Hidden Gem Shiga: Omi-Hachiman Town Walk, Omi Beef Lunch & Lake Biwa Scenic Drive
Escape the crowds of Kyoto and discover a hidden gem in nearby Shiga.
Visit Omi-Hachiman, a charming town with scenic canals and historic streets shaped by the “Sanpo-yoshi” philosophy.
For lunch, enjoy a premium Omi beef, one of Japan’s top Wagyu brands. Then, let's take a ropeway up Mt. Hachiman for views of Lake Biwa.
You will also visit La Collina Omi-Hachiman, a unique sweets complex surrounded by nature.
Perfect for a relaxed day beyond Kyoto.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel in Kyoto or Shiga
- Hotel pick-up in Kyoto. (If you are staying in Shiga, a pick-up there is also available.)
Omi Merchant District
Walk through a historic town developed by Omi merchants, famous for their “Sanpo-yoshi” philosophy (good for seller, buyer, and society).
Hachiman-bori Canal
Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the canal that once supported the town’s prosperity.
Omi Beef Lunch
Taste one of Japan’s finest Wagyu brands.
(Sukiyaki, steak, or other options depending on availability.)
Himure Hachimangu Shrine
Visit a historic shrine connected to the town’s origins.
Mt. Hachiman Ropeway & Castle Ruins
Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Biwa and explore the remains of Hachiman Castle.
Free Time & Local Food Experience
Stroll the town and try local specialties:
Club Harie
Yamajou Pickles
Taneya
La Collina Omi Hachiman
Relax at a beautifully designed sweets complex surrounded by nature.
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kyoto or Shiga
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
•Guide fee
•Transportation between sites (a car driven by the guide)
•Fuel, parking fees, and highway tolls
•Hotel pick-up and drop-off (Kyoto or Shiga area)
•Lunch (Omi beef): up to approx. 3,500 JPY
Credit cards are accepted at most of the restaurants.
You are not required to cover the guide’s meal, but if the cost exceeds this range, I may wait outside.
•Ropeway: approx. 950 JPY (credit cards accepted)
•Omi Merchant House admission: approx. 400 JPY per house (cash only)
• Snacks/sweets (e.g. La Collina): around 1,000–2,000 JPY
Cash recommendation:
While many shops in Omi-Hachiman accept credit cards, bringing around 2,000 JPY in cash per person is recommended for smaller purchases.
•Travel insurance & personal expenses:
Tour Important Information
*This is a car-based tour using a compact vehicle.
*The tour is comfortable for up to 4 guests, but the rear seats may feel a bit compact for longer drives.
*If you require more space, please contact me before booking so we can discuss the best arrangement.
*Please bring cash, as some local shops may not accept credit cards.
*The itinerary may change depending on traffic, weather, or crowd conditions.
*I will adjust the schedule to ensure a smooth experience.
*This tour includes light to moderate walking. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
*
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
About Tour Guide 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.
Reviews
Jennifer G.
“Great day with Kanae!”
Kanae was an excellent host for our day of sightseeing. She was knowledgable and we had great conversations about life in Japan. We packed so much into our day with her that we couldn’t have done on our own. We are very grateful to her for showing us around her beautiful hometown!
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Kanae O.
Dear Jennifer, Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful review. I truly appreciate your words. I had a wonderful time with both of you and really enjoyed spending the day together. It was a pleasure showing you around Kyoto, and I’m so glad we were able to make the most of the day and visit so many places. Your interest and openness made the experience even more enjoyable for me. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I hope you had a great time throughout your trip in Japan—and next time, please don’t forget to try aburi mochi! Warm regards, Kanae
Edyta R.
“Wonderful!”
I am a woman in my 50's and this was my first time travelling to Japan. Normally, this private tour is booked for a group of people who know each other, but since I was a solo traveller and it was not possible for me to join a group, therefore I booked this tour solely for myself. This was a very unique experience for me and it felt truly special. I booked this private tour with my Japanese guide Kanae. She is a wonderful guide and a very kind person, who also communicates very well in English. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, polite, caring and resourceful. It was so great and very convenient to travel from site to site to site with Kanae in her car. She is also an excellent driver and her car is very spacious, clean and comfortable. Touring this way, allowed me to save a lot of time and energy. During this tour, Kanae showed me many amazing places in Kyoto with beautiful architecture and stunning nature. She explained to me the significance of each place and she answered all my questions very well. I had so much fun and I truly enjoyed this private tour with her. Thank you Kanae for making this tour accessible, educational, easy and fun. I will treasure these moments forever. It was perfect for me, especially since I've developed problems with my feet while in Japan and I could not walk as far and for as long as I normally could in the past. I enjoyed having this private tour of Kyoto with Kanae and I highly recommend it. Thank you Kanae!!! Edyta (Canada)
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Kanae O.
Dear Edyta, Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review. I truly appreciate your kind words. It really means a lot to me. It was such a pleasure spending the day with you, and I genuinely enjoyed our time together. I feel very fortunate to have met you and to have been part of your journey in Japan. Guests like you make my work especially meaningful. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I hope your travels continue to be filled with great experiences, and I would be very happy to see you again someday. Warm regards, Kanae
Peter A.
“Wonderful Day”
We had a great day with Kanae. The best description is that it was like being shown around by a family member or old friend we had known for years. She was very organised, making contact in advance to clarify pick up arrangements and ask whether we had questions or requests. She was on time on the day, lovely to talk to, and very knowledgable on the sites visited, with best ways to access, parts to see, and how to avoid crowds (as much as possible).We are pretty quick walkers so finished at all the sites with lots of time to spare so Kanae took us to her favourite local Ramen shop for lunch. Great food and a place we would never have found ourselves - a highlight in its own right. Would definitely recommend and would certainly book with her again if in Kyoto.
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Kanae O.
Peter, thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful review. I truly appreciate it. I had a wonderful time with you both and really enjoyed our day together. You were such lovely guests, and I felt very relaxed guiding you. I’m also happy that you enjoyed the ramen restaurant. It’s one of my favorite spots in Kyoto, so it meant a lot to me that you liked it as well. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I would be very happy to see you again if you return to Kyoto. Warm regards, Kanae
$386/ per group
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