Activities – Otsu Festival

Biwa-ichi

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:54:18 +0000

The route around Lake Biwa is a new cycling mecca. Rental bicycles are available at Otsu Station’s tourist information center.
The course offers a satisfying 200-km lap with largely level, easily navigable surfaces along the lakeshore. Another reason for its popularity lies with the amazing scenery.

Omi-Maiko Beach

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:53:52 +0000

Here you’ll find well-preserved old-fashioned scenery and pine woods on the shores of Lake Biwa. It’s a popular destination among international visitors to Japan. In winter, the beach is the only place to see the twilight snow on Mt. Hira, one of the eight great sights of Omi.
In addition to marine sports, many beachgoers here like to have a barbeque or do some camping.

SUP (Standup Paddleboarding)

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:42:51 +0000

If you want to go standup paddleboarding, you don’t need to bring any equipment here. SUP is an increasingly popular way to have a more intimate experience with Lake Biwa.
It’s a fun activity, even for beginners, and it’s generated fresh attention as a casual way to feel like walking on the water.

Biwako Valley / Biwako Terrace (Skiing)

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:59:01 +0000

Special seating provides an outlook over Lake Biwa, from its northern end to its southern tip. The amazing location is a popular site on social media. The ropeway car to the mountaintop has windows on all sides for a stunning view. Biwako Terrace is also an officially recognized dating hot spot.

Besides skiing in winter, this popular spot 1,100 meters up offers fun activities in all seasons, including the Zipline and Skywalk with their amazing views and scream-inducing thrills.

All the equipment you need is available to rent, so just bring yourself to have full-on fun with winter sports. The beautiful contrast between the white ski trails and the blue waters of Lake Biwa are another reason why more international travelers are making the journey here these days.

See here for details.

Paragliding

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:42:37 +0000

Enjoy Lake Biwa from the skies. The school also offers the first boat-towed tandem paragliding activity in Japan.
There’s nothing like soaring like a bird through the skies over Japan’s largest lake.

The Michigan

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:41:02 +0000

A symbol of Otsu and Lake Biwa, passengers on the Michigan can not only enjoy a cruise, but also sit down at the restaurant to enjoy a full meal for lunch or dinner on the lake.
The deck offers an impressive panoramic view in all directions of scenery that includes the peaks of Mt. Hira and Mt. Hiei.
See here for details.

Ichiban Maru

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:40:27 +0000

Take in the scenery along the Seta River’s banks in comfort. This paddlewheel boat also provides transport to Ishiyama-dera Temple, one of 33 temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
Riding the vessel is like taking a step back in time, as the cruise boat’s design is based on the Ichiban Maru, a steam-driven ship that once navigated these waters in the Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Rafting

admin_otsufestival — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:39:40 +0000

Enjoy river rafting on the rapid currents of the Seta River, Lake Biwa’s only outlet, and a special selection of activities unlike any other in Western Japan. With non-Japanese staff on-hand, guidance in English is available. Along with rafting, popular solo activities include inner tubing and river bugging.
See here for details.