DISCOVER

高島を見つける

Experience real life in rural Japan through water, culture, and local traditions

Tour No.

TA-11125

Pricing (per person)

2 guests: ¥24,000
3 guests: ¥19,000
4 guests: ¥15,000
5 guests: ¥13,000
6 guests: ¥12,000

Optional taxi available at additional cost

Location

Shin-Asahi / Harié area, Takashima City, Shiga

Access

Meet at JR Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line)

Group Size

2–6 participants

Duration

Approximately 3 hours

Booking Deadline

Please book at least 1 week in advance

Guide

An English-speaking local guide will accompany you

Highlights

◾️ Walk through a living water village
Explore Harié, where crystal-clear spring water (Shozu) is still used every day.
See how water flows from mountains into homes, then back into nature.

◾️ Understand Japan beyond sightseeing
Your guide explains not only what you see, but how people live.
Learn how nature, culture, and daily life are deeply connected.

◾️ Visit a traditional sake brewery
At Kawashima Sake Brewery, discover how pure water shapes Japanese sake.
See how the same water supports both daily life and craftsmanship.

◾️ Small group experience
Maximum 6 guests.
Quiet, relaxed, and personal.

What you’ll experience

This is not a tour where you just look around.

You will:

⚪︎ Walk through a real residential village
⚪︎ See how locals use natural spring water in daily life
⚪︎ Visit small local shops
⚪︎ Learn directly from a local guide
⚪︎ Experience a slower, quieter side of Japan

Background

Harié Village, located near Lake Biwa, is one of the few places in Japan where traditional water-based living still exists.

The spring water, known as Shozu, flows through homes, kitchens, and into canals—supporting daily life in a way that has continued for generations.

This tour allows you to experience that lifestyle firsthand, not as a visitor to a tourist site, but as a guest in a living community.

Itinerary

  • 9:45 Meet at JR Shin-Asahi Station
  • 10:00〜11:30 Walk through Harié Village
  •        Observe daily water use
  •        Visit local shops (tofu shop, etc.)
  • 11:30〜12:30 Kawashima Sake Brewery visit
  • 12:45 End at JR Shin-Asahi Station

What to Wear / Bring

⚪︎ Comfortable clothing
⚪︎ Walking shoes
⚪︎ Water / small bag
⚪︎ Cash (for personal purchases or taxi)
⚪︎ Sunscreen / sunglasses (seasonal)
⚪︎ Gloves (winter)
⚪︎ Rain gear if needed

What’s included

⚪︎ English-speaking guide
⚪︎ Guided village tour
⚪︎ Sake brewery visit
⚪︎ Insurance

Not included

⚪︎ Personal purchases
⚪︎ Taxi transportation (optional)

Who this is for

Travelers looking for authentic local experiences
People interested in culture, sustainability, and daily life
Those who prefer quiet, meaningful travel over crowded sightseeing

Advance payment is required

Accepted methods: ⚪︎ Credit card
⚪︎ Electronic payments
⚪︎ QR code payments
⚪︎ Apple Pay / Google Pay
Bank transfer is available upon request.

Important information

Harié is a real residential community where people live their daily lives.
Please respect local residents and follow your guide’s instructions, especially regarding photography and behavior.

Availability

Available for groups of 2–6 people. Please contact us with your preferred date.

Meeting point

JR Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line)

Cancellation Policy

◾️ Cancellation Policy
⚪︎ Free cancellation up to 2 days before the tour date
⚪︎ 50% cancellation fee will be charged for cancellations made 1 day before
⚪︎ 100% cancellation fee will be charged for cancellations made on the day of the tour

◾️ Tour Operation & Weather Policy
⚪︎ The final decision to operate the tour will be made by 5:00 PM on the day before the tour
⚪︎ In case of severe weather (e.g. strong winds, thunderstorms), the tour may be canceled for safety ⚪︎reasons
⚪︎ If canceled by the organizer, you will receive a full refund

◾️ Minimum Participants
⚪︎ The tour requires a minimum number of participants
⚪︎ If the minimum is not met, the tour may be canceled up to 2 days in advance
⚪︎ In such cases, you will be notified and receive a full refund


Additional Information

Detailed instructions will be sent after your booking is confirmed.


Reviews

Emily / United States
Walking through Harié felt like stepping into a hidden world. The clear spring water flowing through people’s homes was something I had never seen before. Our guide explained everything in a way that made it easy to understand, even for someone new to Japanese culture. It was peaceful, authentic, and deeply memorable.
Lucas / France
I was impressed by how the entire village is built around water. Seeing how locals use the spring water in their daily lives made me rethink how we interact with nature. The visit to the sake brewery added another layer to the experience—understanding how the same water supports both life and tradition was fascinating.
Yuna / Korea
This tour was very calm and relaxing compared to typical sightseeing. I especially liked visiting the tofu shop and small local spots along the way. It felt like we were being gently invited into the community rather than just observing it. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience the “real Japan.”

Your Guide

Asami

Hello from Takashima! I like walking along the lake, growing vegetables, arranging flowers and making a delicious cup of matcha(green tea). I enjoy my life here. It would be my pleasure to share the beauty and peacefulness of my loving town with you. I’m looking forward to meeting you!
 

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