Shirahige Shrine, Biwako Terrace and Mount Hiei offer the most memorable views of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, which fills the middle of Shiga Prefecture. All three sit along the lake’s west shore, reached by the JR Kosei Line from Kyoto in well under an hour, so they are easy to add to a Kyoto stay. You can watch the sunrise behind a red torii standing in the water, ride a ropeway to a mountaintop terrace about 1,100 meters up, and explore one of Japan’s most important temple complexes in the forests of Mount Hiei. This guide covers each spot, practical tips and where to stay at the hot springs of Ogoto Onsen.
1. Shirahige Shrine
Shirahige Shrine in Takashima is famous for its vermilion torii gate standing in Lake Biwa, often compared to the floating gate of Miyajima but far less crowded. The shrine is dedicated to Sarutahiko, a deity of guidance and longevity, and its main hall, built in 1603, is an Important Cultural Property. Visiting is free, and sunrise and early morning are the most beautiful times, when the lake is calm and mist sometimes hangs over the water. One important warning: busy National Route 161 runs between the shrine and the lake torii, with no safe crossing and no full sidewalk, so do not try to cross the road for a closer photo; view and photograph the gate from the shrine side. The shrine is about a 40-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride from Omi-Takashima Station. Bring a zoom lens or use your phone’s zoom for the best shots.
2. Biwako Terrace
Biwako Terrace, at the top of the Biwako Valley resort, is a stylish outdoor terrace about 1,100 meters above sea level with sweeping views over Lake Biwa. A ropeway with large windows climbs the mountainside in a few minutes, and at the top you can relax on lounge chairs and wooden decks or at the café while the lake spreads out below. On clear days the view is spectacular, and in summer the flower gardens add color. The ropeway generally runs 9:00 to 17:00 from April to October and 9:30 to 16:30 in November, with the last ride up at 16:00. The resort usually closes for maintenance for a few weeks in late autumn and again in early spring, and fares change by season, so check the official Biwako Valley website before you go. Access is by bus, about 10 minutes, from Shiga Station on the JR Kosei Line. Bring a jacket, as the summit is much cooler than the lakeshore.
3. Mount Hiei and Enryaku-ji
Mount Hiei rises between Kyoto and Lake Biwa, and its forests hide Enryaku-ji, the head temple of the Tendai school of Buddhism, founded by the monk Saicho in 788 and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is spread over three areas: Todo, with the great Konpon Chudo hall; Saito, about a 20-minute walk away through cedar forest; and quieter Yokawa farther north. One ticket for all three areas costs 1,000 yen, and the halls open around 9:00 to 16:00. The Konpon Chudo has been under a long renovation since 2016 and is covered by a protective structure, but the temple grounds remain deeply atmospheric. From the Shiga side, the Sakamoto Cable Car, Japan’s longest, climbs to the temple in about 11 minutes (870 yen one way, 1,660 yen round trip). Lookouts along the mountain road offer wide views over Otsu and the lake.
Where to Stay Near Ogoto Onsen
Where to stay: Ogoto OnsenHotel links in this section go to Orbitz. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Ogoto Onsen, a hot spring resort on the west shore of Lake Biwa in Otsu, is a relaxing base for this trip. It has its own station on the JR Kosei Line, so Shirahige Shrine, Biwako Terrace and Sakamoto for Mount Hiei are all a short ride away, and Kyoto is under 30 minutes. Many ryokan face the lake, so you can soak in a hot spring bath while watching the sunrise over the water.
Luxury
Biwako Hanakaido is an elegant lakeside ryokan with hot spring baths overlooking Lake Biwa and traditional multi-course dinners. It is a memorable splurge for travelers who want the full Japanese inn experience close to Kyoto.
Lakeside ryokan with hot spring baths and kaiseki dining.
Mid-Range
Satoyu Mukashibanashi Yuzanso Ryokan is a welcoming hot spring ryokan with a warm, old-fashioned atmosphere, Japanese-style rooms and relaxing baths. It is a good-value way to experience a ryokan stay at Ogoto Onsen.
Satoyu Mukashibanashi Yuzanso Ryokan
Traditional hot spring ryokan with a rustic, homey style.
Budget-Friendly
J-Hoppers Lake Biwa Guesthouse – Hostel is a friendly guesthouse with private rooms and dorm beds and helpful staff who know the area well. It is a great budget choice for exploring the quieter west shore of the lake.
J-Hoppers Lake Biwa Guesthouse – Hostel
Friendly guesthouse popular with backpackers.
Compare prices before you book
Hotels in Otsu on Orbitz
Stay in Otsu or at Ogoto Onsen to reach Shirahige Shrine, Biwako Terrace and Mount Hiei easily by train.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Go to Shirahige Shrine at sunrise for calm water and soft light, and never cross Route 161 to reach the lake torii.
- Check the Biwako Valley website before visiting Biwako Terrace: it closes for maintenance for a few weeks in late autumn and early spring.
- The Eizan Cable Car and Ropeway on the Kyoto side of Mount Hiei close in winter, so use the Sakamoto Cable Car from the Shiga side from January to March.
- Bring layers: Biwako Terrace and Mount Hiei are much colder and windier than the lakeshore.
- JR Kosei Line trains accept IC cards, and the JR section is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but the cable cars, ropeway and buses are not.
Getting there by train: The JR Kosei Line runs from Kyoto along the west shore of Lake Biwa. Hieizan-Sakamoto Station, for the Sakamoto Cable Car to Mount Hiei, is about 14 minutes from Kyoto; Ogoto-onsen and Shiga stations follow, and special rapid trains reach Omi-Takashima, for Shirahige Shrine, in about 48 minutes. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk to the torii at Shirahige Shrine?
No. The lake torii stands in the water across busy National Route 161, which has no safe crossing. View and photograph it from the shrine side instead.
How do you get to Biwako Terrace from Kyoto?
Take the JR Kosei Line from Kyoto to Shiga Station, then a bus of about 10 minutes to the Biwako Valley ropeway, which climbs to the terrace.
How much does Enryaku-ji cost?
A ticket covering all three areas of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, Todo, Saito and Yokawa, costs 1,000 yen for adults.
When is the best time to visit Lake Biwa?
Spring and autumn offer mild weather, cherry blossoms and fall colors. Biwako Terrace usually closes for maintenance for a few weeks in late autumn and early spring.
