Biwako Backroads

Biwako Backroads

Biwako Backroads
5
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About
We offer unique experiences for travelers looking to get away from busy cities and tourist attractions in favor of simple local communities where traditional culture blends naturally into modern life. Our goal is to offer more unique and memorable experiences for visitors who want to go beyond the typical tourist destinations. We also strive to sustain and protect our local culture and traditions.
Maibara, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Tours and Tickets by Biwako Backroads

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles33 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

lazy_tiger81
Singapore, Singapore19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Booked a solo private tour for 2 days. In short, the experience was fantastic. I had 2 wonderful guides, Takako and Ryoko, who are locals with intimate knowledge of the history, culture and geography of the area. They spared no effort to ensure tour participants are comfortable and engaged. We toured on foot and bike, covering many interesting features of the lake area, each with their own unique back story (I won't share any spoilers here!). If you are in the area or want to escape the maddening crowds in Kyoto, their guided tours should certainly be on your list. T & R, thanks again for sharing your time and places with me!
Written November 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Grace M
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Friends
This experience was definitely a highlight of me and my friend's trip! From scheduling the tour to its completion, this was a smooth, personalized, and overall extremely pleasant experience. Tako was very proactive in giving us all the information we needed, such as itenerary and directions. Our tour guide, Ryo, was amazing! She was so welcoming, showing us around her hometown and the nearby towns. Ryo invited us to her own home, where we got to meet her family and adorable dog, all while enjoying refreshing tea and snacks! Ryo also made the tour very personalized for us, as we found out there was a summer festival in the neighboring town, so Ryo took us there after we were finished biking. Overall, a lovely look into the scenery and lives of peaceful and rural Lake Biwa life.
Written July 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yoko_Inagaki
Osaka7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Business
Rare opportunity to see the real local culture living with Biwa lake. We enjoyed so much talking with brewers and temple wives.
Highly recommended to someone looking for authentic experience. Perfect one day activity from Kyoto!
Written June 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bella
Hikone, Japan5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My friends and I went on the Half-Day Bike Tour around Maibara, Japan. The weather was perfect and the mountain bikes were high quality so it was easy to ride around. The tour was laid back and super fun with funny conversations. Our guide, Matsui-san, shared interesting information about the local area stopping here and there throughout the ride. Unmatched authentic Japan experience that we wouldn’t have had if we hadn’t chosen to do this bike tour. If you or your friends like nature, culture, and exploring more rural areas this will definitely be up your alley. We highly recommend to any couple, family, of group of friends! It was the highlight of my japan trip!!
Written March 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MB_Japan
Tokyo, Japan14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
This itinerary was Day 2 of a two day trip with Biwako Backroads and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. Our guide Ryoko was the perfect ambassador for her hometown area of Shiga, introducing us to the most scenic countryside spots on our morning cycle and then helping us connect with locals in Kinomoto brewery town in the afternoon. Golden rice fields, fall foliage, an ancient tea field, local sake and soy sauce tasting ... this was a memorable day.
Written December 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HKO
14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had a terrific bike tour with Tako. It was great to get out of the city and take a break from seeing temples for a day. Cycling through some small villages and along the lake was fun for my 11 year old daughter as well. At the end, Tako even gave us a ride to Hikone Castle--talk about above and beyond service!
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jan
Thornbury, Canada7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Taco met us at the station in Maibara. We noticed right away that her command of English was excellent. The bicycles were brand new . We enjoyed seeing the small villages and rice paddies of the local farmers . We had a nice ride down to Lake Biwa on a lot of backroads . Very safe and relatively easy for beginners. Nice break from hustle and bustle of Kyoto. Highly recommend this excursion.
Written October 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sightseer826111
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
My daughter and I did an ebike tour of Nagahama City with Biwako Backroads. It was by far our FAVORITE experience from the entire trip. Our guide was knowledgeable and kind. The ebikes were super fun - what a wonderful way to experience village life in Japan outside of the major cities!

The tour provided us with opportunities to learn about Shinto and Buddhist shrines, visit a pure land Buddhist temple, see some beautiful countryside, and we made and ate amazing food! If you're looking for a unique and memorable experience where you'll be well cared for, don't miss the chance to take one of their tours!
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Renae D
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Friends
This was hands down the best adventure I had ever taken. Touring around rural towns, the rice fields and the temple stops were just amazing. My friend and I had a great time and will definitely recommend.
Written May 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cidean B.
Spanish Town, Jamaica8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Friends
I work in a profession where taking a break sometimes feels like a luxury. There’s always so much to plan, so much to execute and so little time for everything to be done that it’s easy to overlook the fact that breaks are needed.

That’s basically what this tour was for me. It was an chance for me to disconnect from the hustle called “life” and take a moment to pause, and appreciate those moments my friend and I spent cycling through the beautiful and peaceful towns between Takatsuki and Kinomoto Station.

PROS

- We were provided one of the warmest individuals as a tour guide. She met us at the Takatsuki JR Station and guided us all the way to Kinomoto Juzo-in Joshin-Jo Temple we’re we met a few locals and paid tributes (very, very optional). She rode ahead of us and stopped intermittently to allow us an opportunity to rehydrate and learn a bit about the various places we visited.

- Lunch was included. The best way for me to describe this meal is a “Taste of Nagahama.” (see picture attached). I understand - quite generic - but, it’s truly what this felt like to me. We had a mix of sweet and savory items. And of course, soup and rice. This was a meal that was prepared by the wife of a Buddhist at the Kinomoto Juzo-in Joshin-Jo Temple.

- Nature. It was everywhere. Tall, towering trees, rice paddy fields that spread for miles and the sounds of birds everywhere. Just riding through nature was de-stressing for me. It allowed me to calm down and I found myself saying several times: “I would really live here” because I enjoyed that moment so much.

CONS

- To be very honest, I can’t think of any at this time. If any does come up, I’ll be sure to update this.

But, overall, it was a day well spent outdoors and I’d definitely do this again; whether by myself or with a friend or few. It’s a nice way to bond, de-stress and relax while being surrounded by nature and getting in some exercise.
Written May 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Biwako Backroads - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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