Shiga wraps around Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, and its 2026 event calendar plays out on and around the water: one of the Kansai region’s biggest fireworks displays over the lake in Otsu, a rare simultaneous show fired from three shores, and a set of centuries-old festivals in the historic towns that ring it. Add spring blossoms over the water and autumn colour at ancient temples, and Shiga rewards a well-timed 2026 trip. This guide gathers the events worth planning around, with a month-by-month calendar at the end.
A note on dates: Confirmed 2026 dates are given where announced. Festival and firework dates can shift for weather or organiser decisions, and ticketed events sell out — always confirm on the official website before building a day around one.
Biwako Great Fireworks (びわ湖大花火大会) — August 6, 2026 ⭐
One of the Kansai region’s largest and most popular fireworks displays, launched over Lake Biwa in front of Otsu. 2026 (40th-anniversary) date: August 6, with a record roughly 12,000 shells reflecting off the lake. The waterfront and the hills behind Otsu form a natural amphitheatre. Paid seating sells out early, and trains from Kyoto are packed — book seating and plan your return in advance.
Biwako Three-City Simultaneous Fireworks — August 22, 2026
A distinctive display in which fireworks are launched at the same time from three shores — Takashima, Nagahama, and Hikone — so the whole northern lake lights up at once. 2026 date: August 22.
Otsu Matsuri (大津祭) — October 2026
The grand festival of Tenson Shrine in Otsu, held on a weekend in October (traditionally the weekend before Sports Day). Thirteen ornate hikiyama floats — each carrying a mechanical karakuri puppet that performs at set stops — parade through the old town, hung with lanterns for the eve (yoi-miya). A refined, UNESCO-recognised-style float culture minutes from Kyoto. Confirm the exact 2026 dates.
Nagahama Hikiyama Festival (長浜曳山まつり) — mid-April 2026
One of Japan’s three great float festivals, and famous for its child kabuki (Ko-kabuki): boys aged 5–12 perform full kabuki plays on the stages of gorgeous gilded floats in the castle town of Nagahama. Held in mid-April (traditionally around April 13–16). A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage; confirm the 2026 dates.
Sagicho Matsuri (左義長まつり) — mid-March 2026
A fiery spring festival in Omihachiman: teams parade elaborate straw-and-food floats through the merchant streets, then burn them in a roaring climax on the second evening. Held in mid-March (traditionally the weekend nearest March 14–15). One of Shiga’s most dynamic events.
Cherry Blossom Season (Spring 2026)
Shiga’s blossoms peak in early April, later at the lake’s northern end.
- Kaizu-Osaki (Takashima) — a 4km avenue of cherries along the lake shore, boat cruises beneath the blossoms; among Japan’s finest lakeside hanami
- Hikone Castle — cherries around one of Japan’s twelve original keeps
- Miidera (Otsu) and the Lake Biwa Canal in Otsu
Autumn Leaves (Nov 2026)
- Eigenji (Higashiomi) — a mountain Zen temple famous for its maples, peaking mid-to-late November
- Koto Sanzan — the three ancient temples (Saimyoji, Kongorinji, Hyakusaiji) in a row of superb foliage
- Hikone Castle and Metasequoia Avenue (Takashima) — a striking avenue of dawn-redwoods
Winter & New Year
- Hatsumode at Taga Taisha and the temples of Mt. Hiei (Enryakuji, on the Shiga–Kyoto border)
- Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei — the great Tendai temple complex, atmospheric under snow
- Quiet lake-town onsen and Hikone Castle in winter light
Month-by-Month Calendar (2026)
| Month | Key events |
|---|---|
| January | Hatsumode at Taga Taisha; Enryakuji in winter |
| February | Plum blossoms; quiet lake season |
| March | Sagicho Matsuri (mid-March); cherry blossoms begin |
| April | Nagahama Hikiyama child kabuki (mid-April); Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms |
| May | Fresh-green season; lake cruises |
| June | Rainy season; hydrangeas |
| July | Summer festivals; lake activities |
| August | Biwako Great Fireworks Aug 6; Three-City Fireworks Aug 22 |
| September | Early autumn |
| October | Otsu Matsuri (October) |
| November | Autumn leaves (Eigenji, Koto Sanzan, Metasequoia Avenue) |
| December | Winter temples; year-end; New Year prep |
Practical Tips
- Book far ahead for the Biwako fireworks. August 6 fills Otsu and nearby Kyoto accommodation and paid seating months in advance; the return trains are extremely crowded.
- Confirm every date on the official site. Firework and festival dates move for weather; the Otsu, Nagahama, and Sagicho weekends should be checked each year.
- Shiga pairs perfectly with Kyoto. Otsu is ~10 minutes from Kyoto by train, so lake events work even from a Kyoto base.
- Kaizu-Osaki blooms slightly later. For lakeside cherries, aim for early-to-mid April at the northern shore.
- Summer heat. August events are hot and humid; water, a hat, and a fan are essentials.
