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The Rice Terraces of Shiga

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > The Rice Terraces of Shiga

A picturesque rural landscape that has been shaped over the centuries

Biwako Visitors Bureau

Shiga Prefecture boasts some truly beautiful rice terraces. Particularly famous examples include the Hata Rice Terraces in Takashima City, and the Ogi Rice Terraces in Otsu City.

The Hata Rice Terraces have been selected among the 100 beautiful rice terraces of Japan and have also been used for the filming of movies. A small settlement there of around 40 buildings maintains the terraces under harsh conditions, at a height between 300 and 400 meters and an incline of 10 degrees.

It is said that people started to live in this region more than 2,000 years ago, during the Jomon Period. In modern times, the advancing age of those living in the settlement has created issues with the maintenance of the terraces, leading to the introduction of a terrace owner system which enables exchanges with visitors from the cities through planting and harvesting experiences.
Local tours are certainly the best way to see the rice terraces and discover the rural charm of Shiga, allowing participants to interact with locals and directly experience life in the countryside.

How to get there

Hata-no-tanada (Hata Rice Terraces)
Take a rapid train from JR Kyoto Station to Omi-Takashima Station (about 40 minutes). Then take a Hata Line bus and get off at ""Hata"" Stop (about 35 minutes). The Hata Rice Terraces are about 5 minutes by walk from the bus stop.

Ogi-no-tanada (Ogi Rice Terraces)
Take a train from JR Kyoto Station to Ogoto-onsen Station (about 20 minutes). The Ogi Rice Terraces are about 10 minutes by car from the station.

Otsu-shi and Takashima-shi, Shiga-ken