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It took me a very long time to see Lake Biwa for what’s is. In a figurative sense, I imply—I at all times knew this physique of freshwater in Shiga prefecture was large, and the supply of the water I drink and bathe in each time I’m in Kyoto.
What I imply is that though I had usually visited Biwako on day journeys from Kyoto, it took a lot of them for me to comprehend that I had a journey wonderland on my doorstep. Castles, shrines, canals—oh my! By no means thoughts the opportunity of swimming within the lake throughout the scorching summer season of the Kansai area.
No matter the place you’re on this realization course of—actually, it’s higher if you happen to’re not fairly there but—I feel you’ll be keen for one more go to by the point you end studying my Lake Biwa itinerary.
Easy methods to Attain Lake Biwa from Kyoto
A part of the rationale it’s really easy to take a Lake Biwa day journey is due to how shut the lake is to central Kyoto. For locations alongside the western shore of Lake Biwa, equivalent to Shirahige Shrine, you’ll have to board a prepare on the JR Kosei Line, which travels north after passing via Yamashina Station in western Kyoto. Relying on the place you’re heading, you possibly can attain your vacation spot in between 30-60 minutes from Kyoto Station.
Then again, if you happen to plan to go to Nagahama, Hikone, Omihachiman or different locations alongside the jap shore of Lake Biwa, take a Biwako Line prepare. Should you do, nevertheless, take note of which one you select. Whereas most locations are accessible through each native and fast companies, it’s potential that you’re visiting a station that tokyu trains bypass. Basically, I like to recommend driving fast trains to and from the lake, and native ones between locations round it.
The place to Go Round Lake Biwa
Hikone Fort
To not be confused with the recent springs vacation spot of Hakone in Kanagawa prefecture simply west of Tokyo, Hikone is an unassuming metropolis on the western shore of Lake Biwa. Unassuming, anyway, aside from when you think about the wonderful Seventeenth-century citadel (one among solely 12 unique such constructions remaining in Japan) that towers over its heart. Even if you happen to can’t get right here throughout the autumn coloration season like I lately did, this place is unquestionably definitely worth the journey.
Shirahige Shrine
The excellent news? Hiroshima’s Itsukushima Shrine, which is beneath seemingly indefinite renovation, isn’t the one “floating” gate in Japan. The higher information? The Lake Biwa torii of Shirahige Shrine is a simple day journey from Kyoto. Nicely, comparatively straightforward. Except you intend on renting a automobile, you see, you’ll have to stroll southward from Omitakashima Station, which takes about half-hour at a brisk tempo.
Omihachiman
There are few issues I really like higher than a well-preserved historic city. Relating to Omihachiman, situated on the southeastern shore of Lake Biwa, a few different built-in benefits exist. Few foreigners find out about this place, which implies that its picturesque Bori-hachiman Canal is crowded solely by Japanese, and normally solely by those that reside in Kyoto and Osaka. Even then, points of interest like the previous Nishikawa Residence are comparatively empty even on “busy” days.
Nagahama Fort
Whereas Nagahama-jo isn’t my favourite Lake Biwa citadel, it’s nonetheless value visiting if you pair it with the one down the water in Hikone. Which isn’t to say I write Nagahama Fort off just because it’s smaller than Hikone-jo, or as a result of it’s a mid-Twentieth century re-production. Nevertheless, I in all probability wouldn’t make the journey from central Kyoto solely to see this place, which is oddly extra particular within the context of different locations of curiosity on this Lake Biwa itinerary.
Different Lake Biwa points of interest
In my view, not one of the massive cities alongside Lake Biwa are actually value visiting on their very own benefit, neither the prefectural capital of Otsu nor any of the others I’ve talked about above. Nevertheless, secondary and tertiary non-urban locations close to the lake are very a lot worthwhile. I’m pondering in significantly of the Enryaku-ji monastery (which is on a mountain simply above Otsu Metropolis), plus seashores equivalent to Omi-shirahama and Sunshine Seashore.
Ought to You Keep In a single day at Lake Biwa?
As is the case in central Kyoto, Lake Biwa lodges run the whole gamut. Easy metropolis lodges like Consolation Resort Hikone are ample and of comparatively prime quality—usually, these are the place I like to recommend staying. Nevertheless, if you happen to plan to remain longer, you might choose to decide on an Airbnb property. Likewise, whereas I’ve by no means been massively impressed by the ryokan choice right here, Omihachiman is house to prime quality ones equivalent to Guesthouse Mio.
I’d say, broadly talking, that your determination about whether or not to remain an evening or not (and, if that’s the case, what number of) ought to rely totally on what number of issues to do in Lake Biwa you intend to sort out. If you wish to keep solely on the jap or western shore, a day journey is sensible. Nevertheless, if you happen to plan to go to castles in Hikone and Nagahama, plus go to Omihachiman and go to Shirahige Shrine, the sunlight hours of a single day are actually not sufficient to do all the pieces in my Lake Biwa journey information.
Different FAQ About Visiting Lake Biwa from Kyoto
How far is Lake Biwa from Kyoto?
The middle of Lake Biwa is about 50 km (or 30 miles) from Kyoto because the crow flies, however in fact that’s not the way you’re going to be getting there. Relying on the place you go to, you possibly can attain Lake Biwa in round an hour (or much less) from Kyoto Station, through both the JR Kosei or Biwako Strains, each of that are absolutely lined by the JR Go.
Is Lake Biwa value visiting?
Lake Biwa is completely value visiting, though it’s necessary to know that the lake itself is commonly merely a background for the locations and experiences round it. For instance, the view of the glowing waters from the tenshu of historic Hikone Fort, or the best way the torii of Shirahige Shrine emerges from them.
Are you able to swim in Lake Biwa?
You possibly can swim in Lake Biwa, as many seashores exist throughout its shores. Nevertheless, you need to remember the fact that Lake Biwa is admittedly solely appropriate for swimming throughout the hottest weeks of the summer season, i.e. between the primary of July and the start or center of September. You’ll be in for a impolite awakening if you happen to attempt to swim in Lake Biwa amid the cherry blossoms or fall colours!
The Backside Line
Lake Biwa was once a spot I largely forgot—now, it’s one among my favourite locations in Japan. Should you’re in Kyoto and trying to get out of city, there are few experiences you possibly can’t have alongside the shores of Biwako. For instance, you possibly can absorb sakura or autumn colours within the shadows of medieval castles in Hikone or Nagahama. On the lookout for someplace a bit extra scenic? If the panorama on provide from the ropeway in historic Omihachiman doesn’t do it for you, watch dawn or sundown close to the floating torii gate of Shirahige Shrine. It doesn’t matter what most appeals with you about my Lake Biwa itinerary, take into account hiring me to plan your subsequent journey to Japan.
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