Things to do

Kinji-do Confectionary

Traditional dried candies are known across Japan as “rakugan,” but these originate from “Katata[...]

Sakamoto Cable

Opened in 1927, this cable car is the longest in Japan with a length of 2,025 meters, connectin[...]

Hieizan-Okuhiei Driveway

The Okuhiei and Heizan Driveways feature beautiful scenery up to the main hall of the Enryaku-j[...]

Kozoku no Sato Museum

Katata controlled all of Lake Biwa’s water transport and fisheries during the Middle Ages, and [...]

Ukimido (Mangetsu-ji Temple)

During the Heian Period, Genshin (Eshin Sozu) built a temple on top of Lake Biwa for the safety[...]

Saikyo-ji Temple

Saikyo-ji Temple was built by Prince Shotoku and restored by Master Shinsei. It is also the hea[...]

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the main shrine of the Sanno Festival and has more than 3,800 branch s[...]

Former Chikurin-in Temple

This temple was once used as a place for priests to stay, but it is under the ownership of the [...]

Hiyoshi Toshogu Shrine

This temple was built by the Buddhist priest Tenkai after the death of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu i[...]

Shiga-in Monseki Temple

It is said that this temple is the relocated Hosho-ji Temple, which was moved from Kitahaku-gaw[...]

Naminooto Sake Brewery

Naminooto (meaning “sound of waves”), a famous sake brand brewed by the three Nakai brothers, h[...]

Karasaki Shrine

Karasaki Shrine is one of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine’s auxilary shrines. It is an ancient shrine sai[...]

Kunin Residence (Old Okamoto Residence)

This was one residence of th e so-called “kunin” (“public characters”), monks of Enryaku-ji Tem[...]

Historic Satobo Residences

It is said the satobo residences of Sakamoto first came into existence when the elderly monks o[...]

Former Site of Sakamoto Castle

After Enryaku-ji Temple was burned down in 1571, Sakamoto Castle was constructed on the shores [...]

Sagawa Art Museum

The Sagawa Art Museum was opened on the shores of Lake Biwa, surrounded by nature and looking o[...]

Isomeshi Garden (and Picture-Framing Pavilion)

This garden is located in the former home of a samurai named Isomeshi.The garden is said to be [...]

Dejima Lighthouse

This 8 meter wooden lighthouse was the first in the prefecture, built in 1875.The area near the[...]