Maibara

Most of Maibara's visitors come in by train and never see more than the station. A major junction, Maibara is a Shinkansen station between Kyoto and Nagoya. Shinkansen travelers to Maibara typically use it as the gateway to Hikone, one station south. It is also the eastern terminus of some kaisoku and shinkaisoku (translated as rapid and new rapid) commuter trains from Kansai and the western terminus for all trains from Ogaki and some from Toyohashi. Some of the trains from Kansai go on further to Nagahama, Omi-Shiotsu, and Tsuruga. Be aware that some eastbound rapid and special rapid services terminate at Yasu, which is short of Maibara when coming from the west. The northern cities of Kanazawa and Fukui are connected to Maibara via the Limited Express Shirasagi (en route to Nagoya) and the Thunderbird (en route to Osaka).

• 🌍 Maibara Station (米原駅, Maibara-eki). (updated Apr 2019)

• 🌍 Samegai-juku Museum (醒井宿資料館) (5 minute walk from JR Samegai Station). The Samegai-juku is one of the posts of the former Nakasendo Route that connected Kyoto to Edo. The Museum has a few exhibits and also serves as a small rest area at the center of the historic street. The stream in front of the museum is known for the Japanese Batrachium flowers (梅花藻 baikamo) that bloom in stream in July and August. Free. (updated Oct 2020)
• 🌍 Seiganji Temple (青岸寺) (10 min walk from Maibara Station). Seiganji is one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Omi Province temples, with Fukurokuju as its representative god. It's most known for its garden, constructed by the same man who designed Rakurakuen Garden in Hikone. It's a zen garden that uses rocks to represent mountains, islands, and bridges, with the river area being covered in vibrant green moss. ¥300. (updated Jan 2023)

• Lake Biwa - Japan's largest lake
• Hikone - one of Japan's less-known castle towns is only a few stops away
• Nagahama
• Taga
• Higashiomi
• Tsuruga
• Sekigahara
• Ogaki
• Gifu