The Journey Behind Biwako Backroads
Biwako Backroads began from a desire to share the quiet beauty of my hometown and a love for journeys that linger in your heart
I spent twelve years in the United States, starting with university in Michigan. When I returned, I saw my hometown with fresh eyes. The familiar landscapes, winding roads, and rhythms of daily life felt special in a way I hadn’t noticed before.
Even when I traveled abroad, I was always drawn to places where ordinary life could be felt, not tourist sites. Discovering a quiet backroad or a village untouched by crowds always stirred something in me. Our area is close to Kyoto and easily reached by bullet train, making it an accessible yet overlooked part of Japan. I began to wonder if others were also searching for places like this: quiet, authentic, and hidden from the crowds. That realization led me to start Biwako Backroads, to share this everyday life with visitors and guide them not to major sights but into the heart of daily living.
Through this work, I have witnessed my hometown’s quiet challenges: a declining population, fading traditions, and weakening community ties. These struggles are shared by rural communities across Japan. The places we visit are not tourist destinations but neighborhoods where people live, work, and carry on their daily lives.
So, we intentionally keep our tours private, small in size, and limited in number to avoid putting pressure on the local communities. This approach also allows us to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for our guests, where genuine connections can unfold. We hope each visit contributes to the local economy and helps sustain community life.
This is the future we hope to nurture, one quiet moment at a time. We would be honored to welcome you here.
Director of Biwako Backroads
Takako Matsui-Leidy
Our Primary Guides
We value real local culture. So, we rely on guides who are from the area and have strong local knowledge to guide you. Rather than simply introducing sightseeing spots, guides involved in the community can act as mediators and create opportunities to experience the values and communal ties that have brought prosperity to this charming little town since ancient times.
Takako (Tako) Matsui-Leidy
Tako is the main manager of the Biwako Backroads project as well as a fully licensed English guide. Aside from 11 years living in the US, Tako has spent most of her life in Shiga and is happy to share the local culture with you!
Ryo Kitano
A Nagahama native who has spent time as a translator, and is a licensed English guide. She’s into local nature, culture, history and food. She loves sharing the unique local culture that you won’t find anywhere else in Japan!
Asami Higashiyama
Asami is a travel lover, and licensed English guide. Her husband is a Buddhist monk, so she has all kinds of knowledge about Japanese temples. She loves meeting travelers, learning about their country and cultural exchange. She also speaks both English and Spanish fluently.
Hitomi Ishichi
Hitomi is our newest support guide, who has already been a big help! She is from our local area but has also spent time living abroad in New Zealand. As an avid snowboarder, she helps guide our more active and outdoor courses.
Support Guides
In addition to our primary guides, we also have a small network of friendly and knowledgeable guides providing back up and support as needed to ensure tour availability and a positive experience for our guests.
Our Tour Objectives
Local Sustainability Goals
Beyond sharing culture and connection, we hope each visit helps sustain the local economy, community, and traditions. By working with local guides, visiting local producers, and spending time within the flow of daily life, each tour offers direct economic support and helps to keep these communities vibrant as they embrace their unique heritage.
Preserving Local Tradition
We share local culture in a way that helps sustain it. Traditional crafts and customs are fading – not only from mass production, but also from an aging population. By introducing them to guests from around the world, we hope to inspire appreciation here too. What’s seen and valued is more likely to be carried on.
Community Spirit
Our tours are about more than seeing a place – they’re about becoming part of it. More travelers today are seeking real connection, not just sightseeing. We hope each encounter becomes a shared memory that brings meaning to both guests and hosts. In that way, the spirit of the community lives on – in those who visit, as well as the residents themselves.
Living With Nature
Nature has always been at the center of rural life in Japan, especially around Lake Biwa. Our tours include time outdoors, showing how people live in rhythm with land and water. Whether walking village paths or cycling through fields, every step deepens the connection, not only with nature, but also with those whose lives and traditions depend on it.