[Departure/Arrival : Otsu Port] Biwako Island Tour 2025
*This plan is the Biwako Island Tour 2025 departing from and arriving at Otsu Port. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ [Dedicated page for prepaid plan] Please pay in advance by credit card at the time of reservation. After the payment is completed, you can change or cancel your reservation by yourself. (Cancellation fee will be charged from 3 days prior to the date of use.) ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ There are four islands on Lake Biwa: Okishima, Oki no Shiraishi, Takeshima, and Chikubushima. This cruise takes you to all four islands in one day, so you can enjoy the atmosphere and charm of each island. *For passengers who wish to embark and disembark from Ogoto Onsen Port The port of Ogoto Onsen Port will only be used when there is a reservation. If you wish to embark and disembark from Ogoto Onsen Port, please indicate so in the “Request” column when making a reservation. Please note that the boarding fee can only be paid in cash on board the ship. Departure from Ogoto Onsen Port at 10:00 and arrival at Ogoto Onsen Port at 17:15. *The minimum number of passengers is 20. If the number of passengers is less than 19, the tour may be cancelled. The number of participants will be determined 3 days prior to the departure date. *Please note that the sailing schedule and arrival/departure port may be changed due to strong winds or bad weather, or the ship may not be able to arrive at the port. *Cancellation fees will be charged from 3 days prior to the embarkation date. *Depending on the number of passengers, there may be cases of sharing seats. Please understand this in advance.
Days of Week
Sun,Sat
Duration
8.3 hours
Adult
JPY 13,000
Elementary School Student (lunch included) (ages 6-12)
JPY 8,000
Free infants (1infant free per 1adult, includes Lunch box) (ages 6 & under)
JPY 1,100
Highlights
Highlight #1
All four islands in Lake Biwa are conquered in one day!
Highlight #2
Tourist guides will happily show you the attractions of Lake Biwa.(Sightseeing guide will be provided in Japanese. Please understand this in advance.)
Highlight #3
A round trip around Lake Biwa to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Lake Biwa.
Outline
Schedule
Pickup / Checkin
Boarding procedures
Please be at the port at least 20 minutes before departure. Tell the ticket counter at the Port of Otsu that you have a reservation and your name. After completing the boarding procedures, please relax in the waiting room until boarding begins. Ten minutes before departure, you will be escorted on board.
9:30
Departure
The energetic staff will see you off and begin your island tour. On board, a guide will give you an enjoyable tour of Lake Biwa and its scenery.(*Sightseeing guide will be provided in Japanese. Please understand this in advance.)
Okishima Island Landing (approx. 60 min.)
Okishima, the largest island in Lake Biwa and the only inhabited island in Japan floating in the lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the island, where you can feel the nostalgic atmosphere. Souvenirs such as lake fish tsukudani (food boiled in soy sauce) are also recommended.
Lunch on board, view of offshore Oki no Shiraishi
You will have a view of the offshore Oki no Shiraishi consisting of four rocks from the ship. For lunch, a special lunch box made by Gurutto will be served. The special menu includes Omi beef and other ingredients from Shiga Prefecture.
Takeshima Island Landing (approx. 60 min.)
”Takeshima Island” shows different expressions depending on the angle of view. The entire island is within the precincts of Nichiren Shu's Mitoji Temple.
Chikubushima Island Landing (approx. 60 min.)
Chikubushima Island is a popular power spot. It is home to Hogonji Temple, one of Japan's three great Benzaiten temples, and Tsukubusuma Shrine, which is a national treasure and an important cultural asset, among many other attractions. Why not make a wish with Hime-Dharma or Kawarake-throwing?
Yoshi-Bue flute performance, view of the Shirahige Shrine
Enjoy the performance of reed flutes made from yoshi, which are native to Lake Biwa. At Shirshige Shrine, visitors can worship on the lake from the Otorii (Grand Gate) in the lake.
Rest time at Lake Biwa Bridge Port (Kome Plaza) (about 30 minutes)
We will stop at the roadside station “Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza” located at the foot of Lake Biwa Bridge. You can purchase souvenirs of your trip, including specialty products of Shiga Prefecture.
17:45
Arrival at the Otsu Port
We returned to the port of Otsu Port. We spent a whole day on a round trip around Lake Biwa, We hope you enjoyed the grandeur of Lake Biwa and the time you spent on each island. The time of return is a schedule. Please note that the return time may be delayed.
Checkin Times / Locations
Michigan Cruise (Otsu Port/Lake Biwa Steamship)
Please arrive at the Port of Otsu (5-1-1 Hamaotsu, Otsu City) at least 20 minutes before departure. Please allow plenty of time for arrival, as the port is crowded on weekends and holidays.
Plan Information
What's Included
- Boat fare
- Lunch box fee
- Entrance fee (Chikubushima,Takeshima)
Requirements
- Customers with reservation through our website in advance must also come to the ticket window for check-in.
Restrictions
- No smoking in any area on-board.
What to Bring
- We will walk around each island (There are stairs on Chikubushima and Takeshima.), we recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes. Please bring a hat, parasol, towel, etc. to protect yourself from sunstroke during the summer.
Additional Info
- Ogoto Onsen Port will be called only when there is a reservation. If you wish to embark and disembark from Ogoto Onsen Port, please indicate so in the “Request” column. Departure from Ogoto Onsen Port: 10:00 Arrival at Ogoto Onsen Port: 17:15
- Minimum of 20 persons. If the number of participants is less than 20, the tour may be cancelled. The tour will be cancelled 3 days prior to the date of the tour.
- Seating may be shared depending on the number of reservations. Please understand this in advance.
- Reservations for this plan are accepted up to 4 days prior to the desired date of use; for reservations after the web reservation deadline, please call (Reservation Center).
- Change or cancel of reservation can be done online through our website. (by 15:00 of the previous day)
- For cancellations after 15:00 of the previous day, you must call the [Lake Biwa Cruise Reservation Center] TEL 077-524-5000
- Cancellation fee will be charged from 3 days prior to the tour. Please understand this in advance.
- <Access &Parking Lot> https://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/access/otsu/
- <Payment on-site> Otsu Port, Imazu Port, Nagahama Port: JCB, VISA, AMEX, MASTER, NICOS, Diner’s Club, Union Pay, ICOCA, PITAPA, Edy Card, electronic money and QR payments (some exceptions) are available. In addition, transportation IC cards cannot be recharged at the counter, so please recharge in advance. Other Ports: Cash only. On-board Michigan: Cash + PayPay only.
- <About Barrier-Free> https://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/guide/barrierfree/
- Refunds for cancellations vary from credit card company to credit card company. Depending on the date of cancellation and the timing of the credit card company's deadline, the amount may be deducted from your account once. In such cases, the credit card company will refund or offset the amount at a later date. Please contact your credit card company for the refund date and method.
Cancellation Policies
0%
4 days before to 23:59
20%
2 days before to 23:59
50%
1 day before to 23:59
After 23:59, 1 day before
100%
Participation Date