Luxury holidays in Omihachiman

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.