BIWAICHI
The cycling road around Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa where?
The cycling road around Lake Biwa, located Shiga prefecture beside Kyoto prefecture, is the largest lake in Japan, and the surrounding bike path is well maintained.
Around Lake Biwa is about 200km.
There are some free camping sites and small inns where cyclists can stay.
This course, full round Biwaichi is not easy for 1 day trip, quite tough, that's for sure. In Japan, cyclists are respected as able-bodied when they say they have completed this course in 1 day.
This is not easy leisure ride as 1 day round, such as Shimanami Kaido, due to its long distance.
We recommend to spend 2 or 3 days for it as its environment is good to see.
Biwaichi is one of the 6 National Cycle Routes.
→ National Cycle Route Biwaichi
You can check the road image from here.
→ Preview video
You can check the environment image from here.
→ BIWAICHI summary image
You can check the clist-friendly accommodation in Shiga Prefecture from here. (written in Japanese)
→ HOTEL / Inn
① Bring your bicycle into the guest room or store it in a safe place indoors
②Temporary baggage storage before check-in and after check-out
③ Providing parking space before check-in and after check-out
④Courier delivery (including bicycles) can be received and shipped.
⑤Rental of air pumps suitable for sports type bicycles
⑥Rental of repair tools
⑦ Provision of tourist information
The cycling road around Lake Biwa = BIWAICHI
Counterclockwise
The basic rule is counterclockwise when driving around a lake, and clockwise when driving around an island. Bicycles ride on the left, so you can ride closer to the water, enjoy better views, and cross fewer roads. Many parts of the eastern shore of Lake Biwa have bicycle and pedestrian roads, so give priority to pedestrians when riding.
The course around Lake Biwa consists of a "low-speed course" that runs slowly on roadways with fewer cars and roads reserved for bicycles and pedestrians, for beginners and intermediate cyclists such as families, and an "advanced course" that runs mainly on roads and is suitable for experienced cycling. Two are specified.
Road condition
The circumference of the lake is mostly flat, but there are ups and downs between Kinomoto and Shiotsu in north area and between Shiotsu and Nagahara. The lakeside road is almost always in place between Otsu Port and Kinomoto in East side. Between Takashima and Kitakomatsu in Kosei(West side), you have to ride on a national highway with a lot of traffic, and between Kitakomatsu and Katata you have to weave through back roads with fewer cars. There are no bicycle paths between Katata and Otsu Port, so please be careful as you will be riding on a road with a lot of traffic. Some people cross the Biwako Ohashi Bridge from Katata and run along the east coast to Otsu Port.