Mt. Horai

Mt. Horai (蓬莱山) is a 1,173.9m peak (1,174m on Geospatial Information Authority of Japan notation) in the Hira Mountains of Shiga Prefecture. From the summit a vast view of Lake Biwa unfolds; in the green season, using the Biwako Valley Ropeway brings you to the ridge in a short time, and in winter it bustles as a snow resort.
From the Ropeway Summit Station (Mt. Uchimi) to Mt. Horai is a gentle ridge walk popular even with families. Meanwhile, courses for fit climbers walking up from each JR station, and a long traverse course toward Mt. Buna-ga-take, are also possible.

*Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Shiga Station → Biwako Valley Mae → Ropeway
2. [Outbound] Demachiyanagi Station → Bomura bus stop
3. [Outbound] Katata Station → Bomura bus stop
4. [Return] Biwako Valley Mae bus stop → Shiga Station

1. [Outbound] Shiga Station → Biwako Valley Mae

From JR Kosei Line Shiga Station, take the Kojak Kotsu Biwako Valley Line and get off at “Biwako Valley Mae”. From there, take the Biwako Valley Ropeway to the Summit Station (Mt. Uchimi).

Operating reference: Operates in line with ropeway business days (green season from mid-April; daily operation during summer holidays; winter season from early December). See reference.
Travel time: about 15 minutes
Fare: ¥410
Duration: Shiga Station ⇄ Biwako Valley Mae about 15 minutes (bus) / Ropeway about 5 minutes (large carrier at 12 m/s).

Bus TimetableShiga Station → Biwako Valley Mae bus stop Bus Timetable

Reference: [Navitime]

2. Demachiyanagi Station → Bomura bus stop

From Keihan Demachiyanagi Station, take the Kyoto Bus “Demachiyanagi Station Mae ⇔ Kutsuki-gakkomae” and get off at Bomura. During the season, operation is one one-way service on Sat/Sun/holidays only.

Operating period: Sat/Sun/holidays from March 16 – December 15 each year
Fare: ¥1,000
Travel time: 56 minutes

Bus TimetableDemachiyanagi Station → Bomura bus stop Bus Timetable

Reference: [Kyoto Bus]

3. [Outbound] Katata Station → Bomura bus stop

From JR Kosei Line Katata Station, take the Kojak Kotsu Katata-Katsuragawa Line [Route 51: bound for Hosokawa (via Taira / Bomura)] and get off at Bomura.

Operating period: Saturdays and holidays only during the period from the Vernal Equinox Day to the first Sunday of December
Travel time: 38 minutes
Fare: ¥1,100

Bus TimetableKatata Station → Bomura bus stop Bus Timetable

Reference: [Kojak Kotsu]

4. [Return] Biwako Valley Mae bus stop → Shiga Station

Transfer to the Biwako Valley Ropeway and descend from the summit to the foothill station.

From the Biwako Valley Mae bus stop, take the Kojak Kotsu Bus Biwako Valley Line and get off at JR Kosei Line Shiga Station.

Operating period: April 26 – December 7, 2025 (changes to winter schedule thereafter)
Travel time: 15 minutes
Fare: ¥410

Bus TimetableBiwako Valley Mae bus stop → Shiga Station Bus Timetable

Reference: [Kojak Kotsu]

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