Usual hours and prices, checked 2026-09-13 against the sources under “What this place is”. They can change for holidays and events — confirm before you go. Official site
Our guide
The Lake Biwa Museum in Shiga opened in 1996. Its theme is the relationship between lakes and people, and it introduces the nature and culture of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest and oldest lake. Its aquarium is one of the largest freshwater aquariums in Japan, and the giant Lake Biwa catfish is a popular symbol of the museum. A full-size replica of a maruko-bune, a traditional wooden sailing boat of the lake, is on display.
Our checked record says to take the JR Biwako Line to Kusatsu Station, then an Ohmi Railway bus from the west exit, about 25 minutes, to the Biwako Hakubutsukan stop at the museum. It is closed on Mondays (open when Monday is a public holiday); see “Plan your visit” below for hours and extra closures.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- 滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館外観 — Kekero · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Lake Biwa view from LBM — 28n · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Lake Biwa Museum 20201004 04 — 先従隗始 · CC0 · source · resized
- Biwako museum — 個人撮影 · Copyrighted free use · source · resized
- Lake Biwa Museum 01 — Abasaa · Public domain · source · resized
- 滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館内観 — Kekero · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- 滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館水族展示室 — Kekero · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Lake Biwa Museum 20201024 02 — 先従隗始 · CC0 · source · resized
What this place is
The Lake Biwa Museum (琵琶湖博物館, Biwako Hakubutsukan) is in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It was founded in 1996. The theme of the museum is "relationship between lakes and people" and introduces the nature and culture of Lake Biwa, the largest and oldest lake in Japan. The Lake Biwa Museum's aquarium is one of the largest freshwater aquarium in Japan. The giant Lake Biwa catfish (Silurus biwaensis) is a popular symbol of the Lake Biwa Museum. A full-scale replica of Maruko-bune, a traditional wooden sailing boat of the Lake Biwa, is on the exposition in the museum. It is a member of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA), the aquarium is accredited as a Registered Museum by the Museum Act from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Visitor information checked: 2026-09-13 · Lake Biwa Museum: opening days and hours · Lake Biwa Museum: access
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Aquarium
Getting there by public transport
- JR Biwako Line to Kusatsu Station (about 20 minutes from Kyoto by Special Rapid).
- From bus stand 2 at the west exit, take the Ohmi Railway bus bound for Biwako Hakubutsukan (about 25 minutes) to the “Biwako Hakubutsukan” stop, right at the museum.
Route checked: 2026-09-13 · Lake Biwa Museum: opening days and hours · Lake Biwa Museum: access · Timetables change — check the operator before you travel.
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