Ōmizo Castle in Takashima City sits on a small promontory on the western shore of Lake Biwa, and its water-filled moats and crumbling stone walls are adorned with cherry trees every April in a scene of quiet, off-the-beaten-path beauty. The castle ruins are designated a National Historic Site, and the reflection of blossoms and turret remnants in the moat creates a composition beloved by landscape photographers. The lakeside backdrop of Lake Biwa and the distant Hira Mountains adds a grand natural scale to what is otherwise an intimate and uncrowded hanami spot. Local food stalls and outdoor seating appear during the bloom period, making it easy to linger for hours.
- Type
- Venue
- Category
- Cherry Blossom
- Season
- Spring
- Month
- Early April
- Region
- Kansai
- Prefecture
- Shiga
- City
- Takashima
Highlights
- ◆Cherry-ringed moat reflections at a National Historic Site castle
- ◆Lake Biwa and Hira Mountains as a sweeping scenic backdrop
- ◆Uncrowded, hidden-gem atmosphere away from tourist routes
- ◆Designated important national historic site with preservation care
- ◆Combined well with Takashima's white-walled merchant town streets