Overview
PRIVATE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
See, hear, and savor Otsu-e,
and walk through Otsu Hyakucho.
During the Edo period, Otsu-e were beloved by travelers as a specialty of Otsu-juku on the Tokaido road. These folk paintings humorously depicted satire and prayers, eventually expanding into song and dance, and have been passed down as a unique culture of Otsu.
On this experience, you will not only visit the Otsu-e Museum and Otsu-e Shop, but also enjoy a special viewing of “Otsu-e Odori,” a traditional performing art rarely available for public viewing. In addition, you will walk through the shopping streets and historic sites of old Otsu-juku with a local guide, tracing the history and culture of “Otsu Hyakucho,” where Otsu-e flourished.
PRIVATE GROUP EXPERIENCE
Group Exclusive Private Cultural Experience for 5 or More
A RARE PERFORMANCE
A special viewing of “Otsu-e Odori,” rarely seen in public.
“Otsu-e Odori” is performed to songs based on Otsu-e themes, accompanied by the sound of the shamisen. Today, it is not a performing art you can see anytime. On this tour, it will be performed specially for your group. You will witness up close the cultural depth of Otsu-e, which began as folk paintings and expanded into song and dance.
FOUR WAYS TO EXPERIENCE OTSU-E
01 | See
Visit the Otsu-e Museum and Otsu-e Shop to experience authentic artworks and the world of Otsu-e passed down to the present.
02 | Listen Watch
Enjoy a special viewing of “Otsu-e Odori” performed with shamisen. Experience Otsu’s unique performing arts culture that grew from folk paintings.
03 | Taste
Savor the “Otsu-e Medicinal Vegetarian Bento” featuring motifs from Otsu-e themes, and enjoy its worldview through food.
04 | Walk with a Guide
Explore the shopping streets and historic sites of old Otsu-juku with a local guide, tracing the history of “Otsu Hyakucho,” where Otsu-e spread among travelers.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Special Viewing of Otsu-e Odori | A traditional performing art rarely available for public viewing, performed specially for your group
Experience Authentic Otsu-e | Visit the Otsu-e Museum and Otsu-e Shop to learn about folk painting culture continuing from the Edo period
Savor Otsu-e | Includes “Otsu-e Medicinal Vegetarian Bento” featuring motifs from Otsu-e themes
Walk Through Otsu Hyakucho with a Local Guide | Explore the shopping streets and historic sites of old Otsu-juku and trace the history of the town where Otsu-e flourished
Basic Information
- Tour Dates
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Every Saturday, Sunday, and national holiday
*This is an on-request tour. We will confirm availability within 4 business days of your application. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date. - Time
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9:30 AM–3:00 PM [Duration] Approx. 5 hours 30 minutes
- Meeting Point
- Capacity
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Capacity: 15 people (Minimum: 5 people)
- Price
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5–8 participants: ¥13,000 per person
9–12 participants: ¥11,000 per person
13–15 participants: ¥9,000 per person
《Included》Admission fees, meals, souvenirs, guide expenses, etc.
Guide (Optional / per tour)
・English guide: ¥20,000
・Chinese guide: ¥20,000
Itinerary
JR Otsu Station / Meet and depart with local guide
→
Nakamachi Shopping Street / Maruyacho, Hishiyacho, Nagatocho
→
Enman-in Temple / Otsu-e Museum, Otsu-e Odori viewing, temple visit
→
Lunch
→
Otsu-e Shop / Shopping and talk about Otsu-e
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Shibayacho / Birthplace of Otsu-e Odori
→
Fuda-no-Tsuji
→
Otsu Incident Monument
→
JR Otsu Station / Dismissal
Additional Details
DISCOVER OTSU-E
Trace Otsu-e and visit Otsu Hyakucho, where its culture lives on
OTSU-E
Folk paintings beloved by travelers at Otsu-juku
Otsu-e are folk paintings sold to travelers around the Otani and Oiwake areas along the Tokaido road from the early Edo period. Initially centered on devotional images of gods and Buddhas, they gradually expanded to include satirical, didactic, and humorous secular subjects. Their simple yet powerful expression has captivated people across the ages.
OTSU-E MUSEUM
Experience the world of Otsu-e at the museum
At the Otsu-e Museum within the grounds of the historic Enman-in Temple, you will view Otsu-e from various periods and themes. You will also visit the Shinden hall, experiencing not only the artworks themselves but also the history and culture of the land where Otsu-e has been passed down.
A RARE PERFORMANCE
A special viewing of “Otsu-e Odori,” rarely seen in public
“Otsu-e Odori” was once performed by geisha in Otsu’s pleasure quarters. Today, it is not an art form you can see anytime. On this tour, it will be performed specially for your group.
This unique traditional performing art features dancers changing masks depicting Otsu-e themes one after another, moving to the shamisen accompaniment of “Otsu-e Bushi.” You will witness up close the cultural depth of Otsu-e, which began as paintings and expanded into song and dance.
OTSU-E LUNCH
Savor the world of Otsu-e through lunch
Lunch is the “Otsu-e Medicinal Vegetarian Bento,” a special bento featuring motifs from Otsu-e themes that is as delightful to look at as it is to eat. You will not only “see” and “hear” Otsu-e, but also savor its world through food.
Otsu-e Medicinal Vegetarian Bento Included
OTSU-E SHOP
Hand-painted Otsu-e, still created today
At “Otsu-e no Mise” (Otsu-e Shop), Otsu-e are still painted by hand, one by one, preserving techniques passed down from the Edo period. You will see the works of fifth-generation Otsu-e artist Takahashi Shozan up close, hear stories about Otsu-e, and experience this living culture. You can also purchase artworks and related products.
WALK THROUGH OTSU HYAKUCHO
Walk through Otsu Hyakucho with a local guide
Explore Maruyacho, Hishiyacho, and Nagatocho in Nakamachi Shopping Street, as well as Shibayacho (birthplace of Otsu-e Odori), Fuda-no-Tsuji, and the Otsu Incident Monument with a local guide. Trace the history of Otsu, which flourished as a post town on the old Tokaido road, and the connection between Otsu-e and people’s daily lives through the present-day townscape.
BIRTHPLACE OF OTSU-E ODORI
Visit Shibayacho, birthplace of Otsu-e Odori
After viewing Otsu-e Odori, visit Shibayacho, where this culture was nurtured. With commentary from a local guide, trace the history of this once-thriving pleasure quarter and its connection to Otsu-e Odori. By not only “seeing” the performance but also walking the land where it originated, you will gain a deeper appreciation of Otsu-e Odori culture.
LUNCH UPGRADE
Upgrade to “Otsu-e Medicinal Vegetarian Set Meal”
You can upgrade from the “Otsu-e Medicinal Vegetarian Bento” included in the tour to a special vegetarian set meal served in traditional style. This body-friendly cuisine incorporates the aesthetic of Otsu-e with medicinal elements. Vegan options are available.
+¥4,800 (tax included) per person
・The upgrade applies to all members of your booking group. Individual selection is not available.
・Menu content may change depending on ingredient availability.
EXPERIENCE REPORT
Learn more about the tour atmosphere
For details of the actual itinerary and tour experience, see the experience report “I Joined the Otsu Hyakucho Hizakurige Tour!” with photos.
PRIVATE REQUEST
Group Exclusive, On-Request Tour for 5 or More
We arrange the Otsu-e Odori performance, facilities, local guides, and more based on your preferred date. This is a private tour with no other customers, allowing your group to enjoy the culture of Otsu-e and Otsu Hyakucho exclusively.
INFORMATION
Please confirm before booking and participating
Group Size
This is a private tour for groups of 5 or more. You will not be joined by other customers.
Reservations
This is an on-request tour. We will confirm availability within 4 business days of your application. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date due to the availability of the Otsu-e Odori performers, facilities, guides, etc.
Guide
A local guide knowledgeable about the history and culture of Otsu-juku, Otsu Hyakucho, and Otsu-e will accompany you from departure to dismissal.
Walking
The walking distance is approximately 4.6 km. As the tour includes a town walk, please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Foreign Language Guides
The tour is conducted in Japanese, but you can request a foreign language guide (English, etc.) as an option.
Meals
Lunch will be the “Otsu-e Medicinal Vegetarian Bento.” If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions for religious reasons, please consult us in advance.
Itinerary
Stops, itinerary, and experience content may be partially changed due to facility/shop closures or performer availability.
In Case of Rain
The tour will proceed in the rain. Please bring your own rain gear. However, the tour may be canceled if it is determined that safe operation is difficult due to severe weather.
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
