10:00AM

After a scenic 40-minute train ride from JR Kyoto station, you will arrive at JR Shiga station (KOSEI LINE). Meet our tour conductor in front of the ticket gate.

 From here, you will ride electric bicycles at your own pace along the lakeside, admiring the beautiful combination of Lake Biwa, ancient villages, and the Hira mountain range.

 Villagers who live around the lake have depended on Lake Biwa as their water source from ancient times. The lake water was used for drinking, washing, bathing, and farming.  Fish caught in the lake were also a major source of protein. Therefore, people naturally worshiped Lake Biwa, used its water with utmost respect and ensured they did not waste or foul it.

 In Hira district, the local people worshiped a huge array of Shinto deities from ancient times. As Buddhism gained more popularity, these Shinto deities merged with Buddhist beliefs. It is recorded that there used to be as many as 3,000 hermitages among the Hira mountains where the monks trained. Learn about the local people’s beliefs and life as you slowly pedal through the peaceful neighborhood.

11:00AM 

 Meeting farmers and participating in their seasonal activities such as planting or harvesting rice and vegetables offers a great chance to learn about farming life in rural Japan.

 Depending on the season, fresh vegetables that you harvest will be added to your meal at lunchtime.

12:00PM

 For lunch, you will visit a local home to learn how to cook delicious local dishes with homegrown fresh vegetables and rice. Menus are changed seasonally. Vegetarian dishes are also available.

 You will also have the chance to learn about local delicacies such as homemade salted plum or pickles that are completely free from artificial preservatives and utterly delicious. 

*This tour will be hosted by a family from the local village community group. We carefully select our hosts to ensure the quality of the tour. We gurantee that you will have a wonderful experience with any of our hosts.

14:00PM

 After lunch, we will gently pedal back to JR Shiga Station, enjoying the breeze from the lake and reflecting on the day's events before returning by train with fond memories of a special adventure.

 A short program about this e-bike tour was broadcasted on a local television channel. 

 The narration is in Japanese however you can turn on English subtitles. 

 Please view the beautiful surroundings of Lake Biwa and spend an intimate time with our friendly tour leader & host family. 

Fully booked from March to the end of June and from October to November 23, 2025.

Reservations from March to May, including the waitlist, are now closed.

We will not be responding to tour applications or cancellation requests.

Thank you for your understanding.