Biwako Valley Ropeway — Attraction in Otsu

Transportation and Arrival: Our journey to Biwako Ropeway began with a train ride from Osaka to Shiga train station. It was on the first week of January 2025. Upon arrival, we opted for a local bus or a taxi to reach the Biwako Ropeway Station entrance. For a group of five without luggage or ski gear, a taxi ride cost us 1600 Yen. If you're driving, expect to park in a lower parking area and take a free shuttle to the entrance.

Ticketing and Gondola: Purchasing ropeway tickets and boarding the gondola was a breeze with a short 10-minute wait. For those not planning to ski, it's advisable to buy only the ropeway ticket, while chairlift tickets are necessary for skiing. Afternoon tickets, available at a reduced price, are ideal for visitors arriving around noon.

At the Top: The summit was moderately crowded, offering a pleasant atmosphere despite the many visitors. The sled and play area are relatively small, but there's a lot more to explore. Ski school, the Grande Terrace, and play areas are located in the lower building on your right after exiting the gondola. Meanwhile, ski rentals and the cafeteria are situated in the upper building.

Skiing Experience: The ski slopes were not overly crowded, though visitor numbers are expected to rise as temperatures drop. For convenience, clothing and ski gear can be rented at Shiga train station, the bottom ropeway station, and the upper building after the top ropeway station.

Scenic Views: One of the highlights of our visit was the stunning view of Shiga town and Biwa Lake from the Grande Terrace. The panoramic vistas were simply breathtaking and made the trip even more memorable.

In conclusion, our visit to Biwako Ropeway was a delightful experience with easy access, smooth ticketing, enjoyable skiing, and spectacular views. It’s a fantastic destination for both ski enthusiasts and those simply looking to take in the natural beauty...

Went there on a beautiful sunny and cloudy day, at least that was what it seemed like when I was taking the train from Kyoto. However, while taking the ropeway up, the view was great up to a certain point until the fog and dark clouds obscured the splendid view. The ticket entrance staff do warn you of the weather conditions above (this can be accessed via a live camera feed on their website).

There's not much to do up there on a windy, foggy day. The entrance fee is also rather expensive at 2600 Yen. Food and drinks sold at the peak are expectedly pricey. Take note of the bus schedules (found on their website) before going, and also the train schedules, or you will have to spend a long time waiting for the next available bus.

You can use ICOCA for the bus, there is also a money changer on the bus, so don't worry about preparing exact change before...

Best place I’ve ever visited in Japan.

Keep in mind: I went here in autumn (so the weather was not too hot and not too cold, perfect imo) I got lucky and the weather that day was also great, meaning I could do the outdoor activities AND most importantly take the lift rides (which were the highlight I’d say)

I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Japan and are in the osaka/ kyoto region, definitely worth the 1-2 hour journey to get here.

I even went here twice, that’s how much I like this place.

Pro tip tho, do layer up during autumn cause it’s pretty windy, and also bring tons of food and snacks, prepare yourself as if you’re going on a picnic date. And come early, or as early as you can that is. Don’t miss the last bus either (check the schedule).

Also! Bring sunscreen...