Shiga Private Tours & Local Tour Guides
Discover Things to Do and Plan a Trip to Shiga, Japan with a Local Guide
Popular Shiga Tour Guides
Nori I.
I have lived in the US, UK, and India for approximately 20 years, and I’ve also traveled to about 30 countries. Living abroad for such a long time made me realize Japan’s value and sparked my interest in working as a translator/guide for foreigners. I’m truly passionate about introducing people to historical sites, authentic Japanese culture, and stunning natural spots that may not be widely known to people outside of Japan. There are countless places that I believe people would love. Originally from Nagoya, I cover areas around the city and the Kansai region including Kyoto, Shiga and Mie. I’m here to ensure your trip to Japan becomes an unforgettable memory. Looking forward to meeting you!
Koichi W.
Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months. I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems. Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones" (It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature. I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.
Kanae O.
Hello! I am Kanae, a nationally licensed guide. While working full-time as a lecturer at a local university in Kyoto, I have also been guiding for two years. Born and raised in Kyoto, I am excited to share the beauty and culture of my hometown with my customers. Kyoto is an enchanting city, and even as a local, I am continually fascinated by its many charming spots. Whether it's the serene temples, vibrant markets, or hidden gems, there is always something new to explore and appreciate in this wonderful city. Also, since my home is close to Shiga Prefecture, I am very familiar with the area. While Shiga may not be as popular as Kyoto, it offers a wealth of attractions for tourists. From historical sites such as temples and shrines to the stunning natural beauty of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, there is much to see and do. I am passionate about promoting Shiga and sharing its unique charm with visitors.
Kazuhiko G.
Hello, I’m Kazuhiko. Please call me “Kazu”. I'm a national-licensed tour guide. I have a wife and 4 children. I was born in Osaka city near Kyoto, although I have lived in many places across Japan. I used to work for multinational electric company and I traveled to many countries (U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong etc.) on business. I have enjoyed guiding many foreign tourists in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji etc. for many years. During your tour, you can discover a rich Japanese history spanning about 2,000 years, learn about and experience profound Japanese arts (tea ceremony, flower arrangement etc.), feel the spiritual atmosphere of Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, see a breathtakingly beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji, bamboo forest, Japanese gardens etc.. Moreover, you can taste Japanese cuisine that each season has to offer (Sushi, Tempura, Soba or ramen noodle etc.). You can get close to nature and feed wild deer or monkeys or even a build snowman in winter. I’m sure that I can provide a splendid tour of Japan that will be a lasting memory for you to treasure. Experience the mysteries of Japan with 5 senses !! Your memorable tour awaits you. Please feel free to contact me!!
New Shiga Tour Guides
Kai M.
I'm living in Osaka for 50 years. I am happy to share my experience with you to enjoy more about Osaka, Japan.
Norman B.
Good day, everyone! I am Norman. I live in Japan since 2006 and currently residing in Gifu ken. My passions are playing competitive sports and traveling around famous and historical tourist destinations. If you are planning a trip, please do not hesitate to reach out. I’ll be more than happy to assist you especially here in Nagoya, Aichi ken/Gifu ken/Shiga ken and Kyoto. Let’s make your journey unforgettable.
Eco H.
Eco has called Kyoto his home for the last 7 years, and now he hopes to share with you all he has learned of this wonderful city and the surrounding area. Recent graduate with a background in Japanese history and religion, he is now a professor a university in nearby Kobe city. Therefore, if you are particularly interested in learning more about the history and culture of Kyoto he can provide exciting narratives to go along with visiting the delightful sites. Throughout his time in Kyoto he has been working as a guide for numerous organisations, including guiding around Japanese tourists visiting Kyoto, and has provided many with a unique view of the city.
Yuta I.
Hi everyone! My name is Yuta! Thanks for checking out my profile. I've been living in Kyoto for over 4 years, and I love exploring and sharing the city's amazing history and culture with people from all over the world. During university, I spent over a year traveling around Europe, which helped me become fluent in English and German. I studied at the University of Leipzig in Germany and got great experience through an internship there. My wife is German, so I'm always in an international environment, learning about different cultures. Besides guiding tours, I'm also a social media influencer with over 10,000 Instagram followers. I love sharing interesting content about Japanese and German life, connecting with people globally, and showing off the beauty of Kyoto. I offer custom tours for individuals and groups, making sure each experience is unique and special. With my deep knowledge of Kyoto's historical sites and architecture, I'll make your visit to Japan's ancient capital fun and enlightening. During our tour, I'll share cool historical insights and stories about the places we visit, helping you understand Japan's past and its connection to the present. I'm friendly and attentive, so I'll make sure you have a great time in Japan! Feel free to message me if you have any questions about your trip to Japan! Hope to see you soon on one of my tours.
Popular Shiga Private Tours
Tour to the National Treasure Hikone Castle from Kyoto
Hikone City is only an hour away from Kyoto by train and faces the largest lake in Japan. Hikone Castle, a national treasure, and its castle town are located there. There are also some old temples and shrines nearby. You feel like you have slipped back into the Edo Period ( about 200~400 years ago). This is a half-day tour where you can learn about Japan's medieval period.
The villages of Kouga Ninja and Shigaraki pottery
Koka city is one of the two most famous districts for Ninja as well as Iga city. The Ninja house was built about 300 years ago .It displays some gears and weapons actually used by Ninja allowing you to have experience intelligence and crafty skills. Shigaraki pottery has a long history and famous for its cute raccoon dog "Tanuki" There are many genuine Sake breweries in Shiga
Tour of Ishiyama-dera Temple
(Highlights) This temple is popular not only among pilgrims and dedicated Buddhists but also among ordinary citizens. It is well-known as the place where a 12th -century woman writer Murasaki-shikibu worked on the manuscript of her masterpiece "Genji-monogatari (tale of Genji)". People visit the temple to pray for the safe childbirth, peace in the family and happy marriages. It is also the place where people can enjoy viewing the beautiful harvest moon known as "Ishiyama-no-syugetsu (moonlight over the temple of Ishiyama-dera) in mid-September. Not only Buddhist rituals but also jazz concerts and other festive events are held at that time. In mid-August, in addition, a magnificent fireworks show can be seen in the nearby river bank accompanied by as many as 3,000 candles lit in line in the same bank a bit away and "Bon" dancing" is performed by visitors each year. The 900-year-old temple is the attractive place surrounded by natural beauties throughout the year: plum blossoms in winter, cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green leaves in early summer and colored leaves in the fall. ( How to visit the temple and enjoy) After you go through the main gate, walk to the admission-collecting booth, where you are asked to pay 500 yen. They will give you a leaflet explainig about the temple in its entirety.Then, go up the steep hill and you will reach the "Hondo" main hall, which houses the magnificent "Go-honzon-sama", or " Kannon-sama", the Goddess of mercy, which is the principal icon of the temple. There you have to pay another 300 yen, then you can step in to the sacred hall, where the huge image sits. You have to take your shoes off beforehand. Taking a photo is not allowed there. You can sit on the chair before the image and offer a prayer. Afterward, walk on the path that leads you to whatever places or buildings there are in the compound. You will never get lost, since there are signboards everywhere directing your way and the path is simple. One hour will be enough for the tour of the entire temple. (Others) The bus fare is 230 yen and the entrance fee is 500 yen ( plus 300 yen for entering the "Hondo" main hall). You can also take a private railway train ride for almost the same fare.
National Treasure Hikone Castle & Oda Nobunaga's Ambition "Ruins of Azuchi Castle" Tour
Hikone Castle is a valuable castle that retains its original appearance from the Edo period, including the national treasure keep and four turrets and stables designated as important cultural assets. Why not visit this famous castle, which has been carved out of time over the past 400 years, while also enjoying the view of Lake Biwa?
New Shiga Private Tours
Let's enjoy Lake Biwa cruise and National Treasure Castle!
Hikone Castle is one of the five National Treasure castles. The castle is on the hilltop and you can see beautiful scenery of Lake Biwa and castle town. Beside the castle, there is a beautiful Japanese garden, named "Genkyu-en". If you like, you enjoy a cup of green tea with Japanese sweet. After lunch at the castle town, let's enjoy cruise to a small sacred island, Chikubu-jima. In the sacred island, there are a famous temple and a National Treasure shrine. I'm sure you like it!!
Shiga nature tour
Shiga prefecture is next to Kyoto prefecture. There is the biggest lake, the lake of Biwa. And you can see many beautiful mountains and clear streams. I will guide small hiking to a beautiful waterfall (30 min up, 30 min down) I can also show you Shiga sightseeing spots!
A Walking Tour along the Old Street in Nagahama
Since Nagahama started growing after Hideyoshi had based here in 1574, sightseers can feel the retro-inspired atmosphere here and there. After visiting the Tycoon’s first built castle, we will stop by the Railway Square and Keiun-kan Guest Palace, where we can appreciate the nationally designated Japanese Garden, too. Along the Kurokabe Street, we will see that gorgeous floats for the spring festival, which was registered UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
A Winter Tour around Lake Yogo in Shiga (余吴湖畔冬季之远行在滋贺县)
Lake Yogo is a mirror-like spot surrounded with community based forests in a secluded corner of Shiga. Though the district around the lake is often covered with fresh snow almost every day in sever winter season, the sceneries from the lakeside must give sightseers unique landscapes associated with genuine local cultures of Japan and folklores which have come down from more than 1,200 years ago.
Shiga Tour Reviews
“Flexible and accommodating guide ”
A big thank you to Tomoe for giving me clear clear directions to find the location of my next meeting point. She has also been most flexible and accommodating to change my tour date to Shiga even though it fell on a national holiday. Very friendly and I highly recommend Tomoe.
Tomoe S.
(117 reviews)Dear Adeline, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. I was happy to share the time with you, visiting places in Shiga, my prefecture on such a fine day. I hope that you will visit Japan again and I can see you. Thank you very much for booking my tour. TOMOE
Robert B.
Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto
“A Wonderful Day!”
I had the most wonderful day with Nori exploring the serene beautiful temples and stunningly powerful castles of Siga Prefecture right next door to Kyoto. The starting point can easily be reached by public transportation, and with Nori's car you can be taken to lovely spots you wouldn't know existed, which are beyond the crowds and tourists. Nori is a magnificent guide and so much fun, we were having a great time talking in between the sites. Many of the most meaningful moments of my recent trip to Japan happened with Nori while experiencing these wonderful places. You will really have a memorable and delightful time.
Nori I.
(31 reviews)Again, thank you so much for taking my tour in Shiga. I am really glad that you enjoyed so much! As you said, so close from Kyoto yet many people including Japanese do not know about some of the places we went. They are so tranquil and beautiful. As mentioned, there are many more in this region that are equally amazing and I am also still learning. I will prepare even better tour for your next trip! See you again!
Doug C.
Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto
“Noru with Nori”
Nori San is an excellent guide. I would not hesitate taking one of his tours. My family and I enjoyed every moment we had with Nori. Nori is very personable and provides an extraordinary experience. He was kind enough to meet us 45 minutes from our original meeting spot because we went on the wrong train and ended up at some remote station on the other side of Lake Biwa. He did not hesitate to rearrange our tour to compensate for this baka's mistake. His SUV is comfortable and as my wife said "smells nice". He is a historian, naturalist, philosopher and therapist but don't believe him when he says your butchered Japanese is good. At the end of the tour I felt like Nori was a friend and not a tour guide. I began blurting out inappropriate ramblings of my past which Nori kindly listened to and provided some insightful comments. If you want a memorable experience ask Nori to take you to his "secret" place but only if you can keep it a secret or it won't be a secret special place for long. If you surf or wind surf Nori can point you in the right direction of where to go in Japan and may also be able to put together an outing for you. I look forward to our next trip to Japan to noru with Nori (again, some butchered Japanese).
Nori I.
(31 reviews)Thanks so much for your kind comments, Doug san! Noru with Nori sounds nice! Maybe I should change the title of my tour to that. ( : As I might have mentioned, I try to act as a local friend with knowledge rather than just being a translator/guide. So if you felt like I am your friend, that is perfect! I felt that way too listening to your interesting stories from your childhood in Japan. As you said and saw, there are so many hidden gems in and out of Kyoto with much less crowd. Major spots in Kyoto are wonderful but at the same time for people who want to experience serene secluded places with rich history, Shiga could be a great option too. Oh, BTW, your Japanese is not just good but great!! I think we could have communicated whole day in Japanese too!! Hope we can take another tour together someday in the future. Take care!
Shiga Private Tour Guide
Latest Shiga Articles
8 Amazing Shiga Sightseeing Spots
Shiga, Japan
Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, Koka Ninja Village, the birthplace of ninja, Hikone Castle, a National Treasure, with impressive views, and finally a boat ride through the waterways of Shiga. If you are planning a trip to Japan, and are in and around the...
Take a tour of Hikone Castle
Shiga, Japan
During the period of the revolution in Japan known as the Meiji Restoration in 1868, most of the castles in the country were destroyed. They were considered as unwanted reminders of the feudal past. Hikone Castle, too, was on the list for demolition. Howe...
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