From Nagoya: Castles and Canals in Hikone and Omi Hachiman

Our first stop of the tour is Hikone Castle—one of the best-preserved castles in Japan and a National Treasure. It is one of only twelve original castles left from the Edo-era. A number of its buildings have been designated Important Cultural Properties. Your guide will lead you through the castle grounds and into the keep, explaining unique features of the castle along the way.

We’ll then have time for a relaxing stroll through Genkyu-en Garden. The garden, designed to resemble a palace garden from China, features a central pond with walking trails and offers incredible views of the castle. You’ll have the opportunity to taste Matcha tea and a traditional Japanese sweet in a teahouse that was once used to entertain the castle lord’s guests.

Here you will have time for lunch and a bit of shopping. The region is famous for premium wagyu, and plenty of shops sell the delicacy prepared as croquettes, skewers, hot pots, and more. Feel free to ask your guide for recommendations, or let your nose lead the way. But don’t forget to leave room for dessert later on in the tour!

We will make our way to the canal district of Omi Hachiman where you can cruise the historic waterways while taking in the picturesque views of the castle town. Movie lovers may find the sights familiar as this location is often used in historical dramas and films. Of course, your guide will be available to help you take photos that will make your friends and family envious. Please note, the boat tour may be canceled due to the weather. Additionally, we can not guarantee a seat on the boat tour for guests who book this tour less than one week in advance. From here, we will return to the tour bus and head back to your meeting point to say our goodbyes there.

Our last stop will be La Collina. This confectionary shop is part nature preserve and part theme park. It’s surrounded by nature and serves up a wide variety of popular seasonal confections. Originally a bakery, the owners developed a deep appreciation for natural ingredients and thus decided to turn their shop into a nature preserve where they could grow their own ingredients and be in tune with the seasons. The shop has been described as Ghibli-like in appearance and is a great location for photography lovers. Of course, the desserts are not to be missed either.