Day Trips from Kyoto to Otsu

Immerse yourself in the rhythms and traditions of life in a Japanese village during this visit to the town of Ogi, including a ‘mochi’-making lesson (Japanese rice cakes). Walk amidst the terraced rice fields of this picturesque town, discovering its more than 1,300 years of rice farming history. Then visit the home of a local farmer, learning the techniques to make ‘mochi’ while enjoying the warm hospitality of this friendly resident and his wife. A guide, plus lunch, and mochi class are included.

Learn about the roof architecture of Japan's traditional shrines and temples with this half-day tour, just a short train ride away from Kyoto. After meeting your guide, you'll get the lowdown on some of the famous tiled monuments around Japan, then enjoy behind-the-scenes visits to two renowned artisan workshops to see craftsmen at work. You'll finish with a visit to the Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, the roof of which was made by the aforementioned craftsmen.