2 Bases for Exploring Shiga Without a Car
Public-transport sightseeing in Shiga is easier to organize if you avoid spreading your itinerary too widely across the western and eastern shores of Lake Biwa and use Ōtsu Station and Ōmihachiman Station as bases on separate days.
In Ōtsu, center your route on JR and the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line. In Ōmihachiman, use local buses from the station’s north exit to connect shrines, temples, the lakeshore, and the castle town without a car.
Include a Transfer to the Keihan Line at Ōtsu Station
In addition to walking from Ōtsu Station to the lakeshore, plan to transfer to the Keihan Line at JR Ishiyama Station, Ōtsukyō Station, or another convenient point to make Mii-dera Temple, Ishiyama-dera Temple, and the Sakamoto area easier to visit.
Group Bus Stops in the Same Direction at Ōmihachiman Station
Hachiman-bori Canal, Himure Hachimangū Shrine, Hakuunkan, and the Hachimanyama Ropeway are clustered within a compact area. Take a bus from the station to the old town, then connect the sights on foot after you arrive.
| Attraction | Main Base | How to Get There Without a Car | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ōtsu Port and Lakeshore | Ōtsu Station | Walk through downtown toward Biwako-hamaōtsu | Lake Biwa’s waters and the port-town scenery |
| Mii-dera Temple | Ōtsu Station | Walk from Keihan Mii-dera Station | The National Treasure Main Hall and the Bell of Mii |
| Ishiyama-dera Temple | Ōtsu Station | Take a bus from JR Ishiyama Station or use the Keihan Line | Wollastonite, the Main Hall, and the Tahoto Pagoda |
| Sakamoto Townscape | Ōtsu Station | JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station or Keihan Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station | Anōshū-zumi stone walls and the temple town |
| Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine | Ōtsu Station | Walk from Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station | Sannō faith and the shrine buildings |
| Hachiman-bori Canal | Ōmihachiman Station | Take a local bus from the north exit | Canal and white-walled townscape |
| Himure Hachimangū Shrine | Ōmihachiman Station | Walk from a bus stop near Hachiman-bori Canal | Guardian shrine of the castle town |
| Hakuunkan | Ōmihachiman Station | Walk from an old-town bus stop | Former school building blending Japanese and Western styles |
| Hachimanyama Ropeway | Ōmihachiman Station | Walk from a bus stop near Ōsugi-chō | Castle ruins and views of Lake Biwa |
| La Collina Ōmihachiman | Ōmihachiman Station | From stop 6 at the station’s north exit, ride to Kitanoshō La Collina-mae | Grass-roofed architecture and confectionery culture |
Visit Lake Biwa and Historic Temples from Ōtsu Station
The Ōtsu area lets you combine the openness of the lakeshore with historic temples in one itinerary. Alternating walking sections with train rides helps limit fatigue.
1. Take in the Scale of Lake Biwa at Ōtsu Port and the Lakeshore
Walk through downtown from Ōtsu Station toward Biwako-hamaōtsu, and Lake Biwa will feel close from Ōtsu Port and the shore. In good weather, views may extend to the opposite shore and the Hira Mountains.
If you plan to take a sightseeing cruise or a seasonal sailing, check the operator’s information that day because service dates, departure and arrival ports, and reservation requirements may change.
2. Experience the National Treasure Main Hall and Bell Culture at Mii-dera Temple
Mii-dera Temple, formally called Onjō-ji Temple, has spacious grounds within walking distance of Keihan Mii-dera Station. Highlights scattered around the grounds include the National Treasure Main Hall and the Bell of Mii, known as one of the Eight Views of Ōmi.
The grounds include slopes and stone steps, so allow time not only before admission ends but also to walk through the precincts. Comfortable, broken-in shoes are recommended.
Onjō-ji Temple is the head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect and has a history of revival as a Tendai branch temple during the Heian period.
3. See Rock Formations and Literary Scenery at Ishiyama-dera Temple
At Ishiyama-dera Temple, the Main Hall and Tahoto Pagoda stand on grounds where natural-monument wollastonite is exposed. Traditions associated with Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Genji reveal links between the temple and literature.
You can take a local bus from JR Ishiyama Station or use the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line. Compare outbound and return times before choosing to reduce waiting.
Trace Temple-Town History and Sannō Faith in Sakamoto
Sakamoto is a temple town at the foot of Mount Hiei. The route from the station to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is itself a pleasant walk featuring stone walls, shrines and temples, and mountain scenery.
4. See Anōshū-zumi Stonework in the Sakamoto Townscape
Stone walls built in the Anōshū-zumi style, which makes use of the natural shapes of the stones, remain along Sakamoto’s streets. The scenery reflects the town’s history as a concentration of temple quarters and priests’ residences connected with Mount Hiei.
These are also residential streets, so walk quietly without spreading across the road or entering private property or areas closed to the public.
5. Encounter Shrine Buildings and Sacred Monkeys at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the head shrine of Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sannō shrines throughout Japan. National Treasure and Important Cultural Property buildings stand across its extensive sacred grounds at the foot of Mount Hiei.
You can walk there from Keihan Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station, but the shrine grounds are also hilly. If combining the visit with a walk through Sakamoto, allow extra time.
The sacred grounds contain 2 National Treasure buildings and 17 Important Cultural Property buildings, offering a view into the history of shrine architecture.
Explore a Waterfront Castle Town from Ōmihachiman Station
From the north exit of Ōmihachiman Station, take a local bus toward Chōmeiji or a similar route into the old town. Exploring the Hachiman-bori area on foot lets you visit several attractions without adding transfers.
6. Walk Through the History of Water Transport at Hachiman-bori Canal
Hachiman-bori Canal supported the growth of the castle town built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu. Reflections of white-walled buildings, stone walls, and bridges on the water evoke the origins of this Ōmi merchant town.
Canal cruises have different operating conditions and boarding locations depending on the provider, so decide in advance whether you will only walk or also take a boat.
7. Experience the Town’s Faith at Himure Hachimangū Shrine
Close to Hachiman-bori Canal and the ropeway station, Himure Hachimangū Shrine is central to a castle-town walk and has long been revered by local people, including Ōmi merchants.
Festival days may bring traffic restrictions or bus-stop changes. If you are visiting for an event, check information from the shrine and transit operators.
8. Learn About Ōmi Merchants’ Approach to Education at Hakuunkan
Hakuunkan is a pseudo-Western-style building constructed in 1877 as Hachiman Higashi School. It now serves as a tourist information center where you can obtain maps and town-walking information.
Stop here at the beginning of your walk to check current openings, special exhibitions, and bus service for the day before continuing into the old town.
Enjoy Views from Mount Hachiman and Grass-Roofed Architecture
From the old town, you can extend your trip to historic scenery on the mountain and modern architecture in the suburbs, but first confirm the last ropeway and bus departures.
9. Ride the Hachimanyama Ropeway to the Castle Ruins
The Hachimanyama Ropeway quickly climbs from the foot of the mountain to the summit, where walking paths offer views of Lake Biwa, Lake Nishinoko, and the old castle town.
Service may be suspended for inspections, strong winds, or other reasons. Check operations before heading to the station, and bring suitable shoes and an outer layer for walking at the summit.
10. See Confectionery and Architecture at La Collina Ōmihachiman
At La Collina Ōmihachiman, you can experience Ōmi confectionery culture and craftsmanship while walking through a site that incorporates grass-roofed buildings and fields.
From stop 6 at Ōmihachiman Station’s north exit, choose a bus that stops at Kitanoshō La Collina-mae, and confirm the timetable and boarding location.
Tips for Avoiding Problems When Traveling by Bus and on Foot
For a reliable car-free itinerary, prioritize checking return services, bus-stop locations, and elevation changes along walking sections over the number of attractions.
Set a One-Way Route Without Backtracking Through the Same Area
In Ōtsu, avoid packing both the Ishiyama and Sakamoto areas too tightly into one day. In Ōmihachiman, group the Hachiman-bori sights before moving to La Collina. Keeping travel in one direction reduces wasted time.
Check the Return Time When You Arrive
Local buses may run less frequently than trains. When you get off, confirm the return stop and departure time, and avoid plans that keep you there until just before the final service.
Carry Both a Transit IC Card and Cash
Accepted payment methods may differ by operator and route. Do not rely only on an IC card; carry a small amount of cash and follow the onboard instructions for how to ride and pay.
| Plan | Morning | Afternoon | Check in Advance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day in Ōtsu | Lakeshore and Mii-dera Temple | Ishiyama-dera Temple or Sakamoto and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine | Keihan Line and bus connections |
| 1 Day in Ōmihachiman | Hachiman-bori Canal, Himure Hachimangū Shrine, and Hakuunkan | Hachimanyama Ropeway and La Collina | Ropeway service and the return bus |
| 2 Days | Day 1 in Ōtsu | Day 2 in Ōmihachiman | Luggage storage and where to stay |
Build a Comfortable 1-Day or 2-Day Itinerary
Ōtsu and Ōmihachiman are on the same Biwako Line, but rather than rushing through all 10 places in 1 day, narrow your focus or split the trip across 2 days to better appreciate each area.
For 1 Day, Make Temples and Shrines or the Castle Town Your Focus
If temples and shrines are your priority, choose about 2 places from Mii-dera Temple, Ishiyama-dera Temple, and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. If town walking is your priority, focus on Ōmihachiman’s old town and the ropeway for a realistic schedule.
For 2 Days, Separate the Western and Eastern Shores
Spending day 1 in Ōtsu and day 2 in Ōmihachiman simplifies transfers and gives you flexibility to change the order of visits based on weather or service suspensions.
Summary | Enjoy Ōtsu and Ōmihachiman Without a Car
Car-free sightseeing in Shiga is easier to plan when you split the itinerary into two parts: one day from Ōtsu Station using the Keihan Line to visit the lakeshore and historic temples, and another day from Ōmihachiman Station using buses to explore the waterfront castle town.
Do not try to pack in Mii-dera Temple, Ishiyama-dera Temple, Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Hachiman-bori Canal, the Hachimanyama Ropeway, La Collina, and more all at once. Check transit and facility websites for service information and walking conditions, then build a Shiga trip that suits your pace.
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