Through Monday, November 23, 2026 (a national holiday), the [Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Museum] (Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture) is hosting the exhibition “The Museum Is a Time Machine: Lake Biwa Through the Eyes of an Ichthyologist.” This special exhibition traces the changes in Lake Biwa’s wildlife and environment through specimens and materials collected from the Edo period to the present day. The exhibition features a stuffed specimen of the Japanese crested ibis—a Special Natural Monument—said to have been purchased in Shiga Prefecture by the German physician and naturalist Siebold, as well as other valuable specimens being displayed in Japan for the first time. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the little-known world of Lake Biwa, which has been the subject of active research not only in Japan but also overseas. This summer, why not take a stroll through these precious exhibits and feel as if you’ve slipped back in time?

Dates: Through Monday, November 23, 2026 (holiday), 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last admission: 4:00 p.m.)
Admission: Adults 340 yen, college students 270 yen, elementary, middle, and high school students 170 yen
*A separate admission fee for the permanent exhibition is required to view the special exhibition.

Through Sunday, December 20, 2026, a card rally event titled “[Collection Order] Collect the Omi Warlord Cards!” is being held, taking participants on a tour of sites in Shiga Prefecture associated with famous warlords. As a special event of the ongoing tourism campaign “Sengoku Discovery: Shiga & Lake Biwa,” visitors who tour the participating locations (17 in total) within Shiga Prefecture can receive a warlord card at each distribution spot. Prizes are available based on the number of warrior cards you collect (while supplies last), so take this opportunity to combine sightseeing with collecting these limited-edition warrior cards.

Dates: Through Sunday, December 20, 2026
Fees: Free admission

Through Thursday, December 31, 2026, the “Pa-Sake Passport” stamp rally—which was held in 2017 and 2018 and became a hot topic among sake enthusiasts—is making a comeback. Purchase the stamp rally booklet, “Pa-Sake Passport 2026: Omi Regional Sake Edition,” at sake breweries or bookstores. As you visit breweries and collect stamps, you’ll be eligible to enter a raffle for prizes based on the number of stamps you’ve collected. In addition, there are delightful perks: when you make a purchase at a sake brewery and present your Pasakeport, you’ll receive gifts such as sake cups, original coasters, and bonus stamps. With your Pasakeport in hand, tour these unique sake breweries and enjoy discovering your new favorite sake.

Duration: Through Thursday, December 31, 2026
Price: “Pa-Sake Passport” 2026—A Tour of 31 Sake Breweries in Shiga Prefecture (Omi Local Sake Edition)—500 yen per booklet

Through Sunday, April 11, 2027, the [Asahi Group Oyamazaki Mountain Villa Museum of Art] (Otokuni District, Kyoto Prefecture) is hosting two special exhibitions to commemorate the museum’s 30th anniversary. In the circular exhibition hall [Jewelry Box Underground] (Chichukan), designed by Tadao Ando, works by Claude Monet—the centerpiece of the museum’s collection—are on display. For the first time in 10 years, all eight works from the collection are on display, including five pieces from the “Water Lilies” series and three others, such as “Japanese-Style Arched Bridge.” Be sure to check out the concurrent special exhibition, “Resonance,” and visit this exhibition to experience a diverse array of art.

Dates: Through Sunday, April 11, 2027, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last admission: 4:30 p.m.)
*Please note that some exhibits will be rotated during the exhibition period.
*"Resonance" runs through Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Admission Fees: General Admission: 1,500 yen; High School and College Students: 700 yen; Middle School Students and Younger: Free