Lake Biwa Private Tour by Fishing Boat From Nagahama, Shiga
Overview
Explore the north of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, on a private chartered fishing-boat cruise. With guides who work the lake every day, this tour promises unique insights — and a stop at the hidden village of Sugaura!
Highlights
- Cruise around Lake Biwa with a fisherman guide who knows the waters like no other
- Book the English option to hear stories of life on the lake from a working fisherman
- Explore Sugaura Village, an ancient settlement isolated on a rugged peninsula
- Choose your own adventure: cruise past fisheries, a sacred island, or the highlight of your choice
- Visit in springtime for amazing views of Lake Biwa’s cherry blossoms
Key Information
Important Information
• Children aged 0–8 may ride for free, but there is a limit of 2 free children per paying adult. From 3 children, the free will be 2,500yen per person. • The weather at Lake Biwa is unpredictable; if we have to cancel the tour due to weather, we will inform you by the morning of your tour (at the latest), to refund or reschedule • This tour is available all year round, but is more likely to be cancelled in winter due to snow, so we recommend booking in warmer months • You are welcome to request any stops within range of the cruise, but please be aware that weather and other conditions must be considered when deciding the course on the day
- To prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, please do not board the boat if you feel unwell
- Life jackets must be worn at all times
Booking
Description
The largest freshwater lake in Japan, Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture is a highlight of the Kansai region, with more than a few ways to explore it. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, though, head to Onoe Port in Nagahama, and take a cruise on a converted fishing boat!
Exploring the lake with a fisherman as your guide, you can expect unique insights far beyond what you’d get on a more commercialized cruise. You’ll also support the grassroots economy in the process! What’s more, this is a private cruise, which means that you will have the boat and your guide to yourselves.
This tour is available every day for departures between 10:00 and 15:00. It lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and roughly follows this example itinerary:
10:00 — Meet your local guide at Onoe Port. 10:05 — Put on your life jacket, and board the converted fishing boat. 10:10 — Cruise Lake Biwa and hear tales of life on the lake from your fisherman guide. 10:40 — Arrive at Sugaura Village, go ashore, and stroll around this unique settlement to see the traditional houses and structures. Almost inaccessible except by boat, Sugaura remained self-governing for centuries, and has some truly unique sights awaiting discovery. 11:10 — Back on the boat, your guide will happily visit any highlights of northern Lake Biwa that you choose (weather and season permitting). You may have some requests after hearing the fisherman’s tales. If not, we recommend a stop at Chikubu Island. This small island, with legends going back over 1,000 years, has a sacred shrine and an ancient temple, with remnants from the time when feudal warlords made Nagahama their base. 11:40 — Arrive back and disembark at Onoe Port, where the tour ends.