Otsu Trip Overview
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!
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Starts: Otsu, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Otsu Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Otsu, Shiga, Japan
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!
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
JR Shiga Station (KOSEI LINE) is the starting point of the tour. Meet our tour conductor in front of the ticket gate (the only one gate at the station) at 10:00 am.
We can also pick you up at JR Kyoto Station in front of the 7-11 convenience store next to the West Ticket Gate (2nd floor) at 9:15 am. The pick-up charge is 4,500JPY/group. Your train fare is not included in the price. Please pay the pick-up charge by cash to our tour conductor.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture
After a scenic 40-minute train ride from JR Kyoto station, you will arrive at JR Shiga Station (Kosei Line).
From here, you will ride electric bicycles at your own pace along the lakeside, admiring the beautiful combination of Lake Biwa, ancient villages and the Hira mountain range.
Villagers who live around the lake have depended on Lake Biwa as their water source from ancient times. The lake water was used for drinking, washing, bathing, and farming. Fish caught in the lake was also a major source of protein. Therefore, people naturally worshiped Lake Biwa, used its water with the utmost respect and made sure they did not waste or pollute it.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Juge Shrine, 680-1 Kido, Otsu, Shiga 520-0514, Japan
*The venue is near Juge Shrine.
Meeting farmers and participating in their seasonal activities such as planting or harvesting rice and vegetables offers a great chance to learn about farming life in rural Japan.
Depending on the season, fresh vegetables that you harvest will be added to your meal at lunchtime.
For lunch, you will visit a farming family’s traditional Japanese-style home where you can learn how to cook delicious local dishes with homegrown fresh vegetables and rice. Menus are changed seasonally. Vegetarian dishes are also available.
You will also have the chance to learn about local delicacies such as homemade salted plum or pickles that are completely free from artificial preservatives and utterly delicious.
We hope the warm, touching hospitality you receive will stay with you as one of the fondest memories of your trip to Japan.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Shiga Station, Kido, Otsu, Shiga 520-0514, Japan
After lunch we will gently pedal back to JR Shiga Station, enjoying the breeze from the lake and reflecting on the day’s events before returning by train with fond memories of a special adventure.
Duration: 10 minutes
