The easiest way to get around in the Lake Biwa Area is by car, but most major sights and attractions are accessible by a combination of trains and busses. If you decide to rent a car, it is advised to do so from the nearest airport in the vicinity. You can use our car rental widget in the FAQ menu below. 

Public transportation:

To get from Kyoto to the Lake Biwa Area by public transportation, travelers need to:

1. First, take the JR Biwako Line Rapid Service from Kyoto Station to Otsu Station. The journey takes approximately 9 minutes.

2. Transfer to the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line at Ishiyama Station and get off at Sakamoto Hieizanguchi Station. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes. The total travel time is approximately 24 minutes.
    

*Attention: since the lake area is quite vast and has multiple areas of interest, there is not one specific place to get off. Luckily, the area is almost completely surrounded by railways, so travelers can get off at any point of interest. 

Valid rail passes:

• Japan Rail Pass

• Japan Bus Pass

Nearest airport:

The nearest and most convenient airport is Kansai International Airport in Osaka. 

• by car: approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes

• by public transport: approximately 3 hours

• by bullet-train: approximately 2 hours (only to Maibara station)

Car rentals:

We recommend staying here between three and four days.
 

The nearest and most convenient airport is Kansai International Airport in Osaka. 

• by car: approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes

• by public transport: approximately 3 hours

• by bullet-train: approximately 2 hours (only to Maibara station)

Cherry blossoms: 

The best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan is usually between late March and early April. Although the blooming period can vary slightly from year to year. 

Beaches:

The swimming season on mainland Japan is usually between July and August. 

Winter sports:

Ski resorts in Japan typically run from January until April. Though this can differ from year to year, depending on the amount of snow.

• Biwako Valley: click here to go to the official website

• Kutsuki Snow Park: click here to go to the official website

Hiking:

The hiking season in this area typically runs from Spring until Autumn.

Scenic rides:

• Hieizan Sakamoto Cable Car: click here to go to the official website

• Mizugo Boat Tour: click here to go to the official website

• Hachimanbori Boat Tour: click here to go to the official website

• Biwako Valley Ropeway: click here to go to the official website

• Otsu Port Cruise: click here to go to the official website

• Hachimanyama Ropeway: click here to go to the official website

There are several festivals here throughout the year. Please be advised that the following list is based upon previous entries of those festivals and that the dates might have changed slightly in the following year. It is also possible that the entire festival is cancelled in the case of heavy rainfall or a natural disaster. Please check with the official organisers' website for the most up-to-date information. 
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For the exact location of any of the festivals listed here, you can consult our map above by clicking on the icon in the upper most corner of the map to open the map legend. Festivals are hidden by default but can be made visible by clicking on the "Festivals" checkbox in the map legend.

• Lake Biwa Light Picture Scroll Hikone Lantern Festival

  • Date: February 10th until 14th

  • Time: 18:00 - 21:00

• Echigawa Gion Summer Fireworks Festival

  • Date: July 13th

  • Time: 19:40 - 21:00
     

• Otsu Shiga Fireworks Festival

  • Date: July 23rd

  • Time: 19:45 - 20:30
     

• Lake Biwa Otsu Mazare Festival

  • Date: July 27th and 28th

  • Time: 12:00 - 20:30
     

• Moriyama Summer Festival

  • Date: July 27th

  • Time: 16:00 - 21:00
     

• Kusatsu Yoshi Matsuaki Festival

  • Date: July 27th

  • Time: 16:00 - 20:00
     

• Nagahama Summer Festival

  • Date: July 27th

  • Time: 16:00 - 20:30
     

• Karasaki Shrine Mitarashi Festival

  • Date: July 28th and 29th
     

• Hikone Fireworks Festival

  • Date: August 1st

  • Time: 19:45 - 20:30
     

• Hikone Summer Night Festival

  • Date: August 4th

  • Time: 17:30 - 21:00
     

• Hikone Bayashi Total Dance Tournament

  • Date: August 10th

  • Time: 17:30 - 18:50
     

• Hikone Mantou Nagashi Festival

  • Date: August 6th

  • Time: 18:30 - 20:30
     

• Hikone Yukata Festival

  • Date: August 10th

  • Time: 15:00 - 21:00
     

• Funayuki Festival Fireworks Festival

  • Date: August 17th
     

• Nagahama Azai Appare Festival

  • Date: August 31st

  • Time: 09:00 - 21:00
     

• Nagahama / Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival

  • Date: September 18th

  • Time: 19:30 - 20:30
     

• Hikone Fireworks Festival

  • Date: September 26th
     

• Awa Odori & Goshu Ondo Festival

  • Date: September 28th

  • Time: 18:00 - 20:00
     

• Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival

  • Date: October 29th

  • Time: 19:00 - 20:00
     

• Ogoto Onsen Fireworks Festival

  • Date: November 1st

  • Time: 20:00 - 20:30

We recommend the following options for staying connected in Japan:

• Sakura Mobile Travel Sim (data only)
• Sakura Mobile Travel Sim (data + voice)
• Sakura Mobile Unlimited Wifi / Pocket Wifi