Shiga Onsen Guide

788 AD Saicho-discovered onsen + Lake Biwa lakeside baths

788年最澄開湯、琵琶湖西岸の千年湯

Ogoto Onsen sits on the western shore of Lake Biwa, said to have been founded in 788 AD by the Buddhist monk Saicho — the founder of the Tendai sect on adjacent Mt. Hiei (Enryakuji Temple). This gives Ogoto a long history among Kansai onsen. The town's defining feature is the lakeside location: most ryokan offer open-air baths with direct view of Lake Biwa — Japan's largest freshwater lake — with the Hira Mountains rising on the opposite shore. The waters are alkaline simple type, soft and warm. The Hieizan cable car + Enryakuji Temple complex (UNESCO World Heritage) is a 20-min cable car ride away. From Kyoto: 10 min by JR Kosei Line.

雄琴温泉は琵琶湖西岸に位置し、788年に天台宗開祖・最澄（隣接する比叡山延暦寺の創立者）が発見したと伝わる、古い歴史を持つ温泉地。最大の特徴は湖畔立地——大半の旅館が琵琶湖（日本最大の淡水湖）を望む露天風呂を備え、対岸には比良山系がそびえます。湯は柔らかいアルカリ性単純泉。世界遺産・比叡山延暦寺へはケーブルで20分。京都駅からJR湖西線で10分の近さ。

• ♨788 AD origin by Saicho — a long-established Kansai onsen788年最澄開湯と伝わる古湯
• ♨Lake Biwa lakeside baths — Japan's largest freshwater lake琵琶湖湖畔の湯、日本最大の淡水湖
• ♨10 min from Kyoto Station + Hieizan UNESCO temple nearby京都駅から10分+世界遺産比叡山が至近

Hours and prices vary — always confirm on the official site before visiting.
営業時間・料金は変動するため、必ず公式サイトでご確認ください。

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rise-to-power castle town

豊臣秀吉の出世城下町、長浜の湯

Nagahama Taiko ("Taiko" = "Great Regent" honoring Hideyoshi) Onsen lies on the northeast shore of Lake Biwa. The city of Nagahama was developed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Japan's second great unifier) starting 1577 as his first castle and base of rising power — the city plan still reflects his urban design. The modern onsen was developed in 1980 from deep drilling and the area now hosts 6–8 large hotel-ryokan, mostly facing the lake. Famous nearby attractions: Nagahama Castle Museum, the historic Kurokabe Square glass-art district, and Hogonji Temple on the sacred island of Chikubushima in the lake. From Kyoto: 60 min by JR Tokaido Line via Maibara.

長浜太閤温泉は琵琶湖東北岸に位置——長浜市は豊臣秀吉（日本第二の天下統一者）が1577年に最初の城を築き出世の起点とした城下町。秀吉時代の都市計画が今も街並みに残ります。現代の温泉は1980年の深層掘削で開発、湖に面した大型ホテル・旅館6〜8軒が並びます。観光名所：長浜城歴史博物館、黒壁スクエア（明治のガラス工芸の街並み）、竹生島の宝厳寺など。京都から米原経由JR東海道線で60分。

• ♨Hideyoshi's 1577 first-castle base — power origin1577年秀吉の最初の城下町
• ♨Lake Biwa northeast shore with mountain backdrop琵琶湖東北岸+山並みの景観
• ♨Kurokabe Square historic glass-art district黒壁スクエアの明治ガラス工芸街

Hours and prices vary — always confirm on the official site before visiting.
営業時間・料金は変動するため、必ず公式サイトでご確認ください。

Metasequoia avenue + ski resort + lake plateau

メタセコイア並木と高原リゾート温泉

Makino Kogen Onsen lies in the northern lakeside town of Takashima, set on a high plateau above Lake Biwa's northwestern shore. The area is most famous for the "Metasequoia Namiki" — a 2.4km road lined with 500 mature Metasequoia (dawn redwood) trees, originally planted in 1981, that transforms dramatically with each season (spring green, summer canopy, autumn brilliant amber, winter snow-laden). The avenue was selected among Japan's "100 Best Tree-lined Streets." Makino Kogen ski resort + Makino Kogen camping ground operate seasonally, with the onsen providing year-round bathing. From Kyoto: 1h 30min by JR Kosei Line.

マキノ高原温泉は高島市の北部、琵琶湖西北岸の高原に位置。最大の名物は「メタセコイア並木」——1981年植樹の約500本のメタセコイア（曙杉）が2.4kmにわたり並ぶ並木道で、四季ごとに劇的に変化（春は新緑、夏は緑のキャノピー、秋は鮮やかな琥珀色、冬は雪化粧）。「新・日本街路樹百景」にも選ばれています。マキノ高原スキー場＋キャンプ場が季節営業、温泉は通年。京都からJR湖西線で1時間30分。

• ♨2.4 km Metasequoia avenue — dramatic 4-season transformationsメタセコイア並木2.4km、四季変化の絶景
• ♨Among Japan's "100 Best Tree-lined Streets"「新・日本街路樹百景」に選定
• ♨Year-round high-plateau onsen with ski + camp seasons高原リゾート、スキー+キャンプの季節型

Hours and prices vary — always confirm on the official site before visiting.
営業時間・料金は変動するため、必ず公式サイトでご確認ください。

Lake Biwa eastern shore — Lapis Lazuli sunset views

琵琶湖東岸の湯、ラピスラズリ色の夕日

Moriyama Onsen sits directly on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa — the "long" side of the lake. The signature view is the western sunset across the open lake, with Mt. Hiei silhouetted on the far shore — the sun setting almost directly behind Kyoto's most sacred mountain. The hot spring at "Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel" (the major property here) was developed in 1991 from deep drilling. Several other lakeside hotels offer day-use bathing. Lake Biwa Marathon, lakeside cycling routes, and the famous Otsu / Hikone castle excursions are all within 30 min. Less traditional than Ogoto, more contemporary in feel.

守山温泉は琵琶湖東岸（長い側）に位置し、最大の魅力は湖を挟んだ西の夕日——比叡山のシルエットの後ろに沈む夕日が、京都最高峰の霊山に重なる絶景。主要施設「琵琶湖マリオットホテル」の温泉は1991年深層掘削で開発。複数の湖畔ホテルが日帰り入浴も提供。琵琶湖マラソン、湖畔サイクリング、大津・彦根城観光が30分圏。雄琴より伝統より現代的なリゾート感。

• ♨Lake Biwa eastern shore — sunset over Mt. Hiei琵琶湖東岸、比叡山シルエットの夕日
• ♨Lakeside hotels with year-round bathing湖畔ホテルの通年温泉
• ♨Cycling, marathon, and castle excursions nearbyサイクリング・マラソン・城観光が至近

Hours and prices vary — always confirm on the official site before visiting.
営業時間・料金は変動するため、必ず公式サイトでご確認ください。

Taga Taisha shrine pilgrim base + 1,000-year tradition

多賀大社の門前湯、1000年の参詣温泉

Taga Onsen sits in the hills of eastern Shiga, in the temple town of Taga — home to Taga Taisha shrine, founded in the 8th century and dedicated to Izanagi and Izanami (the divine couple that, in Japanese mythology, created the islands of Japan). Affectionately known as "O-Taga-san," it is a revered ancient shrine long visited by pilgrims. The small onsen district (3–4 ryokan) serves visiting pilgrims, especially during the spring "Otaue-sai" (rice-planting festival, April 22) and autumn shrine festivals. The waters are alkaline simple type. From Hikone (the famous castle town): 15 min by Ohmi Railway. Quieter and more authentic than the lakeside resort onsen.

多賀温泉は滋賀東部の丘陵、多賀町（多賀大社の門前町）に位置。多賀大社は8世紀創建で、日本神話の伊邪那岐命・伊邪那美命（日本国土を産んだ神々）を祀り、「お多賀さん」と親しまれる格式高い古社。小規模な温泉地（旅館3〜4軒）が参拝者向け宿泊を提供し、特に4月22日の「お田植祭」や秋の例祭で賑わいます。湯はアルカリ性単純泉。彦根（彦根城のある城下町）から近江鉄道で15分。湖畔リゾート温泉より静かで本格的。

• ♨Taga Taisha shrine pilgrim base — Izanagi/Izanami deities多賀大社、伊邪那岐・伊邪那美の門前湯
• ♨Revered ancient shrine, affectionately "O-Taga-san"「お多賀さん」と親しまれる格式高い古社
• ♨15 min from Hikone Castle — easy combination彦根城から15分、組合せ良好

Hours and prices vary — always confirm on the official site before visiting.
営業時間・料金は変動するため、必ず公式サイトでご確認ください。