AIRBNB EXPERIENCES

Things to do in Shiga

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Activities led by local experts

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5 out of 5 average rating, 2 reviews

Macho Sunset Hike

What’s a “macho guide”? A macho guide is someone strong in body, kind in spirit, and always ready to lift your mood — or you. We bring the energy, support, and maybe a few muscles to make your Kyoto adventure unforgettable. ⸻ Before we begin: If you’d like to visit Ginkaku-ji Temple, please do so before the tour starts, as we won’t enter during the experience. The temple closes in the late afternoon. Now, get ready to hike Kyoto’s iconic Mt. Daimonji with your friendly (and well-trained) macho guide. • Meet at Ginkaku-ji and start a scenic hike through peaceful forest trails • Hear local stories, learn how to walk like a macho — strong and proud • At the summit, drink protein shakes while watching the sunset over Kyoto • Stay for the night view, with sparkling city lights below • Tired? I’ve got you — princess-carry service available upon request This is a light adventure with good vibes, great views, and just the right amount of muscle. ⸻ What to wear & bring • Comfortable clothes and shoes for walking • Just bring water — I’ll bring the protein!

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Learn the art of Japanese tea ceremony with a master

You’re invited to an immersive lesson in the art of Japanese tea ceremony. As an experienced instructor of 15 years, I’ll guide you through the technique, materials, and principles of this traditional art form. This experience is unique in that you’ll have the opportunity to experience the tea ceremony not from the perspective of a "Guest," but from the perspective of the "Host." • After a brief greeting, I’ll explain what the tea ceremony is and the role of the 'Host' in the tea ceremony, outlining the flow while highlighting the core spiritual principles of the ceremony. • You will select your own tea bowl, matcha, sweets and sweets plate as I share the art of tea selection and nuances of ceremony etiquette. • We’ll complete a full, traditional tea ceremony, during which you’ll purify your tea container, make your own matcha, enjoy what you’ve prepared, and discover the “mind principles” of tea ceremony through wall scrolls. This hands-on experience will help you connect to the true spirit of the ritual, which has a history that spans over 500 years. You’ll leave with a renewed sense of mindfulness and a memorable connection to this unique tradition.

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Craft glass beads at Japan’s historic Satake Glass factory

Looking for an experience you won’t find anywhere else in Japan? Step into a living piece of history at Satake Glass, the only factory in the country producing colored rods since before World War II. My family has preserved this rare craft for generations, and I’ll guide you through our time-honored techniques before you shape molten glass into a one-of-a-kind creation. • You’ll start with a guided tour of our historic factory, where I’ll share the fascinating history of Japanese glassmaking and how this factory became a cornerstone of the craft. • Next, you’ll try your hand at cutting glass rods under my careful guidance, an essential step in the production process. • Then, you’ll melt vibrant glass over a burner and shape it into your beautiful tombo dama, choosing your own colors and design. You’ll leave with your handcrafted bead, a unique keepsake of your experience with this rich Japanese tradition.

5 out of 5 average rating, 3 reviews

Traditional Kyoto doll-making and hinoki fan painting

Explore the history of traditional Kyoto dolls and participate in a hands-on hinoki fan painting experience at one of the city’s renowned doll-making studios with a master Yūsoku Hina doll artisan. • Learn about the history of Kyoto Hina dolls and hinoki fans, their use in seasonal festivals, and the cultural tradition of gifting Hina dolls. • Observe artisans at work in the Ōhashi Ippō studio, making, painting, and dressing the dolls. • Paint your own hinoki fan, a delicate and decorative piece often used in Hina doll displays. Get inspired with seasonal motifs and traditional pine, bamboo, and plum designs. I’ll guide you through the process. You'll leave with a unique, handcrafted memento from this immersive cultural experience.

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Traditional Japanese fabric painting with an artisan

Get an up-close look at the art of Kyo-yuzen, the traditional method of painting dye directly onto fabric. After watching me create a piece step by step, you’ll put what you’ve learned to work! • I’ll introduce Kyo-yuzen and its history. Learn how the technique originated in Kyoto during the Edo period, toward the end of the 17th century, the materials used, and typical patterns and designs. • Watch me conceptualize a design, apply dyeing techniques, and craft a one-of-a-kind piece. I’ll answer any questions along the way. • Now it’s your turn! Using what you’ve learned, you’ll hand-dye a handkerchief, with my guidance throughout. You’ll leave with a deeply personal connection to this elegant Kyoto art form, as well as a beautiful keepsake.

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Kyoto’s Signature White Miso & Onigiri Cooking Tour

Make Kyoto’s signature white miso in this interactive cooking lesson with the founder of Miso Pota Kyoto. Japan is home to a diverse variety of regional miso, each with its own unique characteristics. • I’ll guide you through various tips for making and using white miso, from activating the fermentation to blending ingredients by hand. White miso stands out for its mild sweetness, making it a versatile ingredient. • Take part in a tasting session after you finish making your homemade miso. • Finally, make and enjoy miso potage soup with rice onigiri to learn how to use miso in daily life. Itadakimasu! You’ll leave with expanded knowledge about miso recipes, and your packaged miso to take home.

5 out of 5 average rating, 3 reviews

Make matcha and explore a green tea farm

Join me, a sixth-generation tea master, to experience the craft of making green tea in Uji, a renowned tea-producing region. You’ll learn about the entire process, from farming to harvest. • We’ll begin with a factory and farm tour at Yutoha, where you’ll learn about our traditional farming methods and how we grow our tea bushes. • I’ll teach you how to whisk matcha (green tea leaves ground to a fine powder) and compare your creation with a professional’s, gaining insights into this cherished tradition. • Best of all, you’ll enjoy a tasting session to explore the flavor differences of using various tea production methods, alongside our original matcha green tea candy. You’ll leave with a new perspective on the craft, and the skills to prepare your own premium matcha at home.

5 out of 5 average rating, 1 reviews

Make arare rice crackers with Japan’s only certified master

Roast and finish handcrafted arare (rice crackers) at Sōzen—the confectioner that produces arare for the Imperial House of Japan, the Royal Family of Dubai, and many five-star hotels—guided by Japan’s only certified jouwazashi (master arare craftsman). • Roast the arare—which are prepared over ten days by skilled artisans—by shaking them over heat in a wire mesh basket and coating them with Sōzen’s secret sauce. • While your arare are cooling, roast tea leaves to make hōjicha (roasted green tea) and enjoy it with a sampling of our signature warabimochi (bracken starch dumplings). I’ll share a bit about Sōzen’s history as you work. • Pack your finished arare and place them in a traditional local textile pouch to bring home as a memento of our time together. You’ll leave with an appreciation for the craft and care that go into creating world-class snacks, as well as the cultural heritage of Nishijin.

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Blend Japanese incense with a priest at a historic temple

Enjoy an immersive visit to the Seijo-ji Temple in Kawachinagano City with me, the temple’s chief priest, where you’ll enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and make your own blended incense. • I’ll greet you with a welcome drink and explain a little about the temple’s history and ancient traditions, and how they are fused with modern life. • Blend eight types of fragrance to create your own original incense, which calms the mind and enriches daily life. • Enjoy a matcha (powdered green tea) ceremony accompanied by the temple’s original handmade yuzu candy. You’ll leave with your own incense container in the shape of a yuzu citron to take home with you, and memories of your time in the serene temple garden.

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Nishiki Market tour and sushi-making class

Discover the very best of Kyoto with a visit to a historic fish store before diving into an immersive sushi-making class in an experience that blends stories about Japanese culture and the changing seasons. • We’ll visit the Kimura Fresh Fish store, a fixture of Nishiki Market since the Edo period and a supplier to Michelin-starred restaurants, to see how locals order seasonal fish. You’ll learn how to assess its freshness, as well as techniques for preparing and slicing fish specifically for sushi. • At the studio, Sushi Lab. by Sumaya, I’ll explain the culture of sushi, and walk you through the art of making sushi rice and miso soup, offering expert guidance throughout. • Best of all, you’ll learn how to prepare three kinds of sushi—nigiri, temari, and temaki—and then enjoy it as a group meal. You’ll leave feeling happily sated, with the skills to make sushi at home and a deeper knowledge of the traditions of sushi in Kyoto and beyond.

Top-rated activities

View our most highly rated experiences, loved by guests.

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4.82 out of 5 average rating, 163 reviews

Authentic ninja weapon making experience

Our studio is a traditional building has a history over 100 years in Kyoto, which is called Machiya in Japanese. You can experience making real weapons used by real ninjas. We will sharpen weapons and tempering the iron weapon, to make high quality steel weapons. At the end of the experience, you can actually throw the weapon. There are two main types of weapons. 1. Shuriken. 2. Kunai. You can choose the weapon which you would like to make. The processes of our experience are as follows. 1. Choose your favorite weapon to shape it yourself 2. Learn how to use tools 3. Sharpen the weapon 4. Add a pattern to the weapon 5. Temper the weapon at high temperature 6. Try using the weapon Through this experience, you can learn how to make traditional weapons. There are two large gardens inside our studio, where you can take some very nice photos. To be noted, you can bring the weapons with your flight, but only in the checked luggage, not in the carry on luggage.

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 1304 reviews

Japanese tea ceremony experience in ANKOAN, KYOTO

You can make a reservation to participate in the tea ceremony experience in our studio, enjoy the 60-minute service and immerse yourself in the unique Japanese culture tour. The Tea Ceremony experience in ANKOAN kicks out your fatigue in the journey. While tasting the welcome tea made by Yuka, you can talk about the tea ceremony and whatever. Then move to another layer of matcha tearoom, watching the process of making Matcha tea and tasting Matcha and delicious Wagashi. At this time, you’d better observe the teacher's action for making matcha carefully. Do you know why? Because you will experience to make mathca personally later on. But don't worry, the teacher will be around you to instruct and explain, so that you can fully experience the fun of making Japanese matcha. At the same time, we can share what we see and what we feel, such as "how do Japanese people live?", "how did Japanese culture come into being?” and so on. With the experience of matcha, we, from different cultures, can get closer to each other in the process of communication, which is the highlight of tea ceremony experience in ANKOAN. And then, please get down to tasting the matcha made by yourself, which contains Japan's profound culture, and end this pleasant experience. In addition: you can take pictures indoor freely. Other things to note ＝Business Hours＝ 10:00-18:00 ＝Off Day＝ December 31st to January 3rd ※We will be closed for attending lectures abroad or domestic activities. Sorry for the inconvenience.

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 1058 reviews

Samurai Training with Modern-day Musashi

You will wear the proper training gear and hold real katana swords to train as the samurai did at a local dojo where 30+ students train regularly. Handling a katana correctly and cutting through objects will change your life. After participating in the training, if you wish to learn more, you can join our regular training or enroll in our online lessons. The content of this activity: 1. Getting dressed in the training gear 2. Learning how to draw, sheath, and swing the katana safely 3. Learning about the culture and history of katana and samurai 4. Cutting rolled tatami mats with a real katana 5. Watching the master's katana performance Why Choose Us: ▶︎An instructor with 20+ years of training Many facilities have undertrained instructors who can only teach tourists. Your instructor here has over 50 students worldwide and over 20+ years of training experience. ▶︎The venue is a REAL DOJO We are NOT a tourist spot but a real dojo where 20+ students train regularly. ▶︎Everything is interpreted in English perfectly FAQ: 1. You can take pictures and videos during the activity 2. You must be 12+ years old to participate 3. One person can join to watch for free per participant *Starting from November 2024, there may be occasions when interpreters/instructors other than Shogo will be responsible for the activities. However, rest assured that they are all trained professionals

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 1601 reviews

Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl

Top rated entire Japan foodie/drinks bar crawl here. Not like the other tour in touristy area! Please read detailed guest review to get to know more about my tour ! "Let's get away from TOURIST TRAP like Doutonbori/Namba/Shinsekai area and dive into deep local side with real local who was born and raised Osaka city ! Experience of this bar crawl will walk around deep side of Osaka, If you’re looking for "off the beaten path" munchies experience beyond Namba or Dotonbori area in Osaka, HERE is for YOU who want to glimpse what a real local night life is. Let me take you to three SPECIAL standing bars where they originally opened as "liquor store" turned out to be a "Tapas Bar". Great things that we will have quality food/drinks as very reasonable price! You will encounter a bunch of flavorful food/drinks surrounded by full of local. You will be fit in well to local life without language barrier to have Japanese mom's cooking, seasonal sashimi, variety of meat and veggies. You can also buy a quality Sake/whiskey bottle in order to have your souvenir! Let's enjoy the real local night out together like a local. Other things to note Food/drinks are NOT included in the tour fee. Average food/drink costs is about 7000yen in TOTAL 3 restaurant. You will be stuffed! Vegetarian friendly! LGBTQ friendly! Non-alcohol option. Message me if apps doesn't show up the date you want.

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 1286 reviews

Kyoto Foodie Night Tour

We will share a course-meal ranging from modern to traditional Japanese food across 4-6 food stands and restaurants. I have chosen these vendors to talk about quality food and rich food culture that represent Kyoto. Throughout the evening, we will try many kinds of foods that highlight Kyoto's rich culture. Other things to note: - Please let me know if you have food restrictions or allergies at least a week beforehand. I might not be able to fully accommodate restrictions as it is a group experience. - This experience is run by either myself or another trusted local guide. - I update my tour availability by the 3rd week for next month. Even if you don't see availability, please check back later.

5 out of 5 average rating, 62 reviews

Learn the secret of Japanese food in Nagoya

Let's learn how to make Miso katsu, Nagoya's speciality using local Mikawa pork instead of waiting in line at a restaurant and learn about the secrets of Japanese food! ※Dates and times are flexible so please feel free to contact me! ※You can change to gluten friendly and vegan ingredients, tofu cutlet, chicken cutlet and fish cutlet! Please let me know at the time of reservation. First, we meet at Hatta station (10 minites from Nagoya .st by subway) and head for my little cooking studio together. You can learn how to make the following items! ・Miso katsu (deepfrief pork with miso sauce) ・Nimono (simmered vegetable) ・Miso soup ・Cooked rice ・Japanese carrot dressing ・Japanese pickled cucumber You can also learn how to make dashi, Japanese traditional broth which is used for miso sause, miso soup, nimono and how to best cook rice and deep fried pork. Then, we enjoy the food while chatting! I'd like to share our interesting food culture too! ・I take photos of you cooking and share them with you later! All of the photos on this page were taken by me. ・You get all of the written recipes ※If you have food allergies, please let me know in advance. ※If you would like to make a private reservation, please let me know via message. ※I'm sorry, but there is possibly that a single male participant is unable to be accept. #cooking class in Nagoya #cooking experience in Nagoya

4.85 out of 5 average rating, 1068 reviews

Kyoto Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl

Bar hopping tour at Kyoto center!! Normally 5-10 guests are joining, and you will have wonderful memory with local host, and other traveler from all over the world!! We're exploring "Kawaramachi" and "Kiyamachi" areas, where local Kyoto people enjoy drinking. We will take you to real local bar and izakaya, difficult to find for foreigners. Also take you to some deep & hidden places you never know. This experience is not just for local foods and drinks, give you the opportunity to connect with local people. Cannot wait to show you guys around my city!! We will eat during the tour, so you don't need to eat before the tour. Let's enjoy food and drink like local! If you have special request related to place, food, date and so on, we can organize the tour up to your requests. ＜What's included＞ ○ 3 hours with a local guide ○ Admission fee is free ✖️ Alcoholic Beverages ✖️ Dinner ※We split the total amount, and 99 yen or less will be rounded up to make accounting smoother. ※If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance.

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 875 reviews

Comparing Wagyu, Sashimi, and Sake atTeppanyaki restaurant

Enjoy the freshly caught sashimi platter and Japan's only "Wagyu" tasting course with a wide variety of carefully selected sake in Osaka's high-class restaurant district. Learn from a seasoned Japanese chef with easy-to-understand explanations on how to properly select fresh fish for sashimi, how to tell apart each cut of Wagyu beef and how to pair them with a variety of amazing sake. Fresh seasonal vegetables, fried rice and Japanese pickled vegetables are included. Located in Osaka’s premiere restaurant and night life district, enjoy a night on the town at Teppanyaki Toyota. While on my tour, I will carefully explain and walk you through each dish and give you a better understanding of each cut’s characteristics and my creative thought process when designing these dishes. How to select sake and pair them with a Wagyu beef and fishes is essential to the overall enjoyment. So that I will explain the points of "Sake"choice. It is generally said that sake goes well with meals, and I would like you to experience a more compatible marriage on this tour.

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 1685 reviews

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour

Don’t get caught standing in a crowd of tourists trying to get a good photo. We provide a personal hiking experience. This is the ONLY tour at Fushimi Inari which goes off paved paths, onto actual forest trails. We know of hidden bamboo groves and beautiful evergreens around Fushimi Inari Shrine. Local trails lead us to the main shrine with thousands of red torii gates, and we know of secluded trails that lead to old and hidden alters. We will begin at Tofukuji Station and wander into a quiet neighborhood, visiting small shrines on the way to the mountain. Then take a trail to see a wonderful bamboo grove, and connect to the main path filled with the famous vermilion torii gates. We will reach the summit of the mountain, which is covered in the shrine alters and then venture back down the mountain on a forested trail, visiting smaller shrines on the way to another bamboo grove. This will lead us to the most famous area of Fushimi Inari, perfect for a memorable photo. We will finish at the main shrine at the base of the mountain, where you can enjoy some local street food before you continue your adventure in the wonderful city of Kyoto. Please understand that this is a hike, not a normal walk, so it will require some effort. We will not recommend joining if you have trouble walking or not in a good condition.

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 551 reviews

Hidden Osaka - Yukaku Red Light Tour & Culinary Adventure

WARNING: NOT A TOUR FOR EVERYONE. (Read Reviews for a better idea) PLEASE READ↓↓ ※Send us a message before booking for Spanish/French/Private options What's unique about this tour: - Learn about Tobita RLD and why it’s considered the last of its kind in all of Japan. - Delve into the retro charm and bustling energy of Shinsekai, an old theme park turned into a local hangout spot. - Savor the authentic flavors of Osaka with our hand-picked selection of dishes paired with the perfect drink to compliment. (Izakaya hopping in 2 stops, beware big food portions) Please Note: Our food offerings are curated for the bold and adventurous. You'll be eating things you've never tried so dive in with an open heart, and let Osaka's culinary wonders amaze you! -Let us know for dietary restrictions We are a group of passionate Japanese, fluent in multiple languages, offering insights and stories that only a native local can provide. Groups will be small so we can be ultra respectful to the districts we visit. Non-compliance towards our guide's instructions may lead to guests' removal from the group. Other Notes: ※Food & drinks bill will be split among the guests ※It is 50% a food tour so please don't eat before coming ※Average spending for Izakaya is ¥3~4000 ※We will not be responsible for allergies / accidental ingestion mismatching your dietary restrictions (tell us in advanc