A spectacular view of Lake Biwa, and a wide variety of activities to be offered
Biwako Valley, located at the west shore of Lake Biwa with features activities at an altitude of 1,100 m of Mt.Horai, can be visited on a day trip. This is a ski resort but visitors can enjoy throughout the year to see the great view of Lake Biwa below and its surrounding nature.
A ten minute rope-way ride to the top offers amazing scenery that changes each season. The rope-way is Japan’s fastest at 12 meters per second and it carries up to 121 people at a time.
From April to middle of December, Visitors can enjoy many activities such as hiking, trekking, sledging on the ski slope and the zip -line adventure, and family oriented activities like riding a bicycle, rock walls, water slides, hand-made wooden swings. You can also enjoy the natural greenery and cherry blossoms, narcissus, rhododendron, and azalea.
Biwako Valley is the best place to enjoy skiing on a day trip from the Kansai area.
In winter, Biwako Valley turns into a ski resort which is the closest place to ski from the Kyoto, Osaka area in the winter. It has 8 different courses for beginners to experts. For non-Japanese speaking ski and snowboarding learners, there are lessons with English speaking trainers. The ski resort rents out skis, snowboards, and outerwear. Without Skiing, The great view of the lake with snowy scenery from the top of the mountain is stunning.
A terrace, with a breathtaking view of Japan’s largest lake.
The Biwako Terrace, at the Biwako Valley summit area, was established as a cafe with the spectacular views. Visitors can admire the best panoramic view of the surrounding area while a good cup of coffee.
Address : Katsuragawakidoguchicho, Otsu, Shiga 520-0477
Access : 10-minute bus ride from Shiga station on the JR Kosei line, then take the rope-way.
Rope-way : Round-trip 1900 yen (adults), 900 yen (children), 500 yen (from 3 years old to pre-elementary).
Hours :
[Green Season] April to middle of December
Weekdays from 9:30 to 17:00, Weekends/Holidays from 9:00 to 17:00
Weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00, Weekends/Holidays from 8:00 to 17:00
Schedule can be changed by weather and other conditions.
Link : Biwako Valley Official