I was thrilled when a friend told me about this mountain pass. Until now, when cycling from Kyoto City to Lake Biwa, I had to take the dangerous national highway with heavy traffic. Ozekigoe Pass is a safe mountain pass with beautiful scenery and a gentle slope.

While Japan is not yet fully developed in terms of bicycle paths, Shiga Prefecture, home to Lake Biwa, is relatively well-developed. There are various roads along Lake Biwa, including the main National Route 161, under the elevated Japan Railway tracks, and under the elevated expressway.

This roadside station is recommended for a break or lunch. There are also fruit and vegetable shops and a souvenir corner, so it's a very enjoyable place to visit. In the summer, it's especially fun to take a break and eat and drink in the air-conditioned restaurant.

I recommend Ohara, where Kyoto's beautiful countryside remains. It is known as a producer of high-quality Kyoto brand vegetables, and is also famous for producing pickles, an essential part of Japanese cuisine. The rivers and water are clean, and cycling there is refreshing.