Lake Biwa Museum will celebrate its 30th anniversary with special evening experiences: a Night at the Museum event on Sunday, March 8, 2026, and an overnight Premium Night Tour on Friday, March 20, 2026 (national holiday). Visitors can enjoy unique nighttime content not available during regular hours, including special exhibition lighting, classical concerts, Omi local sake tastings, and curator-led exhibition tours.
Night at the Museum Event Details
Premium Night Tour Details
For more information and bookings: https://otsu.or.jp/tour/nmuseumcruise
Night at the Museum and Premium Night Tour Highlights
Special Lighting
Special nighttime lighting designed by NAKED Inc., the company behind illumination events at Heian Shrine and Nijo Castle, will create a mystical atmosphere. Spotlights will be placed at several locations throughout the exhibition rooms to dramatically illuminate the exhibits.
Classical Concert (Night at the Museum only)
The string quartet "Quartet Fuga" will perform special concerts in the Atrium at two showtimes: 6:30 PM to 6:50 PM and 7:10 PM to 7:30 PM.
Local Sake Tasting
Guests can sample a variety of Japanese sake from the Lake Country region.
Curator Lectures and Exhibition Tours (Premium Night Tour only)
On the cruise to Lake Biwa Museum, curators will provide lectures about Lake Biwa's history and tips for enjoying the museum. Inside the museum, curators will offer guided tours of the exhibitions.
Premium Night Tour Itinerary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4:30 PM | Meet at Biwako Otsu Prince Hotel |
| 4:45 PM | Depart from Nio-no-hama Sightseeing Pier, curator lecture on board |
| 5:45 PM | Arrive at Karasuma Peninsula Port |
| 6:00 PM | Enter Lake Biwa Museum |
| 7:45 PM | Depart from Karasuma Peninsula Port, dinner on board (special bento featuring Omi beef) |
| 8:45 PM | Arrive at Nio-no-hama Sightseeing Pier |
| 9:00 PM | Return to Biwako Otsu Prince Hotel, overnight accommodation |
Tour Planning and Operation: Biwako Otsu Tourism Association
Cruise Ship: Mokubei Shipyard Co., Ltd. "Ichibamaru"
Accommodation: Biwako Otsu Prince Hotel
Night at the Museum Promotional Video Available on Official YouTube
Lake Biwa Museum's official YouTube channel features a promotional video introducing the Night at the Museum event.
Video URL: https://youtu.be/ZLwLMjtZmx4
Biwako no Chikara Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnm1cPWFM1CCiv2HYkLiCtQ
