[11 Nature Experiences in Shiga] A Journey Through Flowers, Lake Views, and the Bounty of the Land

A garden where you can experience the changing seasons alongside waterside plants.
In the calm atmosphere along the shore of Lake Biwa, aquatic plants centered on lotus and water lilies add vibrant color. With the theme of “bringing plants and people, water and people together,” the garden is designed so visitors can enjoy flowers in nature throughout the year. The greenhouse atrium also displays tropical aquatic plants, so floral scenery continues regardless of the season.
Take your time strolling through the garden while admiring the reflections of flowers on the water’s surface.

A garden facility with multiple gardens scattered across a site surrounded by mountains.
Along with landscapes woven with roses and perennials, the grounds include a variety of areas such as a fairy garden and a farm. There are also many hands-on experiences, including craft workshops and vegetable fields where you can enjoy harvesting activities.
Cafes, restaurants, and shops are also well equipped, making it easy to enjoy food and shopping in between garden walks. You’ll want to spend time here creating your own ideal way to explore.

Daiichi Nagisa Park is known for its impressive flower fields spread along the shore of Lake Biwa. During blooming season, the sweeping colors filling your view draw visitors in.
When the flowers are in season, the park is covered with Approx. 12,000 blossoms each of rapeseed flowers and sunflowers. Winter rapeseed flowers and summer sunflowers each show a different seasonal expression. With the lake and mountain range as a backdrop, why not take a favorite shot and turn it into a travel memory?

An agricultural park where you can enjoy fruit-picking in the natural surroundings of the highlands.
The main attraction is the orchard zone, where you can enjoy seasonal fruit-picking experiences. Cherries, blueberries, grapes, apples, and more offer different harvest experiences throughout the year. One of its biggest draws is the nearly uninterrupted lineup except during the snowy season.
The park also has cafes, restaurants, and a farm stand, so you can fully enjoy both harvesting and food.
Together with the scenery of the tree-lined road, you can clearly feel the differences from season to season.

An experiential agricultural park where harvest activities and animal encounters come together.
At the tourist farm, you can enjoy seasonal fruit-picking such as strawberries, grapes, and persimmons, as well as agricultural experiences like rice planting. The farm stand offers local vegetables and processed goods, so you can buy seasonal produce. There’s also a wide range of ways to spend your time, including animal encounters, boating, and golf.
By combining different experiences, you can easily spend a full day here.

A hands-on agricultural park themed around dairy farming, spread across the Kitayama hills in Hino Town on the eastern side of Lake Biwa. You can spend time in scenery inspired by the German countryside.
Flower fields, animal encounters, and play areas spread throughout the grounds, making the park scenery itself one of the highlights. Harvest experiences and activities are also plentiful, so you can enjoy it in different ways depending on the season.
A different pace from everyday life unfolds here in a gentle way.

Sennaritei Hachimabori Branch combines a restaurant and retail shop where you can casually enjoy Omi beef. The company operates 10 locations in Shiga Prefecture and is popular with both locals and visitors.
The menu ranges from takeout items such as croquettes and sushi to full set meals featuring sukiyaki and steak. Its location along Hachimabori Canal is another draw, letting you enjoy it together with the historic townscape.
It’s a good place to keep in mind for a stop during a stroll around town.

A specialty shop that deals in Biwa trout, a species unique to Lake Biwa. You can enjoy a variety of dishes made with Biwa trout caught by the owner, who is also a fisherman, and his companions.
Dishes made with exceptionally fresh fish bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients. The menu includes sashimi, seared preparations, sushi, and more, so you can also enjoy the differences between ways of eating it.
If you want to taste the bounty of the lake, this is definitely one to add to your list.

Uoji’s “Funazushi Honzuke” is a traditional fermented food from Shiga that is prepared over a long period of time.
Nigorobuna crucian carp is first salted, then aged further with rice to create its distinctive flavor. Because it is matured through pure lactic acid fermentation, it has no off-flavors and offers rich umami and acidity. In addition to enjoying it as is, it can also be eaten as ochazuke.
It’s an interesting item to try if you want to explore the region’s fermentation culture.

“Shichihonyari Junmai Tamaei” is a standard local sake made by the long-established brewery Tomita Shuzo. It is brewed using local rice and water with traditional methods.
It can be enjoyed at a wide range of temperatures, from chilled sake to warm sake, with different flavors and expressions depending on the temperature. It also pairs well with many kinds of dishes, making mealtime even richer.
You can take your time comparing how the flavor changes with the temperature.

Norimatsu Shokuhin Yoshii Shoten “Seasoned Hachiman Konnyaku” is a Shiga specialty made with red konnyaku. Its soy sauce-based seasoning and bonito flavor are thoroughly infused, and its convenience as a ready-to-serve dish is part of its appeal.
It’s also easy to use, whether enjoyed as is or fried, making it a souvenir that’s easy to choose. Be sure to try this original flavor made with traditional konnyaku that has long been loved in Omihachiman.