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Private Lake Biwa Tour from Kyoto
Let's enjoy a day trip to Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, including a lake cruise to a sacred island !
During this full-day tour, you will enjoy a visit to Lake Biwa in Shiga prefecture, the largest freshwater lake in Japan. The tour includes a lake cruise to Chikubu islaned, a sacred island which has a temple and a shrine worshed from the ancient times, and a visit to a castle town, either Nagahama or Hikone. This tour starts from Kyoto.
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kyoto city
Meet at your hotel
Meet at your hotel, and then take train and to the Lake Biwa cruise port, either Imazu port or Hikone port
Lake Biwa Cruise to Chikubu Island
Lake Biwa Cruise to Chikubu Island, from either Imazu port or Hikone port
Chikubu Island
Sightseeing at Chikubu Island, including Hogonji temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine, both are designated as National Treasure
Lake Biwa Cruise to a castle town
Lake Biwa Cruise to either Nagahama or Hikone
Lunch
Sightseeing at a castle town
Sightseeing at the castle town, including a visit to the caslte (either Nagahama castle or Hikone caslte) and strolling around the town
Back to Kyoto city center by train
Ending Point
Kyoto station
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
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Inclusions & Exclusions
- Guide fee
- Pick-up service
- Transportation for the guide from home to pick-up place in Kyoto city
- Transportation fare (public transport, taxi) for yourselves and the guide
- Admission fee to the temples
- Food and beverage
Estimated cash needed is approx. 7000 JPY per person - Entrance fee: approx. 1500 JPY and Transportation cost: approx. 5500 JPY
Tour Important Information
This tour is not covered by insurance, so please make sure you are under your own insurance.
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
Shiga Tour Reviews
“Very informative and interesting walking tour of Kyoto's South Higashiyama area”
Katsuko met us after we had lunch in the South Higashiyama neighborhood, helpfully suggesting a place close to the restaurant to meet, and she took us on a 3-hour tour of the area that included multiple Buddhist temples, the Gion neighborhood, a Shinto shrine, and then ended at a shopping arcade in a convenient area for us to return to our hotel. Throughout the tour, Katsuko was very nice, very helpful in answering all of our questions, and very flexible when there were stores we wanted to visit, sights we wanted to see, or pictures we asked or she offered to take of my wife and I. After our tour, Katsuko proactively reached out us with ideas for our next day in Kyoto, even recognizing some sights that might be better to do on the rainy day that was forecasted. Thanks Katsuko for a lovely tour!
Katsuko O.
(31 reviews)Dear Brett, Thank you very much for your kind review. I'm glad to know that you enjoyed the tour. It was a great pleasure for me to guide such a wonderful couple like yourselves. I sincerely hope to see you again in the future. Warmest regards, Katsuko.
Elena B.
A Visit to Stunning Kyoto Japanese Gardens (1-day)
“Great Kyoto tour”
My husband and I had Kyoto Japanize Gardens tour with Katsuko. We’ve learned about Katsuko from our friends who were taking her tour and recommended it to us. And we really enjoyed having time with Katsuko. As first time Japan visitors we had many questions about Japanize culture. Katsuko not just answered them, but adjusted the tour to show us something we expressed interest in. She took us to the place where we could experience making and tasting matcha tea. Her lunch recommendation was excellent and introduced us to some food we didn’t try before. We also appreciate that the pace of the tour was just right for us and we could select waking vs. riding. Katsuko is very knowledgeable person and you can feel her love to her country.
Katsuko O.
(31 reviews)Dear Elena, Thank you very much for taking your time to write such a kind reivew. I'm glad to know that you enjoyed the garden tour. It was a truly memorable day for me too, and I sincerely hope to see you again in the future. Warmest regards, Katsuko Ozaki.
“A fantastic day in Kyoto in early September”
My wife and I had the pleasure of spending a fantastic day with Katsuko in Kyoto in early September. The entire day was simply outstanding from start to finish. Katsuko's manner and professionalism is only matched by her knowledge and passion for the city. Katsuko organised a personal itinerary that covered all of our main interests as well as making some brilliant suggestion for our other days in Kyoto. A guide in Kyoto is a great way to get around and I would have no hesitation in highly recommending Katsuko's services. Thank you Katsuko and thank you Kyoto !
Katsuko O.
(31 reviews)Dear Damian, Thank you very much for your kind review. I'm glad to know that you enjoyed the tour in Kyoto. I had such a great time with you and it was a memorable day for me too. I sincerely hope to see you again in the future. Warmest regards, Katsuko Ozaki
