Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto
Joined 2023
First, while it is early enough, we will drive and hike a little bit on the ancient steps to one of the oldest temples in Kyoto and Shiga called Hyakusaiji. After that, we will explore a castle that has a tower that is one of the five originals remaining in Japan, Hikone Castle.
We will enjoy Oumi beef for lunch. Oumi beef is if not better, as good as Kobe beef known as one of the three best beefs in Japan.
We will enjoy the scenery in Oumihachiman from the mountain top and the old moat.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Oumihachiman station
- Will come and pick you up at the station by my car. * Oumihachiman is about 30 minutes by JR train from the Kyoto station.
Visit Hyakusaiji temple
Will visit Hyakusaiji which was established by the famed prince, Syotoku back in the early 7th century. We will hike up for about 15 mins through the woods on the ancient steps and get to the main hall of the temple.
Visit Hikone Castle and the town
Will visit Hikone Castle which is one of the only five original castle towers in Japan date back to the early 17th century.
Lunch
We will go to a restaurant that serves Oumi beef which is one of the three best beefs in Japan.
Oumihachiman old street and the shopping area
We will go through the photogenic streets with old style houses and visit an area where some charming/unique shops are.
Hachiman moat
We will walk along the moat and see the beautiful traditional scenery of Japan.
Himure Hachimangu Shrine
We will visit Himure Hachimangu Shrine.
Hachimanyama castle ruins
We will ride on the cable car to go up the mountain to the castle ruins area. Will trek a bit and see the beautiful view of Lake Biwa and rice paddies.
JR Oumihachiman station
I will take you back to the JR station where our tour started and
end the tour.
Ending Point
JR Oumihachiman station
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
- English translation / guide fee
- Private car
- Pick up and drop off by car (at JR train station)
- Transportation cost from Kyoto to Oumihachiman (JR train)
- Lunch has to be paid by yourself based on what you would like to have (avg. 15 to 30 USD per person).
- Lunch for the guide also has to be borne by your side
- Entrance fee to the castle, temples and etc
- Parking fee (if necessary)
- Cable car fee (up & down, cash only, 6 USD
Tour Important Information
- This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
- Need to allocate at least 45 - 60 mins for lunch time.
- The guide will not be liable for any injuries or loss incurred during the tour. It is recommended to have overseas travel insurance.
Also, please remember to carry enough cash in Japanese Yen since some small stores do not accept credit card. Thank you.
Important message from the supplier
For some tours I can not guide everyday due to store closings. Please check my availability on each tour page. Thank you!
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 2023
About Tour Guide 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!
Reviews
Nityanand B.
“Highly recommend Nori! Nori is truly amazing and his global travel experience adds to the Kyoto tour! ”
What a fantastic tour experience with Nori - 1. He is very knowledgeable about the historical significance of the various Japanese time periods. He is able to weave the historical series beautifully and it takes you back in time. 2. His global work experience adds a lot of flavor to the tour. 3. He is flexible with what we wanted on the tour. 4. He gave us some great food, tea ceremony suggestions for our time in Tokyo. Highly recommend Nori!
Nori I.
Thanks for your wonderful comments. Due to the high heat, I was a bit concerned but I am happy to hear that you all enjoyed my tour. Hopefully you can come to Japan again some time!! Take care, Nori
Meghan S.
“A Fantastic day with a knowledgeable guide”
We had a great day with Nori and saw so much! He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. He calibrated the day exactly right for our family. We had a limited time and really felt we were able to get the most out of our trip because of Nori’s planning. We saw all of the sites we wanted to see in a sequence that made sense, had a tasty lunch, and learned so much. Absolutely don’t hesitate to book with Nori. You will get so much more out of your visit and your day will be stress free! We can’t wait to come back and do another tour. Thanks so much for making our visit so smooth!
Nori I.
Thanks for your kind words. It was fun touring around Kyoto with you guys too! It was unfortunate that your husband could not join. Hope he is feeling better. Yes, please come again to Kyoto. There is so much more beautiful places you can visit! Take care!
Michele M.
“Beautiful, Serene, and Delicious”
We had a fantastic day trip to Shiga from Kyoto with Nori. He tailored the tour perfectly to fit the time we had, and it was such a treat to escape the hustle and bustle of Kyoto. Every stop was peaceful, beautiful, and felt like a hidden gem. Traveling by private car allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the surroundings. Nori speaks fluent English, which made communication easy. He took us to some incredible off-the-beaten-path spots that we never would have found on our own. For our sixteen-year-old, the highlight of the day was enjoying Omi beef at a charming little restaurant with a private Japanese garden. The servers wore traditional kimonos, and we had the entire place to ourselves. The chef prepared the meal right in front of us—it was an unforgettable experience. We've had Wagyu before, but Omi beef was even better! Shiga is absolutely worth the trip, especially if you're staying in Kyoto. Of all the private day tours we did in Japan, this one was truly one of our favorites. Thank you, Nori!
Nori I.
I am so happy to hear that you really enjoyed the tour in Shiga. As you said, there are quite a lot of historical places in the area which are often older than Kyoto yet many people even Japanese don’t know their existence. Oumi and Kobe beefs are the top quality beefs in Japan. Luckily when we went to the restaurant, the special section was offered just to us. Hope you can come back to enjoy the amazing teppanyaki beef!! Take care!
$418/ per group
