Chikubushima Island

Accessible only by ferry from Nagahama or Imazu, this sacred island in Lake Biwa houses Hogon-ji temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine, both with National Treasure-designated structures relocated from Hideyoshi's Kyoto estate. Visitors throw clay discs through a lakeside torii for good luck at the kawarake-nage ritual. The island rises 197 meters from the lake, densely forested and surrounded by clear water.