After Kyoto, Nagahama is definitely the place to go! ~Why not take a leisurely tour of the spectacular views of Lake Biwa and the cityscape?~
Nagahama City is easily accessible from Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Shirakawa-go, and Hida Takayama. Why not relax and enjoy the beautiful sunsets over Lake Biwa and the traditional townscape of the city? \The 2025-2026 ski and snowboard season has also started! Until April 13th!/
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Hitiki LLC is a company that produces regional products in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, a town close to Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, and Kanazawa. in particular 1. Operation of “Wano Retreat Hitiki”, a decentralized townhouse hotel renovated from a traditional old Japanese-style house 2. Operation of “Konarel”, a facility that delivers fermentation and local resources, including “narezushi”, which is the origin of sushi 3. Learning from the past, a business that produces Nagahama's unique resources are doing
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What kind of place is Nagahama City?
Located in the northeastern part of Shiga Prefecture, next to Kyoto, this town was once a trading center that utilized Lake Biwa, and is still famous for its Hamachirimen silk fabric. Recommended sightseeing spots include...
1. Easy access: It takes just one hour from Kyoto by special rapid train without changing trains, and about an hour and a half from Osaka and Nagoya! (It's even faster if you take the Shinkansen!) What's more, tourist spots, Lake Biwa, and large supermarkets are all within walking distance of the station.
② There are also buildings that are over 200 years old! The streets have one of the most historic areas in Japan, with many buildings that exude a sense of history, such as Daitsuji Temple with its impressive large temple gate, Keiunkan, where events such as the Bonsai Plum Blossom Exhibition are held, Tsubasarou, where you can eat the local gourmet dish of grilled mackerel somen noodles, and Wano Retreat Hitoiki, a hotel renovated from a 200-year-old townhouse.
Yokaro Machiya-hotel Hitoiki
7-8 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture 526-0059
This is a restaurant that has been renovated from a historic kimono shop, where you can enjoy ``saba somen,'' which has been eaten on celebratory days in Nagahama since ancient times.
A wonderful place with a retro building that will make you feel like you have traveled back in time.
The grilled mackerel and somen noodles are both delicious.
If you're lost for lunch, come here.
17-2 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture 526-0059
[2025 - Taisho Machiya × Sauna × Art - A new, superb, private building that can be rented out is open!]
A renovated townhouse hotel with 7 rooms that offers a high-quality trip where you can stay like you live.
A traditional townhouse with a history of over 100 to 200 years has been comfortably renovated.
All rooms are equipped with a bathroom, dining room with kitchen, flush toilet, and bedroom.
Of course, air conditioners, air purifiers, refrigerators, oven ranges, hair dryers, and amenities are also available.
You can also use two types of private saunas (reservations required on the day) where you can relax in the aroma of medicinal herbs and tea leaves unique to Shiga.
It is within walking distance of the station, and there are supermarkets, 24-hour convenience stores, tourist attractions, the river where fireflies fly, and Lake Biwa with its beautiful sunsets.
You can also rent out the entire building (2 separate rooms) or two buildings (4 separate rooms) for a comfortable stay for families, two households, or group trips.
Hotels near Machiya-hotel Hitoiki
Daitsuji Temple
32-9 Motohamacho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture 526-0059
A separate temple of the Otani sect of Shinshu Buddhism. Although it is officially called Mugechizan Daitsuji Temple, it is commonly called "Nagahama Gobo". Kyonyo Shonin, the 12th head of Hongwanji, opened a dojo in the former Nagahama Castle to preach Buddhism to the followers of Kohoku, and it was called Nagahama Mido. Many of the buildings, such as the main hall and hall, which are said to be the remains of Fushimi-Momoyama Castle, and the side gate (Yakuimon), which was relocated from Nagahama Castle, are important cultural properties of the country or the city. As a cultural property designated by the prefecture, there is a temple bell with an inscription from the period of the Northern and Southern Courts.
Adults 500 yen, junior high school students 100 yen, elementary school students and younger free *Group discount for 20 or more people
*Quoted from https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/575/ August 26, 2023
Hotels near Daitsuji Temple
Kurokabe Square
12-38 Motohamacho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture 526-0059
Kurokabe Square is a general term for an old streetscape stretching along the Hokkoku Kaido road. The Kurokabe Glass Museum, a renovated old bank affectionately known as the Kurokabe Bank since the Meiji era, is the centerpiece, and the old streetscape is dotted with charming shops, including glass shops, workshops, galleries, experience classes, restaurants, and cafes. Also, if you venture a little outside the city center, you will find a lush natural landscape surrounded by Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, and the mountains. Nagahama Kurokabe Square is a place where you can enjoy the traditions, new art, and abundant nature all in the old streetscape.
Hotels near Kurokabe Square
3) It's not just shops! The blessings of nature that can be felt close by → Don't forget Lake Biwa, and in the Yonekawa River that flows through the city, you can see small fish and fireflies.
In the summer, you can enjoy splashing around in the water, and just looking at it will cleanse your soul. If you have a car, we recommend the Ibukiyama Driveway or Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki, one of the best ski resorts in the Kansai region! *There is also a shuttle bus to Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki. Please check the official website for details. Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki will also be open from 2025 to 2026! You can enjoy one of the largest ski and snowboard theme parks in the Kansai region until April 13th.
Houkouen park (Lake Biwa)
1325 Koencho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture 526-0065
A large park on the shore of Lake Biwa, 2 minutes walk from JR Nagahama Station.
Above all, I recommend "Sunset". The ever-changing colors of the sky, from purple to orange to red to ultramarine, and the changing surface of the lake are truly spectacular.
A wonderful spot that you can easily see if the weather is nice.
It is also famous for its cherry blossoms in spring and the large number of stray cats throughout the year (feeding is prohibited).
Fireworks are also set off in the summer, and the starmine reflected on the surface of the lake is a specialty of Lake Biwa.
Please note that camping and BBQ are prohibited. This is a recommended spot for couples and families, from walks to a little exercise.
Hotels near Houkouen park (Lake Biwa)
Gran Snow Okuibuki - One of the largest ski resorts in Kansai! ~
521-0301 Kotsuhara Okuibuki, Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture
Gran Snow Okuibuki (formerly known as Okuibuki Ski Resort) is one of the largest ski resorts in Kansai that can be enjoyed on a day trip from Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya. Just 100 minutes from Osaka, 80 minutes from Kyoto, and 60 minutes from Nagoya, it has easy access to both the Keihanshin and Chukyo areas, making it perfect for day-trip skiers and snowboarders! From the parking lot, you can move around on a moving walkway, and you can enjoy powder snow all over the slopes thanks to both the amount of snow and the quality of the snow. In recent years, Center House has opened and is equipped with not only a food court but also a powder room and a kids' house. This is a ski resort in Shiga that can be visited by a wide range of visitors, from families and women to beginners and advanced skiers.
~ Spectacular spot for autumn leaves ~ Keisokuji Temple
Furuhashi, Kinomotocho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture 529-0411
Keisokuji Temple is located in a quiet farming village about 30 minutes by car from the city center of Nagahama City.
A car is required for access. A 5-10 minute walk along a gentle mountain path from the parking lot will take you to a spot with a spectacular view of autumn leaves.
The best time to see them is during the fresh green season and the fall foliage season.
An arch of autumn leaves continues to cover the approach.
During the fall foliage season, there will be traffic control and there will be many people coming to take photos, so be careful.
Hotels near ~ Spectacular spot for autumn leaves ~ Keisokuji Temple
Nagahama City is full of other attractions. After Kyoto, Nagahama is definitely the place to go!
Hitiki LLC is a company that produces regional products in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, a town close to Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, and Kanazawa. in particular 1. Operation of “Wano Retreat Hitiki”, a decentralized townhouse hotel renovated from a traditional old Japanese-style house 2. Operation of “Konarel”, a facility that delivers fermentation and local resources, including “narezushi”, which is the origin of sushi 3. Learning from the past, a business that produces Nagahama's unique resources are doing
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