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Find new personal time in Shiga

Not too urban, not too rural.
Higashiomi City is surrounded by Lake Biwa and the Suzuka Mountains.
A perfect town where tradition and culture live on.

Recommended spots around Higashiomi
We'll also introduce travel times outside the prefecture!

Hikone Castle

A national treasure castle that has remained since the Edo period. You can enjoy the beautiful castle tower, vast gardens, and the atmosphere of a castle town. It is a historical spot that represents Shiga, where you can also meet "Hikonyan", a popular tourist attraction.

Kawachi Wind Cave

With a total length of over 10km, this is one of the largest limestone caves in the Kansai region. It is cool in the summer and has a mysterious space created by nature. It is a hidden gem where you can experience something out of the ordinary while feeling like you are on an adventure.

Baekje Temple

This ancient temple is associated with Prince Shotoku and boasts a history of 1400 years. Its moss-covered stone steps and beautiful seasonal scenery make it a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves.

Eigenji Temple

An ancient Rinzai sect temple known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves. Nestled in the quiet mountains, it is a place where time passes peacefully. In autumn, the temple grounds are enveloped in vibrantly colored maples.

Roadside Station Aito Margaret Station

In the grounds, decorated with seasonal flower fields, you can experience 45 minutes of all-you-can-eat strawberry picking from winter to spring. The direct sales hall is lined with local delicacies such as "Aito melons," Omi rice picked that morning, fresh vegetables, and Omi beef croquettes. Be sure to check out "Rapty," a gelato workshop that makes gelato using freshly squeezed milk and seasonal fruits.

Costco Wholesale Higashiomi Warehouse

The first Costco Wholesale Higashiomi Warehouse in the prefecture opened in Higashiomi City in 2024. The sales floor area is approximately 10,500 mXNUMX, and is lined with giant American-sized products.

Mitsui Outlet Park Shiga Ryuo width =

This is one of the leading outlet malls in the Kansai region, with around 230 stores. There is also a food court serving Omi beef burgers and an indoor kids' park where you can play even in the rain, making it a fun place for the whole family to spend the whole day.

To Tsuruga

Car: 1 hour 30 minutes

Train: 1 hour 30 minutes

To Nagoya

Car: 1 hour 30 minutes

Train: 1 hour 50 minutes

To Kyoto

Car: 40 minutes

Train: 30 minutes

To Osaka

Car: 1 hour 15 minutes

Train: 1 hour 30 minutes

Live, taste, and discover nature.

Introducing the charms of Higashiomi City from four perspectives

Rich ingredients, a comfortable living environment, the four seasons, and time-honored history and culture. Life in Higashiomi is filled with luxuries that are hard to find in the city. Why not discover a life that is uniquely yours in this town where new discoveries and nostalgia coexist?

Enjoy Nature

Spectacular views of the Suzuka Mountains
Seasonal flowers and autumn leaves
Activities on Lake Biwa

The Suzuka Mountains: "The 10 Suzuka Peaks"

Higashiomi City is 56 percent forested, and it has a significant area of the Suzuka Mountains, which stretch for about 60 kilometers from north to south along the border between Shiga and Mie prefectures. In order to have more people understand the splendor and significance of the existence of these Suzuka mountains, and to pass on their rich natural resources to the next generation as a valuable asset, the 10 mountains of Mt. Oike, Mt. Fujiwara, Mt. Ryugatake, Mt. Shakagatake, Mt. Amagoi, Mt. Ibune, Mt. Choshigaguchi, Mt. Nihonkoba, and Mt. Tengudo have been selected as the "Suzuka 10 Peaks."
Higashiomi City Tourism Web

Seasonal flowers and autumn leaves

Higashiomi City in Shiga Prefecture is a town rich in the colors of the four seasons. You can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle while experiencing the changing of nature with spring flowers, summer greenery, autumn leaves, and winter snowscapes.

Activities on Lake Biwa

You can enjoy a variety of water sports such as canoeing, SUP, and yachting, as well as cycling along the lakeside, and fully appreciate the rich natural environment.

Gourmet

Omi beef
Local sake
Specialty gourmet

Omi beef

Omi beef is one of the three major wagyu beefs in Japan. Its finely marbled meat and melt-in-your-mouth texture are truly a blissful taste! You can enjoy it in a variety of dishes, including steak and sukiyaki.

Local sake

The local sake made using the bounty of Lake Biwa is characterized by its deep flavor, and you can also enjoy touring the sake breweries.

Specialty gourmet

You can enjoy unique delicacies that have been nurtured by the area's history and climate, such as red konnyaku and funazushi. Regional dishes made with local ingredients are also recommended.

Enjoy life

Living environment
Childrearing environment
Facility

Knowledge Hub: 7 Libraries

There are seven libraries scattered throughout the city, each with its own unique appeal rooted in the local community. The Yokaichi Library plays a central role, while the libraries in the Egenji, Gokasho, Aito, Koto, Notogawa, and Gamo districts are all familiar hubs of knowledge for the residents. The charm of Higashiomi City is its library network that is close to the lives of its residents and that any resident can easily drop in to.
Higashiomi City Library website

Improving child-rearing support

Child allowances and medical subsidies are provided as financial support for families with children.Diaper delivery serviceThe project will be carried out at six locations in the city.Child care support centerFacilities such as these provide consultation, information, and a place for interaction, creating an environment that makes it easy to raise children.

Commercial facilities sufficient for daily life

There are plenty of commercial facilities that are convenient for daily shopping. Costco Wholesale Higashiomi Warehouse will open in 2024. There are supermarkets and drug stores scattered around, so you can get everything you need for daily life.

History and culture
Pleasure

History of the Omi Merchants
Ancient temples and shrines
Traditional crafts

History of Omi merchants "Gokasho Omi merchant residence"

This is the birthplace of the Gokasho Omi merchants, who gave birth to the spirit of "Sampoyoshi." Historical townscapes and merchant houses remain, allowing you to come into contact with history and culture in your daily life.

Ancient temples and shrines: "Koto Sanzan"

Hyakusaiji Temple is said to be the oldest of the three Kotozan temples, and was founded at the request of Prince Shotoku during the Asuka period, during the reign of Empress Suiko.
Baekje Temple

Eigenji Temple

It is one of the most famous spots in the Kansai region for viewing autumn leaves and is the head temple of the Egenji school of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, boasting a history of over 650 years.
Eigenji Temple, the head temple of the Rinzai sect

Tarobo Shrine

The shrine is dedicated to the god who bestows victory and happiness, and is visited by many people who are taking part in competitive events, such as students taking exams and athletes.
Tarobo Shrine, the god who bestows victory and happiness

Traditional craft "Nunobiki ware"

"Nunobiki ware," a traditional craft of Higashiomi City, is a historic pottery that dates back to the Edo period. Characterized by pale indigo blue painting and a soft milky white glaze, it has a warm texture that is appealing.
Nunobiki pottery manufacturer

Holidays for working employees

On our days off, we who live in Higashiomi spend time in nature, with our families, or immerse ourselves in our hobbies. Each of us finds ways to spend our time that are unique to us. Here, we introduce some of the special ways that our employees who actually work here spend their days off.

Company newsletterSHINERGYThan
We've selected some interview articles to introduce to you!

My hobby is
For family hobbies

NSan

WATERCRAFT

Jet ski model: Kawasaki STX-15F (manufactured in 2004)

Jet skiing is a hobby he started when he was single, and since getting married he's been enjoying it with his family. He says that as he goes through changes in his life stage, it's nice to enjoy his hobby in a slightly different way.

20

He and a friend started working towards getting their small boat licenses.
24

First time buying a used jet ski.

▼The jet I spent my youth with. The Yamaha Mj-Superjet 1, a single-seater stand-up bike with a 650cc engine.
29

Married. In the same year, a regulation was enacted to prevent water pollution in Lake Biwa. The use of jet skis equipped with two-stroke engines was banned, so he quit for a while.
34

Joined SHIMADA.
44

I bought a motorcycle with a four-stroke engine and started riding again after a long time.
45 Now

Families enjoy themselves together, taking their children for a run on towing tubes (round inflatable rings that are towed around) or having BBQs on the lakeshore.

Spending time alone in nature
My Time

NSan

CAMP

                            About camping hobbies:
I asked a lot of questions!

Q.What made you start camping?
A. I was invited by a friend about 5 or 6 years ago. The first campsite I went to was along the lake shore, and it was really nice and open.
Q.Where are you camping?
A. I go all over the place, both within and outside the prefecture.
Q.What's your favourite campsite?
A. "Momiji no Sato Matsubara Auto Campsite" in Eigenji! You can camp surrounded by nature, including rivers and large trees. There are lots of maples, so in the fall you can enjoy the autumn leaves while camping.
Q.How often do you go camping?
A. I go for two days and one night, about twice a month if the weather is good. Sometimes I go with friends, and sometimes I go alone.
Q.What do you do when you go camping?
A. Once you have set up the tent and prepared the bonfire, you are free to do whatever you want! You can enjoy listening to music, drinking, cooking, and more.
Q.What's your favourite camping gear?
A. I also do solo camping, so I bought a one-person one-touch tent. It's great because it's easy to set up even by yourself.
Q.What is your passion for camping?
A. I don't buy firewood, but instead source it locally. It's sold at campsites, but I like to gather my own firewood and make my own original bonfire.
Q.What is the appeal of camping?
A. The ability to spend time freely and leisurely surrounded by nature without worrying about other people's attention. It helps me relieve stress and relax.
Q.What would you like to try at future camps?
A. I'm currently researching camping food, and I'd like to try my hand at tumble grilling!

Enjoying winter in Shiga

ISan

SNOWBOARDING

Gransnow Okuibuki
We come here every year because of the excellent snow quality and easy access. The feeling of speed as you glide through the extraordinary pure white world is what makes it so appealing.
Record your run with the app
The distance I ski in one day is about 1km! I ski about 20 days in one season, so in total it's 1km! I ski from SHIMADA to Shizuoka Station.

My way of having fun is to race down an empty slope at top speed! I can reach a maximum speed of about 60km, and it's an incredibly thrilling activity that I've never thought of before!
Lunch at a soba restaurant at the foot of Mt. Ibuki
I always stop by here when I finish snowboarding around lunchtime. The soba noodles and grated Ibuki daikon radish are delicious! It fills both my stomach and my heart.
Snow-covered Metasequoia Tree Line
I stopped by here before going snowboarding. It was 7am. There was very little traffic and I felt so luxurious breathing in the fresh morning air. After being soothed by the magnificent view, I set off for Oku-Ibuki!