株式会社和でん
A journey through old town sophistication and lakeside serenity
This trip lets you experience the old-town Edo atmosphere and sophisticated lifestyle in Tokyo, and then takes you to Shiga to see the vast Lake Biwa and interact with the local traditional culture.
Tour Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens, Kuramae, Ningyocho, Monzennakacho and enjoy the lovely old fashioned townscapes and delicious local foods.
Then, travel to Shiga and experience a taste of the relaxing slow life through such destinations and activities as Biwako Valley and the scenery of the Biwako Terrace, the historic views of Hachimanbori, a pottery making workshop at Ogama, and a brewery tour at Fujii Honke.
Destination
Itinerary
3Days
Transport
JR(Shinkansen＋Local Line)
Tokyo to Otsu
Tokyo to Otsu
About
2 hours
20 minutes
2 hours
20 minutes
*The times represent the approximate time needed to travel between major spots.
Day 1
Stroll through old towns in Tokyo and interact with the atmosphere of Edo
This tour will let you experience a serenity of daily life unlike usual glamor of Tokyo with visits to see the seasonal flowers at Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens, the old-town atmosphere of Ningyocho, Kuramae with its culture of young craftsmen, and Monzennakacho, where food culture coexists with temples and shrines. Experience the depth of Japan’s capital by learning of the atmosphere and lifestyles of Edo which quietly live on in this major city.
1
Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens
During the Bunka-Bunsei period (1804-1830), when Edo townspeople's culture flourished, Sahara Kikuu, who operated an antique shop, collaborated with literary figures and artists from Edo with whom he had become friends to create and open a private flower garden, centered around the appreciation of flowering plants and trees.
When it opened, the garden was primarily composed of 360 plum trees, but later plants mentioned in classical literature, such as the Book of Songs (Shijing) and the Man'yōshū, were collected to ensure flowers would bloom throughout the four seasons. The name "Hyakkaen" (Hundred Flowers Garden) is said to derive from either "plum blossoms bloom before all other flowers" or "a garden where a hundred flowers of the four seasons bloom in profusion."
Hyakkaen was created by the leading cultural figures of its time as a garden that is both accessible to common people and rich in literary taste, possessing a beauty distinct from that of daimyo gardens such as Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien.
When it opened, the garden was primarily composed of 360 plum trees, but later plants mentioned in classical literature, such as the Book of Songs (Shijing) and the Man'yōshū, were collected to ensure flowers would bloom throughout the four seasons. The name "Hyakkaen" (Hundred Flowers Garden) is said to derive from either "plum blossoms bloom before all other flowers" or "a garden where a hundred flowers of the four seasons bloom in profusion."
Hyakkaen was created by the leading cultural figures of its time as a garden that is both accessible to common people and rich in literary taste, possessing a beauty distinct from that of daimyo gardens such as Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien.
2
Kuramae Area
Kuramae is also called "Tokyo's Brooklyn" and is a creative area spread along the banks of the Sumida River. With a history of flourishing as a traditional wholesale district, it now features scattered cafes, workshops for leather goods and general merchandise, and design shops, where young creators gather, creating a fusion of artisan culture and modern sensibilities. Within walking distance from Asakusa, visitors can enjoy strolling and cafe-hopping while experiencing Tokyo's traditional downtown atmosphere. Many markets and events are held on weekends, making it a spot where you can simultaneously enjoy tourism and local culture.
Photo provided by: Taito City
3
Ningyocho
Amazake Alley is the small approximately 400-meter long street extending from the Amazake Yokocho Intersection just outside Ningyocho Station to Meijiza. It was given the name "Amazake Alley" because there used to be a shop selling amazake (sweet sake) at the entrance to the alley during the early Meiji Period. Even now amazake is sold at the many sake, Japanese-style confectionary, and other shops, and many people love walking down this alley to experience the Shitamachi (old Tokyo downtown) atmosphere.
©AFLO
4
Monzen-nakacho
Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, famous for the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, one of the three great festivals of Edo, and Fukagawa Fudo Hall, with its impressive main hall whose exterior walls are inscribed with mantras of Fudo Myoo (Acala), attract many worshippers each day. The shopping streets are lined with long-established shops and restaurants, and renowned stores, allowing visitors to take a stroll while enjoying food. The area's proximity to Tokyo Bay and the Sumida River is also appealing, as the waterfront scenery displays different atmospheres throughout the four seasons.
Days 2 to 3
The slow life of Shiga colored by Lake Biwa and traditional culture
Starting at Biwako Valley and the Biwako Terrace which feature vast and beautiful scenery, experience the appeals of Shiga woven by nature and the lives of the people through visits to see the riverside atmosphere of Hachimanbori, join a pottery workshop at Ogama, and take a brewery tour at Fujii Honke. This itinerary lets you unwind and relax in an environment that has yet to experience over-tourism, and enjoy the slow-life of Shiga.
5
Biwako Valley
At an elevation of 1,100 meters, the summit offers a panoramic view of Lake Biwa and features areas where you can enjoy the most that nature has to offer, including the Biwako Terrace that attracts guests from around the world. In winter, it can be enjoyed as a full-scale ski resort. This is a conveniently accessible resort, located about 40 minutes from Kyoto Higashi I.C. and close to Kansai International Airport.
© Alpina BI Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
6
Ogama
Ogama, a place that creates lifestyle and culture through ceramics, conveying and sharing the richness of our times.
Japan's traditional craftsmanship has been passed down to the present day not merely by preserving the old, but by constantly incorporating the novelty of each era. As pottery makers, we cherish the spirit of working with clay, an ancient material, while proposing objects and experiences that align with contemporary sensibilities.
At Ogama, we embody the above philosophy through three services: the shop, pottery experiences, and accommodation. The pottery experiences allow you to feel the clay from which Shigaraki-yaki ceramics are made, while the accommodation gives you the chance to experience life surrounded by Shigaraki pottery. The adjacent shop allows you to purchase any pieces you liked during your stay, making this a facility where you can experience Shigaraki ceramics with all five senses.
Japan's traditional craftsmanship has been passed down to the present day not merely by preserving the old, but by constantly incorporating the novelty of each era. As pottery makers, we cherish the spirit of working with clay, an ancient material, while proposing objects and experiences that align with contemporary sensibilities.
At Ogama, we embody the above philosophy through three services: the shop, pottery experiences, and accommodation. The pottery experiences allow you to feel the clay from which Shigaraki-yaki ceramics are made, while the accommodation gives you the chance to experience life surrounded by Shigaraki pottery. The adjacent shop allows you to purchase any pieces you liked during your stay, making this a facility where you can experience Shigaraki ceramics with all five senses.
提供 Ogama
7
Hachimanbori-meguri boat ride
Hachiman-bori has a long history and has been used as a filming location for movies and television dramas. Long ago, this canal was built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu (nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and connected to Lake Biwa, with boats carrying commercial goods traveling back and forth. It is a great place to enjoy the changing seasonal scenery: cherry blossoms in spring, willows in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter.
Please leisurely enjoy the peaceful and atmospheric scenery of Hachiman-bori, lined with white-walled storehouses, from aboard a traditional Japanese boat.
Please leisurely enjoy the peaceful and atmospheric scenery of Hachiman-bori, lined with white-walled storehouses, from aboard a traditional Japanese boat.
株式会社和でん
8
FUJII HONKE
Home of brands such as Kyokujitsu, Biwa no Mai, and Toji no Mai.
The Fujii Honke brewery was established in 1831 and has been in the sake brewing business for generations since the Edo period. It is also a brewery honored with the privilege of presenting sacred sake (white sake) to the Imperial Court for the Niinamesai harvest festival.
Master brewers craft sake using the pinnacle of their technical expertise, using underground water from Aichi River, which originates from the Suzuka mountain range extending through eastern Omi near Lake Biwa, and premium sake rice varieties from Omi, including Tamasakae.
The Fujii Honke brewery was established in 1831 and has been in the sake brewing business for generations since the Edo period. It is also a brewery honored with the privilege of presenting sacred sake (white sake) to the Imperial Court for the Niinamesai harvest festival.
Master brewers craft sake using the pinnacle of their technical expertise, using underground water from Aichi River, which originates from the Suzuka mountain range extending through eastern Omi near Lake Biwa, and premium sake rice varieties from Omi, including Tamasakae.
*The information provided here is as of December 2025.
*Transportation information does not include the number of transfers or transfer time.
*Admission fees may be charged depending on the spot/facility. For the latest information on business hours, days when spots/facilities are regularly closed, prices, etc., please check the official website for each spot/facility or check directly with the spot/facility.
*Transportation information does not include the number of transfers or transfer time.
*Admission fees may be charged depending on the spot/facility. For the latest information on business hours, days when spots/facilities are regularly closed, prices, etc., please check the official website for each spot/facility or check directly with the spot/facility.
update: Dec.16.2025