Chikubu Island

Nagahama

Do the gods live on the deserted island in Lake Biwa?

Chikubu is a small island only 2 kilometers in circumference lying in the northern part of Lake Biwa. It is also called the Island of the Gods and a deserted island designated as one of the Eight Views of Omi. The interior of the island is home to Hogon-ji Temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine (Chikubushima Shrine), and it is said that many generals visited these two spots in ancient times. You can easily visit the island on one of the sightseeing boats from Nagahama, Imazu or Hikone ports. The Benzaiten enshrined in Hogon-ji Temple is one of the Three Great Shines of Benzaiten, including Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, and Enoshima in Kanagawa Prefecture. This site is an important reminder from the era when Shinto and Buddhism were intertwined. This is an excellent sightseeing spot to compare and appreciate the architecture of shrines and temples.

(c)Biwako visitor’s Bureou

A holy power spot that combines nature, a Shinto shrine, and a Buddhist temple

In recent years, it has become popular to tour around the “power spots” in Japan. Power spots are spiritual places that are said to flow with a mysterious power, where one can gain energy and find healing. Chikubu Island enjoys quiet popularity as a power spot. Although Lake Biwa itself is a power spot, Chikubu Island is said to havethe power to grant wishes. The island is rich in nature, being covered in coniferous trees. It shows a different face with each season, and lends a purified feeling simply by taking a walk. Just remember that although the island is small, it is very hilly, so make sure you are up to the walk.

Humorous Japanese-style wish making

There are two ways to make a wish on Chikubu Island. The first one is with Benzaiten’s “Happiness Wish Daruma” at Hogon-ji Temple. You purchase a small red daruma at Hogon-ji Temple, write a wish on a paper and put it into the daruma, whichwill pray over your wish for one year at the temple. The cute darumas each have their own individual expressions. The other way is the “Kawarake-nage”. You write your wish on an earthenware tile and throw it towards the Miyazaki Torii on the hill sticking out into the lake. It is said that this is equal to walking through the torii gate. Both are reasonably priced activities, so be sure to try once.

For reference

Chikubu Island

Address

Hayazaki, Nagahama-shi, Shiga-ken
Telephone

0749-65-6521 (Nagahama Tourism Association)
Ship schedule

Runs from 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (changes depending on the season)
Price

Entrance to the temple and shrine are free of charge. Entrance fee to the island is 400 yen.
Site

http://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/basic/index3.php (Chikubu Island Cruise)

Access

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour, 50 minute flight from New Chitose Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour flight from Haneda Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour, 10 minute flight from Fukuoka Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour, 10 minute flight from Kagoshima Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 2 hour flight from Naha Airport.

Kyoto is a 55 minute ride by an airport shuttle bus.

To Nagahama Port

Take the Kodama Shinkansen from JR Kyoto Station to JR Maibara Station (20 min). Take the Hokuriku Express from JR Maibara Station to JR Nagahama Station (9 min). The port is a 10 minute walk from Nagahama Station.

To Hikone Port

Take the Biwako Line New Express train from JR Kyoto Station to JR Hikone Station (50 min). The port is a 10 minute ride from Hikone Station by shuttle bus.

To Imazu Port:

Take the Kosei Line from JR Kyoto Station to JR Omi-Imazu Station (50 min). The port is a 5 minute walk from the station.
The island is a 25 to 40 minute steamship ride from Nagahama, Hikone, and Imazu ports.