There are 4 ways to get from Okayama to Lake Biwa by train, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Okayama to Kyototrain Hikari / ...
2h 2mTrain via Himeji
cheapest- Take the train from Okayama to Himejitrain San-yō Line Local / ...
- Take the train from Himeji to Zezetrain JR Kobe Line / ...
4h 9m¥3,435–4,851Bus
- Take the bus from Okayama to Kyōto Station Karasumaguchibus Kyoto
3h 47m¥4,250–4,770Drive 249.1 km
- Drive from Okayama to Shigacar 249.1 km
3h 35m¥3,810–5,503
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Okayama to Lake Biwa is to train via Himeji which costs ¥3400 - ¥4900 and takes 4h 9m.
The fastest way to get from Okayama to Lake Biwa is to drive which takes 3h 35m and costs ¥3800 - ¥5500.
No, there is no direct bus from Okayama to Lake Biwa station. However, there are services departing from Okayama and arriving at Kyōto Station Karasumaguchi via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 47m.
No, there is no direct train from Okayama to Lake Biwa. However, there are services departing from Okayama and arriving at Ōtsukyō via Kyōto. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2h 2m.
The distance between Okayama and Lake Biwa is 217 km. The road distance is 249.1 km.
The best way to get from Okayama to Lake Biwa without a car is to train which takes 2h 2m and costs .
It takes approximately 2h 2m to get from Okayama to Lake Biwa, including transfers.
Okayama to Lake Biwa bus services, operated by Ryobi Bus, depart from Okayama station.
Okayama to Lake Biwa train services, operated by JR CENTRAL (Central Japan Railway Company), depart from Okayama station.
The best way to get from Okayama to Lake Biwa is to train which takes 2h 2m and costs . Alternatively, you can bus, which costs ¥4200 - ¥4800 and takes 3h 47m.
What companies run services between Okayama, Japan and Lake Biwa, Shiga, Japan?
JR CENTRAL (Central Japan Railway Company) operates a train from Okayama to Kyoto hourly, and the journey takes 1h 42m. Alternatively, Ryobi Bus operates a bus from Okayama to Kyōto Station Karasumaguchi 5 times a day. Tickets cost ¥3,900–4,400 and the journey takes 3h 27m.
- Phone
- 050-3772-3910
- Website
- JR CENTRAL
Train from Okayama to Kyoto
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 42m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- JR CENTRAL
- Schedules at
- JR West Timetable & Route Finder
- Phone
- 0570-00-2486
- Website
- JR WEST (West Japan Railway Company)
Train from Okayama to Himeji
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ¥1,300–1,900
- Schedules at
- JR WEST (West Japan Railway Company)
Train from Himeji to Zeze
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 31m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- ¥2,100–3,000
- Schedules at
- jorudan.co.jp
- Phone
- 0570-08-5050
- Website
- ryobi-holdings.jp
Bus from Okayama to Kyōto Station Karasumaguchi
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 27m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- ¥3,900–4,400
- Schedules at
- ryobi-holdings.jp
- Book at
- japanbusonline.com
Want to know more about travelling around Japan
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Booking & Getting There
Okayama to Lake Biwa bus services, operated by Ryobi Bus, arrive at Kyōto Station Karasumaguchi.
Okayama to Lake Biwa train services, operated by JR CENTRAL (Central Japan Railway Company), arrive at Kyoto station.
Yes, the driving distance between Okayama to Lake Biwa is 249 km. It takes approximately 3h 35m to drive from Okayama to Lake Biwa.
There are 244+ hotels available in Lake Biwa.




















