[2025 Otsu Attraction] Travel Guide for Lake Biwa Canal (Updated May)

#cherryblossom25 If you haven’t seen cherry blossoms lit up at night, Lake Biwa Canal is about to blow your mind. The trees line the canal like they’re guarding some secret path, and when the lanterns turn on? romantic anime scene activated. The reflections on the water are unreal. It’s like the sakura are blooming twice, once above you, once below. Super chill for a night stroll, and the vibe is pure cozy elegance. Not too crowded either, so you can actually enjoy the moment without a million selfie sticks in your face. There’s this soft, peaceful glow that makes everything feel slower and more magical. Bring a warm drink, grab someone you like, or go solo and vibe. it’s that kind of place, and just let the petals and lights do their thing. Honestly? It’s one of the dreamiest nighttime hanami spots out there. Total main character energy.

#cherryblossom25 This cherry blossom trip was a last-minute decision — and I knew I probably wouldn’t catch the full bloom in Kyoto. So I made a quick change and headed north of Kyoto to Shiga Prefecture, and it turned out to be the perfect call! ☀️ I got super lucky — full bloom and a sunny day! 📍For those visiting Kansai around this time: consider this! From Kyoto, it’s only two train stops to get there! 🚉 Get off at Ōtsu Station and walk toward Miidera Temple — cherry blossom heaven awaits! 📷 Photo Spots (taken on April 12, 2025): ① Kawaguchi Park Swinging under cherry blossom trees? Yes please! 🌸 There’s even a pretty little clock nearby — super cute for photos! ② Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) Layer upon layer of cherry blossoms, creating a dreamy pink cascade over the water — it’s pure magic. ③ Miidera Temple Entry: 600 yen. If you want access to the famous Moon-Viewing Platform, you’ll need to book ahead — it’s 3,000 yen for 5 minutes (up to 6 people per group). It was already fully booked when I arrived, so I just snapped some side shots and walked further up to a higher platform — the view of the sakura + lake combo was chef’s kiss! 💕 🌸 On the way back, near Miidera Station, I found this perfect little scene: a train passing through cherry blossoms, a slide under a sakura tree, and even a few families having picnics. Everything was so peaceful and beautiful! 🌸 Bonus tip: Kaizu Ōsaki in Shiga just reached full bloom this weekend — definitely worth the trip if you have time!#travel

#cherryblossom25 Catching the Tail End of Sakura Season with Serendipitous Beauty I missed the busiest part of cherry blossom season, but in return, I caught its peaceful, quiet tail end — a spontaneous journey filled with surprises and springtime magic. 🧺🌸 📍 Setagawa Park This beauty was completely unexpected — we only found it because the train service was suspended, and we had to walk to the next station. We were so taken by the riverside view that we came back again the next day to explore the opposite bank. Petals drifting on the wind, the river flowing gently beside us — it was a moment that lingered. 📍 Nakagawaguchi Park Another totally unplanned stop. As the train rolled through the streets, its windows brushed against cherry tree branches, and petals fluttered down like snow. We decided to get off on the spot and walk back — and stumbled into this quiet little park, where cherry blossoms bloomed softly under the sky. 📍 Lake Biwa Canal This historic waterway stretches from Ōtsu City in Shiga Prefecture all the way to Keage in Kyoto. Both sides of the canal are lined with cherry trees — in spring, they turn the path into a magical sakura tunnel. We followed the hillside trail up to Miidera Temple. Although we couldn’t get tickets for the famous moon-viewing platform, the views from the mountain were still absolutely worth the climb. 📍 Kaizu Ōsaki One of Lake Biwa’s most famous hidden spots — a 4km long sakura tunnel by the lake. You can rent a bike from JR Makino Station and ride along the blossom path. But we arrived too late and were politely declined by the staff 😅 So we walked instead — 4km round trip, stopping for photos the whole way. It was tiring, but we didn’t mind. We collapsed at the hotel that night, but our hearts were so full. #travel

We decided on a cherry blossom-chasing trip at the last minute, and originally expected to miss the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, so we decided to go to Shiga Prefecture, north of Kyoto. Just in time for the cherry blossoms to be in full bloom and a sunny day! If you have friends coming to Kansai these days, you can consider coming and have a look. It only takes two stops from Kyoto! After getting off at Otsu Station, walk towards Miidera. 📸Photo taking spots (taken on 2025.4.12): 1️⃣ Kawaguchi Park: Swing under the cherry trees and see a beautiful clock. 2️⃣ Lake Biwa Canal: Layer upon layer of cherry blossoms! 3️⃣ Mii Temple: 🎫600 yen The famous moon-viewing stage requires advance reservations, 3,000 yen for 5 minutes, and a group is limited to 6 people. Because the appointment was fully booked very early, I could only shoot from the side. Go up one more platform and you can overlook the cherry blossom sea view! On the way back, I was able to take pictures of the train passing by near Miidera Station, as well as the slide and picnic scene under the cherry trees. It was really beautiful! In addition, Shiga's Kaizu Osaki is fully bloomed on the weekend, it's worth a try!

Avoid the crowds and explore lesser-known cherry blossom locations in Kyoto. 🎨 Miho Museum: A fusion of art and cherry blossom tunnels in the mountains, offering a springtime feast of art and nature. 🌸 Mitsui Temple Night Cherry Blossoms: A romantic light and cherry blossom magic. 📆 Cherry Blossom Special from March 25 to April 15, with daily tours available. 🌟 One-day tour itinerary reference 🚗 Meeting time and location 🕚 11:30 📍 Exit 2, Nihonbashi (Namba Shinsaibashi area) 🕛 12:50 📍 Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit, sightseeing bus parking lot 🕝 14:00 📍 Miho Museum Designed by I.M. Pei as a 'Peach Blossom Land,' the cherry blossom tunnel offers a poetic encounter with art and spring (about 2 hours). 📖 Inspired by 'Peach Blossom Spring,' this unique museum is 80% buried in the mountains, away from the city. 🌸 Stunning cherry blossom tunnel: Every spring, the weeping cherry blossoms around Miho Museum bloom, creating a long tunnel that blends with the cherry blossoms. ✳️ Miho Museum is closed on March 31, April 7, and April 14, during which the tour will visit Omihachiman - Hachiman-bori. 📍 Omihachiman - Hachiman-bori: Experience the Edo-style charm and water town romance during cherry blossom season (about 2 hours). Every cherry blossom season, Hachiman-bori transforms into a dreamy spring water town, becoming one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in the Kansai region. 🕠 17:00 📍 Mitsui Temple - The main temple of the Tendai sect: A thousand-year-old Buddhist secret during cherry blossom season (about 2 hours). 🎐 Mitsui Temple is famous for cherry blossom viewing, and during spring, it hosts lighting events. Under the lights, cherry trees emit a mysterious glow in the night, like a dreamlike fairyland. 🕢 19:10 📍 Lake Biwa Canal - Connecting Kyoto and Otsu, a hopeful waterway, strolling through the cherry blossom tunnel (about 30 minutes). 🌸 In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the first canal of Lake Biwa, forming a spectacular flower path. Walk along the canal-side path and quietly admire the perfect blend of cherry blossoms and water. 🕢 19:40 End the day's tour and return 🕣 20:20 Arrive at Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit 🕤 21:30 Disband at Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori area. 🔎 🌸 #CherryBlossomSeason #MitsuiTempleNightCherryBlossoms #MihoMuseum #KyotoTravel #CherryBlossomTour

Lake Biwa/Okazaki Water Drainage, Kukami Railway, Heian Shrine, these 3 cherry blossom attractions are located very close, it is recommended to arrange a visit together 🥰 1. Lake Biwa/Okazaki hydrophobic The clear waterway, with cherry blossoms planted on both sides🌸, is beautiful when in full bloom, and when the boat passes by, it becomes a very poetic scene. If you have plenty of time, consider taking a small boat to shuttle through the waterways and slowly enjoy the beautiful water colors and cherry blossoms. 2. Knock onto the railway The tilted Kushang Railway, planted with Yoshino cherry blossoms on both sides🌸, is now abandoned, no tram running, if there are not many people, it is really great for taking pictures, when you came at 10 am, there are already many people, if you want to take photos of less people, come earlier. 3. Peace Shrine With vermilion as the main tone ❤️, the top is used with green glazed tiles 💚, Heian Shrine is huge, there are many kinds of cherry blossoms, in addition to Yoshino cherry, there is also a relatively late blooming variety "Yaju red hanging cherry". 🔹️Transportation First to the railway 👉Take the subway to "Cui Shang" station Let's go to Heian Shrine first 👉Take the city bus to "Okazaki Park Art Museum / Heian Shrine Mae" or "Toyama Nijo / Okazaki Park Exit" station and walk for about 5 minutes or 👉Take the subway to "Dongshan" station and walk for about 10 minutes #JapanKorea Spring Good Place