Cycling Tour along Japan's Biggest Lake -15mins from Kyoto-
Joined 2018
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!
Meeting Point
JR Kyoto Station or your hotel
- Meet up with you at a train station or at your hotel in Kyoto city area
JR Otsu Station (or JR Ishiyama, Keihan Hama-Otsu Sta)
We will rent bicycles and buy some snacks.
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.
Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge
This bridge is on the old Tokaido Highway, and was a strategic point of traffic in olden times.
Zeze Park on the ruins of Zeze Castle
We will take a short break at a park located on the ruins of Zeze Castle
Nagisa Park along the lake
Cycling in Nagisa Park with views of Lake Biwa.
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.
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.
Hama-Otsu Port
You can enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Biwa from the port.
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
Guiding Services
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
Joined 2018
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
Raisy M.
“fantastic!”
We were a group of 4. We spent 4-half days with Koichi. It was a fabulous time and experience. Koichi is knowledgeable, easy going, flexible and funny. We toured various areas around Kyoto/Osaka. Initially we hired Koichi for 3 days but the experience was so positive that we added in another day and we hiked to a non tourist area with him. I must add in that Koichi captured so many amazing photos of us too. He really is a man of many talents-history buff, foodie, hiker, photographer. We will visit Japan again and meet up with Koichi again!
Peter F.
“Two days with Koichi”
We spent two very enjoyable days with Koichi: one in Kyoto and one in Nara. He is very knowledgeable and helped us a lot with regard to travelling about in Japan. He speaks and understands the English language very well. He suggested that we swap the itinerary days round to make the best of the weather. We can thoroughly recommend him as a guide and I am sure anyone fortunate enough to have him as their guide will thoroughly enjoy themselves. Peter and Jane
Koichi W.
Hi! Peter san, Jane san. Thank you for your heartwarming review. Your words motivate and encourage me for the next guiding. I am truly honored to have met you two as a wonderful couple. I sincerely hope that you will have the opportunity to visit Japan again. I am so happy to have shared two wonderful days with you. Arigato!! Koichi
Eduardo C.
“Outstanding Guided Tour Experience with Koichi!”
Me and my family had the pleasure of spending a day exploring the beautiful city of Kyoto with Koichi as our guide, and I can confidently say that it was an awesome experience. From the very beginning we were impressed by how friendly and kind Koichi was always with us, not to mention his enormous excitement in explaining Kyoto's historical and tourist attractions, which made the whole experience even richer and more fun! Koichi’s passion for the city was contagious, and his ability to tailor the tour to our interests made the experience feel incredibly personal. Furthermore, Koichi knows all the best photo spots, which are simply sensational! If you are visiting Kyoto or Osaka, and want to fully immerse yourself in its beauty and history, I highly recommend Koichi as your guide. He will definitely make your visit an extraordinary one!
Koichi W.
Hi! Thank you very much for giving me such a nice rating and wonderful comment. I am very happy to have shared a wonderful time with you and your lovely family members. I really hope to see you in the near future. Arigato and Ookini very much!!
$232/ per group
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The tranquility of a meticulously maintained bamboo forest, a mountain shrine with vibrant red torii gates, and a breathtaking view of the city from a mountaintop temple. In this adventure we will explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, and wander through the Tofuku-ji temple (especially beautiful in Fall or Spring). Later, we check out Kiyomizu-dera and walk through Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Shirakawa Lane, Pontocho, Teramachi, and over to the Nishiki Market.
Kyoto back road trail/behide the major temples
There's numbers of trails around Kyoto where people's life and forest are closely coexist. In this tour, guests will be guided half-day tour which starts from just beside one of the famous tourist spot "Silver temple". The trail starts from well-maintained road, getting gently increase in slope. Then we suddenly jump into an open space which is called "Hidoko (fire bed)" where Kyoto's biggest festival ”Okuribi (bonfire)" is held. Great panoramic view of Kyoto city is also available here.
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Saga Arashiyama is located in the northwest of Kyoto city, which was an ancient capital of Japan. It is famous for its scenic beauty. There are many picturesque places such as bamboo groves, mountain ranges, bridges, rivers, historical temples and shrines , scenic trains, and a 'Kimono Forest'. On this tour we will walk down the mountainside, visit some peaceful temples, see the beautiful bamboo groves and attractive gifts (pottery, cocoon dolls, handmade bamboo products) there.
