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Lake Biwa: Mystical Chikubu Island Boat Tour from Many Ports

By DeepExperience, Inc.
Free cancellation available
Price is $333 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h 30m+
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview
  • Feel the spiritual energy of Chikubu Island, a sacred site for over 1,000 years
  • Learn about the island’s history and its role in the Saigoku pilgrimage
  • Visit Hogon-ji Temple, Tsukubusuma Shrine, and the Dragon God Shrine
  • Take part in the ancient custom of kawarake-nage for protection and luck
  • Choose from 4 convenient departure points to fit your travel plans
Activity location
    • Lake Biwa
    • Hikone, Shiga, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
    • 日本、〒526-0067 滋賀県長浜市港町４−１７ | If you choose the Nagahama Port option, the meeting point is at the Chikubu Island Cruise Nagahama Port. The guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign. For details, please refer to the map.
    • Nagahama, Shiga, Japan

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

From Imazu Port
  • Earn $9.98
  • Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes2h 30m
    2h 30m
  • English

Meet your guide at Imazu Port and head to Chikubu Island, the sacred and mysterious island floating on Lake Biwa.

Language options: English
Price details
$332.71 x 1 Adult$332.71
Total
Price is $332.71
Until Fri, Mar 13
From Hikone Port
  • Earn $11.30
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Meet your guide at Hikone Port and head to Chikubu Island, the sacred and mysterious island floating on Lake Biwa.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:50AM
Price details
$376.65 x 1 Adult$376.65
Total
Price is $376.65
Until Fri, Mar 13
From Nagahama Port
  • Earn $11.30
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Meet your guide at Nagahama Port and head to Chikubu Island, the sacred and mysterious island floating on Lake Biwa.

Language options: English
Price details
$376.65 x 1 Adult$376.65
Total
Price is $376.65
Until Fri, Mar 13
From Nagahama Station
  • Earn $12.05
  • Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes3h 30m
    3h 30m
  • English

Meet your guide at Nagahama Station and head to Chikubu Island, the sacred and mysterious island floating on Lake Biwa.

Language options: English
Price details
$401.76 x 1 Adult$401.76
Total
Price is $401.76
Until Fri, Mar 13

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided tour of Chikubu Island
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Boat ride to the island
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Experience kawarake-nage: throwing clay discs for good luck
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Sweet treats served on the island
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Personal expenses

What you can expect

Step aboard a boat and journey across the waters of Lake Biwa to Chikubu Island, one of Japan’s most sacred places. Listen to stories about its history, its role in the great Saigoku pilgrimage, and the unique blend of Buddhist and Shinto faiths that continues to shape worship here.

Upon landing, walk through the grounds of Hogon-ji Temple, admire the intricately decorated Kara-mon Gate, cross the wooden corridors to Tsukubusuma Shrine, and stand at the Dragon God Shrine where visitors take part in the ancient custom of kawarake-nage, tossing clay discs into the air for protection and good fortune.

In the main hall, learn of Benzaiten’s powerful role in Japanese belief and why her cult here spread across the nation. Visit the treasure hall, where artifacts and images reveal the island’s spiritual importance and artistic legacy, and stroll past the three-storied pagoda and quiet pathways that echo with centuries of pilgrims’ footsteps.

Location

Activity location
  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Lake Biwa
    • Hikone, Shiga, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒526-0067 滋賀県長浜市港町４−１７ | If you choose the Nagahama Port option, the meeting point is at the Chikubu Island Cruise Nagahama Port. The guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign. For details, please refer to the map.
    • Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒526-0057 滋賀県長浜市北船町１ | If you choose the Nagahama Station option, the meeting point is in front of the ticket gate at Nagahama Station. The guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign. For details, please refer to the map.
    • Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒522-0002 滋賀県彦根市松原町３７５５ | If you choose the Hikone Port option, the meeting point is at the Biwako Cruise boarding area. The guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign. For details, please refer to the map.
    • Hikone, Shiga, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒520-1621 滋賀県高島市今津町今津３０ | If you choose the Imazu Port option, the meeting point is at the Chikubu Island Cruise Imazu Port. The guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign. For details, please refer to the map.
    • Takashima, Shiga, Japan