photogenic
Shirahige Shrine
A vermilion torii standing in the shallows of Lake Biwa, some 40 metres offshore from the shrine buildings. The gate is best photographed at sunrise; the shore is reached from Route 161.
15 km · about 30 min drive
AsiaJapanShiga
Kitahama
Shiga, Japan · Asia
About Kitahama
Kitahama works well as a base: 20 minutes from Yasu, 20km from Philosopher's Path.
Kitahama is in Shiga, Japan, with about 24,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Yasu, about 12 km away.
Where to Stay in Kitahama
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kitahama?
Within an hour or so of Kitahama: Shirahige Shrine (15 km), Philosopher's Path (20 km), Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) (22 km), Gion District (22 km).
Are there any good drives near Kitahama?
The nearest famous roads are Philosopher's Path and Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail.
Where is Kitahama?
Kitahama is in Shiga, Japan, about 12 km from Yasu.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 23,836
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Shiga
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 35.1667, 135.9167
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Kitahama
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
Philosopher's Path
A peaceful stone-paved canal path lined with hundreds of cherry trees, connecting major temples in Kyoto's eastern hills.
20 km · about 25 min drive
cathedral
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Gion District
Kyoto's most famous geisha district with preserved wooden machiya townhouses, traditional teahouses, and cobblestone streets.
22 km · about 25 min drive
cafe
Inoda Coffee Honten
A Kyoto kissaten founded in 1940, serving its Arabian Pearl blend pre-mixed with sugar and milk by default. The wood-panelled original room off Sakaimachi street is a working institution, not a revival.
22 km · about 25 min drive
cafe
Kissa Soirée
A 1948 Kyoto tearoom lit entirely in blue, its walls hung with paintings by Seiho Takehisa. Famous for jelly punch, a glass of coloured gelatin cubes that glows under the blue light.
22 km · about 25 min drive
castle
Nijō Castle
A flatland castle in Kyoto built by the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, famous for its nightingale floors and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Kiyomizu-dera
A historic Buddhist temple perched on a hillside with a massive wooden stage offering sweeping views over Kyoto.
23 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Kitahama
- 20 kmPhilosopher's PathA peaceful stone-paved canal path lined with hundreds of cherry trees, connecting major temples in Kyoto's eastern hills.
- 80 kmAmanohashidateA 3.6-kilometer pine-covered sandbar spanning Miyazu Bay, considered one of Japan's three most scenic views.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Kitahama.
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