Lake Biwa and the surrounding part of Shiga Prefecture are easy to reach from Kyoto and Osaka, and the area has drawn more visitors in recent years.
Along with viewpoints that look out over the lake, there are water activities on calm water that beginners can try.
One of the most recognizable sights in the area is the vermilion torii gate standing in the lake at Shirahige Shrine.
This article covers what to see at Shirahige Shrine, how to get there, and the attractions nearby.
About Shirahige Shrine
A vermilion torii gate stands in Lake Biwa, with the shrine buildings on the other side of National Route 161. Shirahige Shrine is known as “the Itsukushima of Omi” and is said to be the oldest major shrine in the Omi region.
The deity is worshipped as a god of guidance, covering long life, matchmaking, conceiving a child and good fortune.
Charms sold at Shirahige Shrine
Charms are sold for health, longevity, warding off misfortune and recovery from illness, in both pouch and strap types. There are also charms for matchmaking, safe childbirth and conceiving a child.
For traffic safety, the shrine offers charms made for bicycles and motorcycles. You can fasten one to the handlebars.
What to See at Shirahige Shrine
The main sight is the torii gate standing in the water, known as the Kochu Otorii, with the sunset reflecting off the lake.
A torii gate in the lake appears in the Muromachi-period folding screen “Omi Meisho Zu” and in an Edo-period picture scroll of the shrine’s origins. One account holds that a stone bridge and a torii gate appeared in the lake as a sign of upheaval.
The present gate was donated in 1937 by Kyubei Konishi, a pharmaceutical wholesaler in Osaka, and was rebuilt in 1981.
To photograph the gate, climb the observation deck called Ranko Shirahigedai (藍湖白鬚台). The shrine’s own website directs visitors to view the torii from this deck.
The gate is known for its sunsets, but the sun also rises beyond it in the morning. The shrine’s website shows a photograph of the sunrise seen through the great torii.
During the day the blue of the lake stands against the vermilion of the gate. Toward evening the sun moves behind it, so the gate reads closer to a silhouette while the water and sky take on color.
Each time of day has something to it. Mornings are the quietest for parking and traffic, so arriving around sunrise gives you time to look without the crowds.
Viewing the Torii Gate from the Observation Deck
The torii gate stands in the lake on the far side of National Route 161. People used to cross the road and view it from the shore, but the route to the shore is now closed off. Route 161 carries heavy traffic and cars pass at speed, so crossing is dangerous.
Do not cross the road. View the gate from the observation deck on the shrine side, Ranko Shirahigedai.
Parking and How Long to Allow
Parking is on the shrine side, but the lot is small. The surface is unpaved and dusty, and the ground is uneven, so take care if your car sits low.
| Name | Shirahige Shrine |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 Ukawa, Takashima, Shiga 520-1122 |
| Phone | 0740-36-1555 |
| Admission | Open to visitors, free |
| Time needed | About 30 minutes for a visit and photographs |
| Parking | On the shrine side. Small lot, unpaved |
| Highlights | The main hall, the torii gate in the lake, the purification font |
| Crowds | On weekends and in peak season, the Kosei Road and Route 161 also get busy |
| Website | shirahigejinja.com (Japanese) |
Most visits take about 30 minutes, which makes the shrine easy to fit into a drive along the lake. Early in the morning both the lot and the road are relatively quiet.
Getting to Shirahige Shrine
The nearest station is Omi-Takashima, about 40 minutes from Kyoto Station and about 40 minutes from Otsu Station.
From Omi-Takashima Station the shrine is about a 40-minute walk, so a rental bicycle or the reservation-based shared taxi is easier. By taxi it takes about 5 minutes.
A Half-Day Route Along the Lake: Shirahige Shrine and the Metasequoia Avenue
Shirahige Shrine and the Metasequoia Avenue are about 30 minutes apart by car. Half a day is enough to see both.
Arriving at Shirahige Shrine first thing keeps the parking and the roads easy. The Metasequoia Avenue fills up in the early afternoon on weekends, so walking it in the morning and leaving lunch for later gives you more room.
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Shirahige Shrine. Visit and photograph the torii gate (about 30 minutes) |
| 10:00 | Walk and photograph the Metasequoia Avenue |
| 11:30 | Lunch at a cafe near the Metasequoia Avenue |
| 13:00 | Rest at Makino Kogen Onsen Sarasa, or head to your accommodation |
Attractions Near Shirahige Shrine
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I get close to the torii gate in the lake?
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National Route 161 is closed off and cannot be crossed. View and photograph the gate from the observation deck on the shrine side, Ranko Shirahigedai.
- How long does a visit take?
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About 30 minutes for a visit and photographs. The parking lot is small, so on weekends it helps to come outside peak hours.
- Can I see several sights around Takashima in one trip?
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Shirahige Shrine and the Metasequoia Avenue are about 30 minutes apart by car. With lunch at a cafe along the avenue, half a day covers both.
- When was the torii gate built?
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The present gate was donated in 1937 and rebuilt in 1981. A torii gate in the lake appears in a Muromachi-period folding screen, but why it stands in the water is not settled and several accounts exist.
- What is the driving route?
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From Kyoto and Osaka, take the Kosei Road from the Kyoto-Higashi interchange and follow National Route 161 north for about 40 km. From Tokyo and Nagoya, join the Hokuriku Expressway at the Maibara junction, then follow National Routes 8, 303 and 161 south from the Kinomoto interchange for about 45 km.
Summary
At Shirahige Shrine you can look out at the torii gate standing in the lake from the observation deck on the shrine side. A visit takes about 30 minutes, which makes it easy to stop at partway through a drive along the west shore.
The Metasequoia Avenue is about 30 minutes away by car, so half a day covers both. Several cafes line the avenue, and staying on the west side of Lake Biwa lets you start early and take your time.
