If you’re planning a getaway with a touch of luxury, Shiga Prefecture is a great place to start. The region is an easy place to fall in love with, especially when its three main charms come together: the open scenery of Lake Biwa, the historical atmosphere of Hikone Castle, and the unmistakable flavor of Omi Beef.
To enjoy all three, Kamenoi Hotel Hikone offers a comfortable and slightly luxurious base. Overlooking Lake Biwa as an onsen hotel, and just a short trip away from the castle and local dining spots, it’s the perfect place to start exploring Shiga’s best experience and what Hikone has to offer.
Here’s how your luxurious journey can unfold…
Enjoy Lake Biwa up close
Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, sets the tone for Shiga’s most breathtaking scenery. Its vast, mirror-like surface shifts with the seasons—calm and clear in summer, softly glowing in autumn, and dramatic on winter mornings. One of the best ways to enjoy this landscape up close is by cycling. But it takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Hikone to see the Shirahige Shrine Torii facing the lake, offering flexibility for spontaneous stops. For those relying on public transportation, you can take the JR Biwako Line from Hikone Station to Omi-Maiko Station, a scenic lakeside stop, in roughly 50 minutes.
The popular Biwaichi route offers flat, easy-to-ride paths along the lakeshore. Rental shops around major spots like Hikone Station offer both standard and electric-assist bicycles, letting you ride comfortably while taking in the wide-open views and fresh lake breeze. It’s a uniquely immersive activity that lets you experience nature and local life.
For those who prefer to take in the scenery from the water, Lake Biwa also offers elegant cruising experiences. Sightseeing boats such as the Chikubu Island Cruise from nearby Hikone Port or the iconic paddle steamer Michigan from Otsu allow you to truly feel the scale of the lake. Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) are also available during the warmer months, offering a refreshing way to glide across the calm surface—great for first-timers and photo lovers alike.
Wander through Hikone Castle and its Surroundings
Hikone Castle is the cultural and historical centerpiece of the region and one of only five castles in Japan designated as a National Treasure. With more than 400 years of history, the castle retains its original Edo-period (1603-1868) structures—from the main keep and turrets to the stone walls and winding defensive paths designed for real battle. This remarkable preservation makes it one of the few places where visitors can fully grasp what a functioning samurai-era fortress looked and felt like. Jihokane, the old timekeeping bell still rings every day, a tradition recognized as one of Japan’s treasured soundscapes.
For an even deeper look at the castle’s layout, the Hikone Castle Yakata-bune cruise circles the inner moat on a restored lord’s boat, offering a unique waterside view of the complex just as samurai of the period might have seen it. Travelers may even cross paths with the castle’s famous mascot, Hikonyan, whose cheerful appearances have become a favorite highlight for many visitors.
Just beside Hikone Castle lies Genkyu-en Garden, a beautifully preserved daimyo (feudal lord) garden where the castle becomes part of the landscape itself. Strolling its pathways offers a serene contrast to the castle’s imposing architecture, giving visitors a balanced look at both samurai strategy and feudal-era elegance.
After exploring this main highlight, there are a few nearby spots that naturally complement the experience. Yumekyobashi Castle Road, designed to resemble a traditional castle town, is perfect for a light stroll, local snacks, and souvenir shopping.
For something a little different, you can also take a short cruise from Hikone Port to Chikubu Island, a sacred island long regarded as a spiritual retreat. The 40-minute boat ride offers beautiful lake views, and once you arrive, the island’s quiet, mysterious atmosphere makes it easy to understand why it has been revered for centuries. Travelers can spend about an hour exploring the temples and trying the popular kawarake nage ritual, tossing a small clay disc toward a torii gate for good luck.
Taste Shiga’s local favorites
Shiga offers a variety of local flavors that reflect the region’s culture and ingredients. The most famous, of course, is Omi Beef, one of Japan’s top wagyu brands known for its buttery texture and rich sweetness. You’ll also find comforting regional dishes like Omi Chanpon, as well as more traditional items such as funazushi, a fermented lake fish delicacy unique to Shiga.
Local specialties like akakonnyaku (red-colored konjac) and Kinkame, a sake brand, showcase the area’s long-standing food traditions, while sweets lovers can enjoy treats such as Kono Kuni Nama Cheesecake, made with sake lees from six Shiga breweries, the delicate Itokiri Mochi, or Fukumi Tenbin, a signature confection from the historic Taneya wagashi sweet shop.
For souvenirs, Shiga blends food and regional personality. Travelers often take home Wa no Ka no Shizuku Lemon Sake, produced by a brewery with more than 270 years of history, or the beloved Salad Pan, a local favorite filled with crunchy pickled daikon radish mixed with mayonnaise.
Your ideal home base for exploring Shiga
After a day of cycling by the lake, touring Hikone Castle, or visiting Shiga’s cultural landmarks, Kamenoi Hotel Hikone is the best welcoming base to return to. The property is located just 15 minutes from Hikone Castle and a five-minute walk from Hikone Port, making it easy to enjoy lake activities and strolls around the castle town. It’s an especially convenient spot for travelers who want to explore at their own pace without rushing between Shiga’s top attractions.
Lakeside rooms with stunning views
All guest rooms at Kamenoi Hotel Hikone face Lake Biwa, giving every guest a private lakeside seat. The changing colors of the lake and the slow glow of sunset create a calm, easy atmosphere that naturally helps you unwind. Guests who prefer more privacy can choose the View Bath Rooms, where the scenery stretches across the window even from the bathtub. For an even wider perspective, the Deluxe Corner View Rooms feature two large windows that open up the space and make the lake feel even closer.
Shiga’s flavors, day and night
The hotel’s restaurant opens up to Lake Biwa through wide windows, giving every meal a calm, scenic backdrop. Dinner highlights the depth of Shiga’s food culture, featuring ingredients that the region is known for. The star, once again, is Omi Beef. The menu also showcases Omi vegetables grown in Shiga’s clear water and mild climate, as well as lake fish dishes that bring out the unique flavors of Lake Biwa.
Local specialties like akakonnyaku, chojifu (type of wheat gluten), and regional soy sauce and miso add even more character to the meal. Served in a beautiful kaiseki style, each dish presented in seasonal colors and arranged on different plates.
Come morning, the hotel keeps things local with a breakfast that’s both lighter and deeply nourishing. Guests can enjoy Shiga-grown Omi Rice, known for its natural sweetness, alongside freshly made oboro tofu, which offers a soft texture and gentle soybean flavor. The popular Kokonoe miso nabe, prepared with Shiga-grown soybeans and rice, adds warmth and depth to the meal. With fermented foods, vegetable side dishes, and softly seasoned simmered items, the breakfast is designed to be “gentle on the body,” giving you a balanced start to your day without feeling heavy, an ideal way to prepare for sightseeing around Hikone and Lake Biwa.
Elevated relaxation in the hot springs
The hotel’s sixth-floor public bath offers a serene onsen experience with wide windows looking out over Lake Biwa and the surrounding nature. The natural hot spring water is rich in minerals and gentle on the skin, making it an easy and soothing option for both first-time and seasoned onsen visitors.
For guests seeking a more private and personal soak, the hotel also offers a reserved private bath on the first floor. While it doesn’t include lake views, the attached open-air tub lets you enjoy fresh air and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for unwinding at your own pace. This option is especially convenient for families, couples, or anyone who wants a quiet space to relax. Reservations are required, so booking ahead is recommended to secure your preferred time.
Comfortable spaces to unwind
The hotel’s guest lounge is a peaceful space with large windows overlooking Lake Biwa and the garden, making it a relaxing spot to unwind at any time of year. Guests can enjoy complimentary soft drinks and coffee from 2pm to 9pm, perfect for taking a break before or after sightseeing, while a 24-hour wine and sake tasting server, available at an additional charge, lets you sample both international wines and Shiga’s local brews.
Souvenirs and local finds
The first-floor gift shop is a great place to browse for Shiga- and Hikone-specific souvenirs. You’ll find everything from Omi sweets and local sake to lake fish treats and plenty of adorable Hikonyan items. It’s a fun stop for picking up gifts, and a hit with visitors from abroad.
Getting to and around Hikone
Getting to Hikone is straightforward—just as straightforward as this Hikone travel guide, making it an easy destination for Shiga weekend trips and longer stays. From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Maibara Station (about 2 hours), then transfer to the JR Biwako Line for a quick five-minute ride to Hikone Station. Travelers coming from Kyoto or Osaka can also reach Hikone easily via direct JR lines, making the area well connected for those exploring the Kansai region.
Once in Hikone, getting around is simple and comfortable. From Hikone Station, you can reach the hotel easily by taxi or local bus, and the surrounding area is highly walkable, with the lakeshore, Hikone Castle, and the castle town streets all within easy reach on foot. For destinations a bit farther out, local buses and rental bicycles offer reliable options, including access to Lake Biwa cycling routes and nearby cultural towns.
Shiga and Hikone are easy to move around in, letting you enjoy the region’s sights, culture, and cuisine at your own pace. The area’s walkable streets and convenient local transport make it simple to explore as much—or as little—as you like each day.
