Osaka Station

Osaka Transportation Guide

  • Home
  • Station Information
  • Transportation
  • Osaka Station Hotels
  • Sightseeing
  • Shopping
  • Osaka Station Map

The Biwako Express for Otsu, Kusatsu and Maibara

The Biwako Express is a limited express service run by JR West that connects Osaka Station with locations in Shiga Prefecture. There are three Biwako Express services that run on weekdays only. There is one morning service that runs from Maibara Station to Osaka Station, and two evening services that run from Osaka Station to either Kusatsu Station or Maibara Station. All services stop at Shin-Osaka Station and Kyoto Station on the way. This train is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. At Osaka Station the Biwako Express departs from Platform 10.

The Biwako Express #2 at Kyoto Station

The Biwako Express #2 at Kyoto Station

Contents

  • Key Destinations
    • Shin-Osaka Station
    • Kyoto Station
    • Yamashina Station
    • Otsu Station
    • Ishiyama Station
    • Kusatsu Station
    • Omi-Hachiman Station
    • Hikone Station
    • Maibara Station
  • Timetables

Key Destinations

The Biwako Express runs along the JR Kyoto Line and the Biwako Line and makes limited stops at the following stations.

Osaka – Shin-Osaka – Kyoto – Yamashina – Otsu – Ishiyama – Kusatsu – Moriyama – Yasu – Omi-Hachiman – Hikone – Maibara

The key destinations and transfer points are listed below with full fares and example journey times given from Osaka Station.

Shin-Osaka Station

Shin-Osaka Station is the terminus of two high-speed shinkansen lines: the Tokaido Shinkansen line from Tokyo, and the Sanyo Shinkansen line from Fukuoka in Kyushu. Regular JR lines connect the station with other cities in the Kansai region, and the Midosuji Subway Line provides a link to major destinations within Osaka City.

  Train fare: 810 yen
  Train time: 4 minutes

Kyoto Station

Kyoto is one of Japan’s best preserved historical cities and has many sites of interest including shrines, gardens, palaces, and museums. Among the major tourist attractions here are the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple, Tofukuji Temple, the Byodoin Temple in Uji, and Kyoto Railway Museum.

  Train fare: 1,210 yen
  Train time: 29 minutes

Yamashina Station

The most famous temple in the Yamashina area is Zuishin-in which is known for its plum blossom grove and for the colorful Hanezu Odori dance which is performed here on the last Sunday of March each year. Transfer at Yamashina Station to the JR Kosei Line, the Keihan Keishin Line, and the Tozai Subway Line.

  Train fare: 1,590 yen
  Train time: 35 minutes

Otsu Station

Otsu is the capital city of Shiga Prefecture and has a number of sites of interest including the 8th century Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Miidera Temple at the foot of Mount Hiei, or Enryakuji Temple at the top of Mount Hiei.

  Train fare: 2,150 yen
  Train time: 40 minutes

Ishiyama Station

To visit Ishiyamadera Temple, transfer here to the Ishiyama Sakamoto Line at Keihan Ishiyama Station and exit at Ishiyamadera Station. The temple dates from 747 and there is a story that the world’s oldest novel, Genji Monogatari ,was written there.

  Train fare: 2,150 yen
  Train time: 44 minutes

Kusatsu Station

Kusatsu’s main attractions are the Lake Biwa Museum and the Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden. Transfer here to the JR Kusatsu Line which runs as far as Tsuge Station in the city of Iga, Mie Prefecture.

  Train fare: 2,320 yen
  Train time: 50 minutes

Omi-Hachiman Station

Omi Hachiman has many well preserved traditional buildings and a number of elegant late 19th century and early 20th century buildings that were designed by the American architect William Merrell Vories.

Transfer here to the Ohmi Railway Yokaichi Line which runs a local service between Omi Hachiman and Yokaichi Station where it links back to the Ohmi Railway Main Line.

  Train fare: 2,670 yen
  Train time: 1 hour and 4 minutes

Hikone Station

Hikone’s main attraction is Hikone Castle: a listed national treasure and one of only 12 original castles in Japan. A small area to the south of the castle has been rebuilt in a traditional Edo period style and here you can find many galleries, craft shops, and restaurants. Transfer at Hikone Station to the Ohmi Railway Main Line.

  Train fare: 3,770 yen
  Train time: 1 hour and 18 minutes

Maibara Station

Transfer here to Tokaido Main Line services bound for Ogaki and Gifu, the Hokuriku Main Line for Fukui and Kanazawa, the Tokaido Shinkansen, or the Ohmi Railway Main Line. Nearby Mount Ibuki is popular for hiking, climbing, and skiing. In order to reach it, take the Tokaido Main Line and get off at Omi-Nagaoka Station.

  Train fare: 3,770 yen
  Train time: 1 hour and 23 minutes

A carriage sign for the Biwako Express

A carriage sign for the Biwako Express

Timetables

Service Maibara Kusatsu Otsu Kyoto Shin-Osaka Osaka
Biwako Express #1 6.04 6.40 6.51 7.01 7.26 7.31

 

Service Osaka Shin-Osaka Kyoto Otsu Kusatsu Maibara
Biwako Express #2 20.36 20.41 21.06 21.17 21.27 –
Biwako Express #4 21.36 21.41 22.06 22.17 22.27 22.59

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.

Questions? Ask on our forum

Osaka Station NavigationOsaka Station Navigation
Station Navigation
  • Home
  • Station Information
  • Transportation
    • Sanyo Shinkansen
    • Tokaido Shinkansen
    • JR Train Lines
    • Other Train Lines
    • Osaka Monorail
    • Osaka Subway Lines
  • Osaka Station Hotels
  • Shin-Osaka Station
  • Buying Shinkansen Tickets
  • Buying JR and Subway Tickets
  • Osaka Station Lockers
  • Where to Stay in Osaka
  • Sightseeing
  • Shopping
  • Dining
  • Onsen and Spa
  • Osaka Station Map
  • Umeda (Osaka Station) Area Map

Osaka Hotel Deals of the Day

Osaka Hotels

Loading search box ...
Osaka Station Hotel

Book Online

  •   Flights to Japan
  •   Hotels in Osaka
  •   Car Rental
  •   Osaka Tours & Activities

Japan Station on Facebook

Japan Station on Facebook

Japan Station Guides

  •   Kanazawa Station Guide
  •   Nara Station Guide
  •   Hakata Station Guide
  •   Shinjuku Station Guide
  •   Shibuya Station Guide

About Us

  • Osaka Station on Facebook
  • Osaka Station on Twitter
  • Osaka Station on Instagram
  • Osaka Station on Pinterest
  • Japan Station Forum

Copyright © 2023 · Osaka Station Guide. Part of Japan Station Network. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use