Tours & Activities in Otsu

Kyoto is well known as an ancient capital of Japan, and attracts many travelers year after year. It has a lot to offer, however is difficult to choose where to go. I propose an itinerary to visit the best places of Kyoto where I like. You will enjoy seeing unique and beautiful sights while visiting historical spots. Some places are ranked in top 10 attractions of Kyoto. Regular highlights course: JR Otsu station →Nishiki Market street →Kyoto Samurai & Ninja museum(optional) →Ponto-cho street →Gion district→ Yasaka shrine →Sannen-zaka shopping street→Kiyomizu-dera temple →Sanju-sangendo temple(optional) →Fushimi Inari shrine →JR Kyoto station or downtown Kyoto to end the tour Alternative beautiful garden visit course: JR Otsu station →Kyoto Incline park →Nanzenji temple →Philosopher’s path →Eikando temple garden →Heian-jingu shrine garden →Yasaka shrine and Maruyama park →downtown Kyoto or JR Kyoto station to end the tour The itinerary can be customized, so don't hesitate to ask.

Would you like to immortalize your trip to Japan with a one-of-a-kind pottery creation? In the serene surroundings of Hieizan Yamanakacho, our studio offers an immersive pottery experience steeped in Japan's rich ceramic heritage. Guided by seasoned artisans, you'll learn traditional techniques for molding your pottery piece. Experience the pliability of soft clay as you shape it with your creativity. Gain insights into Japanese pottery's history and culture, enriching your stay in Japan. Nestled amidst Hieizan Yamamakacho's scenic beauty, a 15-minute walk unveils shrines, temples, and stone buddhas, inviting exploration of Japan's history and allure. Following your stroll, partake in our Japanese home cooking class led by local homemakers. Utilizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients, master the art of crafting traditional seasonal Japanese dishes. Immerse yourself in Japanese hospitality, relishing the flavors of nature and the region's culinary legacy.

Join a unique cultural experience led by Misato Takahashi, an Otsu native and daughter of Wado Takahashi, an Otsu-e artist originally from the Otsu-e master family, Takahashi Shozan. Misato is fervently committed to preserving the important local tradition of Otsu-e painting, a form of traditional folk art that originated in this area about 400 years ago. This unique cultural experience provides an excellent opportunity to delve into Japan's artistic heritage, immersing yourself in the creativity and artistic expression that has enriched Otsu's local culture for centuries. And with only a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, you can relax in the cozy lakeside town of Otsu while exploring the city's rich history and treasures.

Meet your local host Michiyo and let her introduce you to the special menu of the day, before you start your hands-on cooking experience in her Kyoto kitchen. Michiyo truly enjoys sharing her knowledge on Japanese cooking techniques that she has perfected over the years. You will learn to make dashi stock (a fundamental building block of Japanese cuisine), and to perfectly prepare sushi rice for chirashi-sushi that you will later garnish in a traditional wooden bowl. The cooking portion of the experience will take about an hour and half before you and Michiyo will sit down together to enjoy the authentic Japanese meal you helped prepare paired with carefully selected alcohol to accent the delicious food. Immerse yourself in Japanese culture and cuisine with the help of authentic food and a local's heart-warming hospitality!

Lake Biwa, or Biwako, is Japan’s biggest lake closely located at just about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Kyoto. It is recognized as one of the most ancient lakes in the world, and the only lake of its kind in Japan. Biwako has been designated as a UNESCO Ramsar Wetland since 1993 boasting a rich ecosystem with approximately 1,000 different species of plant and animal life. Our sailing experience takes place in the splendor of such a magnificent atmosphere. This activity is conducted with our company-owned 30ft private sailboat. All amidst a pleasant breeze experienced most of the year by cruising over the mirror-like calm water as you hear the gentle sound of wind and birdsong. The sailing adventure is a refreshingly promising choice for breaking away from the hustle and bustle of the city center in Kyoto. The activity starts at 2PM with two options such as 3 hour cruising with or without BBQ after sailing (the options with BBQ consists of 3-hour sailing and 2-hour BBQ, TTL 5 hours).

Your host Hisako learned to cook from her mother and sister and is passionate about sharing Japanese home cooking with travelers using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her other passion is music - Hisako studied classical music at the Guild Hall School of Music in London for two years. Her husband Atsuo has a tech consulting office in Kyoto and is a match maker between high tech companies in USA and Japan.  Your cooking class will begin with a short introduction to miso, a fundamental element of Japanese cooking. There are many kinds of miso and Hisako's introduction will help to demystify the varieties and their usage. You will learn to make 2-3 authentic Japanese dishes with Hisako in her kitchen that you will later share at the dining table in their modern Japanese home.  Your experience will end on a musical note, with Hisako playing and singing one of her favorite songs.