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Biwako

Japan's largest freshwater lake, with temples, a lakeside hot spring and wide water views a short train ride from Kyoto.

Character
The southern end of Lake Biwa, around Otsu and Moriyama, is the easiest part of the lake to reach. Otsu has old temples, the Ogoto Onsen hot spring and cruise boats; Moriyama, across the Biwako Ohashi Bridge on the east shore, has flower parks and a large lakeside mall. The lake has about 235 km of shoreline and is used for windsurfing, yachting and swimming.
Why it stands out
Sakamoto is a quiet temple town below Mt. Hiei, and Enryakuji is calm in the early morning, when few visitors are about.
Getting there
JR from Kyoto to Otsu: about 9–10 minutes. From Osaka Station to Otsu: about 40 minutes. Ogoto Onsen Station is about 20 minutes from Kyoto on the JR Kosei Line. From Kansai Airport, the Haruka express to Kyoto takes about 80 minutes, then change for Otsu. An airport bus from Itami (Osaka International) Airport takes about 50 minutes.
Seasons
Biwako Terrace's outdoor decks and the Biwako Valley zip-line run from about April to November, and Biwako Valley has skiing in winter. First Nagisa Park in Moriyama has rapeseed flowers in winter and sunflowers in July. The Great Lake Biwa Fireworks are held off Otsu Port in August.
Watch-outs
The view from Biwako Terrace can be hidden by cloud even when the shore is clear. Some Biwako Terrace and Biwako Valley facilities open only from about April to November. Sights are spread along the shore; the Ogoto Onsen tourist park rents bicycles.
Neighbourhoods
Otsu: Lakeside city centre with Miidera, Omi Jingu Shrine and cruise boats from Otsu Port. / Ogoto Onsen and Sakamoto: West-shore hot spring town and a quiet temple town at the foot of Mt. Hiei. / Moriyama: East shore across the Biwako Ohashi Bridge, with flower parks and the Pieri Moriyama mall.
Nearby
Biwako Terrace / Ogoto Onsen / Ukimido (Mangetsuji Temple) / Miidera (Onjoji Temple) / Enryakuji, Mt. Hiei / Ishiyamadera / Michigan cruise / First Nagisa Park

Biwako condotels and hotel condos for sale

A condotel (hotel condominium) is a hotel room you own outright, which the hotel rents to guests when you are not using it. These are the Biwako buildings and resort clubs this site tracks, with their current asking prices.

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