5 Famous Foods You’ll Find in Shiga

Shiga Prefecture is home to Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, which has played a major role in shaping the region’s distinctive food culture. Local cuisine reflects centuries of freshwater fishing, merchant trade routes and agriculture influenced by the lake’s environment. From premium wagyu beef to fermented sushi, unlike anything else in Japan, here are some famous foods you’ll find in Shiga.

1. Omi Beef

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Farmers in Shiga have raised Omi beef cattle for more than 400 years, making it one of Japan’s oldest wagyu brands. Raised in the fertile farmlands surrounding Lake Biwa, the cattle are nourished by clean water, helping produce beef with fine marbling and a buttery texture. Restaurants across the prefecture serve Omi beef as steak, sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, while some prepare it as sushi or rice bowls. Cities such as Hikone and Omihachiman are especially known for Omi beef dining.

2. Funazushi

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Funazushi stands as one of Japan’s oldest forms of sushi and remains one of Shiga’s most recognizable local dishes. Producers make it by salting nigorobuna crucian carp from Lake Biwa and fermenting it with rice for several months. This process creates a strong, pungent aroma and a sharp, tangy flavor that can be divisive, with many people either loving it or finding it difficult to eat at first. Despite its reputation as one of Japan’s more challenging regional dishes, funazushi remains an important part of Shiga Prefecture’s culinary traditions and festival culture.

3. Biwa Salmon

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Known locally as Biwa masu, this freshwater trout lives exclusively in Lake Biwa and has become one of the prefecture’s signature ingredients. The fish has pale-pink flesh and a clean, delicate flavor that works well as sashimi, grilled fillets, or in rice bowls. Many local restaurants highlight Biwa salmon as a seasonal specialty, particularly during spring and early summer.

4. Kamo Nabe

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Restaurants in northern Shiga, especially around Nagahama, often serve kamo nabe (duck hot pot) during the colder months. The dish combines slices of duck with vegetables, tofu and broth in a shared hot pot. Historically, migratory ducks gathered around Lake Biwa each winter, helping duck dishes become part of the area’s food culture. The broth develops a savory flavor as the duck cooks, making the meal especially popular in winter.

5. Decchi-yokan

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Decchi-yokan is a traditional Japanese sweet made by steaming red bean paste, sugar and flour into a soft, dense jelly. Merchants in Shiga created it as an affordable snack for apprentices, known as “decchi,” which gave the dessert its name. The sweet became especially popular in Omihachiman, a historic merchant town still known for traditional confectionery shops. Many people enjoy decchi-yokan with green tea because of its mild sweetness and smooth texture.

What did you think of these famous foods you’ll find in Shiga? Explore our Famous Foods in Japan series to discover local specialties from across Japan.