- Nagahama was the site of Hideyoshi Toyotomi's first castle construction after he was awarded the Nagahama fief in 1573.
- The city is home to the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event that has been celebrated for over 400 years.
- Nagahama serves as a major hub for the Hikone-Nagahama-Maibara corridor, historically linking the region to the Tokaido road via the lake.
- The local 'glass' identity originated from the conversion of a former bank building into the Kurokabe Glass Shop in the late 1980s, which sparked a broader urban regeneration project.
- Lake Biwa, bordering the city, is one of the oldest lakes in the world, estimated to be approximately four million years old.
About Nagahama, Shiga
Nagahama is a lakeside city located on the northeastern shore of Lake Biwa, known for its preservation of historic Edo-period streetscapes and its deep connections to the Sengoku period. The centerpiece of the city is Kurokabe Square, where traditional merchant houses have been repurposed into glass-focused galleries and workshops. Visitors can explore the legacy of regional feudal lords at the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum or delve into cultural traditions at the 長浜市曳山博物館. The city’s identity is further defined by its blend of specialized museums, such as the Kaiyodo Figure Museum Kurokabe, and tranquil spiritual sites like Daitsu-ji Temple.
Highlights of Nagahama, Shiga
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Explore a collection of restored merchant buildings now serving as glass-art galleries and boutique shops.
Museums
Engage with interactive agricultural and industrial displays at this facility founded by the Yanmar machinery company.
Museums
Visit the reconstruction of the castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to view artifacts from the Azai and Toyotomi clans.
Museums
Discover a vast collection of intricate pop-culture figurines produced by the world-renowned Kaiyodo model-making company.
Museums
Walk through former station buildings and examine decommissioned steam locomotives from Japan's early railway era.
Temples
Appreciate the architecture of this temple, which features a main hall moved from the former Fushimi Castle.
Museums
View the ornate, traditional parade floats used in the city's annual UNESCO-recognized Hikiyama Festival.
Temples
Observe the large bronze statue that serves as a landmark on the shores of Lake Biwa.
Top things to do in Nagahama, Shiga
The 357 highest-rated places in Nagahama, Shiga, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
Kurokabe Square is a revitalized district in central Nagahama featuring restored Meiji-era buildings repurposed into gla...
2
Temples
Hogonji is a Buddhist temple complex located on Chikubushima, a small, steep island in the northern part of Lake Biwa. I...
3
Parks
Rosa & Berry Tawada is a sustainable-themed botanical park located in the foothills of Mount Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture....
4
Parks
Hō Park serves as the landscaped grounds surrounding the reconstructed Nagahama Castle on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa...
5
Museums
The Yanmar Museum in Nagahama is an interactive facility dedicated to the history of the Yanmar engine company and the e...
6
Natural attractions
Lake Biwa is Japan's largest freshwater lake, occupying approximately one-sixth of Shiga Prefecture's total land area. I...
7
Natural attractions
Mount Ibuki is a 1,377-meter peak straddling the border of Shiga and Gifu prefectures, serving as the highest point in S...
8
Museums
Nagahama Castle Historical Museum is a reconstructed fortress located on the shore of Lake Biwa. The original castle was...
9
Museums
Kaiyodo Figure Museum Kurokabe serves as the primary exhibition space for Kaiyodo, one of Japan's most prominent manufac...
10
Museums
Nagahama Tetsudo Square is Japan's oldest existing station building, originally constructed in 1882 during the Meiji per...
11
Places of interest
Kaizu Osaki is a 4-kilometer stretch of coastline along Lake Biwa, famous for its tunnel of approximately 800 Somei Yosh...
12
Historical places
Keiunkan is a historic villa in Nagahama built in 1887 to host Emperor Meiji during his visit to the region. The buildin...
13
Temples
Daitsu-ji Temple is a prominent Jodo Shinshu temple located in the heart of Nagahama, serving as a significant branch te...
14
Places of interest
Isame-no-Shimizu is a historic natural spring located in the Samegai district of Maibara, Shiga, renowned for its crysta...
15
Historical places
Odani Castle Ruins, located on Mount Odani in Nagahama, served as the primary fortress of the Azai clan during the Sengo...
16
Places of interest
The Tsuzura Ozaki Observation Deck is located along the Oku-Biwako Parkway in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. It offers an e...
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Museums
The Odani Castle Sengoku History Museum serves as the primary gateway to the ruins of Odani Castle, the former mountain...
18
Natural attractions
Shizugatake is a historic mountain site in Nagahama, Shiga, known for the 1583 Battle of Shizugatake where Toyotomi Hide...
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Temples
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Natural attractions
The Shizugatake Lift operates as a single-seat chairlift system providing access to the summit of Mount Shizugatake in N...
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Places of interest
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Temples
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Places of interest
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Museums
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Parks
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Historical places
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Historical places
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Parks
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Places of interest
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Temples
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Nagahama, Shiga on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Nagahama, Shiga
Spring (April) for the Hikiyama Festival and cherry blossoms, or Autumn (November) for fall foliage at lakeside gardens.
2 days, which allows sufficient time to cover both the historic glass district and the surrounding castle-related ruins and museums.
The city center is highly walkable, while outlying historical sites are accessible via local bus routes or regional train lines.
Staying near Nagahama Station provides the best access to the central historic district and easy transport links to Lake Biwa.
Mid-range; travelers can find a mix of affordable guesthouses and standard business hotels along with moderately priced regional cuisine.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 357 curated attractions in and around Nagahama, Shiga, ranked by traveller ratings.
Kurokabe Square is the highest-rated place to visit in Nagahama, Shiga right now.
The largest category is temples, with 131 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toshima, Osaka, Kyoto.
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