Lake Biwa: Mystical Chikubu Island Boat Tour from Many Ports
Discover the sacred beauty of Chikubu Island on this guided boat journey across Lake Biwa. Renowned for its spiritual significance, Chikubu is home to the revered Benzaiten shrine, where you’ll experience centuries of devotion and tradition. With an expert local guide, explore the stunning Hogon-ji
What To Expect
Stop 1
⏱ 2h 30mAdmission includedRising from the waters of Lake Biwa, Chikubu Island has been revered as a sacred site for over a thousand years. Legends say it was the first place in Japan where Benzaiten, goddess of beauty, music, and fortune, was enshrined, and her spirit still fills the island’s temples and shrines. Hogon-ji Temple, Tsukubusuma Shrine, and the Dragon God Shrine reflect the blending of Buddhism and Shinto that shaped Japanese faith. Visitors can pass through the ornate Kara-mon Gate, cross the “Boat Corridor,” and join the kawarake-nage ritual, tossing clay discs for protection and luck. Artifacts found in the lakebed prove its role as a spiritual center long before organized religions. Surrounded by cliffs, pagodas, and treasure halls, Chikubu Island offers not just sightseeing but immersion in the mystery and devotion of Lake Biwa.
What to Bring
- •Public transportation options are available nearby
- •Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- •Specialized infant seats are available
- •Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Compare Similar Experiences
 Lake Biwa: Mystical Chikubu Island Boat Tour from Many Ports (this) |  Shiga: Discover the Living Tradition of Shigaraki Pottery |  Shiga: Guided Tour of Oda Nobunaga’s Azuchi Castle Legacy” |  Shiga: Nagahama Castle, Gateway to Japan’s Great Unifier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | — | — | — | — |
| Duration | — | 2 hours | 4 hours | 1h 30m |
| Group size | — | — | — | — |
| Price (from) | US$146.99 | US$53.37 | US$78.02 | US$47.25 |
| Cancellation | Non-refundable | Non-refundable | Non-refundable | Non-refundable |
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