Chikubu Island

Chikubu Island is a small island (a little over 2 km around) floating offshore in Lake Biwa. You can reach the island by boat from one of three ports: Nagahama Port, Imazu Port, or Hikone Port. From Nagahama Port, the ride takes about 30 minutes. In recent years, Chikubu Island has also become famous as a power spot because it is formed from a huge single rock mass. The island is home to Hogon-ji Temple, said to have been founded following a revelation from Amaterasu, and it is the 30th temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. Visitors are welcomed by the steep “Prayer Stairway” made up of 165 steps. Near Hogon-ji is Tsukubusuma Shrine, whose buildings are said to have been donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi from within Fushimi Castle when receiving the Emperor. The shrine’s main hall and Hogon-ji’s Kara-mon Gate are both designated National Treasures. A must-try experience on Chikubu Island is “Kawarake-throwing” at the Ryujin Worship Place, where you can overlook Lake Biwa. You throw a small clay dish (kawarake) with your wish written on it toward the Miyazaki Torii—if it passes through the torii, it is said your wish will come true.