Luxury holidays in Omihachiman

Beside Lake Biwa is the Edo-period merchant city of Omihachiman. Cherry trees and timeworn temples line the city’s waterways and well-preserved, machiya townhouses tempt with their wabi-sabi charm. Artisanal boutiques proudly display their crafts and museums unveil the city’s storied past. Nearby, La Collina is a turf-clad complex of seafood restaurants and cafés serving traditional Japanese pastries.

When to go

Cherry trees come to life during the Spring, with peak blossom in early April. Autumn (September to November) brings cooler temps and colourful hues for temple trips.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Most international flights land in Tokyo; from there it’s a three-hour train journey to Omihachiman. From Osaka, Omihachiman is a 90-minute drive away or just over an hour by train, with services departing twice hourly.

  • Trains

    From Tokyo, you’ll need to take a bullet train to Maibara Station before transferring to the JR Biwako Line to reach Omihachiman Station. The JR Biwako Line also has two trains hourly from Osaka via Kyoto.

  • Automobiles

    Navigating the Old City by car is not for the faint-hearted and you’ll need a valid Japanese or international driver’s license. Trains and taxis are your less-nerve-jangling options.