Perched high up at about 1,100 metres above sea level in the Hira Mountain Range, Biwako Terrace offers one of the most spectacular lake views in all of Kansai, with Lake Biwa spread out below and, on clear days, city skylines and even distant mountain ranges visible on the horizon.

At the summit there are several restaurants and cafés — from cosy café stands serving sweets and drinks, to the Grill Dining & Bar HALUKA which offers grilled meats and more polished fare, and the panoramic Café 360 on Mt. Horai for 360-degree views.

To get there you take a ropeway and there is a fee: a round-trip ropeway ticket for adults is around ¥4000.

Its location makes it difficult to reach by public transport so the easiest way to visit the Lake Biwa Viewpoint is by booking a day tour, we did this day tour, which included stops at 4 other hidden gems in the Lake Biwa / Shiga prefecture.

Lake Biwa: Lake Biwako Viewpoint, La Collina, Shirahige Shrine, Ukimido One Day Tour from Osaka/Kyoto