Sightseeing Guide
Lake Biwa excursions and Kyoto sightseeing
Hotel Piazza Biwako overlooks Lake Biwa, so it's the perfect place to stay while sightseeing in the surrounding area. Kyoto is only a 10-minute train ride away, so you can see the sights of Kyoto, as well.
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Recommended attractions near the hotel
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Miidera temple (Onjouji)
A temple with over a thousand years of history. Experience a wide variety of cultural assets and legends.From the hotel10 minutes by car -
Biwako Flower Fountain
Located on top of a seawall about 180 meters offshore in Otsu Harbor, this fountain sprays water in a shifting array of shapes, and at 440 meters across, it is one of the world’s largest.5 minutes by car -
Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan.Our hotel overlooks Lake Biwa, giving you a perfect view.From the hotel: 1 minute's walk
Recommended tourist spots
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Lake Biwa cruises
Biwako offers pleasure cruises, like a cruise on the paddle steamer Michigan, and a cruise around Chikubu Island, leading to Hogon-ji temple, one of the thirty-three temples of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.7 minutes by car -
Omi Jingu shrine
The picturesque grounds overlooking Lake Biwa are surrounded by roughly 200,000 square meters of deep forest and soothing scenery. The shrine's solid construction is called "Showa construction" or "Omi construction," and is designated as a national Tangible Cultural Property as a representation of Showa shrine architecture.15 minutes by car -
Ishiyama-dera temple
Within its expansive grounds rises the wollastonite natural monument from which the temple gets its name. Here you will find both National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.15 minutes by car -
Sakamoto Cable Railway
The longest cable car in Japan, it extends to the Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple world cultural heritage site.20 minutes by car -
Saikyo-ji temple
There are a total of four traditional Japanese landscape gardens at Saikyo-ji. Each garden with its unique charms is truly worth seeing.25 minutes by car -
Hieizan Enryakuji Temple
The headquarters of the Tendai Sect, with expansive temple grounds on Mount Hiei. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in1994.35 minutes by car -
Hachiman-bori Canal
The Hachiman-bori Canal was a mainstay in regional economics and transportation until the start of the Showa period (1926 - 1989). It is also a spot often used for filming TV shows and movies, and was recently featured in the live action adaptation of the popular anime "Rurouni Kenshin."60 minutes by car -
Hikone Castle, a National Treasure
Hikone Castle, one of the most famous castles in the country, alongside Himeji Castle.60 minutes by car -
Nagahama Castle History Museum
The original Nagahama Castre was built by Lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi in the 1570ʼ s. The Nagahama Castle which stands today in Hokoen Park was rebuilt in 1983. It is used today as the Nagahama History Museum.80 minutes by car
Seasonal highlights
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Cherry trees along Lake Biwa Canal
Construction of Lake Biwa Canal, the waterway which carries the waters of Lake Biwa to Kyoto, represented the height of Meiji era civil engineering technology. The banks on either side are lined with rows of cherry trees.10 minutes by carSeason: March–April -
Sanno Festival
One of the Lake Country's three largest festivals, Sanno Festival is held annually at Hiyoshi Taisha shrine.25 minutes by carSeason: April -
The Great Fireworks Festival at Lake Biwa
Japan's leading fireworks festival, held at Japan's largest lake. You can view it directly from our hotel.Season: August -
Otsu Festival
One of the three major Lake Country festivals. Held since the Edo period, this religious festival is one of the prefecture's Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.6 minutes by carSeason: October -
Hiyoshi Taisha shrine autumn foliage light-up
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the head shrine of approximately 3,800 Sanno shrines throughout Japan, and is a designated Japan Heritage site.25 minutes by carSeason: November -
Ski Resort
In Shiga of the sightseeing spot eminent Japan.There are lot of skiing areas that can be idle even in winter.Season: Winter