Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibara
びわこ一周レンタサイクル35°19′ N 136°17′ EBike rentalfrom ¥3,500, about CAD 31 or USD 22 (October 2026 rates)English spoken
This Maibara Station shop suits first-timers who want a Shinkansen-side start and a mid-route return, though you pay in cash or PayPay and it closes from mid-December to mid-February.
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross bike, weekday dayWeekend and holiday days cost ¥5,800 and peak days ¥6,400. Two weekdays cost ¥8,400. | ¥4,700 per day, about CAD 42 or USD 30 (October 2026 rates) | 1 business day | mid-Feb to mid-Dec |
| Road bike, weekday dayWeekend and holiday days cost ¥7,200 and peak days ¥7,800. Two weekdays cost ¥9,500. | ¥6,200 per day, about CAD 56 or USD 39 (October 2026 rates) | 1 business day | mid-Feb to mid-Dec |
| Kids' bike, weekday dayFor riders 120 to 150 cm tall. | ¥4,700 per day, about CAD 42 or USD 30 (October 2026 rates) | 1 business day | mid-Feb to mid-Dec |
| Mid-route returnBook it ahead; an unbooked return costs ¥5,500. The service doesn't run in peak periods. Leaving a bike anywhere off the list costs ¥7,700 to ¥11,000 in recovery fees. | ¥3,500 per bike, about CAD 31 or USD 22 (October 2026 rates) | – | – |
| Guided BiwaichiSample plans run the 150 km north loop from Maibara for beginners or the full 200 km from Otsu for stronger riders. The shop prices each custom plan. | – | 2 nights, 3 days (sample plans) | – |
The NPO Gokan Seikatsu opened the Maibara Station cycle station on 1 October 2016, after running its rentals in Hikone. It sits inside the east exit of JR Maibara Station, in front of the Ohmi Railway platforms. Maibara is the only Shinkansen stop in Shiga, so this is the quickest start from Tokyo or Nagoya. A weekday day costs ¥4,700 for a cross bike and ¥6,200 for a road bike in 2026. Weekend and peak days cost more.
The mid-route return lets a beginner try part of the loop. Book it ahead for ¥3,500 a bike and finish at one of nine sites, such as Giant Store Biwako Moriyama or the Kinomoto Station tourist office. Several of them close on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, so match your finish to the day. The service stops in peak periods.
Staff set the saddle to your inseam and walk you through the bike before you leave. They also flag the spots where riders tend to lose the Biwaichi route. The shop's own sample plans take two nights over the 150 km north loop from Maibara.
Worth knowing
- Book two days ahead. A same-day rental costs ¥550 extra and may mean a wait.
- Bring cash or PayPay, since the counter takes no cards.
- Leave big bags in the coin lockers on Maibara Station's second floor; the shop won't hold them.
Quick answers about Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibaraよくある質問
Can I end a Biwaichi ride somewhere other than Maibara with this shop?
Yes, at nine partner sites for ¥3,500 a bike if you book the return ahead. Returns run from 9:00 to 17:00 and the service isn't offered in peak periods.
How much does Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibara charge?
Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibara lists Mid-route return from ¥3,500 per bike (2026), about CAD 31 or USD 22 (October 2026 rates).
Does Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibara speak English?
Yes. Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibara works in Japanese and English.
Is Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibara open out of season?
Biwaichi Rental Cycle Maibara: The station closes for winter from mid-December to mid-February and on Wednesdays outside busy periods. It posts the exact dates on the calendar on its home page.
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