2Day Shiga Cultural Tour with Miso Making and Scenic Landscapes

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Fermentation Experience and Scenic Views of Northern Lake Biwa
3 stops
1
Begin your journey by shared taxi, traveling for about 90 minutes into the rural area of Takashima., where traditional agricultural life is still preserved. The landscape opens into terraced rice fields, creating a scene often described as Japan’s original rural scenery. At Tanada House, built around the concept of “welcome back home,” you step into a living cultural space where local people grow rice, flowers, and produce, and continue traditional lifestyles. Here, you will experience miso-making using locally grown ingredients, learning how fermentation is rooted in everyday life. During your stay, you will enjoy a locally prepared lunch featuring rice carefully cooked in a traditional kamado stove, along with dishes made from mountain vegetables and freshly harvested produce. The meal includes miso soup made with house-made miso, offering a flavor that is unique to this location and cannot be experienced elsewhere. Please note that the miso you make cannot be taken home.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Leaving the village behind, you travel for about 60 minutes by taxi to Biwako Hakodateyama. From here, you take a ropeway up to the mountain resort located at an elevation of approximately 630 to 680 meters. From here, you take a gondola ride of about 8 minutes to reach the summit. As you arrive, a wide open space unfolds, offering panoramic views over Lake Biwa. On clear days, you can also see Chikubushima Island and Mt. Ibuki in the distance. The area is known for seasonal flower displays and open viewing spaces, creating a calm and refreshing atmosphere after the cultural experience earlier in the day.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
You continue by taxi for about 30 minutes to your accommodation for the night. The hotel stands along the shore of Lake Biwa, offering a peaceful setting with views directly facing the lake and, across the water, Mt. Ibuki. You will stay in a Western-style twin room, allowing you to relax and unwind in a quiet lakeside environment after a full day of travel and experiences.
16 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Historic Streets, Nature Walks, and Cultural Heritage in Shiga
4 stops
4
The next morning, you depart and travel by taxi for about 20 minutes to Metasequoia Avenue. This iconic road stretches for approximately 2.4 kilometers and is lined with around 500 metasequoia trees arranged in a perfectly straight line. The scale and symmetry create a powerful visual experience, making it one of the most recognized scenic roads in Japan. It has been selected as part of the “New 100 Scenic Roadside Trees of Japan”, attracting visitors from across the country for photography and sightseeing.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
5
From there, you travel about 60 minutes by taxi to Nagahama, where you explore Kurokabe Square. This historic district preserves the atmosphere of an old merchant town, centered around a former bank building that has been transformed into the Kurokabe Glass Museum. As you walk through the area, you will find glass workshops, small galleries, and local cafés along traditional streets, blending old architecture with modern creativity. Here, you can experience a unique blend of traditional architecture and contemporary craft culture, while also seeing glimpses of Lake Biwa and the surrounding natural landscape nearby. You will have free time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
6
Continuing your journey, you travel about 30 minutes by taxi to Samegai Gorge, a scenic natural area formed along a clear mountain stream sourced from Mt. Ryozen. Here, the clear water flowing through the valley creates a calm and refreshing environment. This location is designated as a national scenic site, known for its natural beauty throughout the year—fresh greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and seasonal changes that enhance the surrounding landscape. Walking along the stream, you can experience the clarity of the water and the calm atmosphere that defines this area.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
7
Your final visit is a short 15-minute taxi ride away at Seiganji Temple. This temple has gained attention for its quiet atmosphere and is especially appreciated by international visitors seeking a more peaceful cultural experience. The highlight is its karesansui (dry landscape) garden, designated as a national scenic site. The garden is carefully composed using white sand, moss, and stones arranged in a precise and balanced way. Depending on the season, it presents a different impression, encouraging quiet observation and reflection. After visiting the temple, you return to Kyoto by taxi, traveling for about 90 minutes and arriving around 5:30 PM, where your journey comes to an end.
45 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
• Transportation will be provided by taxi or large van taxi.

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