Solo Traveller – Day trip from Kyoto to Amanohashidate OR Lake Biwa area?

Hi everyone! I will be travelling solo in Japan and will be in Kyoto at the beginning of October this year. I’ve planned out most of my days and have one free day right now that I’m debating whether or not I should go to Amanohashidate or Lake Biwa. I’m pretty active and enjoy the outdoors, and I want to be able to see some water for this day trip! Also ideally a place that’s less touristy.

**Amanohashidate**

* I am very intrigued by the beautiful landscape and sandbar and would love to bike around there!
* Not too many attractions to check out but definitely want to see the sandbar, the chairlift/monorail, the train on water experience, and if possible/time permits, I really want to check out Funaya in Ine.
* BUT – I’m concerned about time; it’s pretty far from Kyoto station and I checked that the train runs infrequently so I’d have little time to actually spend there as a day trip. The bus takes a bit longer than the train but I believe runs more frequently.
* Going to Ine might also be a stretch since it takes a little under an hour to get to from Amanohashidate station.

**Lake Biwa area**

* Also seems like a beautiful option! There are many places surrounding Lake Biwa that I’d love to check out: Biwako Valley Ropeway/Terrace, Ukimido Floating Hall, Lake Biwa Observatory, Mount Hiei, Sunshine Beach, and cities incl. Omihachiman.

Has anyone been to either of these places? Potentially in October as well? Would love to hear from your experiences and learnings (if any).

2 comments
  1. Hi
    I’m from Shiga prefecture(Lake Biwa at).
    You can rent a motorcycle,you better be cycling around Lake Biwa.

    It’s gonna take a couple of hours to go around South Lake(50km).
    There are Beautiful landscapes.

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