Shiga Prefecture surrounds Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake, just a short train ride east of Kyoto. Landlocked and often overlooked by international visitors, it pairs the UNESCO-listed temple complex of Enryaku-ji on Mt. Hiei with the National Treasure castle at Hikone, Edo-era merchant towns, Shigaraki pottery villages, and some of Japan's finest wagyu in Omi beef.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Omi Beef Yakiniku Okina
A short walk from Ishiyama Station, Okina grills A5-graded Omi beef tableside, with a lunch set that offers an affordable entry point to the region's signature wagyu.
Known for: Table-grilled A5 Omi beef yakiniku
8-5 Matsubara-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-0831
Omi Kado-Man
Trading in Omi beef for more than a century, Kado-Man serves sukiyaki and shabu-shabu courses near Otsu Station in a traditional dining room.
Known for: Omi beef sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, over 120 years in business
1-7-35 Chuo, Otsu, Shiga 520-0051
Matsukiya Honten
Matsukiya's main store is one of Otsu's established Omi beef houses, known for both cooked sukiyaki courses and beef served raw as yukhoe.
Known for: Omi beef sukiyaki and yukhoe (raw beef)
2-2-1 Chuo, Otsu, Shiga 520-0051
Omi Beef River West
River West cooks Omi beef steaks on a teppan grill near Ishiyama, drawing diners for its close-up, chef-attended preparation.
Known for: Omi beef teppan steak
Ishiyama area, Otsu, Shiga 520-0801
Daikichi
Daikichi sources its Omi beef directly from an affiliated ranch, grilling cuts tableside or at a chef-attended counter.
Known for: Ranch-direct Omi beef yakiniku
2-25-11 Imakatata, Otsu, Shiga 520-0241
Funai
Operating since 1855, Funai is one of Shiga's oldest funazushi producers, preserving the traditional fermentation methods behind this ancient precursor to modern sushi.
Known for: Funazushi fermented crucian-carp sushi, made since 1855
Chuo, Otsu, Shiga 520-0051
Sakamotoya
In the Edo-period lakeside town of Sakamoto, Sakamotoya has fermented funazushi for roughly 150 years using wild-caught crucian carp and locally grown Omi rice.
Known for: Funazushi made with wild Lake Biwa nigorobuna and Omi rice, 150 years of production
Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113
Biwako Nagisa Park Lakeside Terrace
This lakefront terrace in Nagisa Park serves grilled ayu and moroko alongside open views across Lake Biwa toward the Hira mountains.
Known for: Ayu sweetfish and moroko dishes with lake views
Hamaotsu, Otsu, Shiga 520-0041
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Japanese
Omi Beef
Funazushi
Lake Biwa Fish
Mackerel Somen
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |