Lake Kasumigaura Cycling Tour & Lotus Root Digging Experience in Ibaraki Prefecture
Overview
Ride along the shore of Lake Kasumigaura, taking in magnificent views and stopping at idyllic rest spots along the way. Suitable for all abilities, the cycling tour is followed by a chance to dig up lotus roots in Ibaraki (the country’s biggest) and then cook and eat this Japanese delicacy for yourself.
Highlights
- Visit Ibaraki, Japan’s biggest producer of lotus root and dig some for yourself while learning from local farmers
- Learn lotus root histories and recipes, then cook and eat your fresh harvest!
- Cycle along the lakeside with a guide to show you the best rest spots
- Take in magnificent views of Kasumigaura on this family-friendly tour
- Adventure in Ibaraki at your own pace, enjoying a variety of encounters and interesting spots along the way
Key Information
Important Information
- Please note this tour is mainly conducted in Japanese, but there will be a short introductory lecture in English for those who choose an English-language option (you may also arrange your own interpreter if you wish)
- Participants should be 150 cm or taller
- Elementary- and middle-school students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; high-school students must have consent of a parent or guardian to attend
- Lunch is not included in the tour price
- Showers after lotus-root digging are not included in the price; please bring coins (200 JPY/15 minutes)
- Lotus root can be taken away as a souvenir, but note it cannot be carried or shipped overseas
- If we don't reach the minimum number of participants for this tour (2), we will inform you at least 7 days before the tour to refund or reschedule
- In case of heavy rain, the tour will be canceled; we will contact you 2 days in advance to discuss the weather on the tour date
- Please make your own reservations if you wish to stay nearby overnight
- Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
Booking (4 steps)
Duration
Included
• Japanese-speaking tour guide • Short English explanation, English support tools at key points • Bicycle rental • Oversuit for digging lotus root • Lotus root cooking lesson • Harvested lotus root to take home (optional) • Insurance
Not Included
• Transportation to/from the meeting place • Lunch (about 700–1,700 JPY) • Showers after lotus-root digging (200 JPY/15 minutes) • Accommodation in Ibaraki • Interpreter
What to Bring
• Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty while digging in the mud • Optional: shampoo and other amenities (available at the store in the Koryu Center)
Meeting Point
Kasumigaura City Koryu Center (Cultural Exchange Center)
Venue Address
Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Schedule
Offered every day from September through March: • 10:30 — Gather at the meeting point; cycling tour explanation • 11:00 — Cycling tour along Kasumigaura lakeside • 12:00 — Lunch at Kasumigaura City Koryu Center in Kasumi Kitchen on 2nd floor (at own expense) • 13:00 — Digging for lotus root & explanation of lotus root history • 13:15 — Cycling to the lotus root digging site • 13:30 — Digging for lotus root • 15:00 — Arrive back at Kasumigaura City Koryu Center; shower and change clothes (showers to be paid separately) • 15:30 — Recipe explanation; lotus root cooking • 16:30 — Dismissal
Provided by
Kasumigaura Ridequest (Japan)
Description
Dive into the culture of rural Japan, on a truly unique cycling tour around Lake Kasumigaura in Ibaraki Prefecture, culminating in the distinctly local experience of harvesting a Japanese delicacy — lotus root!
Lotus root, or “renkon,” is a classic ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and Ibaraki produces more of it than any other prefecture in Japan. On this tour, you’ll learn what it’s like to dig up renkon like a local, but not before taking in the local scenery on a picturesque cycling tour around Lake Kasumigaura.
You’ll enjoy a pleasant ride around the country’s second-largest lake, on an easy course suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. Your guide ensures you find the best rest spots along the way, so you can take in the scenic views and enjoy the ride at an easy pace.
After your ride, you’ll meet local farmers and learn first-hand how they harvest this popular root that feeds the nation. Dig up some renkon yourself, then cook it on the barbeque for a taste of real Japan.
