LAKE BIWA, OTSU and HIKONE PAGE 1/ 5

PG-502 LAKE BIWA, OTSU and HIKONE

Lake Biwa (琵琶湖): The largest lake in Japan, occupies 1/6 of Otsu (大津): The capital of Shiga Pref. with a population of Shiga Pref. Lying 85.6 m above sea level, the lake has a circumfer- 290,600. Otsu was the capital of Japan for 5 years in the 7th C. ence of 235.2 km, an area of 671.7 sq.km and a depth of 103.8 m and later was an important station of the Tokaido road made at its deepest point. There are many attractive tourist spots and famous by the wood-block prints of Hiroshige Ando. It has resort areas in the region surrounding Lake Biwa such as Otsu since prospered having a key position in Japan’s transportation City, Hikone City, Biwako Valley, Mt. Hiei, Mt. Ibuki and Omi networks. Maiko. Hikone (彦根): The largest town of the eastern shores of Lake Biwa with a population of 108,000. It｠is｠a｠castletown with one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. Access: To From Tokyo From Osaka From Kyoto

2 hrs. 15–40 min. by Tokaido Shinkansen “Nozomi” or “Hikari” (every 15–20 min.) to 50 min. by JR Tokaido Line 10 min. by JR Tokaido Line Otsu Kyoto, then 10 min. by JR Tokaido Line (every (every 15 min.) (every 15 min.) 15 min.) “Hikari” is ¥13,140, “Nozomi” is ¥950 ¥190 ¥14,380

2 hrs. 30 min. – 3 hrs. 30 min. by Tokaido Shinkansen some “Hikari” or “Kodama” to 1 hr. 45 min. by JR Tokaido 1 hr. by JR Tokaido Line Hikone Maibara (every 20–30 min.), then 5 min. by JR Line (every 20 min.) (every 20 min.) Tokaido Line (every 15 min.) ¥1,890 ¥1,110 ¥12,060

Otsu←→Hama Otsu ¥100 Bus

Major Places of Interest in Otsu: 4 Biwako Hana Funsui (fountain) (びわこ花噴水): The gate- 1 Onjoji (Miidera Temple) (園城寺三井寺): 10-min. walk way to sightseeing on Lake Biwa, this fountain (having a length of from Miidera Sta. on Keihan Line. It was founded in 686 in mem- 440 m) is one of the longest fountains in the world. At night its ory of Emperor Kobun, elder son of Emperor Tenchi. The shape and color changes regularly as it is controlled by a com- Evening Bell of Miidera Temple is one of the well-known Omi puter. White, orange, and green lights show the spray of the Hakkei (Best Eight Views of Shiga). Open 8:00–16:30 (every day water beautifully. 10-min. walk from JR Otsu Sta. to the shore. year-round). Admission: ¥450. 5 Gichuji Temple (義仲寺): 10-min. walk from Zeze Sta. on JR Tomb of Ernest Francisco Fenollosa (1853–1908): An Tokaido Line. A small temple founded in the 16th C. and dedi- American art critic who contributed very much to preservation cated to Kiso Yoshinaka, a general of the Minamoto clan who and restoration of Japanese traditional art. The tomb is in the was killed in battle near here. The tomb of Matsuo Basho, the cemetery of the Homyoin Temple (法明院) (10-min. walk great haiku poet is in this temple. Basho’s haiku poetry is carved from Miidera Temple and 20-min. walk from Bessho Sta. on the on many of the monuments on the temple grounds. Open: Keihan Line) which is a very quiet temple with a superb view of 9:00–17:00 (9:00–16:00 in Nov.–Feb.). Closed on Mon. Lake Biwa. The garden is open 24 hours a day. Admission: ¥100. Admission: ¥200.

2 Omi Jingu Shrine (近江神宮): 10-min. walk from Omi Jingu- 6 Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine (日吉大社): 10-min. walk from mae Sta. on the Keihan Line.｠Omi Jingu Shrine was established in Sakamoto Sta. on the Keihan Line. Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine 1930 to enshrine Emperor Tenchi. Rokoku-sai, a Water Clock enshrines the deities believed to protect Mt. Hiei. The vermilion- Festival held in honor of the first water clock in Japan, was estab- painted main edifices (National Treasure) which stand out lished by Emperor Tenchi on Jun. 10. Clock Museum (近江神 against the foliage of the grounds, were built in 1586. Sannosai 宮時計博物館), Open 9:00–16:30. Admission: ¥200. Festival is the main event of this shrine in which Mikoshi (portable shrine) fighting is held on Apr. 13 and Mikoshi proces- 3 Nagisa (Lakeside) Park (なぎさ公園): It is located just sion by boat on Apr. 14. Open 9:00–16:30 (every day year- beside Lake Biwa in the center of Otsu. The length of the park is round). Admission: ¥300. about 5 km. 10-min. walk from JR Otsu Sta. PAGE 2/ 5 LAKE BIWA, OTSU and HIKONE

② 近江近江神宮神宮 Omi-Jingu-mae Sta. 近江神宮前駅京 JR Kosei Line Otsu 阪柳柳ヶ崎ヶ崎石ＪＲ湖西線滋賀県ヨッ滋賀県ヨットハーバートハーバー山 Nishiotsu Sta. 坂 N 本 JR 西大津駅

線

2 木下美術館

皇子山駅 1:20,000 4 Ojiyama Sta. 0 500m Homyoin TTempleemple 法明院別所駅 Otsu HistorHistoryy Bessho Sta. Museum 大津市歴史博物館就航記念碑 Biwako Hana Funsui (fountain) Lake Biwa 4 びびわわこ花噴水八景館琵琶湖 Biwako Hana Funsui fountain ① Miidera Sta. Otsu Port 園城寺三井寺三井寺駅 Onjoji(Miidera Temple)Temple) Keihan Hama-Otsu Sta. 浜大津駅 Otsu Shimin Kaikan Hall 三井寺観音堂おもちゃのおもちゃの大津市大津市民会館民会館やかたやかた「遊遊館」遊遊館」 161 1 Biwako Bunkakan Hall Shimanoseki Sta. 琵琶湖文化館島島のの関関駅駅 Nagisa (Lakeside) Park 曳山展示館 3 なぎさなぎさ公園長等公園 Biwako Hall Kamisakae machi Sta. 上栄町駅びわわ湖ホール湖ホール天孫神社長安寺長等創作展示館願海寺 Tenson Jinja Shrine 三橋節子美術館石場駅 3 Ishiba Sta. 蝉丸神社 Shiga Prefectural Office information 5 義仲寺 JR TTokaidookaido Line JR 大大津駅津駅 JR Otsu Sta. Gichuji TTempleemple JRJR東海道本線東海道本線）琵琶湖線 Keihan Zeze Sta. （ 1 京京阪膳所駅阪膳所駅 1 Omi-Ohashi Bridge Nishiki Sta. JR 膳所駅近江大橋ににしきしき駅駅 JR Zeze Sta. 速道路名神高 Number 1 – 4 correspond to those in the Accommodations list on page 3/5. Number 1 – 5 correspond to those on page 1/5 & 2/5.

7 Enryakuji Temple (延暦寺): 10-min. walk from Enryakuji tact Biwako Kisen Boat Co. Tel.(077)524-5000. Sta. of Hieizan-Sakamoto Cablecar Line (11 min. from Sakamoto Sightseeing Boat Sta. of the same line, which is again a 5-min. walk from Sakamoto A few sightseeing boat tours departing from Otsu Port and visit- Sta. of the Keihan Line) or 1 hr. by Keihan Bus and Kyoto Bus ing lakeshore places of interest are available. from JR Kyoto Sta. Located near the summit of Mt. Hiei, Shuttle Boat Enryakuji Temple was founded in 788 by the Buddhist Priest Shuttle boat operates connecting major lakeshore towns. Saicho (Dengyo Daishi, the founder of Tendai Sect, 767–822) according to the order of Emperor Kammu. Kompon-Chudo Major Places of Interest in Hikone: (Central Hall, National Treasure), Kaidan-In (Ordination｠Hall) 9 Hikone Castle (彦根城): 10-min. walk from Hikone Sta. on and the Mausoleum of Dengyo Daishi are the main places to see JR Tokaido Line. Naokatsu Ii began construction of this castle in in the Toto area of the temple. Open 9:00–16:00 (Dec.); 1603 completing it in 1622. Standing upon Konkizan hill and sur- 9:00–16:30 (Jan. & Feb.); 8:30–16:30 (Mar.–Nov.) (every day rounded by forest, Hikone Castle is considered, together with year-round). Admission: ¥550. Treasure House (国宝館), Himeji, to be one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. There is Admission: ¥450. also a splendid view of Lake Biwa from the 3rd story of the donjon of this castle. Incidentally, Naosuke Ii, a descendant｠of 8 Ishiyamadera Temple (石山寺): 5-min. walk from Naokatsu, was an important minister of the Tokugawa Ishiyamadera Sta. on the Keihan Line. This Shingon Sect temple was Government and played an important role in opening Japan at founded in the 8th C. by the priest Roben. The main sights of the the end of the Edo Period. Open 8:30–17:00 (every day year- temple are the Sanmon Gate, the Tahoto Pagoda, the Belfry, the round). Admission: ¥500 including the admission for Genkyuen Hondo (Main Hall) and the adjoining Room of Genji, where Murasaki Garden (玄宮園). Shikibu created the plot of the Tale of Genji, a famous court novel of the Heian Period. Open 8:00–16:30. Admission: ¥400. 10 Yume Kyobashi Castle Road (夢京橋キャッスルロード): From Kyobashi Bridge built across the outer moat of the Castle, Cruise on Lake Biwa the City’s 350 meter long main street stretches southward–this Lake cruise by the Michigan and the Bianca is the area called Yume-kyobashi Castle Road, around which a The Michigan, an American Mississippi River paddle wheel boat project to build the Heisei version of a castletown is underway. running with the cooperation of the Univ. of Michigan. 1 & 1/2 Arts and crafts shops, tea houses, restaurants, and boutiques, as hr. boat trips leave Otsu Port at 10:00, 11:50, 13:40 and 15:30 well as private houses, are refurbished in a unified color of white, every day from Mar. 10 to Nov. 30. 3 boat services are available black, brown, and gray, together creating the atmosphere of everyday from Jan. 1 to 15. (¥2,640–¥5,090). Also available are merchants’ houses of the Edo Period. Visitors are entertained by Michigan Show Boat in the evenings and the 4–hour boat trip by unique presentations at each shop as they walk along the road, the Bianca on weekends. For information and reservations, con- and are reminded of past times. With the old merchant town LAKE BIWA, OTSU and HIKONE PAGE 3/ 5 beautifully arranged in a modern style, Yume kyobashi Castle 12 Ryotanji Temple (龍潭寺): 20-min. walk from Hikone Sta. Road has become another tourist favorite of Hikone City. on JR Tokaido Line. Ryotanji Temple is a Rinsai Sect Zen Temple founded in 1617 by Naotaka Ii. This temple contains a dry land- 11 Hikone Castle Museum (彦根城博物館): Located by the scape garden of white sand and 48 stones. Open 9:00–17:00 main gate of the castle, the museum exhibits treasures from the (–16:00 on Dec.–Feb.) (every day year-round). Admission: ¥400. Ii family collection such as armor, swords, calligraphy, Noh cos- tumes and pottery. This museum also includes an exhibit of the 13 Chikubushima Island (竹生島): Circumference 2 km and Hikone Byobu (folding screens) which were painted by a mem- area 0.1 km2. Tsukubusuma Shrine and Hogonji Temple are the ber of the Kano school. Open daily except Dec. 25–31, main attractions of this island. Hogonji Temple features the 9:00–17:00. Admission: ¥500. Chikubushima Kannon and is famous as the 30th temple of the Kannon Temple Pilgrimage. A boat from Hikone Port, which

LakeLake BiwaBiwa 1:25,000 0 500 m 琵琶湖彦根簡易保険保養センター Hikone Hikone PorPortt Kasuga Shrine 彦根港春日神社 JR TTokaidookaido Line Ohora Benziten Temple ＪＲ東海道本線大洞弁財天（琵琶湖線琵琶湖線）） 12 Ryotanji Temple 龍潭寺 Seiryoji Temple 清凉寺 Chorin Shrine 長林稲荷

Mt. Sawayama 佐和山 Rakurakuen Garden Sawayam Castle Site 佐和山城跡楽々園 Genkyuen Garden 9 Omi Plaza Hotel Hakkei-THakkei-Teiei 玄宮園近江ププラザホテルラザホテル Atagoyama-Senrinji TTempleemple 八景亭愛宕山仙林寺 Hikone Castle Hikone Station Hotel 彦根城 ⑨ ひひこねステーショこねステーションンホテルホテル Hikone Castle Museum Umoregi-No-YUmoregi-No-Yaa 彦根城博物館 11 埋木舎近江鉄道本線 Antique Market Gokoku Shrine Omi Tetsudo Railway 骨重市護国神社 The 3rd Sunday Hikone TouristTourist of the month & Association Office Chojunji TempleTemple the day before 長純寺 JR Hikone Sta. Jyokamachi YYume-Akari-kanume-Akari-kan JRJR彦根駅彦根駅 Yume Kyobashi Castle Road Hikone Sta. 城下町夢城下町夢あかり館あかり館彦根駅夢京橋キャッスルロード 10 アアルルプラザプラザ平和堂 N Itoju-Kaho Soanji TTempleemple いいとと重菓舗宗安寺？ Haiyu-kan Hikone Ginza 俳遊館彦根銀座

Tenneiji Temple Hikone Biwako Hotel 天寧寺彦根彦根びわこホびわこホテテルル 10 Number 9 – 10 correspond to those in the Accommodations list on page 3/5. Number 9 – 12 correspond to those on page 2/5.

Accommodations: Numbers 1 – 10 correspond to those on the map page 2/5, & 3/5. Room rate Room rate Name of facilities Tel. (¥) Name of facilities Tel. (¥)

Otsu: Hikone: 1 Biwako Hotel (H) (077)524-1511 18,000 8 Hikone Prince Hotel (H) (0749)26-1111 16,500 2 Ikoinomura Biwako Hotel (R) (077)524-1515 10,395 9 Omi Plaza Hotel (H) W (0749)22-2111 10,000 3 Otsu Prince Hotel (H) (077)521-1111 17,000 10 Hikone Biwako Hotel (H) W (0749)24-8000 9,000 4 Otsu Youth Hostel Center (Y) (077)522-8009 4,000 5 View Lodge Biwa (PE) W (077)572-1317 6,800~ 6 Yumotokan (R) W (077)578-1520 10,000~ 7 Ryokan Tsukinoya (R) W (077)537-1058 7,000~

Accommodation rates are due to change by season or days. Please check the correct rates before you visit. Remarks: Standard rates are quoted. H = Hotel Rate for a twin room. R = Ryokan Rate per person including 2 meals, tax and service charge. Y = Youth Hostel Rate per person with 2 meals. PE = People’s Lodge (Kokumin Shukusha) Rate per person including 2 meals, and service charge. W = Welcome Inn member PAGE 4/ 5 LAKE BIWA, OTSU and HIKONE leaves at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 13:30, 14:30 every day from tapestries are pulled around town. The floats are designated as 2nd Sun. of Mar.–Nov. 30, takes 35 min. and costs ¥3,300 for Important Cultural Properties. Don’t miss seeing the unique round trip. A boat for Chikubushima Island also leaves from mechanical marionettes on some of the floats. 5-min. walk from Hama-Otsu, Omi Imazu and Nagahama. Admission to the island: JR Otsu Sta. (Parade takes place from 9:30–17:30 on the second ¥400. day.)

Annual Events: Fireworks at Lake Biwa (びわこ花火大会): One of the largest Otsu Matsuri Festival (大津祭): Every year in Oct., on the two fireworks shows in the Kansai region, held on Aug. 8, starts at days preceding Sports Day (holiday) in Oct., a big festival is held 19:30. The fireworks can be seen best from Hama-Otsu. in the city’s old streets. It began about 350 years ago and is simi- lar to a procession of floats used in the Gion Festival in Kyoto. Hikonejo Matsuri, Hikone Castle Festival (彦根城まつり): On festival eve, many floats are decorated with red lanterns. And Procession of children dressed in the traditional costume of feu- the next day, thirteen floats decorated with gorgeous Gebelin dal lords on Oct. 1–Nov. 5.

TToo TsurugaTsuruga

Lake Biwa 0 10 km N

Omi-Shiotsu

Lake YYogoogo 余呉湖 Legend Kaizu Makino JR Shinkansen Lines Mt. Hakodateyama Osaki JR Lines 箱館山 Other Lines Boats Buses Ropeways or Cablecars 13 Chikubushima Is. Expressways 竹生島 Mt. Ibukiyama Roads Omi-ImazuOmi Imazu 伊吹山 Shrines Temples Beaches Nagahama

Mt. Hira TToo Nagoya 比良岳 Omi- Omi-TOmi-Takashinaakashina Omi-Shirahama Maibara Nagaoka Takeshima Is. Beach 8 近江白浜水泳場多景島 Biwako VValleyalley びわ湖バレイ Hikone Omi-Maiko LakLakee BiwBiwaa 琵琶湖 10 Hira Hikone I.C.IC Shiga Yase Okinoshima Is. Takamiya 沖島 Biwako Tower びわ湖タワー Ayamegahama Beach Taga Shrine Mt. Hiei Miami Beach 多賀大社比叡山マイアミ浜 7 Omi-Hachiman Saimyoji Temple EnryakujiEnyakuji Biwako-Ohashi Bridge JR Shinkansen Hiyoshi Katata 琵琶湖大橋西明寺延暦寺 Taisha Omi Shrine 5 Kongorinji Temple 6 Omi 近江神宮 ② 6 okaido Line Sakamoto Ogoto Ukimi-do Tetsudo Line 金剛輪寺浮御堂 JR TTokaido Line 2 Keihan Hieizansakamoto Dentetsu Line Otsu Y.H. 4 Hyakusaiji Temple Yokaichi IC 百済寺 Onjoji (Miidera Temple) Nishiotsu 1 園城寺三井寺 Kusatsu Eigenji Temple 草津 Yamashina Hama-Otsu Meishin Expressway 永源寺 Minakuchi Yamashina Otsu Kyoto Zeze Seta Ritto IC Higashi IC Kibugawa Kyoto Ishiyama Suzuka Pass KenhanKeihan Seta IC JR Kusatsu Line TToo Ishiyamadera TToo Nagoya Kyoto Minami IC 8 Shigaraki Tsuge etsudo IshiyamaderaIshiyamadera ShigarakiT Kogen Temple 石山寺 7 ToTo Iga Ueno Number 2 , 4 – 8 , 10 correspond to those in the Accommodations 3/5. Number 1 – 2 , 6 – 8 , 13 correspond to those on page 1/5 & 2/5. LAKE BIWA, OTSU and HIKONE PAGE 5/ 5

Welcome Card enables all overseas visitors to specific area to receive benefit of discounted fees at tourist facilities, accommodations, restaurants, TOURIST INFORMATION souvenir shops, and more. information (“i” Tourist Information Offices) Kansai Tourist Passport (For use by) Otsu City Tourist Information Office: All people. Price: ¥700. JR Otsu Station, 1-3, Kasuga-cho, Otsu City, Shiga Pref. (For use in) 8:40 – 17:25; Closed on Dec.29 – Jan.3 Tel. (077)522-3830 Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama, Mie, Tokushima, Fukui prefec- tures Hikone City Tourist Information Office: (Available at) JR Hikone Station, 40-7, Nanko, Furusawa-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Pref. Tourist Information in JR Kyoto Station, or near JR Sannomiya Station, JR Tel. (0749)22-2954 Shin-Osaka Station 9:00 – 18:00 (Apr. – Nov.); 9:00 – 17:30 (Dec. – Mar.); Closed on Kansai International Airport (Hotel & Ticket Reservation Counter, Central Information Counter on the 2nd floor) Dec.29 – 31

Goodwill Guide Groups like the following offer tourists The Welcome Inns comprise a range of accommo- from overseas free local tours guided in English or other W dations from hotels, business hotels, ryokan, minshuku and pensions to youth hostels. Most of them have guest rooms languages. They are registered with JNTO and display a the charge for which is a modest ¥8,000 or less per night for a single badge. There is no charge for their service as they are volunteers. room . You are only expected to pay for their travel expenses, admissions Reservation for Welcome Inns is available through Inter- to tourist facilities if you are visiting them, and to pay for their national Tourism Center of Japan (ITCJ). meals if you eat with them. ————————————————————————————— Reservation before your departure for Japan Hikone-jo Volunteer Guide Visit ITCJ's website at http://www.itcj.or.jp or JNTO's at http://www.jnto.go.jp. We have a preset guided tour. Hikone Castle → Also your request by mail, fax or e-mail is accepted and processed at ITCJ’s head Genkyuen Garden Hikone Castle Museum office. To make a reservation, simply complete the Reservation Request Form → → available from your nearest JNTO offices and send it to the head office at least Umoreginoya Samurai Residence →Yumekyobashi Castle one week ahead by e-mail or fax, or three weeks ahead of your departure from Road (1.5~3 hours). Apply a week in advance by phone to home by mail. Confirmed flight booking required for application. Especially for Hikone Tourist Information Center (0749-22-2954) or your first night in Japan, we accept the reservation request only when you have a firm booking on a flight arriving in Japan by no later than 7:00 p.m. Hikone Castle Park Office (0749-22-2742). Reservation after your arrival in Japan To take advantage of our service, you must appear in person at any of the Welcome Inn reservation counters located at the Tourist Information Centers (TICs) operated by JNTO (in Tokyo) or ITCJ (at Narita Airport and Kansai Airport). Welcome Inn Reservation Center c/o International Tourism Center of Japan 9th F1., Kanda Urban Bldg., 2-4-2, Kanda Tsukasacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0048 Tel:03-3252-1717 Fax:03-3252-1521

All information contained in this leaflet is based on data as of January 2001. Transportation schedules, fares and accommodation charges are subject to change. Check with organizations concerned for updated information. © 2001 Japan National Tourist Organization. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Printed in Japan