Shiga Weather Forecast

Yes, and it surprises people. Cold air crossing the Sea of Japan reaches the northern shore around Nagahama and Makino largely intact and drops metres of snow, while Otsu at the southern end — 60km away — may see almost none.

It moderates the shoreline, keeping nights milder and mornings foggier than the surrounding hills, and it feeds the winter snow clouds that pile onto the north-eastern shore. Wind across the lake picks up sharply through the afternoon.

April to early June, and October into November: clear, dry and comfortable. The Makino metasequoia avenue and the slopes of Hiei are both at their best in the second of those windows.