Shiga

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For the Shiga Kogen ski resort, see Joshinetsu Kogen National Park.

Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県 Shiga-ken) is in Kansai region of Japan. See also Biwako Visitors Bureau for tourism information in English.

Shiga Halal Travel Guide

Shiga used to be known as the province of Ōmi (近江). Shiga is adjacent to Kyoto and Nara, so there are many historic spots such as temples, shrines, castles and ninja houses. Also Shiga has the largest lake in Japan and is enclosed by mountain ranges, so you can easily enjoy the wonderful natural views.

Cities and towns

Otsu|Ōtsu — the prefectural capital with many historical sites
Hikone — the site of one of Japan's few original castles
Koka|Kōka — the homeground of Koga ninja clan and Shigaraki ware
Kusatsu (Shiga)|Kusatsu — traffic and commercial city
Maibara — major train junction and Mt. Ibuki and the highest mountain in Shiga
Nagahama — the city of old-fashioned monuments such as the oldest preserved railroad station in Japan
Omihachiman|Ōmihachiman — the hometown of old merchant culture, rural boating, and western buildings by Vories
Ryuo|Ryūō — an Ōmi beef-producing neighborhood near Omihachiman
Takashima — a scenic rural city in northwestern Shiga

More Destinations

Enryakuji Tenhorindo02n4272 - Tenhorindo in the Enryakuji Temple complex

Lake Biwa — Japan's largest lake
Mount Hiei — an ancient temple complex guarding Kyoto
Taga
Ritto
Yasu
Moriyama
Konan
Kora
Aisho
Higashiomi
Toyosato
Hino

Travel to Shiga

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Shiga

The Tokaido Shinkansen line stops at Maibara on its way from Kyoto to Nagoya. Otsu and the southern Lake Biwa area are easily accessed on local trains from Kyoto.
The Special Rapid Service (新快速 Shinkaisoku) trains of JR Tokaido line and Hokuriku line (Its nicknames are "JR Kyoto Line" and "Biwako Line". Connects Osaka, Kyoto, Kusatsu, Maibara, Omi-Shiotsu and Tsuruga) and Kosei Line (Connects Osaka, Kyoto, Katata, Omi-Maiko, Omi-Shiotsu and Tsuruga) is useful for travel between Osaka, Kyoto and Shiga. Special Rapid Service trains runs once every half-hour or so.
In Tokaido Line and Hokuriku Line, Special Rapid Service trains stops at Kyoto, Yamashina, Otsu, Ishiyama, Minami-Kusatsu, Kusatsu, Moriyama, Yasu, Omihachiman, Notogawa, Hikone, Maibara, Sakata, Tamura, Nagahama, Torahime, Kawake, Takatsuki, Kinomoto, Yogo, Omi-Shiotsu, Shin-Hikida and Tsuruga.
In Kosei Line, Special Rapid Service trains stop at Kyoto, Yamashina, Otsukyo, Hieizan-Sakamoto, Katata, Omi-Maiko, Kitakomatsu, Omi-Takashima, Adogawa, Shin-Asahi, Omi-Imazu, Omi-Nakasho, Makino, Nagahara, Omi-Shiotsu, Shin-Hikida and Tsuruga.
The Keihan Keishin Line connects Yamashina in eastern Kyoto City to central Otsu. It joins the Kyoto subway Tozai Line beyond Yamashina.

How to get around in Shiga

What to see in Shiga

Hachimanbori07s3200 - Omihachiman's Historic District

Explore Hikone Castle and the surrounding castle town (Hikone)
Marvel at the architecture of the secluded Miho Museum (Koka)
Visit Ishiyama-dera to see where the world's first novel and the Tale of Genji, was written (Otsu)
Ascend Mount Hiei to roam the grounds of Enryakuji Temple and the prefecture's sole World Heritage Site (Otsu)
at the Lake Biwa Museum (Kusatsu (Shiga)|Kusatsu)
Catch a glimpse of old Japan by strolling through Omihachiman's historic neighborhood (Omihachiman)
Visit the only true ninja house left in the nation (Koka)
Enjoy the atmosphere of the Koto Sanzan Temples (Higashiomi, Aisho, Kora)
Relive history by exploring one of the famous Sengoku Period castles, such as Nagahama Castle (Nagahama), Azuchi Castle Ruins (Omihachiman), and Odani Castle Ruins (Nagahama).

Best things to do in Shiga

Halal Restaurants in Shiga

It may not have the name recognition of Kobe beef, but Omi beef is very famous among Japanese gourmets, and every local town will have an (expensive) speciality restaurant. If you want to try it at a reasonable price, you can buy Omi beef ekiben (box lunches sold at a station) at JR Maibara station.

Funazushi (鮒寿司) is a famous local sushi. Made from anaerobically fermented funa (鮒), a local freshwater carp and the recipe dates back thousands of years and is in fact the original form of sushi. It's famously stinky and an acquired taste even among the (Japanese).