Lake Biwa Waterway
This waterway was built over 100 years ago in order to bring water from Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan, to neighbouring Kyoto City. Built using stones and bricks and with the most advanced technology at that time, scenes of the waterway interwoven with nature are now considered to be some of the most representative views of Lake Biwa.
Mii-dera
Mii-dera is one of the most important temples in Buddhism in Japan, ranking alonside Hieizan Enryakuji, also in Shiga and a World Heritage Site. It is also called the Phoenix Temple due to the many trials and tribulations it overcame after it was built, and has also been featured in many movies as a location site due to its solemn atmosphere as a place of worship. Enjoy taking photographs within the grounds of the temple while admiring the countless beautiful scenes within.
Omi Jingu
This shrine enshrine Emperor Tenchi, who was in power when the capital of Japan was shifted from Asuka in Nara to Otsu in Shiga, some 1400 years ago. Emperor Tenchi is also revered as a god of time in Japan, as he was the one who created a water clock, and was the first person to sound time tones in Japan. There are many clocks on display within the shrine grounds, so have a look and compare all of them.
Hiyoshi Soba
This soba restaurant sits along the main street of Sakamoto, and retains an atmosphere of the past. The unique wooden store building, as well as its interior, are charming, and you can enjoy a bowl of buckwheat noodles loved by locals while you take a breather here.
The Former Chikurin-in
This spot, designated as a national scenic place, is known for its beautiful Japanese gardens that incorporate clear streams and borrowed landscapes. It is also unique in that its gardens have many miniature hills with lots of undulations, as well as man-made structures like five-storied pagodas. Enjoy gazing at all the different gardens with their varied views.
Sakamoto Cable
This funicular line, built in 1924, boasts a length of 2025m, and is the longest of all funicular lines currently operated in Japan. As the car makes its way to the top of the hill, the magnificent view of Lake Biwa unfolds before your eyes.
Hieizan Enryakuji
Hieizan Enryakuji is the head temple of all temples belonging to the Tendai school of Buddhism, and its grounds cover the entirety of Mt. Hiei, at 848m high. Ever since the temple opened here, it has been one of the cornerstones of Buddhism in Japan, and many famous monks completed their training here. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", this temple still plays a prominent role in Buddhism in Japan today.
