Custom Tours Rooted in Northern Lake Biwa Culture
In addition to our featured tours, we’re happy to create custom courses within the northern Lake Biwa region – whether that’s a visit to an island sanctuary, a peaceful day on the lake through cycling or canoeing, an exploration of local food and fermentation, or other regionally rooted experiences. We also welcome requests from schools, universities, and organizations seeking place-based learning or training programs rooted in the local culture of the Northern Lake Biwa region.
Below are a few themes and routes we often include in custom tours. Pricing depends on group size and itinerary. Please reach out through our Booking Page and we’ll be happy to prepare a sample schedule and estimate.
Chikubushima: Historic Island Sanctuary
Floating in the northern waters of Lake Biwa, Chikubushima is a small island, long revered as a gateway between this world and the divine. Though uninhabited, it is home to a shrine, temple, and museum, each steeped in centuries of legend and pilgrimage. We can help arrange your visit by ferry (available year-round) or, for a more intimate and adventurous journey, by local fisherman’s boat (spring to autumn).
Mt. Shizugatake: Scenic and Accessible
Mt. Shizugatake is one of our favorite scenic stops in Northern Shiga. This gentle peak offers panoramic views of both Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo, and its chairlift makes it easy to enjoy without strenuous hiking. Open from May to November, the summit area is especially beautiful in spring and autumn and pairs well with a visit to nearby Kinomoto Village.
Lake Activities: Explore at Your Own Pace
Lake Biwa offers a variety of ways to enjoy its quiet northern shores, from cycling along peaceful lakeside routes to canoeing across hidden coves and rivers. These activities, available from April to November, are perfect for travelers seeking a slower pace and a deeper connection with nature.
Local Foods & Fermentation
Northern Shiga’s food culture is rooted in the land and in centuries-old fermentation techniques. Discover the flavors of sake, soy sauce, pickles, and funazushi – an ancient fermented lake fish that predates modern sushi. In addition to our existing food tours, we can create itineraries with a special focus on fermentation, including tastings and visits with local fermentation masters and producers.
Villages of Quiet Prayer
Northern Shiga is home to a quiet yet enduring culture of Kannon worship, shaped by historical ties to Mount Hiei. More than 100 Kannon statues remain scattered across its villages – not in grand temples, but in modest halls, roadside shrines, and local gathering spaces. These sacred figures are still cared for by the people who live nearby. Prayer here isn’t a performance – it’s part of life, passed down through seasons, festivals, and everyday acts of devotion. We guide you into these villages not as a visitor to monuments, but as a guest in places where faith lives gently alongside daily life.
Seasonal Attractions
The rhythm of life here follows the seasons. We offer private access to local events and festivals, many of which are hard to join without local connections.
Spring
Cherry blossoms bloom along quiet paths and castle moats. Don’t miss the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival, where children perform kabuki on moving floats – a rare tradition recognized as World Cultural Heritage. A smaller version is held in Maibara in October.
Summer
Local fireworks displays light up the skies in Nagahama and Hikone. In Samegai, rare aquatic flowers (baikamo) bloom along clear streams in July and August.
Autumn
Enjoy evening visits to Genkyuen Garden with its chorus of insects, or take part in the more intimate Maibara Hikiyama Festival, including rehearsal and backstage access.
Winter
The Bonbaiten exhibition in Nagahama showcases plum-blossom bonsai trees, some centuries old. Snow also brings a hushed beauty to village paths, ideal for quiet walking tours.
Ready to Plan Your Journey?
Let us know your travel dates and interests through our Booking Page, and we’ll start crafting your custom Northern Shiga experience.