Nature, towns, and slow travel around Lake Biwa.
Ogoto Onsen is 19 minutes and ¥320 from Kyoto by JR local train. Six of its nine inns compared on their official sites: which room baths hold hot-spring water, station pick-ups, day bathing and a one-night plan.
Shiga · Lake Biwa · Floating Torii A vermillion gate standing thirty metres out in Japan’s biggest lake. Mountains on the horizon. A small shrine across a busy road. Nothing about this place looks particularly spectacular until you actually stand…
Shiga · Lake Biwa Western Shore · One Day Kyoto runs out of corners after a few days. The next thing most travellers reach for is Nara or Osaka. Here is the better answer if you have already done those:…
Nearly every image on Hidden Japan Gems was photographed by me on a Sony α7 across five years of walking Japan; a few licensed photos fill the gaps. Please don't re-use my photos without permission — reach out if you'd like to.
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