Biwahaku Fes (Lake Biwa Museum Festival) 2026

Dates & time: November 14, 2026 (Sat) - November 15, 2026 (Sun) 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:00)
Price & booking: Free entry to the permanent exhibition (Kansai Culture Day). A separate fee applies only to the special exhibition. Workshops take sign-ups on the day. Numbered tickets may be handed out for sessions with limited places.
Venue & access: Lake Biwa Museum From bus stop 2 at the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station, take an Ohmi Railway bus bound for Lake Biwa Museum (about 25 minutes). By car, about 30 minutes from Ritto IC on the Meishin Expressway (420 paid parking spaces).

Calendar

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Why You Should Visit

A two-day festival at the Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu, where local groups, companies and universities working in the field around Lake Biwa and Shiga gather under one roof. Expect hands-on workshops such as making fish key chains and fossil specimen boxes, stage talks where groups share what they have found, poster displays, and floor talks by museum curators in the galleries. The dates fall on Kansai Culture Day, so the permanent exhibition is free to enter. This year also marks the museum's 30th anniversary. A good day out for families with kids who love animals and nature.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

What's on

Workshops: crafts, nature observation, quizzes and more
Stage talks: participating groups present their work in person
Poster displays: findings from field activities
Talk with the curators: behind-the-scenes stories of the current special exhibition, floor talks in the galleries, and "curator stalls" with special materials
Character hunt: collect the characters hidden around the venue to receive a festival-only Biwahaku card (at the festival information desk; first come, first served, limited numbers)

Participants

The museum's volunteer "Hashikake" groups (fish, bones, insects, forest and more) and field reporters
Research institutions such as Kyoto University and Ritsumeikan University, and the Takatsuki Municipal Natural History Museum (Aquapia Akutagawa)
Companies including SCREEN Holdings, Nitto Denko and Resonac, plus the Wild Bird Society of Japan Shiga, the Shiga Veterinary Medical Association and others

Tie-in

Nov 14 (Sat): a special cruise with curator commentary sails direct from Otsu Port to the museum. Parent-and-child pairs living in Shiga or Kyoto City are invited by lottery (a pre-campaign of the Shiga Destination Campaign)

* Programs are subject to change

Events Festivals Family Free Cheap Rainy Day Half Day

出典: 滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館公式サイト

Kobe · Gluten-free

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FAQ

Is there an admission fee?

Both days fall on Kansai Culture Day, so the permanent exhibition is free. A separate fee applies only if you visit the special exhibition.

Do I need to book the workshops?

No booking is needed; sign-ups are taken on the day. Numbered tickets may be handed out for workshops with limited places. Morning slots run 10:00–12:00 and afternoon slots 13:30–15:30.

Is it worth going on a rainy day?

Workshops and floor talks take place at various spots inside the museum. The Sweets Marché held at the same time goes ahead in rain but is cancelled in stormy weather.