Biwako Valley: Enjoy Stunning Vistas and Fun Activities Near Kyoto
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Biwako Valley is a resort with many fun activities including winter skiing. Biwako Terrace Cafe sits at an elevation of 1,100 meters, offering panoramic views of Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa. It also has tasty cuisine and is near the city of Kyoto.
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Tokyo, Japan
Biwako Valley: A Resort by Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa, located near Kyoto, is Japan's largest lake and covers an area of 669.26 square kilometers.
Biwako Valley, in Shiga Prefecture's Otsu City, is a place where you can enjoy stunning views of Lake Biwa together with tasty cuisine and fun activities. When visiting Kyoto or Osaka, this is a spot you definitely want to check out!
Biwako Valley is an alpine resort that connects the summits of Mt. Uchimi (elevation 1,108 meters) and Mt. Horai (elevation 1,174 meters).
For a long time, Biwako Valley has been famous as one of Japan's leading ski resorts during the winter. Then in 2016, Biwako Terrace opened at the summit . In 2022, improvements were made including the renovation and re-opening of a new restaurant.
As a result, it's been attracting a lot of attention in recent years as a spot to be enjoyed even from the spring until autumn!
What kind of things can be enjoyed at Biwako Valley? In this article we'll introduce the appeal of local cuisine and fun activities so please read on!
Biwako Terrace: Enjoy Amazing Scenery and Tasty Cuisine
Biwako Terrace is an observation deck facility sitting at Biwako Valley's summit. The main attraction here is the stunning view from the Grand Terrace and North Terrace. These water pools make this place feel like it's connected to the sky and Lake Biwa.
These two terraces are right beside Ropeway Summit Station (Mt. Uchimi) and also include two eating spots: Terrace Café and Grill Dining & Bar HALUKA.
Also, near the summit of Mt. Horai, there's an observatory deck, Café 360. From all three of these shops, you can fully enjoy the view of Lake Biwa and the magnificent nature spreading out directly below you!
Terrace Café
The Terrace Café has a relaxing ambiance that's brought together by the wood interior and warm indirect lighting. The big wooden deck offers a panoramic view of Lake Biwa.
The filling food menu includes beef stew, a roast beef sandwich, and clam chowder soup.
There's also a big selection of snack foods as well. For example, financier (French almond cake) comes in a total of seven different flavors including gelato, plain, Omi matcha green tea, and Omi hoji-cha roasted tea.
Sunlight pours in from the large patio door at the Terrace Café, making this the ideal spot for enjoying a leisurely and satisfying day off.
Business Hours
April to October: 9:10-16:00 (Last order is 15:30)
November: 9:40-16:00 (L.O. 15:30)
December to March: 9:30-16:00 (L.O. 15:30)
Grill Dining ＆ Bar HALUKA
Grill Dining ＆ Bar HALUKA is the main dining area for Biwako Terrace. Combined with the wooden deck seating area, the shop offers a total of 230 seats.
*The terrace seats are sometimes not available depending on the weather.
Grill Dining ＆ Bar HALUKA's symbol is the bar counter in the middle of the shop (see photo above).
After a renovation, it re-opened in August 2022 and features a motif highlighting the contours and shapes of Lake Biwa and the nearby mountains.
When you stop in for a visit, the colorful and vibrant cocktails, including champagne cocktails from famous champagne brand Moët & Chandon, will add a little something special to your day off.
For lunch, they've assembled an impressive grill menu that includes such entrees as Omi Roast Beef Donburi (Omi Beef Rice Bowl), an Italian simmered dish, Chicken Cacciatore, and grilled sirloin steak!
Business Hours
April to October: 10:30-15:30 (Last order is 15:00)
November: 11:00-15:30 (L.O. 15:00)
December to March: 10:30-15:30 (L.O. 15:00)
Café 360
When you proceed to the large lawn area that spreads out from Mt. Uchimi (Ropeway Summit Station), you arrive at the summit of Mt. Horai and Café 360.
No matter who you ask, the charm of Café 360 has to be its luxurious location―an arch-shaped large wooden deck offering a 360-degree breathtaking view of Lake Biwa and the nearby mountains.
Near the observatory deck, covered in shade, you'll also find some shell-shaped seats known as Premium Seats.
Here, in wide open comfort, you'll enjoy a gorgeous view spreading out directly in front.
Business Hours
April to October: 9:30-16:15
Recommended Activities at Biwako Valley
The charm of Biwako Valley is not limited to its cuisine and outstanding scenery.
There are also many activities that allow visitors to run about in nature. Make no mistake...children all the way to adults will be very excited by this!
Zip Line Adventure
Zip Line Adventure is an activity in which participants hang from a pulley, then take an exhilarating ride along a rope while surrounded by lush green forest.
During this two-hour activity, you get to try six different courses that will have you feeling like a bird in nature.
These include a course in which you glide along with only one hand holding on, and also a two-person ride using a loop. There's even a course where you can fly parallel with the sky―just like Superman!
Course Number Six is a challenging course that's 169 meters in length and 25 meters in height! It offers an all-encompassing view of Lake Biwa from an elevation of 1,100 meters, undoubtedly creating some unforgettable memories.
Zip Line Adventure accepts participants up to 195 centimeters in height and from 30 up to 100 kilograms in weight. Reservations are accepted until 15:00 the day before. Please reserve your spot on their official website(Japanese only).
Sky Walker
Sky Walker―suitable even for children under 30 kilograms―allows riders to move their body as they look out onto the panoramic vista of Lake Biwa.
Sky Walker is an athletic-type course with a variety of activities including a swinging bridge and a log crossing. It's divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Three different courses present a total of 33 activities that riders must clear.
There are unlimited ways to enjoy Sky Walker--from challenging a swinging bridge at the top of a tree five meters above ground to giving the sport of bouldering a try.
Including the information session, Sky Walker is 90 minutes long, so you can try all the courses as many times as you'd like to.
At the end of the advanced course, there's even a 40-meter-long mini zip line that's available for challengers. So how about experiencing some bodily sensations as you fly through the air during this exhilarating activity?
Reservations for Sky Walker will also be taken up until 15:00 on the previous day. Please reserve your spot on the official website(Japanese only).
No Reservations Required for These Enjoyable Activities!
For both Zip Line Adventure and Sky Walker you'll need to make a prior reservation. However, there are also activities at Biwako Valley that don't require them.
Summerland is located on the slope near the Uchimi Observatory Tower. At the bottom of the slope on a large lawn, there is a variety of handmade playground equipment. Children and families can spend some leisurely time here free of charge.
We especially recommend the scenic swings (zekkei branco). They face Lake Biwa, and as you ride higher and higher into the air, they'll give both adults and children a carefree, open kind of feeling (see photo above).
When the weather is good, two chairlifts that connect the summits of Mt. Uchimi and Mt. Horai are also in operation and offer complimentary unlimited riding privileges.
As you ride the chairlift on your way to Café 360 or the playground, it's no exaggeration to say that this is an exciting activity. This is ideal for couples and families who'd like to enjoy a "walk in the air"!
Don't Miss Out on the Winter Skiing!
This article introduced how best to enjoy Biwako Valley from the spring until winter. But there are actually plenty of attractions available from December to March also!
There's a ski hill where you can go downhill skiing as you admire the breathtaking view of Lake Biwa. There are a total of nine courses for both novice and expert skiers.
Among these, the Horai Panorama Slope is a course that intermediate to advanced skiers need to try. If you go from Mt. Horai's summit over to Mt. Uchimi and the nearby mountains, you'll be treated to an amazing view of Lake Biwa on your right-hand side.
For those who'd like to have some fun in the snow besides skiing, there's a full lineup of other activities at this winter wonderland 1,100 meters above sea level!
Access to Biwako Valley
JR Shiga Station is the nearest station to Biwako Valley. From here it's a ten-minute bus ride to the Biwako Valley Ropeway (Ropeway Bottom Station).
It takes just five minutes to get from Ropeway Bottom Station to Ropeway Summit Station. The ropeway tram is large and holds up to 121 passengers. From here you get a panorama of Lake Biwa and also the Kyoto City skyline.
Near Ropeway Bottom Station there's a parking lot for 1,700 cars, so coming here by car is also an option. From Osaka, Kyoto, and other spots in the Kansai Region it takes about one hour by car to get to Biwako Valley.
Let's Go and Have Some Fun at Biwako Valley!
At Biwako Valley, visitors can enjoy a myriad of fun activities depending on the season. This sightseeing spot is perfect for families, couples, and also groups of friends.
While surrounded by the fresh air 1,100 meters above sea level and the outstanding scenery, please enjoy the tasty cuisine, fun activities, and picturesque views offered by Biwako Valley!
All picture courtesy of ©Biwako Valley
Sponsored by Biwako Valley
Written by
Tokyo, Japan
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