A 1-Day Trip from Osaka to Play in the Snow at Biwako Valley Ski Resort

Spend a day in the snow on this easy trip from Osaka. Leave the busy city behind and head toward mountain and lake views blanketed in pure white snow, with plenty of activities to enjoy at Biwako Valley Ski Resort. A short train ride from Osaka is all it takes to reach a completely different, snow-white winter landscape.

This article will walk you through a day trip with no overnight stay needed, covering snow play, sightseeing, beautiful photo spots, and delicious food along the way, before wrapping up the day with a visit to a floating hall in the middle of Lake Biwa. It's a short trip that leaves you refreshed in both body and mind.

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1-Day Trip: Snow Play at Biwako Valley & a Floating Hall

★ 8:20 - 9:00 Breakfast at ESTACIÓN CAFÉ

Fuel up with breakfast here before setting off. There's a good range of breakfast options, especially the soft egg sandwich, which many reviews praise for its great taste and value. There are also hearty main dishes like omurice, hamburger steak, and curry to fill you up before the trip.

Drinks include fresh coffee, latte, tea, and seasonal drinks, plus cake and parfait for something sweet. It's a great spot to refuel before catching the train, and take-out is also available for those in a hurry.

・Location: On the 3rd floor of Shin-Osaka Station

・Hours: Open daily, 7:00 - 21:30

・Food prices: ¥500 - ¥1,500・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uYpBJvGyCp6aWU6G9

★ 9:20 - 10:30 Travel to Shiga Prefecture

・How to get there: Take the 9:21 Special Rapid Tsuruga train on the Kosei Line (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) to Katata Station, then transfer to the JR Local Omi-Maiko train on the Kosei Line to Shiga Station (about 56 minutes total).

・Fare: ¥1,340

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/e5zvgWkYPZ1fbK3G9

★ 11:00 - 11:30 Ride the Biwako Valley Ropeway for lake views

After taking a taxi to the ropeway station, you'll find a ticket counter and ski equipment rental spot right out front. You can buy tickets and rent gear here before heading up.

On the ride up the mountain, you'll get views of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. It takes about 5 minutes to reach the summit, where you'll find Biwako Terrace, a viewing deck designed to feel like a floating balcony in the sky, opening up to a wide view of the blue waters of Lake Biwa stretching to the horizon. It's one of the most beautiful and memorable viewpoints in the area.

・How to get there: Take a taxi to the Biwako Valley Ski Resort ropeway station

・Fare: About ¥1,500

・Hours: Open daily, 8:30 - 17:00

・Admission: Facility Use Fee ticket (round-trip ropeway + one round-trip lift + Biwako Terrace admission) — Adults ¥5,000 / Children (7–12) ¥2,500 / Children (3–6) ¥1,600 ・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c5iHhhQ8eKAEKxHJ9

★ 11:40 - 13:40 Play in the snow at Biwako Valley Ski Resort

Now you've reached one of the Kansai region's best-known ski resorts. The slopes here are open roughly from late December to late March, with about 9 courses ranging from beginner to intermediate, so it suits both first-timers and experienced skiers. Beginners can ski with confidence, and as you glide down the slope Lake Biwa opens up below — a view that is thrilling and beautiful at once.

If you're not here for serious skiing, you can still enjoy the snow at the Snow Land zone, which is perfect for casual snow play, sledding, building snowmen, or bringing kids along safely. There's also a Snow Park zone with activities like snow tubing for extra fun, or you can simply walk around taking in views of the mountains and lake stretching into the distance. There are also restaurants and cafes up top where you can warm up before heading back out to play in the snow.

・Hours: Open daily, 8:30 - 16:50 (except on days with severe weather)

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zBXV3D5ccki5wVqt8

★ 13:50 - 14:50 Lunch at Ekinaka Kitchen

This is a relaxed self-service restaurant, and its best feature is the view of Lake Biwa through the large glass windows. You can take in the lake and mountains while you eat, making for a really relaxing break.

The restaurant seats around 200, so it handles busy periods comfortably. The menu focuses on easy dishes like fried chicken burgers, shrimp burgers, and chicken curry rice, plus snacks such as french fries, fried onions, and corn soup. Drinks include coffee, latte, tea, and cocoa.

It's a great stop to refuel while enjoying views of Lake Biwa, before heading back out to walk around and take more photos.

・How to get there: Located near the gondola lift station

・Hours: Open daily, 10:30 - 15:00

・Food prices: ¥1,000 - ¥2,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gzUhoCW9CpTnk6KB6

★ 16:30 - 17:00 Visit the floating hall at Mangetsu-ji Temple

The highlight of this temple is Ukimidō, a wooden hall that extends out over the waters of Lake Biwa. Seen from a distance, it looks as though it's floating in the middle of the lake. The atmosphere is calm and quiet with a cool breeze, making it a lovely spot to stand and take in the peaceful setting.

The hall dates back to the Heian period (around the 9th century) and is believed to have been built as a place to pray for the safety of travelers crossing the water. It houses a statue of Amida Buddha, which is considered sacred and often visited by worshippers. The hall seen today was rebuilt in 1937, but it still keeps its traditional atmosphere, making it another beautiful spot for views and photos along Lake Biwa.

・How to get there: Take the ropeway back down, then a taxi to Shiga Station. From there, take the 15:55 Kosei Line train to Katata Station (about 11 minutes), then walk about 25 minutes (about 1.7 km) to Mangetsu-ji Temple.

・Fare: About ¥1,700 (including taxi fare)

・Hours: Open daily, 8:00 - 17:00

・Admission: ¥300

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KNHJKdK8PqqUWX637

★ 17:20 - 18:30 Dinner at Ramen Makotoya

Ramen Makotoya is known for its "beef bone broth ramen," which is the shop's signature style. The most recommended item is the Gyu-jan Ramen, a cloudy white beef-bone broth ramen with a rich, fragrant flavor that isn't heavy, with a light sweetness and well-balanced taste.

If you'd prefer something lighter, try the Tori-jan Ramen, a clear chicken broth ramen with a fresh, easy-to-eat flavor, or if you're into soy sauce ramen, there's the Seabura Shoyu Ramen, with the rich, fragrant flavor of authentic Japanese-style ramen. You can also order it as a set with fried rice or hot-plate fried rice for a bigger meal.

There are also side dishes like gyoza and karaage fried chicken, perfect for pairing with your ramen to round out the meal.

・How to get there: Walk about 16 minutes (about 1.2 km) from Mangetsu-ji Temple to Ramen Makotoya

・Hours: Open daily, 11:00 - 1:00

・Food prices: ¥1,000 - ¥2,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FGxiftE2L7LJqsTZ8

★ 18:40 - 20:00 Travel back to Osaka

・How to get there: Walk about 11 minutes (about 800 m) from Ramen Makotoya to Katata Station, take the Kosei Line to Kyoto Station, then transfer to the Tokaido-Sanyo Line (Special Rapid Himeji) to Shin-Osaka Station (about 52 minutes total).

・Fare: ¥1,120

・Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GYUjxExtodwMwkCj6

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Cost summary (approximate per person)

Food: ¥5,500

Transportation: ¥5,660

Admission fees: ¥5,300

Total: ¥16,460