Biwako Valley, Otsu

Summer experience: Beautiful place to spend some time admiring the landscape and views. At the summit there are a few activities to do, such as walking around the infinity edge and lovers cove, taking a ride on the ski lift to the very top of the mountain (quite a long return trip) and they also have activities for children such as a sled ride, rock wall and ball toss, there is also a dog run. There are a couple of restaurants up top which charge top of the mountain prices for generic dishes, best to pack a bento and enjoy on one of the available picnic tables or on the beautiful grasses areas ( this includes brining drinks as they are ¥200 from vending machines. The total cost for a family can be quite expensive as parking is ¥2000, Gondola ride to the summit is then ¥3500 each adult, the view is worth it though.

Excellent place to learn to ski, just one JR train and a bus ride from Kyoto. Coaches speak passable English, and there’s a good variety of slopes for various levels. If you are a serious skier/boarder you’d enjoy somewhere you can go off piste a bit more