OTSU, Japan, Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In January 2026, a strong cold wave brought much more snow to Japan than usual. Shiga Prefecture, located right next to Kyoto—one of Japan's most famous tourist destinations—is home to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. By late January, the lakeshore becomes a beautiful world of white snow. Nearby ski resorts also have plenty of natural snow. For these reasons, this area is now a very popular winter destination. Among the ski resorts around Lake Biwa, Biwako Valley stands out as especially popular. You can enjoy the amazing lake view and play in the snow at the same time. It is easy to visit, taking less than one hour from Kyoto.
Biwako Valley is very popular in the Kansai area because it is easy to visit. You can reach it from Kyoto Station without any transfers: simply take the JR Kosei Line to Shiga Station. From Shiga Station, it is only a 10-minute bus ride. Moreover, From the Biwako Valley Ropeway Sanroku Station to the 1,100-meter summit, it takes only 5 minutes. The temperature at the top is more than 5°C lower than at the bottom. It feels like a different world, where a beautiful white snow landscape welcomes you.
As soon as you leave the Summit Station, you will see "Biwako Terrace." If you take a photo of the terrace pool and Lake Biwa together, you can capture an endless blue view. It is very popular on social media. In winter, the contrast between the white snow and the blue lake is beautiful. This view alone is worth the visit to the mountain top.
Biwako Valley offers a wide range of well-equipped facilities within the ski resort. Near the Sanroku Station, you can rent snowboards, skis, boots, and warm winter clothes. Your clothes will get wet when you touch the snow, so we recommend renting or wearing proper winter gear before you go to the top. The resort has many areas for everyone: professional courses, practice slopes for beginners, a dedicated "Snow Land" area for fun snow play, and zones for enjoying sledding.
The "Zipline Adventure" is open during both the green season and the winter season. On this attraction, you can slide down a wire rope with a pulley while looking at the grand Lake Biwa below. It is just as popular as skiing. Even if you are not good at sports, you can enjoy the speed and thrill safely.
If you want a more special view, take the 4-person chairlift to "Café 360" at the highest point of Biwako Valley. This terrace opened last year. From there, you can see a beautiful world of white snow and look down at Lake Biwa from the very top.
"Omi Beef" is the most famous local specialty of Shiga. It is one of Japan's top three wagyu beef brands. Many people visit from overseas to enjoy its soft texture and rich flavor that melts in your mouth. At "Grill Dining & Bar HALUKA," you can eat Omi Beef steaks and burgers while looking at the snowy slopes.
At "Terrace Café," you can enjoy special desserts found only here. Try the gelato made with Omi black tea "Wa-kocha" and milk. Shiga is the birthplace of Japanese tea, so this flavor is very special to this area. You can enjoy Omi tea at the restaurants and cafés. You can also buy it at the gift shop to take home as a souvenir.
There are many other great places to visit near Biwako Valley. Only a 30-minute drive away is "Ogoto Onsen," one of the most famous hot spring destinations in the Kansai region. It started about 1,200 years ago and is famous as a "skin-beautifying spring" because the water is very gentle on your skin. Relaxing in a hot spring to warm up your body after playing in the snow—this is the best way to enjoy winter in Japan.
"Mangetsuji Ukimido" is a historic temple built over Lake Biwa. It is one of the best photo spots in Otsu City. From Hieizan Sakamoto Station on the JR Kosei Line, you can find the path to the Enryakuji Temple, a World Heritage site. If you'd like to appreciate the grand scale of Lake Biwa from the water itself, we recommend the "Michigan Cruise," a scenic sightseeing boat tour on the lake. On the open deck, you can feel the breeze and enjoy a relaxing trip around the southern part of Lake Biwa. Watching the white, snow-covered mountains from the boat will surely be a wonderful memory.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Make the most of Japan's snowy season! Visit Biwako Valley for thrilling snow fun and amazing food--all within easy reach of Kansai International Airport
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda is bringing the spotlight to one of Southern Thailand's most dynamic destinations with the launch of its new 'Hat Yai Lights Up' campaign, celebrating the area's recovery and return to business after last year's flooding. In partnership with Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association, the campaign invites travelers to explore the city like never before with great deals and seamless planning.
Running from now until March 02, the campaign offers exclusive discounts along with a specially curated Hat Yai guidebook and a dedicated landing page with a wide range of accommodation options. Travelers can easily choose stays, plan their trip, and spend more time soaking in the city's lively atmosphere.
With tourist attractions fully reopened, visitors can enjoy the region, which is known for its buzzing food streets, colorful night markets, scenic hilltop viewpoints, and stunning temples. Hat Yai offers a great mix of culture, cuisine, and urban excitement. Whether travelers prefer cafe hopping, shopping sprees, or quick nature escapes, the city caters to both relaxed weekend getaways and action-packed itineraries. The ideal trip for any type of traveler is perfectly captured in Agoda's Hat Yai travel guide, crafted in partnership with Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association.
Akaporn Rodkong, Country Director, Thailand and Indochina at Agoda shared, "Hat Yai continues to stand out as a destination with depth, character, and countless reasons to return. The city brings together diverse food culture, charming local neighborhoods, breathtaking viewpoints, and everyday experiences that make for a rewarding journey. Through 'Hat Yai Lights Up', Agoda is proud to support the city's momentum after its recovery from floods by making it easier for travelers to reconnect with Hat Yai and experience the wonders that make this region a must-visit destination once more."
Dr. Sitthipong Sitthiphataraprabha, President of Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association, shared, "The 'Hat Yai Lights Up' campaign demonstrates the city's readiness to welcome visitors again. Local hotels and businesses have come together to open their doors with confidence, and working with Agoda offers the perfect opportunity to connect Hat Yai with travelers from around the world who are looking for their next adventure. We are excited to partner on this campaign with Agoda to bring the magic of Hat Yai to the world for all to discover."
As part of its commitment to Thailand's tourism industry, Agoda supports long-term positive impact through partnership with WWF to fund wildlife and habitat conservation, sustainability trainings under its Sustainable Tourism Academy, and flexible financing for tourism micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) through its Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund. In Hat Yai specifically, Agoda has contributed to local recovery efforts by donating over 1,000 pieces of office furniture to schools and universities and providing nearly THB 2 million in support for Save the Children's flood recovery response, helping deliver emergency supplies and enabling children to return to safe and nurturing learning environments.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda is bringing the spotlight to one of Southern Thailand's most dynamic destinations with the launch of its new 'Hat Yai Lights Up' campaign, celebrating the area's recovery and return to business after last year's flooding. In partnership with Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association, the campaign invites travelers to explore the city like never before with great deals and seamless planning.
Running from now until March 02, the campaign offers exclusive discounts along with a specially curated Hat Yai guidebook and a dedicated landing page with a wide range of accommodation options. Travelers can easily choose stays, plan their trip, and spend more time soaking in the city's lively atmosphere.
With tourist attractions fully reopened, visitors can enjoy the region, which is known for its buzzing food streets, colorful night markets, scenic hilltop viewpoints, and stunning temples. Hat Yai offers a great mix of culture, cuisine, and urban excitement. Whether travelers prefer cafe hopping, shopping sprees, or quick nature escapes, the city caters to both relaxed weekend getaways and action-packed itineraries. The ideal trip for any type of traveler is perfectly captured in Agoda's Hat Yai travel guide, crafted in partnership with Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association.
Akaporn Rodkong, Country Director, Thailand and Indochina at Agoda shared, "Hat Yai continues to stand out as a destination with depth, character, and countless reasons to return. The city brings together diverse food culture, charming local neighborhoods, breathtaking viewpoints, and everyday experiences that make for a rewarding journey. Through 'Hat Yai Lights Up', Agoda is proud to support the city's momentum after its recovery from floods by making it easier for travelers to reconnect with Hat Yai and experience the wonders that make this region a must-visit destination once more."
Dr. Sitthipong Sitthiphataraprabha, President of Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association, shared, "The 'Hat Yai Lights Up' campaign demonstrates the city's readiness to welcome visitors again. Local hotels and businesses have come together to open their doors with confidence, and working with Agoda offers the perfect opportunity to connect Hat Yai with travelers from around the world who are looking for their next adventure. We are excited to partner on this campaign with Agoda to bring the magic of Hat Yai to the world for all to discover."
As part of its commitment to Thailand's tourism industry, Agoda supports long-term positive impact through partnership with WWF to fund wildlife and habitat conservation, sustainability trainings under its Sustainable Tourism Academy, and flexible financing for tourism micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) through its Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund. In Hat Yai specifically, Agoda has contributed to local recovery efforts by donating over 1,000 pieces of office furniture to schools and universities and providing nearly THB 2 million in support for Save the Children's flood recovery response, helping deliver emergency supplies and enabling children to return to safe and nurturing learning environments.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Agoda's 'Hat Yai Lights Up' Campaign Invites Travelers to Experience the City Like Never Before
