Image unavailable

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Shiga · Kinki

Roadside Station Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza

道の駅びわ湖大橋米プラザ

At the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge, take in the lake view and bring home Shiga rice and vegetables in one stop.

Updated 2026-09-30Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Otsu City

Road

National Route 477

Hours

9:00–18:00

The produce market and souvenir shop close at 18:00 from March through November and at 17:00 from December through February. The restaurant closes at 17:30 from March through November and at 17:00 from December through February. The second-floor information desk and rest area are open 9:00–17:00 year-round.

Parking

Cars: 136 / Large vehicles: 18

My stamp

Record this station in your journal

Records are saved in this browser. Visited stations receive a stamp and count towards your nationwide progress.

Nationwide progress

— / 1,238 stations

How to enjoy

Choose how to enjoy your visit

Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.

Rest first

Second-floor rest area and observation balcony

From more than 50 rest seats, you may see Biwako Ohashi Bridge, the Hira Mountains, and the direction of Okishima Island in good weather. It is worth more than a quick restroom stop.

For shopping

Oishiya Ureshiya

This produce market ranges from Omi rice, seasonal vegetables, tsukudani (lake fish simmered in a sweet-salty sauce), Omi beef, and local sake to prepared dishes, bread, and sweets. Bring a cooler if the trip home is long.

For a meal

A set meal or snack with a lake view

Try an Omi beef and rice set meal, a rainbow trout rice-bowl set meal, noodles with Hiei yuba (tofu skin), or an Omi beef croquette for a taste of Shiga even on a short stop.

With children

Keep the trip from nursing room to sandy shore short

There is a nursing room and elevator on the second floor, and the first-floor terrace leads to the sandy shore. Keep children in sight by the water and make playtime short and manageable.

For a walk outside

Walk on the bridge or visit Dejima Lighthouse

On a fine day, use the Biwako Ohashi Bridge sidewalk or visit the lighthouse in Imakatata. In heat, wind, or construction restrictions, choose an indoor stop instead.

On a rainy day

Shop here, then visit a nearby indoor facility

Keep your station visit to shopping and a meal. If you cross the bridge, adding Pieri Moriyama or Moriyama Yumoto Suishun can make a half-day outing less dependent on the weather.

Takumi's stopover notes

See the lake, buy rice, and leave room in your plans beyond the bridge.

Takumi Chitose sees this station as more than a rest stop beside the bridge: it is a lakeside junction for planning a family's next move. First come restrooms and nursing, then the lake view. Choose a set meal or snack, and shop for Omi rice and seasonal vegetables. In clear weather, head to the bridge or lighthouse; in rain or strong heat, choose an indoor stop. Deciding the order makes travel on either side of Biwako Ohashi Bridge easier.

Take in one lake view first, then choose Shiga produce at the market: that is what makes this station memorable.

Highlights

Roadside Station Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza brings together a rest stop, meals, produce shopping, and lakeside scenery beside Biwako Ohashi Bridge. View the bridge and Lake Biwa from the second-floor rest area and observation balcony. On the first floor, shop for Omi rice, local vegetables, tsukudani (lake fish simmered in a sweet-salty sauce), Omi beef, local sake, and Shiga and Omi souvenirs. Families can use the nursing room and access the sandy shore. On a fine day, walk on the bridge or visit the Dejima Lighthouse; in rain or heat, consider Pieri Moriyama or Suishun across the bridge.

#Biwako Ohashi Bridge
#Omi rice
#Oishiya Ureshiya produce market
#Lakeside rest stop
#Shiga souvenirs
#Rest stop for families with children

Practical information

Registration number: 滋賀-05
Prefecture: Shiga Prefecture
Municipality: Otsu City
Road: National Route 477
Telephone: 077-572-0504
Closed days: The produce market closes December 31 through January 3 (and closes at 15:00 on December 30). The restaurant and souvenir shop are open year-round, with hours of 10:00–17:00 on December 31 and January 1. The information desk and rest area close December 31 and January 1.
Station stamp: Available

Address

3-1-1 Imakatata, Otsu, Shiga 520-0241, at the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge (〒520-0241 滋賀県大津市今堅田3-1-1 琵琶湖大橋西詰め)

Facilities

Restrooms
Parking
Produce market
Souvenir shop
Restaurant
Fast food
Information desk
Second-floor rest area
Observation balcony
Nursing room
Elevator
Wheelchair-accessible restroom

4 more facilities listed.

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)kome-plaza.jp (Japanese guide)www.shiga-dourokousha.or.jp (Japanese guide)otsu.or.jp (Japanese guide)www.biwako-visitors.jp (Japanese guide)www.kkr.mlit.go.jp (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

The bridge and lake make the rest stop

Besides its convenient position before or after crossing Biwako Ohashi Bridge, the station has second-floor seating and an observation balcony overlooking the lake. In clear weather, go upstairs for the view before coming down for a meal or shopping.

A showcase of Shiga food at the produce market

Oishiya Ureshiya sells Omi rice, vegetables, lake fish, Omi beef, eggs, prepared dishes, local sake, seasonings, and crafts. As the name Kome Plaza (Rice Plaza) suggests, rice anchors a broad look at Shiga food, making it useful for dinner shopping as well as souvenirs.

An easy family stop before nearby outings

The station has a nursing room, elevator, and wheelchair-accessible facilities, while the first-floor terrace leads to the sandy shore. It is not a place for hours of play indoors, but you can arrange a meal, restroom stop, and brief time outside before heading to the bridge, lakeshore, or an indoor facility.

Route idea

Ways to plan your stop

Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.

A short break on the Kosei Road or National Route 477

A 30-minute break before or after crossing the bridge

After parking, use the restroom and head to the second-floor rest area. Refresh yourself with a view of the lake and bridge, then pick up some Omi rice, seasonal vegetables, or lake-fish tsukudani at the market. Even a short visit can feel distinctly like Kome Plaza.

Parking → restrooms → second-floor rest area and observation balcony → produce market → depart

Bridge seismic reinforcement work has scheduled traffic restrictions in 2026, including dates from September through November. Allow extra time for daytime travel and check the road authority's current schedule.

A family lunch break or a few more Shiga souvenirs

Combine lunch and shopping

Choose an Omi beef and rice set meal, rainbow trout rice-bowl set meal, or yuba udon or soba at the restaurant, then visit the produce market and souvenir shop. On a busy dining day, Omi beef croquettes or soft serve from the fast-food counter offer a quicker option.

Restaurant → Oishiya Ureshiya produce market → souvenir shop → second-floor rest

Menu prices and dishes can change. The official menu photographs also note price changes, so check the day's posted menu.

A walk for school-age children and a change of pace for adults

A short lakeside walk on a fine day

Use the restrooms and get water at the station, then head for the Biwako Ohashi Bridge sidewalk or Dejima Lighthouse. The bridge has good views but is exposed to wind and sun, so keep summer walks short. Pick up a drink or sweet at the market on your return.

Station → Biwako Ohashi Bridge sidewalk or Dejima Lighthouse → shop at the station

Construction restrictions can also affect pedestrians and cyclists on some days. Check the planned restrictions and weather, and return to an indoor station break if necessary.

Families with toddlers and days with uncertain weather

Choose indoor stops in rain or extreme heat

At the station, focus on a meal, nursing break, and shopping. For longer playtime, drive across the bridge to Pieri Moriyama or Moriyama Yumoto Suishun. Lunch, shopping, and a bath can make a rainy-day family outing less tiring.

Lunch and shopping at the station → Pieri Moriyama → Moriyama Yumoto Suishun

Allow for the bridge toll and road traffic. Evening traffic across the bridge can vary, so leave room in your return schedule.

Family

Visiting with children

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Age 1 and under

★★★★☆

A nursing room, elevator, and rest seats make this a useful nursing and diaper break on a drive along the lake's western shore.

The single nursing room is near the second-floor information desk. A short break before or after a meal is less likely to cause a wait than occupying it for a long time.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

Access to the sandy shore is appealing, but keep visits short and supervise closely by the water.

The first-floor terrace leads to the sandy shore, and there is a foot-washing area. Plan around restrooms and a change of clothes rather than making water play the main activity.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

The bridge, boats, lake, and vegetable stalls give children plenty to see even on a short visit.

From the second floor, you may catch sight of an educational ship or sightseeing boat. Keep outdoor walks short according to wind, sun, and construction restrictions.

School-age children

★★★★☆

Adding the Biwako Ohashi Bridge sidewalk or Dejima Lighthouse gives a sense of the lake's geography and the bridge's role.

A bridge walk has good views but can be long if you go out and back. On hot days, focus on shopping at the station; in rain, consider Pieri Moriyama or Suishun.

Nursing room

On the second floor; ask at the information desk to use it. It has a bed, bench, sink, and a lockable door.

Strollers

There is an elevator. When the market is crowded, avoid stopping in the aisles for long; splitting shopping duties can help.

Outdoor play

The sandy shore is accessible, but supervise closely by the water. For longer play, move on to a nearby spot.

Rainy days

Keep the station stop to a meal and shopping; if crossing the bridge, consider Pieri Moriyama or Moriyama Yumoto Suishun.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

1
Use the first-floor restroom after parking
The parking area is spacious on the lakeside, with tourist buses and cars entering and leaving. It is safer for companions to walk together to the building at an unhurried pace than to drop someone off ahead of the group.
2
Take the elevator to the second-floor rest seats
You can see the lake from the rest area without going onto the observation balcony. Stay indoors on windy days.
3
Buy perishables last
Browse Omi rice and souvenirs first, then choose fresh food, prepared dishes, and chilled items just before leaving to make them easier to carry.

Event

Make an event part of your visit

Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.

Checking event dates.

Spaces used for events

Product news and seasonal arrivals

According to the station's official site, sales of 2026-harvest rice began with Mizukagami on September 6. Koshihikari, Milky Queen, and Kinuhikari have also arrived, with further deliveries expected. A new-rice fair is scheduled at the produce market for five days: October 10, 11, 12, 17, and 18.

Biwako Ohashi Bridge construction restrictions

On scheduled restriction days from September through November 2026, traffic controls for seismic reinforcement work are planned from 9:00 to 17:00. The station is at the bridge's west end; check the Shiga Prefectural Road Public Corporation's schedule if you plan to cross to the Moriyama side.

Lakeside and observation balcony

This is a place for photos even without an event venue. The scene changes in clear weather, at dusk, and when sightseeing boats pass.

Nearby summer events

Fireworks toward Otsu Port and events at commercial facilities on the Moriyama side are some distance from the station. If visiting on the same day, plan separately for traffic and parking.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The produce market feels more like everyday shopping than a souvenir shelf

The official market guide lists seasonal vegetables, rice and grains, flowers, fish, meat, eggs, prepared dishes, pickles, sweets, local sake, and crafts. Think of it as a place to shop for dinner as well as tourist souvenirs.

Source: Official produce-market guide

The lakeside view is easiest to appreciate from upstairs

The facilities guide describes the second-floor rest area and observation balcony. In good weather, it says visitors can see toward Biwako Ohashi Bridge, the Ibuki and Suzuka mountain ranges, and Okishima Island. Going upstairs before or after a meal can make the visit memorable.

Source: Official access and facilities guide

For families, add brief outdoor play to the station stop

The first-floor terrace leads to a sandy shore with a foot-washing area. Family outing listings also describe visits with babies and toddlers. Because the shore is beside the water, a meal, nursing break, and short walk on the sand may work better than a long play session.

Source: Official facilities guide and family outing information

Shiga dishes for a meal, with snacks as a backup

The restaurant menu includes dishes with Omi beef, Omi rice, Shiga-caught rainbow trout, and dried Hiei yuba (tofu skin). Fast food includes Omi beef croquettes and soft serve. At busy times, having a snack option can keep a wait for one particular set meal from disrupting your plans.

Source: Official restaurant menu

Change the order of stops during bridge construction

The latest published bridge-work schedule includes planned restriction dates from September through November 2026, with controls from 9:00 to 17:00. A station rest stop may be simple, but check the bridge schedule before adding Pieri Moriyama or Suishun on the Moriyama side.

Source: Official station notice and Shiga Prefectural Road Public Corporation

In summer, prepare for heat before choosing a longer walk

A bridge or lakeside walk can be pleasant, but summer sun, reflected heat, and strong wind matter. Accounts of local walks also suggest shortening bridge walks in hot weather; families can plan a station break and an indoor alternative.

Source: Local walking accounts and official tourism information

Movie

Preview the place on video

Official videos show the market and nearby park before you visit. Audio and captions are in Japanese.

If the video does not load, watch it on YouTube

Green Tourism Shiga introduces Roadside Station Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza

This video shows the countryside around Lake Biwa and where Kome Plaza fits into the area.

Source: Green Tourism Shiga

Before your visit

Things to check before setting out

Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.

The produce market and souvenir shop generally close at 18:00 from March through November and at 17:00 from December through February.
The restaurant closes at 17:30 from March through November and at 17:00 from December through February.
The produce market closes December 31 through January 3; the restaurant and souvenir shop open 10:00–17:00 on December 31 and January 1.
On scheduled restriction days from September through November 2026, bridge work may affect traffic from 9:00 to 17:00. Check the road authority's schedule before crossing to the Moriyama side.
The sandy shore and bridge are best for short outings in good weather. In summer, consider the sun; in winter, watch the wind and road surface.
A cooler bag is useful when buying fresh food, Omi beef, or prepared dishes.

Food

Eating and shopping

Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.

Meal
Omi beef and rice set meal
A restaurant dish combining Omi beef with Omi Koshihikari rice
Meal
Rainbow trout rice-bowl set meal
A rice-bowl set meal using rainbow trout caught in Shiga Prefecture
Noodles
Udon or soba with dried Hiei yuba
Yuba (tofu skin) udon or soba, suitable for a lighter lunch
Snack
Omi beef croquette and Omi beef mince cutlet
Options for a quick bite at the fast-food counter
Shopping
Omi rice, lake-fish tsukudani, and local sake
Shiga staples to take home from the produce market and souvenir shop

Food mood

What would you like to eat?

A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.

A full lunch

Omi beef and rice set meal, rainbow trout rice-bowl set meal, and other set meals

For lunch with a view of the bridge and lake, head to the restaurant. It has enough seats for groups, but allow extra time at midday on holidays.

The restaurant closes at 17:30 from March through November and at 17:00 from December through February.

A quick bite

Omi beef croquette, Omi beef mince cutlet, yakisoba noodles, and soft serve

If children cannot wait or the next stop is soon, use the fast-food counter instead of committing to a wait at the restaurant.

For meals at home

Omi rice, seasonal vegetables, eggs, prepared dishes, and lake-fish tsukudani

The produce market also works for dinner ingredients. Bring a cooler bag in summer; in winter, note the earlier closing time and shop before leaving.

Shiga souvenirs

Local sake, Omi sweets, crafts, and Kyoto specialties

The souvenir shop suits gifts. Looking at it separately from the market's fresh foods makes it easier to choose presents and items for home.

Seasonal finds

Product information on 2026-harvest rice, including Mizukagami, Koshihikari, Milky Queen, and Kinuhikari

In autumn, check official notices and product updates for arrivals of newly harvested rice. The new-rice fair is limited to October 10, 11, 12, 17, and 18; on other days, the market operates as usual.

Access