| Hira Mountains | |
|---|---|
| 比良山地 Hira-sanchi | |
 Hira Mountains in winter | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,214.4 m (3,984 ft) |
| Coordinates | 35°15′00″N135°53′00″E / 35.25°N 135.883333°E /35.25; 135.883333 |
| Naming | |
| Language of name | Japanese |
| Pronunciation | [çiɾasaɲtɕi] |
| Geography | |
  Hira Mountains Hira Mountains in Japan | |
| Location | Shiga Prefecture andKyoto Prefecture,Honshu, Japan |
TheHira Mountains (比良山地,Hira-sanchi) are amountain range to the west ofLake Biwa on the border ofShiga Prefecture andKyoto Prefecture,Japan.[1] The range runs 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north to south. It is narrowest in the southern part of the range, running 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) east to west, and broadest at the northern part of the range, running 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) km east to west.[2] The eastern side of the Hira Mountains looks steeply over Lake Biwa, while the western side of the range forms a gentler valley in Kyoto.[2]
The three main peaks of the Hira Mountains areMount Bunagatake, the highest with anelevation of 1,214.4 metres (3,984 ft);Hōraisan, at 1,174 metres (3,852 ft), andMount Uchimi at 1,103 metres (3,619 ft).[1]
The spring snow of the Hira Mountains is one of theEight Views of Ōmi.[1]
A strong local windHira-oroshi (比良颪) often blows from Hira Mountains to Lake Biwa especially in the late days of the March. The wind sometimes sinks boats on the lake and stops trains of theKosei Line, a JR line passing along the foot of the mountains. In every 26 March,Tendai priests hold a memorial service for casualties of shipwreck accidents.[3]
The Hira Mountains are a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and mountain climbing.[1]
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