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
Eduardo C.
Western Kyoto Arashiyama and Kinkakuji Tour with Koichi
Customized
“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!!
Eduardo C.
Full-day (8 hour) Kyoto Eastern Highlights Tour
Customized
“Amazing day at Higashiyama!”
We spent the day visiting the most popular tourist attractions in Higashiyama, such as Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizudera and Gion, with Koichi and it was wonderful! The schedule avoided being in crowds, and it was possible to enjoy and learn about each destination. It went really well!
Koichi W.
Thank you for your kind and heartwarming review. I am very happy to have been with you. I wish you could come to my home town Shiga next time.
Eduardo C.
Full-day ( 8 hour) Tour from Osaka to Kyoto via Nara
Customized
“Fun day in Nara and Uji!”
Another very good day with Koichi as our guide. Today we went to Nara park, saw the cute deer, visited the amazing Todai-ji temple and the Byodoin Hall in Uji. It was great that Koichi knew several stores with typical sweets, and knew several restaurant options with different types of food to recommend to us!
Koichi W.
Thank very much for giving such a good rating and wonderful comment. Arigato-gozaimasu! I miss you (^_-)
$234/ per group
More tours by Koichi W.
Early Bird Tour Western Kyoto including Bamboo Forest and Kinkakuji Kinkakuji
Shall we explore some of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Kyoto while most tourists are preparing for their tour? I would also like to take you some hidden gemes in Kyoto. Beat the crowds!
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Nara is a very beautiful and interesting city known by the old name of "Yamato". It was established as the first permanent Japan's capital in the year 710. There are a lot of historical monuments in this ancient city, such as Todaiji Great Buddha Hall, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofukuji Temple and so on. Nara"deer"park is also one of must-see areas. Let's walk around and play with the lovely deer!!
Eastern Highlights in Kyoto for the first time visitor - Full Day Tour -
Kyoto is a city full of charm, both ancient and modern such as the stone gardens of Zen temples, orange gates of Shito shrines, traditional cafés, local cuisine loved by Kyoto people, modern art museums and so on. I would like to show you not only major sightseeing spots but also small tips to enjoy the city. Let's explore together and discover the real Kyoto with me!!
Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do
Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for many torii gates like an orange tunnel. But most tourists just visit only the entrance. I would like to show you the deep inside of Fushimi Inari Shrine through tunnel and take you to the top of mountain. From Inari mountain, we will walk a part of “Higashiyama Trail” hiking course, then we will visit the family temple of imperial house and Sanjusangen-do temple.
Other Popular Nature & Outdoor Tours in Kyoto
Kyoto Early Bird Trekking Ending with Ramen
Departing from Kyoto City Subway’s Keage Station, we will pass by Himukai Daijingu Shrine before making our way towards Mt. Daimonjiyama. As we ascend to the mountain's peak, you'll be greeted with panoramic views of Kyoto, stretching as far as Osaka. After descending towards Imadegawa Street, our journey will conclude at a charming local ramen restaurant.
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Kyoto: Bamboo, Mountains and Markets [8 hours]
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.
One Day Tour with the Magnificent View in Saga Arashiyama
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.
