STORY #008
Lake Biwa and Its Surroundings
A Water Heritage Site of Life and Prayer
STORY
Water has long been worshipped as a medium for purification and healing.
When Buddhism arrived in Japan from East Asia, the Buddha of Healing, Yakushi-Nyorai, was worshipped for his radiant Eastern Pure Land “water paradise” teachings.
Many temples and shrines were built facing the “water paradise” of Lake Biwa and they remain a major attraction today.
Local people have long adhered to a strict set of regulations to protect the cleanliness of Biwa as their daily lives rely on its spring water and traditional mountain-fed water distribution systems.
The spectacular views of the shore and lakeside districts, overflowing with life, have long inspired art and gardens.
Recently, these areas have also been attracting visitors who see in them a representation of the perfect harmony between humans and water.
Here, one finds the essence of the rich history of Japanese “water culture.”
CULTURAL PROPERTIES
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TITLE
DESIGNATION
LOCATION -
Hieizan Enryakuji Temple
Worrls Heritage, Historic Sites, Natural Monuments, National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, Shiga Prefecture Cultural Properties
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Mii-dera Temple (Onjoji Temple)
National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, Shiga Prefecture Cultural Properties
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Sanno Head Shrine Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, Shiga Prefecture Cultural Properties
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Saikyo-ji Temple
Important Cultural Properties, Registered Tangible Cultural Properties
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Ishiyama-dera Temple
National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, Natural Monuments
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Shirahige-jinja Shrine
Important Cultural Properties, Registered Tangible Cultural Properties
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Shikobuchi Faith
Important Cultural Properties
Takashima City -
Kaizu, Nishihama & Chinai Waterside Sightseeing
Important Cultural Landscapes
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Harie & Shimofuri Waterside Sightseeing
Important Cultural Landscapes
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Omizo Waterside Sightseeing
Important Cultural Landscapes
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Chomeiji Temple
Important Cultural Properties, Shiga Prefecture Cultural Properties
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Isakiji Temple
Important Cultural Properties
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Waterways of Omi-Hachiman
Important Cultural Landscapes
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Okishima
Undesignated Cultural Properties
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Iba Waterside Sightseeing
Undesignated Cultural Properties
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Townscape of Gokasho Kondo (Omi Merchant Houses)
Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings
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Former Hikone Domain Matsubara Suburban Residence Gardens (Ohama Goten)
Places of Scenic Beauty
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Genkyu-en Garden (Genkyu Rakurakuen)
Places of Scenic Beauty
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Hikone Castle
National Treasures, Special Historic Sites, Important Cultural Properties
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Western Slope of Mt. Ibukiyama
Historic Sites, Natural Monuments
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Asahi Honen Taiko Odori Dance
National-Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Properties
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Nakasendo Road Samegaijuku (Jyuousui, Jizokawa River)
Natural Monuments, Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, City-Designated
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Higashikusano Mountain Village Sightseeing
Important Cultural Landscapes
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Chikubushima Island
Places of Scenic Beauty, Historic Sites, National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, Shiga Prefecture Cultural Properties
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Scenery of the Sugaura Lakeshore Village
Important Cultural Landscapes
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Traditional Methods of Fishing and Traditional Regional Dishes
Undesignated Cultural Properties（Traditional Methods of Fishing）、Prefecture-Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Properties（Shiga Dietary Cultural Assets）
Otsu City, Hikone City, Omihachiman City, Takashima City, Higashiomi City, Maibara City, Nagahama City
ACCESS
Otsu City
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Train
- JR Tokyo Sta.（Shinkansen）～JR Kyoto Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Otsu Sta.
- JR Osaka Sta.（Kyoto Line）～JR Otsu Sta.
- JR Nagoya Sta.（Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Otsu Sta.
Hikone City
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Train
- JR Tokyo Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Hikone Sta.
- JR Shin-Osaka Sta.（Shinkansen）～JR Hikone Sta.
- JR Nagoya Sta.（Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Hikone Sta.
Omihachiman City
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Train
- JR Tokyo Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Omihachiman Sta.
- JR Osala Sta.（Kyoto Line）〜JR Omihachiman Sta.
- JR Nagoya Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Omihachiman Sta.
Takashima City
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Train
- JR Tokyo Sta.（Shinkansen）～JR Kyoto Sta.（Kosei Line）～JR Omitakashima Sta.
- JR Osaka Sta.（Kyoto Line）～JR Kyoto Sta.（Kosei Line）～JR Omitakashima Sta.
- JR Nagoya Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Omishiotsu Sta.（Kosei Line）～JR Omitakashima Sta.
Higashiomi city
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Train
- JR Tokyo Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Notogawa Sta.
- JR Osaka Sta.（Kyoto Line）～JR Notogawa Sta.
- JR Nagoya Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.（Biwako Line）～JR Notogawa Sta.
Maibara City
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Train
- JR Tokyo Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.
- JR Osaka Sta.（Kyoto Line）～JR Maibara Sta.
- JR Nagoya Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.
Nagahama City
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Train
- JR Tokyo Sta.（Shinkansen）～JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Line）〜JR Nagahama Sta.
- JR Osaka Sta.（Kyoto Line）～JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Line）〜JR Nagahama Sta.
- JR Nagoya Sta.（Shinkansen）〜JR Maibara Sta.（Hokuriku Line）～JR Nagahama Sta.
CONTACT
- Japan Heritage “Water Culture” Tourism Promotion Council
- TEL：+81-77-511-1530