Shiga Prefecture

Your host Hisako learned to cook from her mother and sister and is passionate about sharing Japanese home cooking with travelers using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her other passion is music – Hisako studied classical music at the Guild Hall School of Music in London for two years. Her husband Atsuo has a tech consulting office in Kyoto and is a match maker between high tech companies in USA and Japan.  Your cooking class will begin with a short introduction to miso, a fundamental element of Japanese cooking. There are many kinds of miso and Hisako's introduction will help to demystify the varieties and their usage. You will learn to make 2-3 authentic Japanese dishes with Hisako in her kitchen that you will later share at the dining table in their modern Japanese home.  Your experience will end on a musical note, with Hisako playing and singing one of her favorite songs.

Join a unique cultural experience led by Misato Takahashi, an Otsu native and daughter of Wado Takahashi, an Otsu-e artist originally from the Otsu-e master family, Takahashi Shozan. Misato is fervently committed to preserving the important local tradition of Otsu-e painting, a form of traditional folk art that originated in this area about 400 years ago. This unique cultural experience provides an excellent opportunity to delve into Japan's artistic heritage, immersing yourself in the creativity and artistic expression that has enriched Otsu's local culture for centuries. And with only a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, you can relax in the cozy lakeside town of Otsu while exploring the city's rich history and treasures.

Meet your local host Michiyo and let her introduce you to the special menu of the day, before you start your hands-on cooking experience in her Kyoto kitchen. Michiyo truly enjoys sharing her knowledge on Japanese cooking techniques that she has perfected over the years. You will learn to make dashi stock (a fundamental building block of Japanese cuisine), and to perfectly prepare sushi rice for chirashi-sushi that you will later garnish in a traditional wooden bowl. The cooking portion of the experience will take about an hour and half before you and Michiyo will sit down together to enjoy the authentic Japanese meal you helped prepare paired with carefully selected alcohol to accent the delicious food. Immerse yourself in Japanese culture and cuisine with the help of authentic food and a local's heart-warming hospitality!

Biwaichi Bike is a cycle station facility at the Port of Otsu that connects bicycles to Lake Biwa. Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, located 15 minutes by train from Kyoto Station. Japanese cyclists call cycling around this large lake "Biwaichi". It opened as a base facility for all those who enjoy cycling around Lake Biwa, including Biwaichi. We can help you with anything related to bicycles, from renting bicycles, troubleshooting equipment problems, bringing in repairs, and supplying supplies.

Experience to meet "Funasushi" origin of "Sushi" in Japan. Try 3types of Funasushi with local Sake "Shichihonyari" chosen by Kuramoto.This experience is held at private cozy Machiya Bar. Funasushi is only served in Shiga prefecture in Japan, If you like Sushi, fermentation food, Sake, you must try it! Good access from Kyoto, Osaka, Gifu.

Experience making a handmade ring by hammering the texture using the Japanese traditional style called "Tankin." You will choose your favorite material, thickness, and texture, and then use special hammers and tools to customize your own ring. The entire process takes around 1 hour. Staff will carefully explain the steps and help you take remembrance photos. This workshop is highly recommended for a high-quality gift or souvenir. Embrace your creativity and enjoy our unique experience in Japan.

The Lake Biwa Canal was built in the late 1800s to revive Kyoto’s economy. Now sightseeing boats offer trips along it. Follow the river's flow and leisurely enjoy the view of fresh green maple trees and historical buildings. This time, we are offering a monitored boat ride with free multilingual audio guides. Please take advantage of this opportunity. *Please note The meeting point and dismissal point differ depending on the start time. Meeting Points: 9:15 a.m. Downstream service [Miidera, Shiga ⇒ Keage, Kyoto] MIIDERA Embarkation and Disembarkation (Access: 5 minutes on foot from Exit 1 of Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line) 2:40 p.m. Upstream service [Keage, Kyoto ⇒ Miidera, Shiga] KEAGE Embarkation and Disembarkation (Access: Approximately 4 minutes walk from Mitsuiji Station on the Keihan Line) *For more information, please check our official website!

Just a 20 minute shinkansen ride from Kyoto to our starting point, we offer an easy way to explore small town rural life in Japan on this leisurely beginner-friendly ride, with a local resident guide, fluent in English, to help you enjoy our area’s unique geographical and historical points of interest. This 13km course features a broad range of sights such as rice and agriculture fields, historic trade routes, local villages combining old and new ways of life, a temple and shrine, a brief hike, and the shores of Lake Biwa, all in about 3 hours. In our tours, we hope to both share and preserve our local culture and traditions. Toward this goal, we also work closely with municipalities and residents to ensure that we always respect the wishes and needs of the local communities that we visit. Our convenient location and short tour time make it easy to explore more before or after your tour too, such as visiting Hikone Castle, or Lake Biwa!

The two waterfalls we visit are spectacular. The first, Hira Falls, is just a quarter mile (400 meter) hike from the car park. From there we hike to the even more dramatic Yobai Falls, feeling the splash of cool water. The round trip hike is only one mile (1.5 km) but the trail is rocky and steep, so a reasonable degree of fitness of required. From there we go to the shore of Lake Biwa where we ride kayaks, swim, or hang out on the beach. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to escape the crowds and heat of Kyoto and Osaka and enjoy nature.

Enjoy Nagahama on a guided walking tour of the city, including traditional Soy sause tasting. After this private guided tour, you can enjoy sightseeing as you like. Be careful, you may notice that 1 day is too short to enjoy Nagahama city enough, because of too much contents may catch your curiosity! We will help you Save your time on sightseeing spots researching and trip planning Flexible route options to suit your schedule Explore Nagahama with your eyes and tastebuds without language barriers Let's explore Nagahama, food, sake, nature, history, culture, shopping, everything exists!

Kinomoto is a charming old brewery town blessed by an abundant source of fresh water. As a former post station town of Edo era kaido routes, the town has retained much of its historical charm, without heavily catering to tourism, but rather sustaining its natural community and identity of local family businesses that have thrived here for centuries. After meeting up at JR Maibara Station (shinkansen stops here), our guide will lead you on the 24-minute train ride north to JR Kinomoto Station. Here we will give a walking tour around traditional sake breweries and soy sauce breweries, as well as the local Buddhist temple, and local shops such as confectioneries and bakeries. We value real local culture. So, we rely on guides who are from the area and have strong local knowledge to guide you. Rather than simply introducing sightseeing spots, guides involved in the community can act as mediators and create opportunities to experience the values and communal ties of this small town.

Experience the beauty of Sakamoto and Mount Hiei on our exclusive tour. Start with a scenic ride on the Sakamoto Cable Car, Japan’s longest cableway, offering stunning views of Lake Biwa and misty forests. At the top, visit the sacred Enryaku-ji Temple, a historic Buddhist site with deep spiritual significance. Then, explore the charming town of Sakamoto, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Immerse yourself in this unforgettable journey through the spiritual and natural wonders of the region. Book your tour today!

Aiming to catch the world's largest black bass Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, is a dream fishing spot for anglers, as it is where the world's largest recorded black bass was caught. While regular bus guides on Lake Biwa tend to avoid traveling long distances which consumes a lot of fuel, on this plan we with professional guide will travel the length and breadth of Lake Biwa in pursuit of big bass. two types of courses ・Big Fishing Course This plan allows you to enjoy fishing to the fullest. We will travel the length and breadth of Lake Biwa in pursuit of big bass. Half-day plan/All-day plan ・Fishing & sightseeing course This plan allows you to enjoy fishing for five different fish, including black bass, and then you can enjoy sightseeing activities such as visiting Shirahige Shrine and Ukimido from the lake side, or landing on Okishima, which can only be reached by boat. In the summer, you can even swim on the lake. Half-day plan/All-day plan

Mount Hiei, home to the revered Enryaku-ji Temple, is a central site in Japanese Buddhist history. Visitors can take a scenic cable car ride to the temple, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Enryaku-ji has played a crucial role in Japanese Buddhism, shaping both the imperial court and samurai throughout history. The temple remains an active center for spiritual practice, offering a serene environment steeped in tradition. On this tour, you'll explore Enryaku-ji's rich heritage and ongoing spiritual significance, guided by insights into its historical impact and cultural practices. Experience the majestic setting of Mount Hiei and the profound legacy of Enryaku-ji for a memorable journey through Japan's spiritual history.

Package plan to stay at a temple and enjoy the historic town. Get a taste of true Japanese life through an experience at a non-touristy countryside temple. Get away from the hustle and bustle and let the beautiful scenery of rice fields and Lake Biwa wash over you. Private tours will take you to places of your choice. A Buddhist monk and his wife, a licensed guide, will entertain you. This will be a special trip as if you are a local resident. Just exploring the beautiful traditional residential area around the temple will be an amazing time. We'll offer a discount for the guests who stay more nights.

This is a one-day tour that will take you on a trip to enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa and Chikubu Island, as well as experience the culture of Nagahama and Japan. The first spot of this tour is the Nagahama Castle Observatory. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Nagahama City, Mountain Ibuki, the highest peak in Shiga Prefecture, and Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. Next, a ferry ride across Lake Biwa takes you to the second spot of the tour, Chikubu Island, a Japanese religious gathering place. Here you can visit historic temples and shrines, as well as enjoy the serenity of nature. After returning to Nagahama Harbor and taking a short break, you will visit Kurokabe Square. Here you can explore the charming downtown of Nagahama, view traditional buildings, and taste the local foods. 

We will hold an experiential activity where you can actually cook teppanyaki under the guidance of a chef while eating. It will be a valuable experience. You will enjoy your meal and then have the opportunity to try flambéing the steak for the main course. The menu is based on French cuisine that combines high-quality ingredients from various regions with local ingredients, and is prepared on a hot plate, with each dish prepared with care. Enjoy the delicious food prepared by the chef at a high-end teppanyaki restaurant and have a valuable experience that you cannot have anywhere else, making it even more enjoyable. You will enter the kitchen and experience cooking various ingredients under the guidance of the chef, grilling them on a teppanyaki grill, flambéing them, cutting them, plating them, etc. This experience is available to those who want to have a valuable experience in Japan, those who are interested in cooking, and families with children, from age 10 onwards.

Join us on an unforgettable journey as we explore the historic Nakasendo trail, starting from Maibara Station and heading towards Samegai-juku, a charming post station village from the Edo Period. During this immersive experience, our expert guide will lead you through Samegai-juku, where you'll uncover the secrets of this historical village. You'll visit the local shrine and temple, nestled near a pristine spring that feeds a crystal-clear stream running through the heart of the community. Indulge in the flavors of the region with a delectable, locally sourced lunch at a traditional ryotei restaurant – don't forget to inquire about our vegetarian options if that's your preference. Following lunch, we'll embark on a picturesque 4 km walk to Kaminyu, a hidden gem nestled in a tranquil mountain valley. The journey begins on level terrain, gradually ascending before gently descending, offering breathtaking views of the countryside, from lush rice fields to serene forests.