Just east of Kyoto, Shiga Prefecture stands out for its authentic drinking tours that showcase centuries-old brewing traditions.
I especially love the Rural Villages & Brewery Town cycling tour – it’s a perfect mix of outdoor activity and sake tasting, with visits to two family-run breweries.
The Rural Brewery Town Walk through historic Kinomoto is another gem, combining sake and traditional soy sauce production in one enriching afternoon.
For food lovers, the Buddhist Temple Cooking and Brewery Town Walk brilliantly pairs temple cuisine lessons with local brewery exploration.
Let’s explore my favorite drinking tours in Shiga.
Key Points
- Biwako Backroads offers a private 1-day cycling tour in Shiga Prefecture near Kyoto, featuring light refreshments, lunch, and alcoholic beverage tasting.
- The 5-star rated “Rural Brewery Town Walk” tour in Kinomoto, Shiga provides insights and tastings at three local breweries, including sake and soy sauce producers.
- The “Buddhist Temple Cooking and Brewery Town Walk” tour combines a hands-on cooking workshop with brewery exploration in Shiga, suitable for ages 20 and above.
- Shiga Prefecture, near Kyoto, is home to several highly-rated drinking tours that showcase the region’s brewing traditions and local specialties.
- Accessibility and transportation details are provided for the Shiga Prefecture drinking tours, including convenient train access from Kyoto.
Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto
Venture into the picturesque rural landscape of Shiga Prefecture, just a short distance from Kyoto, on this private 1-day cycling tour.
Operated by Biwako Backroads, this highly-rated experience offers visitors a chance to explore the region’s quaint villages and renowned brewery town.
The tour begins at the JR Maibara Station, where you’ll be provided with a bicycle and joined by a professional guide.
As you cycle through the countryside, you’ll be treated to stunning views and the opportunity to visit local landmarks.
A light refreshment and a delicious lunch are included, and you’ll often have the chance to enjoy a complementary alcoholic beverage tasting.
The tour culminates at the Kinomoto Station, where you can easily catch a train back to Kyoto.
With a 100% traveler recommendation and an overall rating of 5.0, this cycling adventure is a must-do for anyone seeking an authentic and immersive experience in rural Japan.
Read our full review: Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto Review
Book now: Check availability
Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto
Just a short distance from Kyoto, Biwako Backroads offers a half-day private tour that takes visitors on an immersive journey through the rural brewery town of Kinomoto, Shiga Prefecture.
This 5-star rated experience allows participants to discover the town’s rich history and sample the local specialties at three renowned breweries – two sake producers and one soy sauce maker.
The tour includes behind-the-scenes tours and tastings at each location, as well as a visit to a local temple. Guests will be led by a professional guide who provides a personalized experience, sharing insights and historical anecdotes along the way.
Transportation isn’t included, but detailed instructions are provided to reach the meeting point at JR Maibara Station via bullet train from Kyoto.
This tour is suitable for most travelers, though it isn’t wheelchair accessible. Infants can join, sitting on laps.
With free cancellation and the option to reserve now and pay later, the Rural Brewery Town Walk offers a unique opportunity to explore the authentic charms of rural Japan, just a stone’s throw from the cultural capital.
Read our full review: Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto Review
Book now: Check availability
Buddhist Temple Cooking and Brewery Town Walk Near Kyoto
The Buddhist Temple Cooking and Brewery Town Walk near Kyoto offers an immersive cultural experience that combines the art of traditional Japanese temple cuisine with an exploration of a rural brewery town.
Located in Shiga Prefecture, this tour includes a hands-on temple cooking workshop, a sake and soy sauce tasting for those 20 and older, and a delicious lunch. Travelers will be accompanied by a professional bilingual guide, and admission fees are covered.
The tour begins at JR Maibara Station, where participants can travel via bullet train from Kyoto. After exploring the brewery town of Kinomoto, the tour concludes at Kinomoto Station.
While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, it’s stroller friendly. Infants are welcome but must sit on laps, and the experience isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers.
Priced from $184.65 per person, this private tour offers an intimate culture, though no refunds are available for cancellations.
Read our full review: Buddhist Temple Cooking and Brewery Town Walk Near Kyoto Review
Book now: Check availability
Recap
Shiga Prefecture offers a range of unique drinking tour experiences. Visitors can explore rural villages, cycle through a brewery town, and even combine a Buddhist temple cooking class with a brewery walk. These tours provide an immersive look into the local culture and traditions surrounding Japan’s vibrant craft beer and sake scene. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or just seeking a cultural adventure, Shiga has plenty to offer.