteworthy ceramic kilns in Japan, and is said to have been started in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Famous for its raccoon dog figurines, it also produced day-to-day items such as jars, pots, and mortars.
The local sandy clay is sticky, making it excellent for producing large ceramics that are also durable. In addition, there is a long association with the world of tea ceremony, as the focus shifted to the artistic beauty created by clay and fire, which cannot be replicated by human hands, hence leading to appreciation of the beauty of each individual piece.