Lake Biwa 100 2026

Want an adventure that takes you on a journey as much as it thrills you? Lake Biwa 100 means Ōtsu as your base camp, Shiga Prefecture as your playground, and the largest lake in Japan as your next-door neighbor 🌊.

Here, you’re not just running “a race”: you’re circling a living backdrop, between forests, lakeside paths, and shifting vibes with every section 🌲. The 169 km format promises a real story to tell, from the first step to the last, with that little “come back for more” taste that’s so typically Japanese 🗾.

And then Ōtsu is the perfect city for it: easy to enjoy, beautiful without trying too hard, and just calm enough to stay focused. You come to suffer a bit, you leave with your head full of images… and legs that remind you Lake Biwa doesn’t do things by halves! ⛰️

After the finish, I’ll keep the best within easy reach, close to the start in Ōtsu: go unwind at Miidera (Onjō-ji), a magnificent temple to bring some order back to your thoughts (and your calves). Stop by Ōtsu Port to get some fresh air by the lake and watch the light glide over the water. Take a detour to the Omi Jingū Shrine, super pleasant for a quiet stroll. And if you want to extend the fun as a couple or with family, head to Sakamoto and its little lanes at the foot of Mount Hiei, perfect for a walk and a great local meal 🍜.

You come looking for the wild, and you also find a real destination: Lake Biwa 100 is a journey where you push yourself… without forgetting to enjoy it 🎌.