【Cycling Tour】Elegance & History in SAKAMOTO | ~Discover the Real Japan~

Cycling Tours

Connect with the history of Sakamoto!

Flow of experience

Arrive at O'PAL: ・Meet your guide!
・Bicycle explanation
・Safety talk

Departure!: Set off on cycling tour!

Forgotten Temples & Forest Road: This course will take you through a serene and beautiful forest road as you head toward Sakamoto (a staff favorite!) Along the way, your guide will take you through Anraku Ritsuin Temple, a former training temple for Buddhist monks and a filming spot for the movie 'Rurouni Kenshin.'

Lunch Time!: Your choice of lunch. Your guide will be happy to take you to Sakamoto's specialty "Honke Tsuruki Soba" and "Fuyoen Honkan" where you can enjoy a traditional Japanese meal with a garden view!

Your choice of experience!: Choose between a Zen meditation experience at Saikyoji Temple, or a sutra-copying (calligraphy) experience at Shiga-in Monseki Temple.

Optional detours!: Your choice of visiting the Former Kyuchikurin-in satobo with a beautiful Japanese garden or a break at a local cafe for coffee/tea and mochi!

Experience content

This is a guided cycling tour through the Sakamoto area of Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
Sakamoto is known as the “gateway town to Mt. Hiei,” and is filled with history and culture, such as satobo (monk retirement homes) and Anoshu-zumi stone masonry, a classic style of stone masonry that is used in many castle and temple walls throughout Japan.

Intermediate level
Time required: 6 hours (about 3 hours riding time)
Distance: about 18 km

Sakamoto has always flourished as the gate town of Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple. On the course itself you will enjoy a scenery unique to Shiga that includes both Lake Biwa, the surrounding mountains, and a serene forest road.
This tour also includes a cultural experience of your choice! Please choose between a Zen meditation experience at Saikyoji Temple, or a sutra-copying (calligraphy) experience at Shiga-in Monseki Temple.

Your guide will also take you to the Former Chikurin-in, a former satobo in Sakamoto, where you can enjoy a beautiful Japanese garden and traditional matcha tea. If time allows, please ask your guide to take you to a local sweets cafe for mochi rice cakes and tea/coffee!

Plan Features

This is a guided tour!
In addition to taking you along the most comfortable and beautiful routes, your guide will teach you about the history and culture of the area.
Bicycle explanations will be given prior to departure.
Electric bicycles are recommended for the Sakamoto course.
Customers will choose where to have lunch!
We recommend a local traditional restaurant with Japanese style cuisine.
The Sakamoto course includes a peaceful forest road-- a staff favorite!
You will have an exhilarating ride on your bicycle!
Sakamoto is filled with Anoshu-zumi stone masonry walls. Especially beautiful in contrast to the changes colors of autumn!
Anraku Ritsuin, the location for the movie Rurouni Kenshin.
It is an often overlooked place that almost seems frozen in time.

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Plan Details

Plan name: Elegance & History in SAKAMOTO | ~Discover the Real Japan~

Availability: Year-round (Best seasons: Spring and Autumn)

Minimum participants: 2 - 5 participants

Requirements: Height of 140 cm or above

Cost: Cross bike:
Group of 2: 29,700 yen/person 　　　
Group of 3: 23,100 yen/person
Group of 4: 19,800 yen/person
Group of 5: 17,600 yen/person

E-bike:
Group of 2: 31,900 yen/person
Group of 3: 25,300 yen/person
Group of 4: 22,000 yen/person
Group of 5: 19,800 yen/person

*All prices include tax

Included in cost: Bicycle rental, tour guide, helmet, key, accident insurance, choice of experience (entrance fee, experience fee), former Chikurin-in temple entrance fee
*lunch and cafe visits not included

Time: Approx. 6 hrs. (hours can be shortened if necessary)

Time slots: 10 a.m.

What to expect: 10:30 a.m. departure

What to bring: Seasonally appropriate clothing
Sunglasses, gloves, athletic shoes
Two-strap backpack, water, rain gear

Clothing: Seasonally appropriate clothing, gloves

Cancellation policy: 2 days prior to tour start: 40
1 day prior to tour start: 50%.
Cancellation on the day of the tour or no notice on the day of the tour: 100%.

Inquiries: Email: biwako@o-pal.com
TEL: 077-579-7111

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Access

Address: O'PAL OPTEX Co., Ltd.
5-265-1 Ogoto, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
〒520-0101
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Access

■By car: 15 min. via Meishin Kyoto Higashi IC; 5 min. via Kosei Bypass Ogi Ogoto IC.

■By train: 20 min. via JR Kosei Line from JR Kyoto Station (get off at Ogoto Onsen Station).
Approx. 12 min walk from station.
*Please use a local train. Rapid Express trains do not stop at Ogoto Onsen Station.

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