Ride Lake Biwa.
No Bike Needed.
Big-sky views across Japan’s largest lake and the wind at your back. From renting a bike at your starting point to planning your route and finding cyclist-friendly places to stay, this guide has everything you need to ride Biwaichi without the hassle.
Want to ride Biwaichi but don’t own a road bike? Traveling from afar and would rather not bring your own? This site is a dedicated guide to riding Biwaichi on a rental bike.
We work with cycling stations and hotels at each hub, so even first-timers can plan the whole trip with confidence and enjoy every mile.
What Is Biwaichi?
Biwaichi — short for Biwako isshu, “once around Lake Biwa” — is the cycling route that circles Japan’s largest lake in Shiga Prefecture. Named one of Japan’s first National Cycle Routes, it is one of the country’s great long-distance rides and draws cyclists from all over Japan.
Choose a distance that suits your fitness and schedule. Besides the full loop (about 200 km), Biwako Bridge splits the lake in two, giving you the North Lake loop (about 150 km) and the South Lake loop (about 50 km) — or you can simply ride the best bits. Whichever you pick, having a rough idea of your pace and stops before you set off makes planning much easier.
Plan Biwaichi in Three Steps
First time on Biwaichi? Plan your trip in three simple steps — Prepare, Ride, Stay. Jump in wherever you need.
Choose the Right Bike
Find a bike and gear that suit your ride
For relaxed, easygoing riding, go for a hybrid bike. If you want to cover serious distance, choose a road bike. Not sure about your fitness? An e-bike (an electric-assist hybrid) takes the edge off hills and headwinds. Biwaichi routes vary widely in length, so start by choosing the type of bike that matches your goals and pace — and check whether you can rent safety gear, too.
Plan Your Route
Choose where to start and how far to go
With easy access to the lake, well-equipped cycling stations and bike-friendly hotels, Moriyama and Nagahama make ideal bases. All of our riding plans start from one of these two hubs.
We’ve hand-picked the best courses for each area — southern Shiga from Moriyama, northern Shiga from Nagahama — sorted by distance and difficulty, from short beginner rides to the full loop of the lake.
Routes from Moriyama
MORIYAMA / SOUTHERN SHIGA![[Moriyama Start/End & Beginner] Lake Breezes & Samurai Romance! The Omihachiman & Azuchi Sightseeing Route (30-40km Round Trip)](https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/c8e224e7f1414b22aaccde907ac1103c/a1938f3c68e64250b79c53b39a4f3205/IMG_0294.jpg?fm=webp&w=800&q=80)
![[Moriyama Start/End & Beginner-Intermediate] Customize Your Distance! History & Scenic Views on the "South Basin Loop" (35km / 45km / 55km)](https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/c8e224e7f1414b22aaccde907ac1103c/3348311f6c9245cfadf62afea6e20a67/IMG_7982.jpg?fm=webp&w=800&q=80)
Find a Place to Stay
Pick a hotel that fits your route
On a multi-day ride, you want somewhere you can leave your bike without a second thought. We feature six partner hotels on the south, west, north and east shores, each with facilities for cyclists. Icons show at a glance what matters most — bike storage, coin laundry, pumps and more. Every partner hotel also lends GIANT e-bike chargers.
News & Tips
Timely tips for planning your Biwaichi ride from local cycling experts — rental updates, routes that are at their best right now, and news from our partner hotels.
