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2025/04/21 - 2025/04/28
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Tour around Lake Biwa with a guide who knows the area inside and out! A bicycle tour to enjoy the spectacular views of the area
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Cycling is also recommended in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture. Around the station is a former post town where the Nakasendo and Tokaido roads intersect, and a park spreads out on the site of the Kusatsu River, with plenty of places to enjoy while touring. A short walk away will take you to Lake Biwa, where you can enjoy breathtaking views. Here we introduce cycling courses recommended by local cycle guides that will allow you to enjoy Shiga's beautiful scenery.
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This site introduces tourist information for Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It is packed with information on attractive spots, hotels, and gourmet food, such as the nature-filled aquatic plant park Mizunomori, Lake Biwa Museum, the historic Tachiki shrine and the Sandai shrine, Kusatsujuku Honjin, and Rokuha Park, which is fun for the whole family.
Required time
About half a day
Transportation
Bicycle
My guide on this journey will be...
Mr. Tsuyoshi Ichimaru of BIWAKO TOURISM BASE
Introducing Ichimaru
In 2020, when he turned 50, he left the company he had worked for for 28 years and started his own company, wanting to work with local colleagues for Shiga, where he was born and raised.
It all started with cycling, which he started in 2015.
"Through cycling I have become aware of many of the charms of the local area and have been able to make connections with many friends," says Ichimaru, whose cycle tours, filled with love for Shiga, are always very popular.
This time, we will introduce the classic Kusatsu cycling courses recommended by Ichimaru.
Enjoy the spectacular views of Shiga on a bicycle trip
1
JR Biwako Line ・Kusatsu Line Kusatsu Station
Kusatsu Station is served by the JR Biwako Line (Tokaido Main Line) and the JR Kusatsu Line, and is one of the busiest stations in Shiga Prefecture in terms of number of passengers. The Hashigami station building has a barrier-free structure with escalators and elevators, and is serviced by many route buses and express buses, and you can also rent bicycles (Eki Rin-kun). There is a Kusatsu City Tourist Information Center on the premises, where you can also get tourist pamphlets for the city.
The journey begins at Kusatsu Station, which is easily accessible by car or train.
There are bicycle rentals near the station. Of course, you can ask Ichimaru-san to help you rent a cool bike.
In 2022, a new cycling road will be completed that will run from right next to Kusatsu Station to the shores of Lake Biwa. It's a straight ride all the way to Lake Biwa! You can ride comfortably. Once you reach the lakeside, head south.
2
Lakeside green space: Kihojima
This is a lakeside green space on Yabashi Kihojima. The park spreads over three locations, Kihojima 1 to 3. The cityscape of Otsu on the opposite shore is beautiful, and there are also photo spots.
Ride along the cycling road to Yabashi Kihojima, an island floating in Lake Biwa. The view from the bridge across the island is amazing.
After enjoying the magnificent view, head north along the lakeside. The exhilarating feeling of riding while feeling the breeze off Lake Biwa is something you can only experience in Shiga.
3
Lakeside Green Space, Shina
The "Shina" area is one of the lakeside green spaces. Large bald cypress trees line the area, and you can enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Biwa and the trees.
If you head north along Lake Biwa, you will arrive at the "Shina" area, one of the lakeside green spaces. It feels great to ride along the bald cypress trees lining Lake Biwa while feeling the nature!
We then head further north along the shore of Lake Biwa. It's interesting to watch the opposite shore gradually get further away.
4
White Beach
White Beach is located in the northwest of Karasuma Peninsula, just a step away from the promenade near Lake Biwa Museum. As the name suggests, you cannot swim in this beautiful white sandy area, but in the summer or on sunny days you can take beautiful photos of the beach, Lake Biwa, and sky.
We arrived at Karasuma Peninsula, which juts out into Lake Biwa.
The beautiful white sand beach is definitely worth a visit.
Nearby are the Mizunomori aquatic plant park and Lake Biwa Museum, making this a recommended spot to enjoy at your leisure.
If you head south again from Karasuma Peninsula, you will arrive at...
5
Hirako
The contrast between the cherry blossoms along Hirako in Kusatsu City and the vast wheat fields is beautiful, and it is a place where you can feel the spring. (Usually best time to see: late March to early April)
We arrived at Lake Taira, an inner lake of Lake Biwa.
You can see the Hiei mountains from the water's edge.
One of the attractions is that the scenery changes depending on the time you visit.
Freshwater pearls, a Lake Biwa specialty characterized by their unique colors and shapes, are also cultivated here at Lake Hira.
Then we headed home.
6
JR Biwako Line ・Kusatsu Line Kusatsu Station
Kusatsu Station is served by the JR Biwako Line (Tokaido Main Line) and the JR Kusatsu Line, and is one of the busiest stations in Shiga Prefecture in terms of number of passengers. The Hashigami station building has a barrier-free structure with escalators and elevators, and is serviced by many route buses and express buses, and you can also rent bicycles (Eki Rin-kun). There is a Kusatsu City Tourist Information Center on the premises, where you can also get tourist pamphlets for the city.
The goal of the journey is Kusatsu Station. Thank you for your hard work.
If you would like to request a guide from Ichimaru, please click here.
Contact Information
Biwako Tourism Base
Operating company : Wanamichi LLC (Shiga Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Agency Type 3 No. 279)
Address : 1-24-11 Ichiriyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, 520-2153
Telephone & FAX (Main) 077-532-7863 (FAX) 050-6868-4628
Email : info@eomicycling.jp
Spots introduced in this itinerary
This site introduces tourist information for Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It is packed with information on attractive spots, hotels, and gourmet food, such as the nature-filled aquatic plant park Mizunomori, Lake Biwa Museum, the historic Tachiki shrine and the Sandai shrine, Kusatsujuku Honjin, and Rokuha Park, which is fun for the whole family.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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