Lake Biwa Legend Tour

Discover the Japan
 You Never Knew.

Living with Water, Moving through Time

Our Lake Biwa day tour is the best way to experience Japan beyond Kyoto. For generations, the people of this region have lived in harmony with Lake Biwa — Japan’s largest freshwater lake. On this private trip, you’ll discover how water shapes daily life, spirituality, and seasonal customs in these quiet villages.

Lake Biwa – Life Connected by Water

Nagahama offers some of the country’s most tranquil and scenic landscapes.
Here, water shimmers in every season, reflecting both the sky above and the stories below.

In Nagahama, water is more than a natural element—it’s a vessel of memory, tradition, and quiet connection.
For over a thousand years, life has flowed in harmony with the lake.

Here, water is sacred.
It nourishes the fields, supports the lives of fishermen, and quietly receives the gratitude and prayers woven into daily life.
Even something as simple as watching the evening light dance across the lake becomes a moment of stillness and reverence.

These values continue to live on in Nagahama today.
In seasonal festivals, in the preserved townscapes, and in the rhythm of everyday life, you can feel the enduring spirit of a community shaped by water.

In this place, water doesn’t divide—it connects.
It links people and places, and has long carried stories, customs, and culture across its surface.
The lake reflects a way of living rooted in humility, balance, and quiet strength.

This tour isn’t just about seeing the sights.
You’ll walk through a historic post town, visit a centuries-old sake brewery, and ride to a mountaintop with panoramic views over Lake Biwa.
You’ll feel the pace of life slow down, and with it, a deeper sense of place begin to emerge.

Here in Nagahama, you’ll find a quieter, more meaningful Japan.
Take your time. Breathe in the silence.
Let the story of this land become a part of your own journey.

◇Tour Overview — What Makes Our Lake Biwa Day Tour Special

Authentic Encounters

Discover hidden temples, local charm, and real people. Experience the side of Japan that tour buses never reach.

Stories That Live

Join a local priest to hear untold legends and cultural memories. Not just facts — but living traditions

Slow Travel

Walk, pause, feel. Embrace the calm of rural Japan through mindful and meaningful exploration.

◆Lake Biwa Day Tour

Tailored lake biwa day tour for your pace and style

Highlights of Your Private Lake Biwa Day Tour:

  • Experience an authentic temple ritual led by the resident priest – not a performance, but a practice handed down for generations.

  • Guided by a certified interpreter from Nagahama, who is also deeply connected to the temple community

  • Stroll through the preserved streets of Kinomoto, once a bustling post town along Japan’s old highways.

  • Taste sake at a historic family-run brewery, and learn how water, rice, and craftsmanship come together.

  • Ride a lift up Mt. Shizugatake(*), famous for samurai history and panoramic views of both Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. 

  • Your guide can adjust the route to match your interests.

    Slow travel experience that connects history, faith, and the rhythm of daily life by the lake.


Time Frame: 
Approx. 6-7 hours

MeetingPoint:JR Maibara Sta.(or JR Kinomoto Sta.)

Language: English/Spanish

Tour type : Private

Group Size: Maximum 4 guests including children

Group Size Price/Group
1 person
¥40,000 yen
2 persons
¥54,000 yen /group
3 persons
¥63,000 yen /group
4 persons
¥70,000 yen /group
*Children under school age: Free
*Elementary school children ¥ 1,000

*Included:
・Licensed English-speaking guide (Nagahama City certified interpreter)
・Participation in a temple morning ritual
・Sake tasting at a historic brewery
・Round-trip lift ticket to Mt. Shizugatake summit
・All local transportation during the tour (car, lift)
・Local tax

*Not Included:
・Lunch (guests may choose freely at a local restaurant)
・Drinks and personal expenses
・Transportation to/from JR Kinomoto Station (meeting & ending point)

*Cancellation:
・3 days or more before tour: No charge
・2 days before tour: 50% of total tour cost
・24 hrs or less before tour: 100% of total tour cost

Time table (sample itinerary)
The following is a sample itinerary. Times and activities can be adjusted in consultation with you.
10:00
Meeting with guide at JR Maibara Sta.
10:30
  • Arrive at JR KinomotoSta.
  • Vist a local Buddist temple
  • Feel about the character of the community and its connection with nature and water
  • Introduction to Japanese Buddhism and its influence on daily life
  • Join a morning ritual with the resident monk
11:30
  • Lunch at Kinomoto
  • Enjoy local seasonal dishes at a casual restaurant.
12:30
  • Exploring Kinomoto, an old post-station town.
  • Walk through nostalgic streets once traveled by merchants and pilgrims
  • Sake tasting at a historic family-run brewery
14:30
  • Ride a lift to the top of Mt. Shizugatake
  • Panoramic views of Lake Biwa and mystical Lake Yogo
16:30

Tour ends at JR Kinomoto Station

*Please Note:
・Tour fees are to be paid on the day of the tour. Cash or credit card is accepted.
・We walk 3-4 km on this tour.(After the lift ride, there’s a short 10-minute walk along a mountain path to the top.)
・Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing.
・Processes are subject to last minute changes due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
・The lift to the top of Mt. Shizugatake is in operation from the end of April to the end of November.Outside of the operating period, tours will take visitors to the Lakeview Café.
・Please inform us in advance if you have any food allergies, health conditions, or special need

Review from guests:

◆Overnight Plan(Temple Stay)

Turn your lake biwa day tour into a once-in-a-lifetime experience with an overnight stay on temple grounds.
After a day of exploring historic post towns, tasting fine sake, and taking in the sweeping views of Lake Biwa, retreat to the quiet embrace of a temple guesthouse.

As night falls, feel the stillness of centuries-old traditions surrounding you. In the morning, awaken to the soft sounds of temple life and enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast experience, lovingly prepared to start your day in harmony.

For the overnight plan, the tour can be arranged either before or after your stay—just let us know your preference.

This is more than just a place to sleep—it’s a chance to live, even for one night, in the peaceful rhythm of temple life.

Price:( Lake Biwa Day Tour fee + accommodation fee)
+¥8,500 yen/ person
Children(age 6-12):+¥2000 yen /child
Children(age0-5):Free
*Maximum 4 guests including children
*Additional nights available at the same rate as above

*Please Note:
・Dinner is not included, but we are happy to recommend excellent local restaurants where you can taste regional specialties.
・Guests staying overnight may enjoy free use of our rental bicycles—perfect for exploring the charming streets and countryside at your own pace.
・Breakfast is included as part of the overnight experience.

How to Join the Lake Biwa Day Tour

1.Inquiry

・Please send us your preferred date(s) through the Contact Form.
・Feel free to ask any questions or check if something is possible—we are happy to help.

2.Confirmation & Schedule

・We’ll reply within 24 hours (JST) to confirm your date and share the detailed itinerary.
・If you do not receive a reply within 24 hours, please kindly resend your message.

3.Payment

After the schedule is confirmed, you can choose one of the following payment options:
Advance Payment : You can pay securely online by credit card. We will send you a payment link.
On-site Payment: You may pay by credit card or cash on the tour day.

4.Tour Day

Enjoy the day with your personal guide and experience Nagahama in a truly special way.

◇Booking / Inquiry

To book your tour or ask any questions, just send us a message using the form below. Simply send us your preferred date – we’ll check availability and get back to you within 24 hours.

Please note: Our emails are sent from koraigen0801@gmail.com. If you have spam filters set, our reply may end up in your spam/junk folder. Please check there if you do not see our email.

◇Your Personal Guide profile:

From Asami:

Hi, I’m Asami! I live in the peaceful town of Kinomoto, where I welcome guests from around the world as if they were old friends. Ko-Rai-Gen isn’t just a guesthouse—it’s a place where we can share stories, slow down, and connect. Through my private tours, I enjoy showing guests the hidden charm of the area and creating moments we’ll both remember. I look forward to meeting you and spending a special time together at Ko-Rai-Gen.

◇Access from Kyoto or Tsuruga to Lake Biwa Day Tour

The meeting point will be either ★Maibara Station or ★Kinomoto Station, depending on your travel schedule.

・Service Name:
Lake Biwa Legend Tour
・Operated by:
Asami Higashiyama
・Address :
687 Senda, Kinomoto-cho, Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
・Mail:
koraigen0801@gmail.com