Kansai hotspot - Dragon boat races at Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture

One of the popular nature beauties in Japan is Lake Biwa. Shiga is famous for Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan. It is located at the centre of the prefecture and is said to be one of the oldest lakes in world. It is named after the shape of Biwa, a Japanese short-necked lute.

The lake has a shoreline of 235 kilometres which makes it an ideal place for trekking and various outdoor activities. You may even encounter rare animal breeds as the lake has a large biodiversity.
For those who like to relax, there are also many viewing spots surrounding the lake where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring this beauty of nature.

You can enjoy fun-filled activities while enjoying lake views at the Biwako Valley. Trips in the surroundings on a electric bike, sailing the lake while having a BBQ, or just hike up the mountains for a spectacular view. Lake Biwa, also known as Biwako in Japanese, has attracted not only overseas visitors but also local families to enjoy the beautiful sceneries and nature.

To enjoy a panoramic lake view, Biwako Valley is a perfect choice. It is one of the all-time favourite resorts for residents in Kansai area. It is located between Mt. Uchimi (1,108 metres) and Mt. Horai (1,174 metres), which gives you a bird eye view of the beautiful lake. The Main and Café 360 are the two terraces in Biwako Valley, at where you can have excellent view of the Lake Biwa.

The Main area lies across the summit of Mt. Uchimiwhere you can enjoy a spacious and luxurious environment, while Café 360 gives you a relaxing environment on the top of Mt. Horai. Both terraces serve drinks and light meals, so visitors can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of this largest lake in Japan.

For café lovers, Furudougu Kaizu, an antique café is where you do not want to miss out! If you enjoy sipping coffee in a nice café by the lake, you would definitely love this place. This mesmerising café is at the same time an antique goods shop. The building itself is an antique as it has been around for over 200 years! Besides vintage goods such as kitchenware including hand-made ceramic plates and glasses, you can even find a vintage cashier or bicycles at reasonable prices. After shopping, you can visit the terrace to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee with a gorgeous lake view, where you can feel refreshed both spiritually and physically.

For visitors who like to discover hidden places to enjoy some quiet and relaxing moments, Chalet Mizugahama will definitely be a good choice. Its café is located on a high ground that gives you a bird’s eye view of Lake Biwa. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and a dessert while listening to relaxing music and the sound of waves of the lake. If you are lucky, you may even spot groups of cute ducks wading around!

The Dragonboat competition will be held on Lake Biwa during the World Masters Games 13 – 29 May 2022. Find out more how to compete in the Dragon boat competition.