Takashima: Water Landscapes and Castle Town History

In Takashima, themes that can shape a trip in very different ways come together: the waterscape of Lake Biwa, the history of Ōmizo Castle, and experiences that range from culture to outdoor activities. In the area of the former town of Takashima, which extends beyond the present-day town of Takashima, the Ōmizo waterscape still preserves the spatial layout of the castle and its castle town. This layout dates back to the Middle Ages and the early modern period.

Ōmizo: Water and Castle Town History

Ōmizo Castle was built in 1578 by Oda Nobusumi. For its defenses, it made use of the small inland lake Otome-ga-ike, which is connected to Lake Biwa by a narrow waterway, as well as a river and moats. Otome-ga-ike also tells the story of an older landscape: in the age of Manyō poetry, the area was a bay of Lake Biwa that reached the foot of the mountains. Later, it served as the castle’s outer moat. The landscape and the history of the fortifications can therefore be explored as a connected story.

After the castle fell into ruin, Mitsunobu Wake came to Ōmizo in 1619 from Ueno Castle in Ise Province. With an income of 20,000 koku, he drove the development of the castle town. Today, this history is reflected in features such as the preserved town layout and stone markers at various locations. They identify former street names and their origins. The site of the castle’s main keep is on a low hill surrounded by stone walls, about 150 meters southeast of Ōmi-Takashima Station.

In the former castle town district of Katsuno, the gate of Ōmizo Jinya, parts of samurai residences, and waterways have been preserved. The Sōmon is the only surviving building of Ōmizo Jinya and is designated a cultural property of Takashima City. Following its reopening on April 1, 2024, it gained an exhibition area for local cultural properties and a roughly 15-minute CG film reconstructing Ōmizo Castle, which is shown regularly. The Sōmon also serves as an information center for the Takashima–Ōmizo area; castle seals and maps are available there.

Cultural Sites and Experiences by the Water

The Ukawa group of stone Amida Buddha statues and Shirahige Shrine in Ugawa are also part of the area’s cultural heritage. The group consists of 48 granite statues about 1.6 meters tall; 33 of them remain in Ukawa. They were erected in the late Muromachi period. At Shirahige Shrine, a large vermilion torii gate stands in Lake Biwa, while the shrine buildings are on the other side of National Route 161. The Narukomairi ritual takes place as part of the festival on September 5 and 6. Confirm the dates before your trip.

The Ōmizo Festival also offers a way to experience local festival culture. It is the spring festival of Hiyoshi Shrine and is considered a prominent festival with floats in the western lakeside region. The festival days described are May 3 for the eve-of-festival celebration, May 4 for the main festival, and May 5 for the post-festival celebration. Five floats come from the Katsuno districts of Minato, Tomoe, Takara, Isami, and Ryō. The Tomoe group’s float is considered the oldest; its four corner pillars and entire roof can be raised and lowered. Check the festival dates for your travel year.

There is a fishing pier at Otome-ga-ike; in recent years, the lake has been a popular spot for bass fishing. For an activity on the water, the Active Biwako Center offers a trip on Lake Biwa in a nine-meter-long, hand-rowed cutter boat. Check booking and participation requirements in advance. At Takashima Village, visitors can stroll through the historic district, eat, take part in activities, and shop. The complex comprises eight renovated buildings in the former castle town district of Katsuno; the hours of individual businesses may vary. In Building 1, Candle Workshop Rōsoku-chō offers candle-making and herbarium classes for children and adults. Check availability before visiting.

Compare Routes and Plan Your Stay

The route information for two different destinations can help you plan your day. From Ōmi-Takashima Station, Hagi-no-hama can be reached in about six minutes on the reservation-required Hama Line shared taxi. The beach is right by the Hagi-no-hama-guchi stop. Shirahige Shrine is about three kilometers from the station; the walk takes around 40 minutes. A limited number of rental bicycles are available at the tourist information center in the station. A reservation-required Ukawa Line shared taxi takes 13 minutes to Shirahige-jinja-mae stop, right by the shrine. Check the availability of shared taxis and rental bicycles before setting out.

When choosing a vacation rental in Takashima, consider which experiences you want to make the focus of your trip: castle town history and cultural properties, time by the water, or an active outing on the lake. The range of themes makes it easier to plan a stay that suits you, without having to experience culture and landscape in the same way.

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Go to the main travel overview: Shiga Prefecture.