Private Tour

Lake Biwa Cultural Immersion —Temple Life, Ritual & Local Stories

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

Spanish

7 hours

Mobile ticket

Just one hour from Kyoto, this immersive cultural experience takes you to the quieter shores of Lake Biwa, where daily life has long been shaped by water, faith, and the changing seasons.

Guided by a Buddhist monk and his wife, a multilingual local guide, you’ll go beyond sightseeing to explore a historic town, observe temple life, and learn how spirituality is woven into everyday routines. The journey continues with a visit to a traditional sake brewery for a tasting, followed by scenic viewpoints overlooking Japan’s largest freshwater lake.

Blending nature, history, and living traditions, this thoughtfully paced tour offers a genuine connection to rural Japan—ideal for travelers seeking depth, calm, and meaningful cultural encounters.

Operates year-round and in all weather conditions.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

We can accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements. Please kindly indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Kinomotojuku

At a historic temple, join a traditional ritual and learn about Japanese Buddhism from the resident monk. It’s a peaceful moment to gain a deeper understanding of temple life and ask your own questions.

1 hour • Admission Included

Shizugatake Battlefield

We'll take a short scenic lift ride to the mountaintop. From the observation deck, enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Biwa — Japan’s largest freshwater lake — stretching out below. This spot is available from May to November.

50 minutes • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Private transportation

Lift ticket to the top of Mt. Shizugatake ¥900 yen

Sake tasting fee at brewery

Ritual experience with monk

Guided fee in English or Spanish by local licensed guide.

The cost of the guest's lunch and shopping purchases

JR local line ticket fee

Options

Lake Biwa DAY TOUR

Duration: 7 hours: DAY TOUR starts at 10:00 am from JR Kinomoto Station and ends around 5 pm.
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

2 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Wow ! Wonderful !Welcoming, scenic, comfortable! Excellent experience and tour of local area and today’s temple life!
Claudia M,,Mar 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a deeply enjoyable and impressive glimpse into the life of a modern Buddhist family and community keeping the best of ancient spiritual practices alive and thriving.
This was an authentic and special experience to learn more about the people and the country of Japan.
Vicki B,,Oct 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
The visit was a very special opportunity to learn about the local area and meet local people because our guide Asami was local. We had a wonderful trip up the mountain on a chair lift to see Lake BIWA and Lake Yogo. We learnt the important history of the shogun battles and saw the places where they happened. We viewed the temple and learnt about its importance in the community and had a saki tasting. The guest house was very comfortable and every wish was accounted for. On our second day we learnt about the temple and engaged with drum bell ringing and preparation of offerings before a lovely breakfast. This was a very special experience that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting an authentic Japanese experience. Thank you to Asami and her family for hosting us.