AugustBiwako Grand Fireworks Festival
Kansai ・ Lake Biwa
Usually a weekday evening in early August (about 1 hour)
Kansai Weather Guide
Lake Biwa Weather & What to Wear
Otsu, Hikone, Omihachiman, Nagahama
Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, and castle towns like Hikone, Omihachiman and Nagahama. It's an easy train ride from Kyoto. In winter, the Sea of Japan weather pattern brings more snow the farther north you go around the lake (temperatures are for Hikone City).
- January low
- 1.0℃
- August high
- 32.1℃
- Max snow depth
- 19cm
Forecast
Forecast: Today & the Next 7 Days
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Every 3 Hours: Today & Tomorrow
- Today3 PMSunny22°☂ 0%10–14m/s
- 6 PMCloudy20°☂ 0%10–14m/s
- 9 PMSunny16°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- Tomorrow12 AMSunny13°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 3 AMCloudy12°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 AMSunny12°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 AMSunny17°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 12 PMSunny21°☂ 10%6–9m/s
- 3 PMCloudy22°☂ 10%6–9m/s
- 6 PMCloudy20°☂ 20%6–9m/s
- 9 PMCloudy19°☂ 20%6–9m/s
Weather and wind are for the wider area; temperature is for the main forecast point. Chance of rain is for the 6-hour period.
- Today10/22(Thu)Sunny, cloudy at times23°/18°Observed: 18°☂ 0%
- Tomorrow10/23(Fri)Sunny, then cloudy23°/11°☂ 20%
- 10/24(Sat)Rain—/—☂ 80%
- 10/25(Sun)Cloudy, rain at times—/—☂ 80%Reliability A
- 10/26(Mon)Cloudy, rain at times—/—☂ 70%Reliability A
- 10/27(Tue)Cloudy, brief rain—/—☂ 60%Reliability B
- 10/28(Wed)Cloudy, sunny at times—/—☂ 30%Reliability A
- ☂ Chance of rain
- From day 3, the weekly forecast covers a wider prefecture-level area.
- Reliability of the weekly forecast (A: high, B: fairly high, C: fairly low)
- "Observed" is the temperature measured so far today by JMA weather stations (AMeDAS), not a forecast.
- Temperatures from day 3 are not shown because the weekly forecast has no point for this area.
- Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (weather forecast)
Best Season
Best Time to Visit Lake Biwa
Climate
Lake Biwa Temperature & Snow Through the Year
Monthly high / low temperature (°C)
HighLow
Monthly max snow depth (cm)
Month by Month
Month-by-Month Weather & What to Wear
| Month | High | Low | Precip. | Max snow depth | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.1℃ | 1.0℃ | 112mm | 19cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Feb | 7.7℃ | 1.0℃ | 99.6mm | 15cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Mar | 11.6℃ | 3.5℃ | 114.9mm | 4cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| Apr | 17.4℃ | 8.1℃ | 117.3mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| May | 22.6℃ | 13.5℃ | 146.9mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jun | 26.0℃ | 18.4℃ | 175.6mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Jul | 30.2℃ | 22.9℃ | 219mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Aug | 32.1℃ | 24.1℃ | 124.6mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Sep | 27.6℃ | 20.2℃ | 167.7mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Oct | 21.8℃ | 14.0℃ | 140.7mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Nov | 15.6℃ | 8.0℃ | 85.8mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Dec | 9.9℃ | 3.2℃ | 105.9mm | 8cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
Clothing tips are based on the normal high temperature and snow depth. Bring an extra layer for mornings and evenings.
Seasons
Lake Biwa Through the Seasons
🌸
Spring
Mar–MayCherry blossoms in early to mid-April, a little later than in Kyoto.
☀️
Summer
Jun–AugHighs of 30–32°C. It's the season for lake swimming and canoeing, and the Biwako Fireworks Festival is held in early August.
🍁
Autumn
Sep–NovOctober is comfortable, and in November the autumn leaves peak at temples such as the Kotosanzan (three temples east of the lake).
❄️
Winter
Dec–FebHighs of 7–10°C. It's one of the snowier parts of Kansai, and snow can settle even in Hikone.
Events
Events & festivals in Lake Biwa
AugustCherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Lake Biwa
LakeFireworks
Fireworks festivals in Lake Biwa
🎆 AugustLake Biwa Fireworks Festival
Kansai ・ Otsu, Shiga
🎆 Early August (held on Thursday, August 6 in 2026)
About 12,000 shells (2026, official)Paid seats
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Lake Biwa
TempleTravel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Lake Biwa
🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Lake Biwa TripPR
Other Areas
Weather in Other Areas
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperature and snow figures are normals from the Hikone station; actual weather varies from year to year.
