We had a enjoyable day with Tatsuhiro who took us to Lake Biwako which us the largest lake in Japan. We had an lovely cruise on the Michigan, enjoying a great selection of food for lunch and then entertained by some of the crew with song. We then visited the Arashiyama kimono walk. Thank you Hiro for getting us back to the Kyoto train station to catch the train back to Osaka.

Tatsuhiro N.

Hi Shirley-san & John-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. There can be no better reward than receiving such a wonderful review. I hope the tour will remain forever in your memory. Besides giving me the ship ride including the delicious lunch, thank you so much again for telling me about your country and the birds and animals that live there. And for the nice souvenir, too. All is well that ends well. However, it made me feel a bit dismayed when we failed to make it to the same train at Arashiyama station. Enjoy life in the beautiful atmosphere in your country. Regards, Hiro

Michele M.

5 / 5

Jun 22, 2025

Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto

Jun 22, 2025

Shiga

7 hours 30 mins

“Beautiful, Serene, and Delicious”

We had a fantastic day trip to Shiga from Kyoto with Nori. He tailored the tour perfectly to fit the time we had, and it was such a treat to escape the hustle and bustle of Kyoto. Every stop was peaceful, beautiful, and felt like a hidden gem. Traveling by private car allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the surroundings. Nori speaks fluent English, which made communication easy. He took us to some incredible off-the-beaten-path spots that we never would have found on our own. For our sixteen-year-old, the highlight of the day was enjoying Omi beef at a charming little restaurant with a private Japanese garden. The servers wore traditional kimonos, and we had the entire place to ourselves. The chef prepared the meal right in front of us—it was an unforgettable experience. We've had Wagyu before, but Omi beef was even better! Shiga is absolutely worth the trip, especially if you're staying in Kyoto. Of all the private day tours we did in Japan, this one was truly one of our favorites. Thank you, Nori!

Nori I.

I am so happy to hear that you really enjoyed the tour in Shiga. As you said, there are quite a lot of historical places in the area which are often older than Kyoto yet many people even Japanese don’t know their existence. Oumi and Kobe beefs are the top quality beefs in Japan. Luckily when we went to the restaurant, the special section was offered just to us. Hope you can come back to enjoy the amazing teppanyaki beef!! Take care!

Peter T.

5 / 5

Jun 16, 2025

Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto

Jun 16, 2025

Shiga

7 hours 30 mins

“Outside Kyoto City”

While the city of Kyoto is undoubtedly beautiful and historic, it was a delight to be able to explore other areas just outside the city. We took a short train ride from Kyoto, and we were met at the station by our guide Nori. We quickly recapped what the day's plan was, and then Nori was an especially informative and intuitive guide. As a local, he was very in tune with the area's attractions and when to visit. We toured stunning historic temples and gardens, and enjoyed a delicious lunch of Oumi Beef at a local restaurant. Quite simply the best tour/guide we had on our two week Japan trip. We are already planning a return visit for our next trip to Kyoto. Highly recommended!

Nori I.

Thank you so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it. I enjoyed the tour myself and am very happy to hear that you enjoyed. It will be wonderful if you guys can come back! Please let me know well ahead of time especially if you are coming back in the peak months. We can plan some fun tours together. There is a lot more to see in and around Kyoto and great places to eat!! Take care!