Hira Mountains: Mt. Bunagatake via Biwako Valley Ropeway

The Hira Mountains Bunagatake ridge walk starts from JR Katata Station in Otsu, Shiga, with a roughly 15-minute shuttle bus connection to the base of the Biwako Valley ropeway, which lifts hikers to about 1,100 meters in a few minutes; no separate trailhead parking or permit is needed. From the ropeway's summit station, an undulating dirt and rock ridge trail covers about 7 kilometers round trip to Mt. Bunagatake (1,214 m) and neighboring Mt. Uchimi, with a modest overall elevation gain since most of the height is covered by the ropeway itself. The path alternates between open, sun-exposed ridge sections with grassy meadows and short stretches through low subalpine scrub; footing is generally firm dirt with some loose rock near the summit outcrops, and there is minimal shade above the ropeway station. The route offers continuous views over Lake Biwa to the east and the Kyoto basin to the south on clear days. Key landmarks include the Biwako Valley observation deck near the ropeway summit station, the open meadow saddle between Bunagatake and Uchimi, and the rocky Bunagatake summit marker. Hikers short on time can turn around at the meadow saddle and still get the core ridge views without pushing on to both summits. There are no water sources beyond the ropeway station, so hikers should carry sufficient water for the full loop; a café and restrooms are available at the ropeway summit station, but there is no mountain hut further along the ridge. Weather on the exposed ridge can change quickly, with wind and cloud rolling in off the lake, so a light insulating layer is recommended even in warmer months. The ropeway typically stops running by late afternoon, so hikers must plan the return trip around its last departure time.