Experience Visiting a Local Farmer and Mochi Rice Cake Making

Highlights

Learn how to make mochi rice cakes with a guide to translate for you
Visit local towns like Ogi that would be difficult to get to alone
Lunch and taxi ride is included

Summary

Take the train from Kyoto to Ogotoonsen station (own expense) and meet your guide at a pre-arranged spot. Then, travel together in a taxi to Ogi village, set in the Japanese countryside. Learn about the local agriculture, as you walk through the rice fields, which date back 1,300 years. Understand the importance of Shintoism to Japanese people by visiting the Ogura shrine. A highlight of the day is visiting a local rice farmer’s house. You are handed a giant mallet, and take part in a mochi rice cake making lesson. As you bash steaming sticky rice, it begins to form into a dough for rice cakes. Learn about the local way of making mochi (with fermented soybeans), and also watch some other cooking preparations too. The local farmer makes sukiyaki (a type of hot pot with meat and vegetables) and tell you about local Japanese life. The tour will end at the train station.

Tour info

Duration

4 hours

Why take this tour?

Immerse yourself in Japanese traditions on this guided tour of the countryside outside Kyoto. Visit smaller villages that many travelers don’t see, and experience what life is like for local farmers. Learn how to make mochi (rice cakes), visit rice fields and a shrine, and hear about Japanese rituals. Your guide handles navigation and helps with translation, and included lunch and taxi fare make for a hassle-free trip.

What’s included?

Mochi rice cake making & Farm to table style lunch
Taxi fare
English-speaking local tour guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Entry/Admission - Ogura Shrine
Entry/Admission - Otsu
Gratuities
Drinks/bottled water
JR Kyoto Station Pickup charge
Round trip train fare between JR Kyoto and JR Ogotoonsen Station
Entry/Admission - Kyoto

Things to know

Before you book

Duration: 4h
Mobile tickets accepted

Covid Policy

Regular temperature checks for staff
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.

Operator Website

Operated by:

Tour du Lac Biwa

About operator:

Spend quality time with your family, friends or a special person at the tranquil lakeside which is a hidden gem away from all the main tourist's hot spots of Japan. On our tour, you can experience quality Japanese traditional life as well as cooking experience using plentiful fresh local vegetables and rice through heart-warming communication with our friendly local host families. We offer programs where you can enjoy the beautiful scenes of Lake Biwa or terraced rice fields either by bicycles or by foot at your own pace. Other programs are offered where one can learn about traditional local culture and art. All the tours are either private or as part of a small group attended by a guide to ensure the quality of your tour. Discover and participate in the traditions of Shiga life in un-crowded, natural surroundings. We believe that our tours offer a real heart to heart cross-cultural experience, which will remain as one of the highlights of your trip to Japan.