The head temple of Tendai sect with beautiful views
This is the head temple of the Tendai Sect in the vast sacred area on Mt. Hiei. It started as a hermitage founded by Saicho on Mt. Hiei in the end of Nara Period. The precinct in the towering giant cedars has a dignified atmosphere as a monastery. On top of the mountain, there is the Todo area where Konponchudo is centered, Saito area that Shakado is centered and Yokawa area that was opened by Priest Ennin.

●Open/ 8:30-16:30 (-16:00 Saito & Yokawa)　●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ Adults ￥550 　●Tel/ 077-578-0001

◆Access/ A short walk from Sakamoto Cable Car Enryakuji Stn. from Keihan Sakamoto Stn. or JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Stn.

Temple of flowers that formed the setting of Heian literature
The gigantic beautiful wollastonite (a kind of mineral) rock is seen in its vast precinct. It is also well known as the place where Murasaki Shikibu planned the concept of Genji Monogarari, the oldest novel in the world. There are many notable sites nearby as the Miidera Temple, and the view of Lake Biwa is breathtaking.

●Open/ 8:00-16:30　●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ Adults ￥500　●Tel/ 077-537-0013

◆Access/ A 10 min. walk from Keihan Ishiyamadera Stn.
　A short walk from Ishiyamaderasanmon-mae bus stop by Keihan bus from JR Ishiyama Stn.

Museum designed by I. M. Pei
Exhibiting antiquities from around the world, the museum is also very popular among visitors from abroad. Maestro I.M. Pei was responsible for the concept and design of the museum, and about 80% of the building volume has been laid underground to retain nature as much as possible.

●Open/ 10:00-17:00 　●Closed/Mondays (Closed Tuesday if Wednesday falls on National Holiday), Winter season
●Fare/ Adult ￥1,000, College and High School Student ￥800, Child free　●Tel/ 0748-82-3411

◆Access/ A 20 min. drive from Shigaraki Kogen Railway Shigaraki Stn., a short walk from MIHO MUSEUM Teisan bus stop from JR Ishiyama Stn.

Japan's famous castle that rivals Himeji Castle
Taking 20 years to build, Hikone Castle was completed in 1622 to be an imposing castle as well as Himeji Castle. The castle looks even more beautiful when it is lit by moonlight. Hikone Castle's alias Konkijo was named as such, since there was a statue of the Merciful Goddess riding a golden tortoise in the temple at the summit of Mt. Hikone before the castle was built.

●Open/ 8:30-17:00　●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ Adults ￥500　●Tel/ 0749-22-2742

◆Access/ A 15 min. walk from JR Hikone Stn.

Nostalgic-looking square
The intersection where Kitakuni Kaido and Otemondori meet in the center of Nagahama is called Kurokabe Square, and its beautiful streets are popular among tourists. Nearby is Nagahama Castle, which was reconstructed in 1983, where you can have a commanding view of Lake Biwa from its Panorama Observation Deck.

［Kurokabe Square］　●Open/ 10:00-18:00 (Until 17:00 in winter)　●Closed/The end of year. 　●Tel/ 0749-65-2330

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from JR Nagahama Stn.82Kurokabe Square