Your First Visit to BiWACC
The Shiga Prefectural Culture and Industry Exchange Hall (BiWACC) is a cultural and event venue in Maibara, Shiga. It has an Event Hall with up to 2,074 seats, a small theater (Shin Gosho Theater), and Gulliver Hall, and is used for performances, events, and meetings.
The nearest station is JR Maibara Station, about a 7-minute walk from the West Exit. Maibara is served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokaido Line, Hokuriku Line, and Biwako Line, which makes the venue convenient for visitors from the Kansai, Tokai, and Hokuriku regions.
This guide covers practical information including how to get to BiWACC, where to stay, dining options nearby, and tips for your visit.
BiWACC Access Guide
You can walk to the venue from Maibara Station. From Narita and Haneda airports, the usual route is the Tokaido Shinkansen to Maibara. Times and fares are estimates, so please check the latest information with a route planner or the operators’ official sites.
From Narita Airport
Option 1: Narita Express + Tokaido Shinkansen + walk
- Narita Airport → (Narita Express) → Tokyo Station → (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari / Kodama) → Maibara Station → about 7 min walk from the West Exit
- The trip takes about 210 minutes and costs about 15,500 yen. Only some Hikari trains and the Kodama stop at Maibara; Nozomi trains do not.
Option 2: Keisei Skyliner + JR / Tokaido Shinkansen + walk
- Narita Airport → (Keisei Skyliner) → Nippori Station → (JR) → Tokyo Station → (Tokaido Shinkansen) → Maibara Station → about 7 min walk from the West Exit
- The trip takes about 210 minutes and costs about 15,200 yen.
From Haneda Airport
Keikyu Line + Tokaido Shinkansen + walk
- Haneda Airport → (Keikyu Line) → Shinagawa Station → (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari) → Maibara Station → about 7 min walk from the West Exit
- The trip takes about 165 minutes and costs about 13,000 yen (Hikari reserved seat).
From the Nearest Station to the Venue
| Station | Lines | Time | How to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maibara Station, West Exit | JR Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokaido Line, Hokuriku Line, Biwako Line | About 7 min | Walk |
Use the West Exit to reach the venue. Leaving by the East Exit means a longer detour.
Venue Information
- Official name: Shiga Prefectural Culture and Industry Exchange Hall (BiWACC)
- Address: 2-137 Shimotara, Maibara, Shiga
- Nearest station: JR Maibara Station, West Exit, about 7 min walk
- Official website: https://www.s-bunsan.jp/
- Please check the official website for the latest opening hours and contact details.
Recommended Hotels Near BiWACC
There are not many hotels near the venue, and they tend to fill up on days with large events, so booking early is recommended. Please check each hotel’s official website or a map app for walking times to the venue.
Toyoko Inn Maibara-eki Shinkansen Nishi-guchi
A business hotel on the West Exit side of Maibara Station, the same side as the venue.
Hotel Knowledge Inn
A business hotel on the West Exit side of Maibara Station, suited to guests who want to stay near the station.
Minpaku Omiya
A Japanese inn on the east side of Maibara Station. Facilities for international business guests could not be confirmed, so please check the official website before booking.
Biwafront Hikone
A hotel in neighboring Hikone, about 10 minutes from Maibara Station by train. It is a useful alternative when rooms near the venue are full.
Recommended Restaurants Near BiWACC
There are several places near Maibara Station that work well for a meal.
Upscale Japanese
Banno
A sushi and seafood restaurant near Maibara Station. Prices are moderate, and it works well for business meals.
Casual Japanese
Yuusakuya (結咲家)
A pub-style restaurant and cafe close to the venue. Prices are moderate. Closed on Sundays.
Western
FUKUMOTO BROS
An Italian and European-style restaurant in front of Maibara Station, on the first floor of the Maibara Engine Building.
Cafe
cafe du MBF
A cafe toward the East Exit of Maibara Station. No official website was found, so the Instagram page is linked.
Bar
Nanaya
A pub-style bar on the West Exit side of Maibara Station, suited to evening visits.
Tips Before You Visit
Nozomi Trains Do Not Stop at Maibara
On the Tokaido Shinkansen, only some Hikari trains and the Kodama stop at Maibara. If you have a fixed arrival time, check which trains stop there in advance.
Use the West Exit
Take the West Exit of Maibara Station to reach the venue. The East Exit means a longer detour, so check the exit before you leave the ticket gate.
By Car: Maibara IC or Hikone IC
The venue has about 360 parking spaces. It is about 10 minutes from Maibara IC on the Hokuriku Expressway and about 15 minutes from Hikone IC on the Meishin Expressway.
Hotels Fill Up on Large Event Days
There are few hotels nearby. Consider hotels in Hikone, Nagahama, and Kusatsu as well, and book early.
Crowding Between the Station and Venue on Big Show Days
When the Event Hall hosts a large performance, pedestrians and cars can crowd the route between the station and the venue. The busy hours could not be confirmed, so allow extra time.
Check the Official Website for Rainy-Day Routes
A covered route for rainy days could not be confirmed. Please check the official website for details.
BiWACC Event Halls
Seat counts are based on the official website. They may vary by layout, so please check the official website for the latest information.
Event Hall
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Seats | Up to 2,074 |
| Area | Please check the official website |
Small Theater (Shin Gosho Theater)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Seats | 203 |
| Area | Please check the official website |
The theater is closed for acoustic renovation from January 12 to February 5, 2027.
Gulliver Hall
Please check the official website for seat count and area.