Shiga Private Car Tours

“Amazing Tour Guide”

Nori did an outstanding job in accommodating the various levels of fitness our senior group of 4 had. He did not hurry us along to ensure we accomplished everything on our list. He let us make the decision as to speed and what we wanted to see and adjusted accordingly. He did provide input when he felt his experience would help. The historical background he provided at the sights we visited was greatly appreciated. The day was like a group of 5 friends touring the Shiga area. Lots of teasing and laughter. No language barrier as Nori is fluent in English. Highly recommend Nori to anyone visiting the Kyoto area. Best guide we have ever had.

Nori I.

(84 reviews)

Thanks for your kind comments. I really appreciate it. I was a bit worried about going up on the stairs to see the Hikone castle tower but you did it! Also finding and visiting the small town you wanted to go is a nice memory for me too. I am really glad that you felt like you were going around with a friend. That is my motto whenever I guide guests. Hope you can come again and we can go to more fun places.

“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.

(84 reviews)

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!

“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.

(84 reviews)

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!