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Offered languages
- Japanese
- English
Experience the natural beauty and spiritual heritage of the Lake Biwa region on this self-guided day trip from Nagahama. Travel by taxi to scenic locations, including Mt. Ibuki, where you can take in sweeping views over Japan’s largest lake and surrounding mountains from the summit area.
Continue to a local roadside market, where you can browse regional products and enjoy lunch at your own pace. From there, head to the lakeside and board a short cruise to Chikubushima Island, a serene and spiritually significant destination long regarded as a sacred place.
With a relaxed schedule, simple transportation, and free time at each stop, this experience offers an easy and enriching way to discover a quieter, more traditional side of Japan.
- Visit Mt. Ibuki for panoramic views over Japan’s largest lake
- Stop at a local market and enjoy free time for lunch
- Take a short cruise across Lake Biwa
- Explore Chikubushima Island with historic shrines and scenic surroundings
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
JR Nagahama Station, West Exit rotary (bus/taxi pick‑up area)
Tour ends at Nagahama Port around 3:45 PM. After the cruise, you are free to explore the area or make your own way from there.
Itinerary
-
1
From JR Nagahama Station, you will travel by shared taxi for approximately an hour to Mt. Ibuki. At the summit area, you will have time to enjoy views from an elevated viewpoint overlooking the surrounding landscape and Lake Biwa. The open setting allows you to take in wide scenery from above, offering a refreshing start to the day.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
You will then travel by taxi for approximately 50 minutes to visit a local roadside market. This location serves as a gateway to the northeastern Shiga area, offering views of Mt. Ibuki and a wide selection of locally grown vegetables and seasonal products. You will have time to explore the facilities freely. You may also choose to have lunch at your own expense, with simple dining options available on site. This stop provides a casual introduction to local flavors and everyday food culture.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3
Continue by taxi for approximately 30 minutes to Nagahama Port, where you will board a boat for the next part of your journey. This lakeside departure point marks the transition from land travel to a scenic cruise adding a different perspective to the experience. Enjoy a 35-minute journey across Lake Biwa toward Chikubushima, a small island of about 2 kilometers in circumference.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Cruise across Lake Biwa toward Chikubushima Island, a small island located in the northern part of the lake. The cruise itself offers relaxing views across Japan’s largest lake before arriving at the island, which has long been regarded as a sacred place. Surrounded by water and steep slopes, Chikubushima Island has been worshipped for centuries and is home to historic shrine and temple structures. After arrival, you will have free time to explore the island at your own pace. Visit Hogonji Temple, established following an imperial vision connected to a sacred deity, and Tsukubusuma Shrine, a historic shrine where the island itself is considered divine. The site includes notable structures such as the main hall (National Treasure) and ritual areas, including a well-known clay plate throwing activity toward Lake Biwa. The compact size of the island allows you to experience its atmosphere closely, creating a sense of being somewhere truly unique and separate from the mainland.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
After your visit, you will return by boat to Nagahama Port, arriving at approximately 3:45 PM, where the tour concludes. JR Nagahama Station is located about a 15-minute walk from the port, allowing you to continue your journey independently.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A minimum of 2 participants is required per booking
- No tour conductor or local staff will accompany this tour.
- Children of elementary school age and below are not permitted to join
- No meals are included in this tour.
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A minimum of 2 participants is required per booking
- No tour conductor or local staff will accompany this tour.
- Children of elementary school age and below are not permitted to join
- No meals are included in this tour.
- Transportation between JR Nagahama Station and Nagahama Port will be provided by taxi. A large coach bus will not be used.
- Taxi transportation is not private and will be shared with other participants on the same tour.
- Taxi drivers communicate in Japanese only.
- If the ferry service to Chikubushima is canceled due to special circumstances, the entire tour will be canceled.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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