[Come to Nagahama!] How to get to Nagahama from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya

• Table of Contents
• After Kyoto, head to Nagahama! What's Nagahama like?
• From Kyoto to Nagahama
• From Osaka to Nagahama
• From Tokyo to Nagahama
• From Nagoya to Nagahama
• Bonus (crossing Lake Biwa from west to east by ferry)

After Kyoto, head to Nagahama! What's Nagahama like?

The castle town will celebrate its 450th anniversary in 2024.

It has also developed as a merchant town due to its convenient location, including the shipping route on Lake Biwa and routes between Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kanazawa.

Even today, the old streetscape remains beautifully, and it is a wonderful town where you can easily enjoy Lake Biwa and sightseeing, just a short walk from the station.

We recommend the hotel "Wano Retreat Hitoiki," a renovated machiya townhouse hotel with over 200 years of history located in the center of the city. In 2025, a new, exquisite building based on the concept of "Taisho Machiya × Sauna × Art" will open! The entire building can be rented out for private use.

Machiya-hotel Hitoiki

17-2 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture 526-0059

[2025 - Taisho-era Machiya × Sauna × Art - A New, Exquisite Building for Private Rentals Opens] This seven-room renovated machiya hotel offers a "high-quality stay like living at home." The charm of this Edo and Taisho-era machiya, with its history spanning over 100 to 200 years, has been comfortably renovated for modern stays. All rooms feature a bathroom, kitchen/dining room, flush toilet, and bedroom. Air conditioning, air purifier, refrigerator, microwave oven, hair dryer, and amenities are also provided, making it ideal for long-term stays. In addition, two private saunas (reservations required on the day) are available, allowing you to enjoy the aromas of Shiga's unique medicinal herbs and tea leaves. ■ Guest Rooms and Building Configuration [Omotesando Building (Edo Machiya)] A tranquil stay building renovated from an Edo-era machiya. This core building offers a machiya stay and a private sauna. -Kura Building (2 rooms, can be rented out as a whole building) This building combines machiya guest rooms with a sauna building utilizing the storehouse. Ideal for families and groups looking to rent the entire building. - Tea Building (2 rooms, can be rented out entirely) A tranquil setting themed around tea culture. Like the Storehouse Building, it can be rented exclusively. [Jusanban-gai Building (Taisho Machiya)] A decentralized accommodation building renovated from a Taisho-era machiya townhouse. Located close to town, it's convenient for multiple building use and long-term stays. In addition to amenities such as exhibitions of works by young artists and a fully-reserved sauna, this is the first accommodation designed for the local area by renowned Nagahama-born architect Mabuchi. - Jusanban-gai Building A (Taisho Machiya/Entire building reserved for exclusive use, 170 sq. m) A spacious building reserved exclusively. Accommodates large groups. - Jusanban-gai Building B (Taisho Machiya/Entire building reserved for exclusive use, 169 sq. m) Similar in size to Building A, this building can also be rented exclusively. Recommended for multiple households and groups. Located within walking distance of the JR station, it's also close to supermarkets, 24-hour convenience stores, restaurants, and tourist attractions. It's easy to plan your trip even without a rental car, and the location is ideal for domestic and international solo travelers, families, and group trips. It's also close to Lake Biwa, where fireflies fly along the river and the beautiful sunsets are a sight to behold, making it easy to combine sightseeing with a quiet rest. Art pieces are scattered throughout the building, and one of the pleasures of staying here is savoring the space itself. As it's a historic building, there are limitations to soundproofing and barrier-free access, but it's an inn that suits those who want to spend a quiet time taking in the atmosphere of town.

From Kyoto to Nagahama

From Kyoto you can get there by Shinkansen, train or car.

[Route] Kyoto Station → Maibara Station → Nagahama Station

*There is a transfer at Maibara Station

[Price] From 1,340 yen

[Time required] Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes

Traveling by train or car while enjoying the view of Lake Biwa is a lot of fun.

From Osaka to Nagahama

From Osaka you can get there by Shinkansen, train or car.

[Route] Osaka Station → Shin-Osaka Station (if taking the Shinkansen) → Maibara Station → Nagahama Station

*There is a transfer at Maibara Station

[Price] From 1,980 yen

[Time required] Approximately 1 to 2 hours

From Tokyo to Nagahama

We recommend taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo, but we also recommend visiting via Mt. Fuji (Shizuoka), Shirakawa-go (Gifu), or Nagoya.

[Route] Tokyo Station → Maibara Station → Nagahama Station

*There is a transfer at Maibara Station

[Price] From 11,660 yen

[Time required] Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours

Another popular route is one that passes through the Hokuriku region, including Kanazawa, and heads towards Kansai, including Osaka and Kyoto!

From Nagoya to Nagahama

There is good train access from Nagoya, but the area has many easy-to-drive roads, so we also recommend visiting by car.

[Route] Nagoya Station → Maibara Station → Nagahama Station

*There is a transfer at Maibara Station

[Price] From 1,520 yen

[Time required] Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes

Bonus (crossing Lake Biwa from west to east by ferry)

Shiga Prefecture, where Nagahama is located, is home to Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa.

Actually, you can board a ferry on Lake Biwa.

You can take a ferry from Imazu Port on the west side to Nagahama Port on the east side.

* Via the power spot "Takeshima", it takes just over an hour one way

Click here for Lake Biwa ferry information

What did you think?

Nagahama City in Shiga Prefecture has good access to various areas, including Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kanazawa.

Rich in nature and culture, it is a recommended city for those who want to enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace!

In the spring you can enjoy the cherry blossoms and float festivals, in the summer you can play around Lake Biwa, in the fall you can see the autumn leaves at Keisokuji Temple, and in the winter you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Grand Snow Oku-Ibuki, one of the largest snow resorts in the Kansai region.

Please come and visit us!