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Kyoto Private Tour - Miidera Temple (Famous spot for filming period dramas)
Miidera Temple (Famous spot for filming period dramas)
Kyoto Private Tour - Miidera Temple (National Tresure site)
Miidera Temple (National Tresure site)
Kyoto Private Tour - Lake Biwa (Japan's biggest fresh water lake)
Lake Biwa (Japan's biggest fresh water lake)
Kyoto Private Tour - Zeze Jinja Shinto Shrine
Zeze Jinja Shinto Shrine
Kyoto Private Tour - Nagisa Koen Park along the lake (Spring season)
Nagisa Koen Park along the lake (Spring season)
Kyoto Private Tour - Zeze Port at the foot of Omi-Ohashi Bridge
Zeze Port at the foot of Omi-Ohashi Bridge
Kyoto Private Tour - Hikiyama Float, parade through the town during the Otsu Festival in October. Let's visit Hikiyama Float Museum.
Hikiyama Float, parade through the town during the Otsu Festival in October. Let's visit Hikiyama Float Museum.
Kyoto Private Tour - Seta-no Karahashi Bridge
Seta-no Karahashi Bridge
Kyoto Private Tour - Ishiyamadera Buddhist Temple(National Tresure temple founded in Nara period, the 8th century)
Ishiyamadera Buddhist Temple(National Tresure temple founded in Nara period, the 8th century)
Kyoto Private Tour - Lake Biwa Cruise Ship
Lake Biwa Cruise Ship

Cycling Tour along Japan's Biggest Lake -15mins from Kyoto-

Nature & Outdoor
Kyoto Tour Guide - Koichi W.

Joined 2018

Koichi W.
4.97 / 5
(100 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Kyoto
Japanese (Native), English
6 hours
Private tour (only you and Koichi W.)
Up to 7 people

During the Edo priod, Tokugawa Shogunate established the highway system connecting cities to cities. The Tokaido Highway was the most important route connecting Kyoto and Tokyo (Edo). On this tour, we will cycle around the first post town of the highway from Kyoto, Otsu. The city Otsu is also famous for Lake Biwa, Japan's biggest lake. Let's enjoy the views of the lake and historical sites while cycling.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

JR Kyoto Station or your hotel

- Meet up with you at a train station or at your hotel in Kyoto city area

09:30 AM

JR Otsu Station (or JR Ishiyama, Keihan Hama-Otsu Sta)

We will rent bicycles and buy some snacks.

10:00 AM

Ishiyamadera Temple (National treasure site)

This temple is known as the place where Murasaki-Shikibu wrote "The Tale of Genji, " which is said to be the world's first full length novel.

11:00 AM

Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge

This bridge is on the old Tokaido Highway, and was a strategic point of traffic in olden times.

11:30 AM

Zeze Park on the ruins of Zeze Castle

We will take a short break at a park located on the ruins of Zeze Castle

11:40 AM

Nagisa Park along the lake

Cycling in Nagisa Park with views of Lake Biwa.

12:00 PM

Otsu Festival Hikiyama-float Museum (We have lunch around here.)

The museum features a full-size model of a Hikiyama Float. The sound of musical accompaniment, lighting and slide projection create a festival mood. Closed on every monday.

01:30 PM

Miidera Buddhist Temple (National treasure site)

This temple has the history of more than 1200 years. It is famous as a location for period dramas, such as "Rurouni-kenshin". The Buddhist bronze bell of the temple is one of the three major Buddhist bells in Japan.

02:30 PM

Hama-Otsu Port

You can enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Biwa from the port.

03:00 PM

JR Otsu Station (JR Ishiyama, Keihan Hama-Otsu Station or Hama-Otsu Port)

Return the rented bicycles and see you off at a train station in Otsu city area.

After the tour, you can enjoy a cruise on Lake Biwa from Hamaotsu Port.

Ending Point

JR stations or Hama-otsu Sightseeing Ship Port

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guiding Services

What‘s not included

Rental bicycles, Personal Expenses,Souvenirs,Public Transportation,Tickets,Food, Drinks, Snacks

Tour Important Information

>For those who like to enjoy cruising on Lake Biwa, a sightseeing boat will depart from the Hama-Otsu Port at 3:00 pm. Please let me know if you wish to board the ship.

>In case of rain, we will use the KeihanTrain instead of bicycles to get around Otsu city.

Important message from the supplier

I usually use public transportation systems such as trains, buses, taxi, and so on.

I like outdoor activities. If you would like to do hiking, cycling etc., please feel free to ask me in advance.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Kyoto Tour Guide - Koichi W.

Joined 2018

Koichi W.
4.97 / 5
(100 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide 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.

Reviews

All Day With Kochi in Kobe and Osaka

We had an absolutely fantastic time with Kochi. We had a 9 hours booked with him and it went by in the blink of an eye. He is knowledgeable, funny, energetic, and just an all-around great guy. We had such a wonderful time learning about the history and culture of Osaka and Kobe and even shared an incredible lunch at a local restaurant. I highly recommend Kochi and this tour. It was like seeing Japan with a dear friend.

Scott G.

Koichi W.

Thank you very much for giving me such a rating and your heart-warming comments. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to spend time with such a wonderful couple. If you ever have the chance to visit Japan again, I would love for you to come and visit Shiga, where I live. Arigato and Ookini very much!! Koichi

Excellent tour for family with kids - 10/10 recommend!

We did an 8 hour tour with Koichi and had a fabulous time. He was incredibly patient with our two children 7 and 10), and he did a great job balancing explaining the history to us, while also finding engaging ways to teach our children about Japanese history and tradition as well. We saw more than I had hoped for, learned a lot, and had fun along the way. He took us to a great local spot for lunch and showed us local treats. We booked the tour for our first full day in Kyoto and it also helped us get our bearings for the city. Another unexpected bonus was all the family photos we got - Koichi was great about recommending where we would want great shots! My only regret was not booking him for more than 1 day, as we would have loved to see other parts of Kyoto or Japan with him! We will absolutely be reaching out to book another tour with him, when we return to Japan next!!

Lacey H.

Koichi W.

Hi! Thank you so much for the wonderful review and your heartwarming message. Although our time together was brief, I look back fondly on the moments I spent with you and your family. Spending time with your lovely child was a truly joyful experience for me. Please do come back to Japan—and to Kyoto—if you ever have the chance. By the time I see your child again, I’m sure they’ll have grown quite a bit.

Koichi was a wonderful and thoughtful guide!

We truly enjoyed Koichi guiding us thru Kyoto. He was a wealth of information. If you want to discover Kyoto and learn all about it’s history and the meaning behind everything, you need to have Koichi guide you. His hidden talent is photography!! He made wonderful pictures of us to remember this memorable day! Thank you so much Koichi for a wonderful experience. We will come and visit again.

Isabelle M.

Koichi W.

Hi! Thank you for giving me such a nice rating and heartwarming comments. I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful couple. Though our time together was brief, I am genuinely happy we shared such a delightful time. I hope we can meet again in the near future. Please do visit my hometown of Shiga next time. Arigato-gozaimasu!! Koichi

Want to Personalize?

$299/ per group

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