Wikiloc | Biwaichi - Lake Biwa in 3 days Trail

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Carlcarlcarl

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Trail stats

Distance: 120.5 mi
Elevation gain: 3,711 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 3,606 ft
Max elevation: 888 ft
TrailRank: 59
Min elevation: 192 ft
Trail type: One Way

Moving time: 10 hours 49 minutes
Time: 2 days 4 hours 23 minutes
Coordinates: 25224
Uploaded: May 17, 2023
Recorded: May 2023

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near Ōmi big bridge, Shiga (Japan)

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Trail photos

Itinerary description

I started recording late (shame Wikiloc doesn't allow changing the track type to Loop) but officially the track begins right where my recording ends at Otsu station, where I rented a beautiful and well looked after Giant road bike for just ¥5,400 for 3 days from the Otsu tourist information center.

I stored my excess luggage in a coin locker at Otsu station for a mere ¥400 per day (locker usage is 4 days maximum, so you'll have to do the loop within that timeframe).

Tour highlights:

Hikone castle
Ryokan takashima
Chomeji temple's 808 stone steps

Waypoints

Sub-route (Chōmeiji-dera)

Continue straight ahead to avoid some hills, windy roads and if you want to skip Chōmeiji-dera.

Hiyoshi shrine (日吉神社)

808 stone steps (walking section!)

Chōmeiji-dera gate

Photo

Panorama

Back on the road

Nagahama Daibutsu

Definitely worth a stop to make some offerings and check out the beautiful gardens with some interesting statues.

Right

Kurokabe

Intersection

Right

Nodanuma pond (skippable)

This area feels heavily neglected or either I just missed the point. Very overgrown with weeds and lots of paths are completely covered up. Having said that, there was a group of men hard at work with weed-wackers, so it may eventually be worth stopping here in the near future.

Crossover to right side

Intersection (skippable)

This section is completely pointless, although I did run into some monkeys and cycled through some rice fields, but if you're pressed for time, just head on straight after exiting the tunnel.

Back on track

Tunnel

Panorama

Make sure you move out of the road to the layby directly left of the tunnel exit.

Flowers

Straight

I decide to ignore the right turn because I'm headed for Tsukide pass (which turns out to be blocked to all traffic).

Tsukide pass (no entry)

There's a sign warning of a forced turnaround 2km ahead, and despite having a strong feeling it'll be fine, I decide to fall in line and head back to the main cycle course.

Left

Panorama

Tunnel

Vending machine

I'm fresh out of fluids and I haven't spotted a single machine or convenience store for the last 15km or so, so it's a sight for sore eyes.

Nagahama beach

Ishida river delta

Sumiyoshi-jinja (day 2 END)

River

Park

Left

River

Left

Beach

Sensing that I'm soon to be back in more built-up areas, I find a nice little beach close to the road with a rest area and finally take my first dip in the waters of lake Biwa.