A Small Historical Town Near Lake Biwa, Easy to Visit from Kyoto and Osaka
Nagahama is a small historic city located on the northern shore of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake.
The town developed as a castle town during the Sengoku period (around 16th century), closely associated with samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and later grew as a merchant town.
Today, Nagahama is a calm, walkable place where history, local food, and small museums come together—making it a good destination for a short family trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
Winter in Nagahama often brings snowfall, and even when it’s light, the remaining snow adds a calm, wintry feel to the town.
Access from Kyoto & Osaka (by train)
Nagahama is easy to reach by JR train:
From Kyoto Station: about 80 minutes by JR Special Rapid Service
From Osaka Station: about 100 minutes by JR Special Rapid Service
No transfers are needed on many routes, which makes the trip much easier when traveling with children.
Visiting Nagahama in Winter: Snowy, Quiet, and Atmospheric
We visited Nagahama in winter.
This area often gets regular snowfall in winter time especially around January and February, so snow on the ground is not unusual.
Instead of being inconvenient, the winter scenery added a lot of charm:
Snow-covered streets around the old town
Fewer tourists than spring or autumn
A slower, more relaxed pace overall
Of course, checking the weather is important, but if conditions are safe, winter is a beautiful time to visit Nagahama.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Nagahama
Kurokabe Square (黒壁スクエア)
Kurokabe Square is the central sightseeing area of Nagahama. (Kurokabe means “black wall.”)
It’s a district of preserved buildings, glass craft shops, cafés, and sweet shops, all concentrated in a compact area near Nagahama Station.
The main building was originally a bank built in 1900, and to preserve it, the founders turned to glassmaking—taking inspiration from European glass culture. Today, this choice makes Nagahama famous for glass craftsmanship.
For families, this area works well because you can stroll at your own pace and stop for snacks or souvenirs.
Handmade glass items from Kurokabe shops often feature seasonal Japanese traditional decorations. For example, in February, you might see Hina dolls and other festive ornaments crafted in glass.
Tsukudani from Lake Biwa : small fish preserved in a sweet and savory soy sauce-based sauce, typically eaten on top of rice. It’s a classic Japanese flavor that people familiar with Japanese cuisine will recognize and appreciate.
Local beer and sake: Nagahama has one brewery producing Nagahama Roman beer, and the city also has four sake breweries, some of which allow visitors to taste or purchase their products. You can also find those plus Japanese whisky at local shops and liquor stores.
Kurokabe Square is a compact area of preserved historic buildings, including the former Kurokabe Bank, now home to glass shops, cafés, and sweet shops.
Kaiyodo Figure Museum (海洋堂フィギュアミュージアム)
This museum is especially fun if you or your kids like manga, anime, or figures.
The Kaiyodo Figure Museum displays high-quality figures from:
Anime and manga
Creatures and animals
Historical and fantasy themes
You don’t need to be a hardcore fan—if you enjoy Japanese pop culture at all, it’s a fun place to stop by.
Yanmar Museum (ヤンマーミュージアム)
Yanmar Museum isn’t just a typical museum—it’s a hands-on challenge museum created by Yanmar, a company founded in Nagahama and famous for diesel engines and machinery. It’s designed so kids and adults can learn by doing rather than just looking at displays.
At the museum, you’ll find:
Power Shovel Challenge: Kids can try a real mini excavator under supervision.
Boat simulator: A game-style experience to “drive” a pleasure boat.
Interactive zones where children can explore energy, farming, and machines through physical or mental activities (age/size restrictions apply).
Exhibits on Yanmar’s history, technology, and engines used in agriculture, cities, and marine environments.
The museum is about a 10-minute walk from JR Nagahama Station (or a free shuttle on some weekends).
It’s energetic, educational, and a great place for kids to burn off some energy—especially helpful in winter.
The Yanmar Museum introduces the company behind agricultural and marine engines, with hands-on exhibits where kids can operate machines and learn through play.
What We Ate in Nagahama
Lunch: Local Winter Comfort Food
For lunch, we tried two local specialties:
Noppei Udon – a thick, hearty udon dish with a rich, starchy broth that’s perfect in cold weather
Biwamasu Don – a rice bowl topped with Biwa trout sashimi, a fish native to Lake Biwa
Both are very local dishes and worth trying if you want food unique to the region.
A classic Nagahama lunch: noppei udon with a thick, savory broth, and a rice bowl topped with Biwa trout from Lake Biwa.
Sweets & Snacks Around Kurokabe Square
Kurokabe Square is great for casual snacking. During our visit, we enjoyed:
Cheesecake
Ice cream
Fruit parfaits
Imo Kintsuba (sweet potato pastry)
Pudding
These small treats make it easy to take breaks while exploring, and give kids a mix of Western-style and local flavors.
Nagahama Roman Beer
While our child was napping, we stopped at Nagahama Roman Beer.
Beers: Pilsner, Weizen, Pale Ale (also available in stores in Kyoto and Osaka)
Whiskeys: From single malts to blends
Food: Local Omi beef roast beef, sausages, pizza, soft drinks (kids can eat easily)
Local specialties: Funazushi (fermented sushi with lake fish) for the adventurous
They also occasionally offer limited edition beers and whiskeys that aren’t commonly found in Kyoto or Osaka, making them a nice souvenir.
Stopping by Nagahama Roman Beer in the afternoon for local craft beer, Japanese whisky, and Omi beef roast beef.
It’s a spacious restaurant with casual food options, making it easy to visit even with kids.
More Options for History & Culture Lovers
If you’re interested in history and traditional culture, Nagahama has more to offer:
Nagahama Castle: A reconstructed castle with displays about the Sengoku period and samurai
Daitsuji Temple : has historic buildings, including a main hall said to be from Fushimi Castle in Kyoto, with interior paintings and crafts around the 16th century.
Nagahama Hikiyama Museum: Showcasing the city’s famous festival floats (The festival itself is held in April)
Bonbai Exhibition (盆梅展): Seasonal display of plum bonsai trees, held in winter
These spots are especially enjoyable if you prefer quieter, cultural experiences.
Nagahama’s Hikiyama Festival is known for its elaborate floats, and even small-scale models show the level of detail and craftsmanship behind this local tradition.
Staying Overnight (Optional)
Nagahama works well as a day trip, but staying overnight allows a slower, more immersive experience.
One option is Wano Retreat Hitoiki, a renovated traditional townhouse located on the main approach to Daitsuji Temple.
Through Wabunka, the proprietor can also guide visitors on a mini walking tour of the town, giving a deeper insight into local culture and craftsmanship.
Wano Retreat Hitoiki is a renovated traditional townhouse on the main approach to Daitsuji Temple, offering a peaceful stay with a local touch. The proprietor also offers an optional mini walking tour to introduce visitors to Nagahama’s culture and craftsmanship. Photo credit: Wabunka
Who Nagahama Is Best For
Nagahama is ideal if you are:
Traveling with children and want an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka
Interested in local food, sake, or craft experiences
Hoping to enjoy winter scenery without going too far
Curious about Japanese history, festivals, and traditional culture
It’s not flashy, but that’s exactly why it works so well—especially for families and travelers seeking slow, immersive.
tokie
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