What other travelers are saying about Biwako Valley Ropeway Bottom Station
Amazing place to visit. 20 out of 10.
The cable rides are so fun! If you come during the summer, the temperature up the mountains are so much cooler.
The interactive games are suitable for adults and children. A coffee shop is available at the top of the cable rides. Be sure to try their cold chocolate drink, the raw chocolate taste is so refreshing! Their donuts are also so tasty!😋 Don’t try the matcha cold drink though, it’s tastes funky. And their zip line activity is not as fun as they market it to be. It’s expensive and only lasts for 10 seconds.
Overall, do come to this spot. You won’t regret it
Have great experiences here. We are lucky cause it's just re-open atv21/12/24. Still not many people. If you want to play snow, you must rent their clothes and pants and hand gloves also. If not, it's too cold and wet.
14Aug2025
Cloudy! We did not take the ropeway due to raining and cloudy. We would not miss it, next time.
Easy way to get to the top and get some nice shots of the lake. Don't come on a rainy day cause the visibility drops drastically after a certain height and it gets super windy up there. Otherwise, pretty cool spot to see the lake and bring kids to play around at the top!
Our first time skiing and snowboarding. Rental process is smooth, they accept cards for payment, and just keep in mind if you’re going as a first timer, the ski package is required (ropeway and lift) even if you don’t intend to use the lift. The snow was like fine crushed ice but since it was the first time touching snow, I was kind of expecting it will be a little softer. Overall the experience was nice, snacks in their restaurant was also good 👍🏻 for the bus, always make sure you have enough coins or card load
Frequently Asked Questions
From Kyoto, take the JR Kosei Line from Kyoto Station to Shiga Station (50 minutes). From Osaka, take the JR Tokaido Line to Kyoto, then transfer to the Kosei Line. At Shiga Station, board the shuttle bus (20 minutes) or take a taxi for the 10-kilometer trip to the ropeway station. By car, take Route 161 from Kyoto, approximately 40 minutes drive with free parking available.
Yes, the ropeway operates year-round. Winter months feature ski facilities at the summit with separate lift tickets and equipment rentals required. Operations may suspend during severe weather. Check conditions before visiting as temperatures drop significantly at 1,100-meter elevation with snow from December through March.
The bottom station and gondolas accommodate elderly visitors and those with moderate mobility limitations. Boarding platforms are accessible with slow gondola loading. The summit has stairs and uneven terrain on observation decks and trails. Wheelchair users should contact the station in advance for assistance.
Budget 2 to 4 hours total. The ropeway ride takes 5 minutes each way. Allow 2 hours for basic sightseeing, 3 to 4 hours for activities like zip lining or dining, and a full day for winter sports. Expect 30-minute to 1-hour waits during weekends and holidays.
