Biwako Hakodateyama

Biwako Hakodateyama is a resort park on Mt. Hakodateyama in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture. After riding the gondola up the slope to an elevation of 630 meters, magnificently beautiful scenery stretches out: ahead of the rice fields just below is Lake Biwa, on which is Chikubu-shima Island; beyond that, one can gaze out at Mt. Ibukiyama.
During the green season that lasts from summer to autumn, visitors to the park can hear the soothing sounds of 882 rainbow-colored wind chimes on the Good Path of Wind Chimes. The sight of the Rainbow Curtains, made with a traditional fabric of Takashima City that has a history of over 200 years, swaying in the highland winds is also not something to miss. In addition, nearby the summit station is Lamp, a mountain lodge-style specialty parfait shop made with the image of lanterns glowing faintly in a nighttime forest. Particularly popular at the shop are its beautifully arranged, photogenic parfaits served in containers shaped like lamps.
Past the hill with the view of Lake Biwa is a flower garden at which visitors can enjoy petunias, kochia, sunflowers, and other seasonal flowers. To experience the full beauty of the flowers, we recommend visiting during the peak blooming times of the summer petunias and the autumn colors of the kochia (for information on blooming periods, please check the official website). From winter to spring at the park, the hills transform into silver snow slopes, and visitors can enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.