Discover Lake Biwa: An Easy Day or Weekend Trip from Osaka

If you’re new to Japan and living in Osaka or elsewhere in Kansai, one of the great advantages is how quickly you can escape the city and find yourself surrounded by mountains, water and beautiful countryside. One of the best places to do exactly that is Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture.

Lake Biwa is Japan’s largest freshwater lake, with around 235 kilometres of shoreline. Despite its enormous size, parts of the lake are surprisingly easy to reach from Osaka and Kyoto, making it a great choice for either a day trip or a relaxing weekend away.

Start with Otsu

For a simple first visit, Otsu is an excellent destination. Located at the southern end of Lake Biwa, Otsu is only about 10 minutes by JR train from Kyoto, so getting there from central Osaka is also straightforward.

Once you arrive, you can walk along the waterfront, enjoy the lake views or take a sightseeing cruise. Cruises departing from Otsu Port include trips around the southern portion of the lake, providing a completely different perspective of the surrounding mountains and towns.

Head to the Beach

One thing that often surprises newcomers is that Lake Biwa has beaches. During the hot Kansai summer, they can make a fantastic alternative to spending another humid afternoon in Osaka.

Omimaiko Beach, on the western side of the lake, is particularly popular. The area has approximately four kilometres of white-sand shoreline backed by pine trees, and summer visitors come for swimming and water sports. Even better, Omi-Maiko Station is only about a five-minute walk from the beach.

Kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing and windsurfing are also available at various locations around Lake Biwa.

See the Famous Floating Torii

One of Lake Biwa’s most recognizable sights is Shirahige Shrine in Takashima. Its large vermilion torii gate stands in the lake and appears to float on the water.

The shrine itself is said to have been founded around 2,000 years ago and is one of Shiga Prefecture’s oldest shrines.

A useful safety note: visitors should not cross the busy national highway to photograph the torii. The official tourism information advises using the designated Omi Shirahige-dai observation platform.

Try Cycling Around the Lake

Cycling is another fantastic way to experience Lake Biwa. The famous Biwaichi cycling route circles the lake and is approximately 200 kilometres long. Serious cyclists can tackle the complete route, but newcomers certainly don't need to ride the whole thing.

Renting a bicycle for a few hours and exploring a smaller section of the shoreline can be just as enjoyable. For anyone wanting a challenge, the full route is better spread over two or three days, allowing time for sightseeing, meals and overnight stops along the way.

Explore Historic Shiga

Lake Biwa isn't only about outdoor activities. The surrounding area is full of history and traditional Japanese scenery.

Omihachiman, on the eastern side of the lake, is a particularly enjoyable stop. Its historic canal district provides a glimpse into the area's past as an important commercial centre. You can walk around the old streets, enjoy a canal boat ride and combine the visit with sightseeing along the lake.

For a weekend trip, you can also travel farther around the lake toward Hikone, northern Shiga or the quieter western shoreline.

Spend a Night at an Onsen

If you have two days available, staying overnight completely changes the experience.

The Lake Biwa area has everything from inexpensive accommodation to traditional ryokan and lakeside hotels. Ogoto Onsen, on the western shore, is one of the easiest hot-spring areas to visit and has several hotels and ryokan with bathing facilities. Some baths are also available to day visitors.

Imagine spending the day cycling or exploring, having dinner overlooking the lake and then finishing the evening in an outdoor Japanese bath. It’s a very different weekend from the bright lights of Namba!

A Great Escape for New Kansai Residents

When you first move to Osaka, it’s easy to spend most of your free time exploring famous destinations such as Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. But Lake Biwa deserves a place near the top of your Kansai list.

Whether you want swimming and paddleboarding in summer, cycling in spring or autumn, historic towns, spectacular lake views, or simply a quiet weekend away from the city, Lake Biwa offers something for almost everyone.

And best of all, you don’t need a long holiday to experience it. A free Saturday or Sunday is enough to discover an entirely different side of life in Kansai.

Apollo Properties Osaka provides furnished apartments and accommodation for foreigners living, working and studying in Osaka. Keep following our blog for more ideas about places to visit and ways to make the most of living in Kansai.