Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 3-Day Lake Biwa & Omi Beef Customizable Tour
Three days on Lake Biwa. Hikone Castle, a boat to sacred Chikubushima island, glass in Nagahama, a canal boat in Omi-Hachiman and an Omi beef lunch.
Private · your group only◆3 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Lake Biwa is Japan's largest lake. Its shores hold an original castle, old merchant towns and canals, and a small sacred island. This tour shows all of them in three days.
On Day 1 we drive from Tokyo to Hikone, about 5 hours. We visit Hikone Castle, one of only twelve castles in Japan with an original keep, and one of five listed as a National Treasure. Entry is included. You stay in Hikone or Nagahama.
On Day 2 we take the boat from Nagahama to Chikubushima, a small island covered in forest with old shrine and temple buildings. Many people throw small clay discs from a cliff for good luck. The cruise is included. Back in Nagahama we walk Kurokabe Square, old black-walled buildings now full of glass shops. You make your own glass piece at a workshop, included.
On Day 3 we go to Omi-Hachiman, an old merchant town. A boatman rows you along the Hachiman-bori canal past old storehouses and willow trees. The canal boat is included. Then you have an Omi beef lunch, included. Omi beef is one of Japan's oldest wagyu brands. We drive back to Tokyo in the afternoon.
Halal: Omi beef is not halal. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form, and we can choose another dish for you.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Chikubushima boat or the canal boat is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead take the lake cruise from another port or visit the Omi merchant houses of Gokasho.
Day 1 Drive Tokyo to Hikone, Hikone Castle, stay in Hikone or Nagahama
Day 2 Boat to Chikubushima island, Nagahama Kurokabe Square and glass workshop, stay in Hikone or Nagahama
Day 3 Omi-Hachiman canal boat, Omi beef lunch, drive back to your Tokyo hotel
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Climb the original keep of Hikone Castle
- Boat to the sacred island of Chikubushima
- Make glass at Nagahama Kurokabe Square
- Ride in a hand-rowed boat on the Omi-Hachiman canal
- Enjoy an Omi beef lunch by Japan's largest lake
Said plainly
Private tour for 1 to 6 people in one van. Your driver-guide speaks English, Hindi and Urdu Season: about March to November. Winter boats are fewer Hikone Castle has very steep inner stairs Omi beef is not halal. Day 1 and Day 3 have about 5 hours of driving If the Chikubushima boat or the canal boat is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead take the lake cruise from another port or visit the Omi merchant houses of Gokasho
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Climb the original keep of Hikone Castle
Boat to the sacred island of Chikubushima
Make glass at Nagahama Kurokabe Square
Ride in a hand-rowed boat on the Omi-Hachiman canal
Enjoy an Omi beef lunch by Japan's largest lake
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Hikone Castle entry
- Chikubushima boat cruise and island entry
- Glass workshop in Nagahama
- Omi-Hachiman canal boat
- Omi beef lunch
Yours — paid on the day
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Hikone or Nagahama)
- Optional glass purchases
- Optional clay discs on Chikubushima
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
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From¥292,000
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