Enryaku-ji Temple
Temples & Shrines · Major Mount Hiei temple complex and Otsu’s strongest UNESCO-linked heritage anchor.
Zairon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
TOUR INFORMATION
Experience Overview
This private and customizable tour for Otsu (in Shiga Prefecture) is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.
Discover Otsu at your own pace on this fully customizable private tour with a professional English-speaking tour guide. Other languages may also be available upon request, depending on guide availability.
With many options and attractions to choose from in the city, it may seem easier to choose a set tour that is already available, but after you book this Custom Tour, Japan Awaits will work with you to create an itinerary based on your interests, preferences and selected tour duration.
After booking, you’ll receive a Custom Tour form where you can share your preferred locations, interests, hotel details, food preferences, preferred timing and other requests. Your itinerary will then be planned based on those preferences, your selected transportation option, operating hours, availability, route and what can realistically be covered within the booked time.
Requested attractions, activities and reservations are subject to availability. If a specific request cannot be arranged, suitable alternatives may be recommended.
Depending on the options available for your selected tour, you may be able to choose between public transport or a private vehicle with a personal driver. Transportation is selected as part of the booking process.
Included & Not Included
Included
- A fully customized tour for your selected duration, with itinerary planning based on your interests and preferences
- Standard restaurant and venue reservation support where applicable and compatible with the planned itinerary
- Transportation within the tour city according to the transportation option selected in your booking
- Professional English-speaking tour guide; other languages may be available upon request
- Hotel meeting, pickup and drop-off arrangements within the city covered by the selected tour, depending on your transportation option and itinerary
Not Included
- Meals, food and drinks for guests
- Entrance fees for guests and the tour guide, unless specifically arranged in advance
- Fees for optional tours and activities
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
LOCATIONS
Suggested Locations
Below are some of the locations that may be considered for your custom tour. Your final itinerary will be planned based on your interests, selected tour duration, transportation arrangement and preferences.
Mount Hiei & Sakamoto Heritage
A mountain-and-temple-town cluster combining one of Japan’s most important Buddhist complexes with historic Sakamoto and Hiyoshi Taisha.
Central Otsu History & Sacred Sites
Historic temples, shrines and the Lake Biwa Canal reveal the cultural layers of central Otsu.
Southern Otsu Temples & Shrines
Two important sacred sites in southern Otsu, pairing literary and architectural heritage with one of Omi Province’s principal shrines.
Lake Biwa Views & Culture
Otsu’s lakefront character comes through in iconic waterside scenery, a historic lakeside building and an art museum.
Other Locations
Other locations may also be requested. Locations outside Otsu will be reviewed based on your selected tour duration, transportation, route and availability.
MAP
Suggested Locations Map
Explore suggested locations that may be considered when planning your custom Otsu tour.
GOOD TO KNOW
Additional Information
Your Custom Tour Form
After booking, you’ll receive a Custom Tour form where you can share your interests, preferred locations, hotel details, food preferences, preferred timing and other requests.
Hotel Meeting, Pickup & Drop-off
Your tour can generally begin at your hotel or accommodation within Otsu. The exact arrangement will depend on your selected transportation option, itinerary and booked duration.
Standard Guide Service Hours
Custom Day Tours are generally scheduled within our standard guide service hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Earlier start times or later finishing times may be possible upon request, depending on itinerary requirements and guide availability.
Locations Outside Otsu
Same-day travel to locations outside the tour city may be possible depending on total travel time, selected tour duration, transportation, route and availability. Japan Awaits will review these requests individually.
BOOKING INFORMATION & Q&A
Before You Book
Review the booking information below and find answers to common questions about planning your custom Otsu tour.
Payment
All bookings are payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire.
Cancellation Policy
Moderate Cancellation Policy
30 days or less before the tour
25%
cancellation fee
21 days or less before the tour
50%
cancellation fee
14 days or less before the tour
100%
cancellation fee
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the custom tour work?
The locations shown on this page are suggestions rather than a fixed itinerary. You can request locations based on your interests and let us know about places you have already visited.
After booking, you’ll receive a Custom Tour form where you can share your interests, preferred locations, hotel details, food preferences, preferred timing and other requests.
Japan Awaits will then plan a recommended itinerary based on your preferences, selected tour duration, transportation option, operating hours, availability, route and what can realistically be covered within the booked time.
Where can the tour start and end, and can I visit locations outside Otsu?
Your tour can generally begin at your hotel or accommodation when it is located within Otsu, the city covered by this tour.
Depending on your selected transportation option, your guide may meet you at your hotel or a private vehicle may be arranged for pickup. Drop-off can also be planned within the booked tour time.
Same-day travel to nearby areas outside Otsu may also be possible. Japan Awaits will review the request based on total travel time, transportation, route, operating hours and what can realistically be covered within your selected tour duration.
What times can the tour run, and can I extend it on the day?
Standard guide service hours are generally between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Earlier start times or later finishes may be possible when requested in advance, depending on the itinerary and guide availability.
Your booked tour duration is the scheduled service time, so same-day extensions are not guaranteed.
Any extension must be arranged and approved by Japan Awaits in advance and is subject to guide and transportation availability.
Are meals, restaurant reservations and entrance fees included?
Meals, food and drinks for guests are not included unless specifically stated otherwise.
You can share your preferred cuisine, food interests, approximate budget range, dietary requirements and allergies through the Custom Tour form. Japan Awaits may assist with restaurant recommendations and reservations where they are compatible with the itinerary and availability.
Entrance fees for guests and the tour guide are also generally not included. For regular attractions, guests normally pay the applicable entrance fees during the tour.
If your itinerary includes an attraction requiring advance reservation or advance ticket purchase, Japan Awaits may be able to assist with the arrangement, subject to availability and applicable booking conditions.
Are there any additional fees I should know about?
There is no consultation fee for custom Single-Day Tours.
Once Japan Awaits has issued your Custom Itinerary Sheet, 15% of the total tour cost becomes non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
If your cancellation falls within the applicable cancellation policy above, the applicable cancellation charge will take precedence over the 15% Custom Itinerary Fee. The two charges are not applied separately.
Additional charges may apply where your request requires additional guide, vehicle, transportation or other services beyond the original booking, or where supplier, fare, payment-processing or currency-conversion costs are incurred.
Where an additional arrangement requires approval in advance, Japan Awaits will confirm the applicable cost before proceeding.
Looking for a different Japan travel service?
Japan Awaits also offers other custom travel services depending on your destination, itinerary and transportation needs.
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