Biwako Backroads
35°19′ N 136°17′ EBike tourfrom ¥40,000, about CAD 360 or USD 253 (October 2026 rates)English spoken
Biwako Backroads runs private e-bike tours from Maibara Station into the farm villages and brewery towns of northern Shiga, which suits a Kyoto day trip with a local guide, though a half day for two starts at ¥40,000.
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycling Northern Lake Biwa: A Relaxed Ride by the WaterE-bike half day from Maibara at 9:00 or 13:00. Guests must be 13 or older and at least 152 cm tall. A six-hour version adds Hikone Castle. | ¥40,000 per group, about CAD 360 or USD 253 (October 2026 rates) | about 3.5 hours, 15 km | mid-March to mid-July, mid-September to mid-December |
| Japan's Backroads: Exploring Rural Life and NatureBike tour through farm villages. An e-bike costs ¥2,500 extra. Runs in light rain. | ¥40,000 per group, about CAD 360 or USD 253 (October 2026 rates) | about 3.5 hours, 15 km | March to mid-December, with a break from mid-July to mid-September |
| Cycling the Nakasendo: Two Post Towns of Water and HistoryE-bike day starting at 10:00, ending at a station for the local train back to Maibara. | ¥60,000 per group, about CAD 539 or USD 379 (October 2026 rates) | about 5.5 hours, 14 km | March to mid-December, with a break from mid-July to mid-September |
Every tour is private, for one to four guests, and starts at JR Maibara Station, about 20 minutes from Kyoto on the Shinkansen. Local guides lead the rides and walks, and the company keeps visitor numbers low in the villages it visits. The lakeshore e-bike half day covers about 15 mostly flat kilometres. It costs ¥40,000 for up to two people and ¥12,000 for each extra guest.
The Nakasendo ride links two old post towns over 14 km in about five and a half hours and ends at a station, so the train brings you back to Maibara. The company also runs walking tours along Kinomoto's brewery street and through Hikone's castle town, which work in the hot months when the cycling tours pause.
Worth knowing
- Book the 9:00 lakeshore start in late spring, before the July heat closes the season.
- Riders must be 13 or older and at least 152 cm tall.
Quick answers about Biwako Backroadsよくある質問
Are Biwako Backroads tours private?
Yes. Every tour is for your group only, one to four guests, and prices are set per group.
How much does Biwako Backroads charge?
Biwako Backroads lists Cycling Northern Lake Biwa: A Relaxed Ride by the Water from ¥40,000 per group (2026), about CAD 360 or USD 253 (October 2026 rates) (about 3.5 hours, 15 km).
Does Biwako Backroads speak English?
Yes. Biwako Backroads works in English and Japanese.
Is Biwako Backroads open out of season?
Biwako Backroads: The cycling tours pause from mid-December into March and again from mid-July to mid-September for the heat.
What bikes does Biwako Backroads rent?
Biwako Backroads rents e-bikes, mountain bikes.
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