Overview
PRIVATE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
A day to paint the folk art loved by Edo-era travelers,
with your own hands.
Otsu-e is a folk painting tradition born in Otsu, a post town on the Tokaido Road, during the Edo period, and cherished by travelers and local people alike. It’s an Otsu-specific folk art culture that humorously depicts satire and prayers.
In this experience, you’ll learn about the history and motifs of Otsu-e, then pick up a brush and create your own piece. You’ll also view authentic works at the Otsu-e Museum, taste cuisine inspired by Otsu-e, and walk through Otsu-juku where this culture was nurtured.
ONE GROUP PER DAY
A private experience limited to one group per day
THE EXPERIENCE
Not just viewing—paint Otsu-e yourself.
After learning about the history and motifs of Otsu-e, you’ll pick up a brush and try creating your own work. No painting experience is required. By painting it yourself, you’ll feel more deeply the brushwork, colors, and meanings behind the motifs. You can take your finished piece home as a travel memento.
THREE WAYS TO EXPERIENCE OTSU-E
01 | Paint
Learn the history and motifs of Otsu-e, and create a single piece with your own hands.
02 | See
At Enman-in’s Otsu-e Museum, view authentic Otsu-e works that have been passed down through generations.
03 | Taste Walk
Enjoy a “medicinal shojin set meal” inspired by Otsu-e, then walk with a local guide through the Otsu-e Shop and former Otsu-juku.
Basic Information
- Tour Dates
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Every week: Monday–Sunday (excluding the 1st and 3rd Sundays)
*This is a request-based tour. After you apply, we will contact you within 3 business days to confirm whether it can be arranged. Please note we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date. - Time
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9:30–15:00 [Duration] Approx. 5 hours 30 minutes
- Meeting Point
- Capacity
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10 people (minimum 2)
- Price
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If joining with 6–10 people: ¥18,000 (per person)
If joining with 4–5 people: ¥24,000 (per person)
If joining with 3 people: ¥29,000 (per person)
If joining with 2 people: ¥39,000 (per person)
If joining with 1 person: ¥68,000 (per person)
Included: experience fee, meal, admission fees, venue fee, guide-related costs, etc.
Guide (optional / per tour)
• English guide: ¥20,000
• Chinese guide: ¥20,000
Itinerary
9:30 Keihan Railway Biwako-Hamaotsu Station / Meet and depart with a local guide → Enman-in / Otsu-e painting experience, visit the Otsu-e Museum, and worship hall viewing → Lunch / medicinal shojin cuisine inspired by Otsu-e → Otsu-e Shop / visit and shopping → Nakamachi Shopping Street / stroll through the historic townscape → Mii-dera Chikara Mochi Main Shop / chikara mochi and tea; visit the 2F “Otsu-e” gallery → 15:00 Keihan Railway Biwako-Hamaotsu Station / Tour ends
*On Sundays, some shops on Nakamachi Shopping Street may be closed.
Additional Details
EXPERIENCE OTSU-E
Paint. See. Taste.
Exploring Otsu-juku culture through Otsu-e
OTSU-E PAINTING
Paint Otsu-e, a folk art born in Otsu-juku
Otsu-e is a distinctive art form born in Otsu during the Edo period, depicting common people’s faith and satire. As you learn about this unique culture, you’ll pick up a brush and complete your own piece. No painting experience is required. By painting it yourself, you’ll feel closer to the brushwork, colors, and meanings behind the motifs of Otsu-e.
TEMPLE & ART
Encounter authentic Otsu-e at a monzeki temple
Visit Enman-in, a monzeki temple with ties to the Imperial family. At the Otsu-e Museum on the grounds, you’ll view Otsu-e works featuring a variety of motifs. Seeing authentic pieces after painting your own lets you engage more deeply with the compositions, brushwork, and expressive characteristics. You will also view the Shinden (main hall).
SHOJIN CUISINE
Taste Otsu-e with a special medicinal shojin set meal
For lunch, we’ll serve a “medicinal shojin set meal” inspired by the world of Otsu-e. Enjoy the presentation with your eyes as well, and take your time savoring gentle, body-friendly shojin cuisine.
OTSU-E SHOP
Visit the Otsu-e Shop, where the tradition lives on
Visit the “Otsu-e Shop,” which carries on techniques passed down since the Edo period. As you view hand-painted works up close, you’ll learn how Otsu-e has been preserved into the present day. You can also enjoy purchasing artworks and related items.
WALKING THROUGH OTSU
Walk through former Otsu-juku, where Otsu-e was nurtured
Head into the town center of Otsu-juku, once bustling with travelers. Walking with a local guide through places like Nakamachi Shopping Street, you’ll experience the history of a thriving post town and the local way of life that continues today. You’ll tour while imagining the town as it was when Otsu-e spread as a traveler’s souvenir.
LOCAL SWEETS & OTSU-E
Wrap up with Mii-dera Chikara Mochi and an Otsu-e gallery
To end the walk, enjoy Otsu’s long-loved specialty, “Mii-dera Chikara Mochi,” with tea. You’ll also visit the “Otsu-e” gallery on the second floor of the main shop, looking back on the Otsu-e culture you’ve experienced throughout the day.
Mii-dera Chikara Mochi tea included / Visit the 2F “Otsu-e” gallery
PRIVATE REQUEST
A request-based cultural experience, limited to one group per day
After you apply with your preferred date, we will check availability for the facility, guide, and other arrangements, then contact you to confirm whether it can be arranged. This is a private tour for your group only—you will not be joined by other guests.
INFORMATION
Please check before booking and joining
About booking
This is a request-based tour. After you apply, we will contact you within 3 business days to confirm whether it can be arranged. Depending on facility and guide availability, we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date. Thank you for your understanding.
About the private tour
This is an exclusive, one-group-per-day private format. You will not be joined by other guests.
About foreign-language guides
The tour is conducted in Japanese. A foreign-language guide (English, etc.) can be requested as an optional add-on.
About the painting experience
No painting experience is required. As this is a hands-on painting activity, please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
About meals
We will provide medicinal shojin cuisine. If you have food allergies or religious dietary restrictions, please consult us at least 7 days before your participation date.
Walking clothing
There will be walking, including slopes and steps. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
About Sundays
On Sundays, some shops on Nakamachi Shopping Street may be closed.
About the itinerary
Depending on weather and circumstances at facilities/shops, stops, the itinerary, and parts of the experience may be changed.
Information for the day
We do not mail travel documents or the final itinerary for this tour. Please check the day-of information (final itinerary) under “Reservation Details” in your booking confirmation email.
Tour Operator
Registered Travel Agency with the Governor of Shiga Prefecture: No. 2-243
Full Member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association (ANTA)
Biwako Otsu Tourism Association
Civic Cultural Center 2F, 2-3 Goryo-cho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
