A Castle, Resorts, and Cafes by Lake Biwa! Visit Hikone, Maibara, and Nagahama
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Hikone, Maibara, and Nagahama are cities in Shiga Prefecture offering many sightseeing highlights. These include Hikone Castle, excellent local cuisine, accommodations in kominka (traditional Japanese houses), and the GRANSNOW Okuibuki Ski Resort. Read on to learn about these highlights!
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Tokyo, Japan
The Lake Biwa Area is Brimming with Charm!
Hikone, Maibara, and Nagahama are cities in Shiga Prefecture located to the east of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. These three cities sit on land with a connection to Mitsunari Ishida, a famous military commander during Japan's Warring States Period.
In addition to Hikone Castle, a well-preserved castle that has the potential to become a World Heritage Site, you'll find accommodations in traditional Japanese homes, excellent local cuisine rooted in history, and a popular ski resort. The area boasts a wide variety of highlights!
This article features the top highlights of these three cities located by Lake Biwa.
Hikone: Take a Trip Back to the Edo Period!
Hikone is the main city in Lake Biwa's eastern area. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), it flourished as one of Japan's important transportation routes. Visitors can fully enjoy the area's Edo Period-related historical heritage.
Hikone Castle: A Landmark Aiming for World Heritage Site Status
Presently, only 12 castles in Japan have retained an original tenshu, or main tower (the tallest part of the castle with the watchtower), built before the Edo Period. One of those is Hikone Castle.
This landmark in Hikone has a history of 400 years alongside aspirations to be registered as a World Heritage Site.
During the Edo Period, Hikone Castle was ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate general, Naomasa Ii. The Ii clan protected and supervised the feudal lords in western Japan and ruled over the Hikone Region for about three centuries spanning 14 generations.
Hikone Castle's main tower (tenshu) is open for public viewing. Upon heading to the main tower, you get an all-encompassing view of Lake Biwa and the surrounding area. It soon becomes apparent why a castle was built here during the Edo Period.
The stairs inside the castle are quite steep and challenging, so please exercise caution. We also don't recommend these stairs for those afraid of heights.
Japan's popular local mascot, Hikonyan, makes an appearance at Hikone Castle and the Hikone Castle Museum next door.
If you'd like to meet this cute character, please refer to the Hikonyan Official Site (Japanese) for information on upcoming appearances.
Minakai: A Western-Style Confectionery with a Distinguished History
Picture courtesy of Pixta
Minakai is a western-style confectionery with a 70-year history. It's located on Yumekyobashi Castle Road, which runs beside Hikone Castle.
This shop is extremely popular with visitors and locals.
Minakai's predecessor was a large-scale department store chain.
During the first half of the 20th century, this chain expanded to 18 locations in Korea and northeastern China. Company revenues at the time exceeded those of Mitsukoshi Department Store, one of Japan's leading department stores.
However, all of their property was confiscated at the end of WWI. After many complications, the founder eventually returned to Japan and opened Minakai in 1954. This brings us to the present day.
Olympia (380 yen), Strawberry Tower (440 yen), Yuzu Black Tea and Black Tea (400 yen)
The Olympia cake is especially famous at Minakai. This roll cake has a distinct aromatic flavor with an interior filled with whipped cream and chunks of yellow peach.
We also recommend other desserts, including cream puffs and strawberry tarts. It's possible to enjoy these sweets in their eat-in area, too!
Maibara: Traditional-Style Accommodations and a Ski Resort!
Maibara, located next to Gifu Prefecture, served as an important transportation hub during the Edo Period. It stood at the junction of the Nakasendo Trail, the main road connecting eastern and western Honshu, and Hokuriku Kaido.
Even today, it's home to Shiga Prefecture's one and only bullet train station.
Maibara has convenient access to Kyoto and Osaka, as well as Nagoya. Visitors can also enjoy traditional-style accommodations (kominka) and ski resorts.
Guesthouse IZAME ANN: Stay in a Traditional Japanese Home
Maibara's Samegai Village was formerly the 61st post town along the Nakasendo Trail during the Edo Period. The charming atmosphere from that era remains today.
Spring water bubbles up (Isame Spring) from a nearby shrine and runs through the town as a small stream. Upon a closer look, you'll see unusual aquatic flowers called baikamo (water crowfoot) blooming on the water's surface.
Guesthouse IZAME ANN sits in a 200-plus-year-old kominka (traditional Japanese home) that was renovated and currently welcomes guests.
The opening was the result of mere happenstance. The establishment's owner, a friend of current manager Arahito Usui, noticed a "for sale" sign on the building (to be torn down in the case of no buyer) when he was passing by one day. A strong desire to preserve this kominka prompted him to purchase it and carry out renovations.
He then invited his friend Arahito, who loves country life, and convinced him to take over the managing duties for the guesthouse.
After Arahito moved to Maibara, he's been busy working on community revitalization projects, all while managing the guesthouse.
This two-story structure has four guest rooms on its second floor. They offer western-style and Japanese-style accommodations, both of which are very comfortable.
The spacious common room on the first floor has a bookshelf filled with various books and publications. You won't find a TV here, which naturally encourages meaningful and enjoyable communication among the many guests who gather here.
Guests can choose to have a meal plan included when making their room reservation.
Manager Arahito, who trained at a traditional kaiseki restaurant, carefully prepares various entrees featuring the local specialty rainbow trout using soy sauce and miso produced in Samegai Village. The fresh, locally caught fish has a delicate taste and are arranged beautifully.
We highly recommend Maibara's Guesthouse IZAME ANN for guests who want to experience the flavors of the Lake Biwa area, just as it was in the olden days.
GRANSNOW Okuibuki: Japan's Most Popular Ski Resort!
Picture courtesy of GRANSNOW Okuibuki
GRANSNOW Okuibuki is a popular winter leisure spot in Maibara. On Japan's famous weather forecast site, Weather News, it is ranked number one on their list of the top ski hills in Japan.
The Mount Ibuki area boasts the world's largest amount of yearly snowfall. Blessed with an abundance of high-quality snow and 30 of the latest snow machines, visitors can enjoy this winter resort with a four-month-long ski season.
The slopes also have 14 different ski runs, offering something for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers. Among these is the Kansai Region's top mogul course, which a former Japanese Winter Olympic skier used for training.
Picture courtesy of GRANSNOW Okuibuki
GRANSNOW Okuibuki is conveniently located within a two-hour drive from Nagoya and Kobe. In addition to traveling by car, you can take a train as far as Maibara, then transfer to a special shuttle bus (reserve a return ticket online for 2,000 yen). You won't have to worry about navigating a snow-covered road.
The ski resort also has 2,500 ski-snowboard rental sets available. Even those who don't own a pair of skis, a snowboard, or ski wear can enjoy a day on the slopes!
Picture courtesy of Green Park Santo
During seasons when there's no snow, visitors can enjoy camping and glamping (glamorous camping) at Green Park Santo. This multi-purpose facility offers stunning views of Mt. Ibuki's majestic scenery.
GLAMP ELEMENT, a glamping facility built in 2017, has various accommodations, including tent-type and camping-type rooms. Dinner is a glamping full-course menu that changes seasonally.
Guests can enjoy Japan's four seasons through various fun activities.
Nagahama: Feel the Romantic Nostalgia of Historical Streetscapes
Nagahama is located on land connected to general Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan under one rule during the 16th century. It's a city offering delicious cuisine and many sightseeing highlights.
Bunpuku Chaya Tea Shop: Share Some Good Fortune Here
One of Nagahama's main sightseeing spots is Kurokabe Square. This lively shopping street, lined with historic buildings, captivates many people who visit annually.
A gourmet spot in Kurokabe Square we'd like to recommend is Bunpuku Chaya Tea Shop, which was established 30 years ago. The owners renovated a former raw silk wholesale company that was in business for over 100 years.
Today, the shop offers tasty meals and desserts.
On this particular visit, our writer ordered the Kohoku Set Meal. The menu changes with every season.
The photo above shows the Yakiniku Donburi, an exclusive summer menu. It features Nagahama-grown rice and Omi beef, one of Japan's three major types of Wagyu beef. A bowl of piping hot udon noodles rounds out this set meal.
Dessert is also included and features the famous Bunpuku mochi, which is a satisfying way to finish off this meal.
Bunpuku mochi, a Nagahama specialty, is known for its exterior which is baked at a high temperature. It has a fragrant aroma and delightful texture. The inside is either filled with sweet azuki bean paste or sesame paste. If you can't decide which one to choose, we recommend sampling both varieties!
Keiunkan: Designated as a National Scenic Spot
Picture courtesy of Pixta
Keiunkan is a five-minute walk from JR Nagahama Station. This historic villa sits across from the former Nagahama Station, which today is Nagahama Railway Square.
It was built in 1877 as a stopover and rest area for the Meiji Emperor and Empress of Japan during their travels. However, the Emperor and Empress visited for roughly 15 minutes due to their hectic schedule. Given the building's magnificence and historical importance, it was designated a National Scenic Spot.
Hirobumi Ito, Japan's prime minister at the time, gave the building its name.
You'll find the Emperor and Empress's lounge on the second floor. At the time of construction, the building offered a panoramic view of Mt. Ibuki and Lake Biwa. The chandeliers and other decorations have been beautifully preserved.
The garden seen through the window was designed by the famous gardener Jihei Ogawa. There are various plants and flowers so visitors can experience Japan's exquisite seasonal beauty.
Picture courtesy of Nagahama City
Keiunkan also hosts the Nagahama Plum Tree Bonsai Exhibition, an annual event held from January to March. This event features about 300 plum trees, ranging from three-meter-tall trees to ones that are 400 years old. There is also a permanent exhibit with about 90 potted trees on display.
It sometimes snows in Nagahama during the event. When this happens, the snow-covered garden and plum blossoms in full bloom are a splendid sight!
For details, please see the Official Site for the Bonsai Exhibition of Ume (Plum) Trees.
How to Access Hikone, Maibara, and Nagahama
Picture courtesy of Pixta
Visitors from the Kansai Region can use the special rapid service along the Biwako Line (JR Tokaido Main Line) to access Hikone, Maibara, and Nagahama.
Visitors from the Nagoya area can board the special rapid service headed for Ogaki, then transfer to a local train heading to Maibara. You can even ride the Kodama or Hikari shinkansen, which has direct access to Maibara Station. Whichever route you choose, the accessibility here is highly convenient.
Three Cities in the Lake Biwa Area Awaiting Your Arrival!
Hikone, Maibara, and Nagahama are attractive travel destinations with convenient access.
If you plan to see Japan's four seasons and the picturesque scenery of mountains and sea, then visiting these three cities in the Lake Biwa area is a perfect choice!
Written by Jacky Chen
Sponsored by Nagahama City, Hikone City, Maibara City
Main image by Pixta
Written by
Tokyo, Japan
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
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