The 9 Best Sightseeing Tours in Shiga Prefecture, Kinki

November 10, 2021 Myesha Cogley

Discover the best top things to do in Shiga Prefecture, Japan including Electric Bike Tour of Lake Biwa from Kyoto, Farm to Table Local Cooking and Cycling Tour: Lake Biwa and Rice Terraces, Backroads Exploring Japan’s Rural Life & Nature: Half-Day Bike Tour Near Kyoto, Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide, Life, Culture, and History in a Local Brewery Town: Half-Day Tour Near Kyoto, Kyoto Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide, Sailing Experience in the biggest lake in Japan with BBQ Option, Private Tour - An Old Battlefield Tour! Experience the Battle of Sekigahara, Matsumoto 1 day Private walking tour.
Restaurants in Shiga Prefecture

1. Electric Bike Tour of Lake Biwa from Kyoto

Shiga Station, Kido, Otsu, Shiga 520-0514, Japan Tour du Lac Biwa
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

Enjoy a day off in the ultimate tranquility of the countryside as you take a leisurely cycle along the serene shores of Lake Biwa, the largest in Japan. Using electric bikes that provide an effortless, refreshing ride, this course follows beautiful lakeside roads up to stunning scenes of stepped rice terraces. This is a slow-paced, off-the-beaten-path tour in the countryside, showing a different side of Japan. Visit local shrines and wander along village streets free of the tourist crowds. Have a delightful lunch in the traditional home of a local farming couple. Instructed by the lady of the house, indulge yourself in preparing a delicious lunch (a vegetarian menu is also available) using the freshest local ingredients. We hope you will join us on this tour and its feast of discoveries!

Inclusions: Use of electric bicycle and helmet, Farm to table lunch cooking lesson, English-speaking local tour conductor, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Gratuities, JR Kyoto Station Pickup Charge, Round trip train fare between JR Kyoto and JR Shiga

Reviewed By robinlittle4

My wife and I had a wonderful time visiting this charming couple who are traditional famers living in the hills opposite Lake Biwa. We enjoyed the process of mochi-making - quite energetic wielding the huge wooden hammer to soften the rice! Watching sukiyaki being made was memorable and the results were delicious. Mistako is an excellent guide and we enjoyed the company of the Kosakas through her skilful and sensitive translation. Osaka San likes to shock his guests with the offer of some snake wine after the meal, but if you don't fancy that there are more palatable plum and quince alternatives!

2. Farm to Table Local Cooking and Cycling Tour: Lake Biwa and Rice Terraces

Omi-Takashima Station, Katsuno, Takashima, Shiga 520-1121, Japan Tour du Lac Biwa
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5.0 based on 27 reviews

On this tour, you will be visiting the Takashima area on the northwest side of Lake Biwa that offers exceptionally charming views of both the lake and mountains. In this rare and exclusive experience, you will also stand along side the farmer's wife and assist as she prepares a simple and amazing multi-course lunch. During lulls in the preparation, step outside to enjoy the most commanding views of the picturesque rice terraces, taking your leisure to stroll among them. Those with an interest in photography will particularly enjoy the vantage points this access provides.

Inclusions: Use of bicycle and helmet, Lunch, English speaking local tour conductor, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, JR Kyoto Station Pickup charge, Round trip train ticket between JR Kyoto and JR Omi-Takashima stations

Reviewed By robinlittle4

My wife and I had a wonderful time visiting this charming couple who are traditional famers living in the hills opposite Lake Biwa. We enjoyed the process of mochi-making - quite energetic wielding the huge wooden hammer to soften the rice! Watching sukiyaki being made was memorable and the results were delicious. Mistako is an excellent guide and we enjoyed the company of the Kosakas through her skilful and sensitive translation. Osaka San likes to shock his guests with the offer of some snake wine after the meal, but if you don't fancy that there are more palatable plum and quince alternatives!

3. Backroads Exploring Japan’s Rural Life & Nature: Half-Day Bike Tour Near Kyoto

Maibara Station, Japan, 〒521-0012 Shiga, Maibara, Maihara, 米原市米原 Biwako Backroads
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

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!

Inclusions: Bottled water, Coffee and/or Tea, Snacks, Use of bicycle, Insurance

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By Experience45862

This tour of Kinomoto was fantastic and a true highlight of our family trip to Japan. We especially enjoyed learning about brewing soy sauce at Tomita Shuzo (and we savor the delicious bottle that we brought home with us) plus seeing all the frogs and doing the pitch dark maze at Kinomoto Jizoin. Most of our trip was otherwise in large cities so it was rewarding to gain new perspective visiting this small town and interacting with local artisans. Our guide was excellent and provided insight and access we never would have discovered on our own. I highly recommend this experience!

4. Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Accompanied by a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guide, explore the area of Arashiyama and Sagano, where aristocrats once unwound in their villas more than 1,000 years ago. The highlights of this tour include the scenic countryside views from Togetsukyo bridge; Tenryu-ji temple with its beautiful traditional gardens; the enchanting world from within the Bamboo Grove; and Jojakko-ji Temple with its breathtaking green moss. During the tour you will also visit some secret spots unfamiliar to the usual tourists. Enjoy the walk and delicious food while learning about Japanese culture and history. Our guides are looking forward to arranging a tour that’s best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Reviewed By Cwshaman

The flexibility to chose locations that suited our wants and abilities was great. Hiro San was very quick to put together an itinerary that accommodated a family with a stroller-baby (no monkey park due to long unpacked walking paths). Taking in the beautiful temples and view of the Kyoto from the west was breath taking and the guide was able to explain many things we as new Japanese learners could not read or know through cultural knowledge. Overall a great experience, a wonderful and lively guide, and some great memories.

5. Life, Culture, and History in a Local Brewery Town: Half-Day Tour Near Kyoto

Maibara Station, Japan, 〒521-0012 Shiga, Maibara, Maihara, 米原市米原 Biwako Backroads
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

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 including 2 sake breweries, both among the 10 oldest operating in Japan, as well as a traditional soy sauce brewery. We can meet the staff of these family-owned businesses, taste samples, and aside the winter brewing season, if not busy, they'll often show us around the actual brewing area behind the storefront. We'll also visit the large local Buddhist temple, a central presence in local culture, and local shops such as traditional confectioneries and bakeries.

Inclusions: Insurance, Professional Guide

Exclusions: Local train fare between Maibara and Kinomoto, Complementary tasting often provided, but other drinks should be purchased., We don't provide snacks, but there are many spots to buy along the way.

Reviewed By madsh806

This tour is fantastic and a lot of fun. The guides are all very friendly and knowledgable about the area. If you're interested in having a more personal tour or having a more local experience in Japan this is a must do. Don't be afraid to ask your guide if you want to stop somewhere along the tour to take pictures or pop in a shop quickly

6. Kyoto Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Explore Kyoto, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, accompanied by one of our nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guides, who will help you efficiently enjoy a four-hour tour, introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient city. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, or anywhere else at your convenience, and will take you to a number of Kyoto's famous spots. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will arrange a tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Inclusions: Licensed Local Guide, Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off

Exclusions: Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Other personal expenses

Reviewed By Cwshaman

The flexibility to chose locations that suited our wants and abilities was great. Hiro San was very quick to put together an itinerary that accommodated a family with a stroller-baby (no monkey park due to long unpacked walking paths). Taking in the beautiful temples and view of the Kyoto from the west was breath taking and the guide was able to explain many things we as new Japanese learners could not read or know through cultural knowledge. Overall a great experience, a wonderful and lively guide, and some great memories.

7. Sailing Experience in the biggest lake in Japan with BBQ Option

Waraido Yacht Sailing, 5-chōme-3-10 Hamaōtsu, Otsu, Shiga 520-0047, Japan WaRaiDo Guide Networks

Lake Biwa, or Biwako, is Japan’s biggest lake closely located at just about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Kyoto. It is recognized as one of the most ancient lakes in the world, and the only lake of its kind in Japan. Biwako has been designated as a UNESCO Ramsar Wetland since 1993 boasting a rich ecosystem with approximately 1,000 different species of plant and animal life. Our sailing experience takes place in the splendor of such a magnificent atmosphere. This activity is conducted with our company-owned 30ft private sailboat. All amidst a pleasant breeze experienced most of the year by cruising over the mirror-like calm water as you hear the gentle sound of wind and birdsong. The sailing adventure is a refreshingly promising choice for breaking away from the hustle and bustle of the city center in Kyoto. The activity starts at 2PM with two options such as 3 hour cruising with or without BBQ after sailing (the options with BBQ consists of 3-hour sailing and 2-hour BBQ, TTL 5 hours).

Inclusions: Professional English-speaking guide, Sailing experience, BBQ (if selected)

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Gratuities

Reviewed By LizzysReviews

I booked this very last minute as it looked like good value for money and am very glad I did. Chako was so friendly and extremely knowledgable about not only the geiko-san's of Gion but also Kyoto in general. I'd go as far as to say it's one of the best walking tours I've ever been on as the subject is so unique and fascinating. The tour was filled many fun facts and the time flew by. I cannot recommend this tour enough.

8. Private Tour - An Old Battlefield Tour! Experience the Battle of Sekigahara

SEKIGAHARA STATION, Sekigahara, Fuwa District, Gifu 503-1501, Japan otomo travel

In 1600, the battle of Sekigahara, known to all Japanese, occurred in Sekigahara-Cho, Gifu Prefecture today. This battle marks the end of the Sengoku era, and the winner, Ieyasu Tokugawa, will unify the whole country, creating a peaceful era without war. Therefore, it was a very important battle, called "World Battle". This plan traces the battlefield around Sekigahara. First, at the Sekigahara History and Museum, you can learn about the history of the battle through exhibits and commentary. Then rent an armor and go to the place where General Mitsunari Ishida and General Ieyasu Tokugawa have set up! Also, visit the post town where the cityscape after the battle of Sekigahara remains.

Inclusions: Tour Guide, Private Tour, Necessary expenses for the tour guide

Exclusions: Travel expenses and entrance fees for your own, Money for food/drinks, souvenirs and extra activities for your own, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, The use of private van

Reviewed By muhammadkamranalinak

Very good ???? experience I really enjoyed it fully fantastic I never forget it weather no pollution everything is perfect and appreciated.

9. Matsumoto 1 day Private walking tour

Matsumoto Station, 1 Chome-1 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815, Japan Japan Wonder Travel

You can explore Matsumoto,as you want with a local professional & friendly guide. Since this is a customized private tour, you can choose the tour time and the sights you visit. You will have great time and great food. Hotel meet up is included to ensure you receive a stress-free experience. If you are not sure where you wanna go, follow the sample itinerary.

Inclusions: Hotel meet up, Professional local guide

Exclusions: Entrance fees(You&Your guide), Lunch fee(You&Your guide), Transportation fee(You&Your guide)

Reviewed By littlenootsy

My husband and 2 sons (ages 11 and 13) loved our virtual tour of Tokyo. Nino was a fantastic guide and filled the hour with historical, cultural and fun facts! She was able to keep all of us at all ages engaged. It was a welcome diversion for this time of no-travel and very few experiences in the world because of the pandemic. We all can't wait to book our trip when the time allows!

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