HYART's Shiga One-Day Private Tour: 6 Model Courses and How to Choose

For travelers visiting Kansai with Shiga as a base, one of the first decisions is which of the six available courses to choose. HYART provides full-day private tours of Shiga with multilingual coordinators (English, Chinese, Thai, and Indonesian), visiting sites such as Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, Chikubushima Island, Shigaraki pottery studios, and Hikone Castle. Each course is built around a different theme, and the right choice depends on your group's interests and travel purpose.

What Every Course Has in Common: 12 Hours, Private Vehicle, Hamaotsu Departure

All six model courses depart from Hamaotsu (hotel pickup) at 8:30 and return by approximately 20:30 — a full 12-hour day. All transportation is by private vehicle, so there are no train transfers or luggage logistics to manage. Lunch and dinner are included in every course; dinner is Omi beef teppanyaki at Matsukiya, the same for all six courses.

The Six Model Courses

Course 1 | Enryakuji Temple and Zen Experience

Built around the theme of stillness, this course centres on a Zen meditation session at Enryakuji Temple, a dharma talk with a resident priest, and shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian lunch) at the temple hall. The afternoon includes pilgrimage through Konpon Chudo and Yokawa, followed by the Biwako Terrace via ropeway — a viewing space overlooking Lake Biwa. The day ends with a stop at Ukimido Floating Pavilion before dinner. Well suited to travelers interested in Japanese spiritual culture or those looking for a qualitative contrast to urban sightseeing. Note: tea ceremony and matcha tasting are not included in this course.

Course 2 | Shirahige Shrine and Chikubushima Cruise

Themed around sacred sites on the lake, this course combines the iconic torii gate of Shirahige Shrine — standing in the waters of Lake Biwa — with a ferry crossing to Chikubushima Island (Hogon-ji Temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine). The ferry from Imazu Port takes approximately 30 minutes each way, with views of the island and surrounding lake that are memorable from the water. The afternoon includes a walk through Makino Highland's metasequoia avenue and a cafe stop. Particularly popular with travelers who prioritise photogenic settings or small groups seeking a scenic day.

Course 3 | Lake Biwa Michigan Cruise and Sosui Canal Boat

Themed as a journey by water, this course begins with the Michigan paddleboat cruise from Hamaotsu Port — lunch on board while circling Lake Biwa — before transferring to the Biwako Sosui Canal Boat at the Otsu Sluice Gate and travelling by water toward the Nanzenji Temple area in Kyoto. The Biwako Sosui is a historic canal built during the Meiji era to connect Lake Biwa and Kyoto; riding it as an active working waterway is an experience that rarely appears in standard tourist itineraries.

Course 4 | Shigaraki Pottery and Matcha Experience (the only course with matcha)

Themed as hands-on cultural craft, this course includes a wheel-throwing pottery lesson under the guidance of a Shigaraki master (approximately 2 hours) and a matcha tasting featuring Asami and Wazuka teas. Of the six courses, this is the only one that includes a matcha experience. Shigaraki ware is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns — a tradition of unglazed, fire-marked ceramics that has continued for centuries. International shipping of completed ceramics can be discussed separately.

Course 5 | Hikone Castle, Water Town, and La Collina

Themed as history, nature, and contemporary design, this course combines a visit to Hikone Castle and Genkyuen Garden with a private boat ride through the canals of Omihachiman's historic water town, followed by a cafe stop at La Collina Omihachiman. Hikone Castle is one of only four Japanese castles designated as a National Treasure, retaining its original Edo-period keep. La Collina Omihachiman — operated by Taneya and Club Harie — integrates architecture, nature, and traditional confectionery craft in a way that is distinctive to the region.

Course 6 | Food Sample Craft and Sakamoto / Mii-dera

Themed as tradition and contemporary craft, this course visits the stone-walled streets of Sakamoto — a historic temple town that preserves the distinctive masonry of the Anoushu stonewall craftsmen — alongside Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine and Mii-dera (Onjoji Temple), before heading by private vehicle to Sanjo, Kyoto, for a food-sample making session at Cotocoto+. The food-sample experience is a craft session where participants work with artisans to create highly realistic model dishes and take the results home. Well suited to families with children or travelers who value making something over observing.

What Private Tour Format Provides

HYART's private tours include a multilingual coordinator throughout the day — managing logistics, providing cultural commentary, and handling communication at restaurants, shrines, and transit points. The private vehicle eliminates the need for train transfers or luggage management. The six model courses are templates; adjustments based on group composition or timing can be discussed in advance.

That said, HYART does not accommodate large general tour groups. Travelers looking primarily to minimise costs or those who prefer a standard package tour format would be better served by a conventional travel agency. For itineraries that include Kansai Airport pickup, see Kansai Airport Private Transfer and Shiga Tour. For small group and women's travel, see A Private Day in Shiga for Small Groups. For more on why experienced travelers choose Shiga, see Beyond Kyoto: What Repeat Japan Visitors Discover in Shiga.

If you'd like to discuss which course fits your group, discuss your tailor-made plan with our coordinators.