Otsu-e Folk Art Workshop & Local Culture Walk Near Kyoto | 3 hours 30 minutes

6 Reviews | Otsu
From $109.32 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
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Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Meet-up at Kyoto Station
2 Adults x $236.92
$473.84
Approx Total
$473.84
Meet-up at Kyoto Station: Meet you in front of the Kyoto Tourist Information Center on the 2nd flr of Kyoto Station Bldg. Next door to the Isetan Dept
Standard course
2 Adults x $207.71
$415.42
Approx Total
$415.42

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • English speaking professional guide with deep interest in Japanese culture
  • Admission fees to Otsu Hyakuchokan, Otsu Festival Float Exhibition Hall or other alternative places
  • Local taxes
  • Original Otsu-e souvenirs
  • Welcome tea and sweets, local snacks
  • The Otsu-e "Lucky Oni Bell" or "Three Wise Monkeys" painting workshop
  • All train fares, i.e. Kyoto-Otsu by JR: JPY200/adult (but covered by valid JR Pass if you have)
  • Lunch

Overview

Join a unique cultural experience led by Misato Takahashi, an Otsu native and daughter of Wado Takahashi, an Otsu-e artist originally from the Otsu-e master family, Takahashi Shozan. Misato is fervently committed to preserving the important local tradition of Otsu-e painting, a form of traditional folk art that originated in this area about 400 years ago. This unique cultural experience provides an excellent opportunity to delve into Japan's artistic heritage, immersing yourself in the creativity and artistic expression that has enriched Otsu's local culture for centuries. And with only a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, you can relax in the cozy lakeside town of Otsu while exploring the city's rich history and treasures.

Meeting points

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End point

Ichiewado Seminar House
4-17 Kozekichō, Otsu, Shiga 520-0035, Japan

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The tour concludes at the venue of painting workshop, Ichie Wado. A detailed map around the area including to nearby stations is available.

Itinerary

  • Otsu Station

    Tour starts from the North ticket gate of the station.

  • Kekai-ji Temple (Pass By)

    Gingko trees of Kekaiji Temple, Kyomachi 3-chome: The trees used to be a remarkable landmark for boats on Lake Biwa

  • Mochihyo

    Mochihyo Japanese sweets shop, Facing the Old Tokaido Road: We pick up Japanese sweets that the guests enjoy before the painting session later.

    10 minutes

  • Otsu

    Senmaruya dried food store, Nakamachi Street: Local long standing dried food store selling stuff indispensable to Japanese cuisine. We'll pick up retro snack here.

    10 minutes

  • Otsu (Pass By)

    Hirai Shoten, Maruya-cho shopping arcade : Sake brewery with 365 years of history. Sells its original brand’s local sake.

  • Otsu Festival Hikiyama Exhibition Pavilion

    Maruya-cho shopping arcade: One of the actual floats pulled during the Otsu Festival is on display.

    10 minutes

  • Otsu Hyakuchokan

    Maruya-cho shopping arcade: Old typical Otsu Machiya merchant house is well preserved. Our guide will do a house tour.

    20 minutes

  • Otsu

    Yaoyo pickle shop, Hishiya-cho shopping arcade: Long established pickle shop with a wide variety. Learn one aspect of Japanese dietary. We pick a seasonal pickle for later treat.

    10 minutes

  • Otsu Enomise

    Otsu-e no Mise, Miidera sando: Otsu-e folk Art paintings store and workshop. Succeeded by the 5th Takahashi Shozan.

    20 minutes

  • Ichie Wado

    Ichie Wado Seminar House, Kozeki-cho 4-17, in front of Nagara Jinja Shrine: Painting workshop venue for the tour. Watch a presentation on Otsu-e history and features enjoying the welcome tea and sweets as well as local snacks purchased on the way.

    1 hour 30 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Free Cancellation

June 12100% refund
June 13No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

5.0

6 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    6
  • 4 stars
    0
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    0
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Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 6 reviews with 5 stars

Amazing Authentic Cultural Creative Experience

Published on Apr, 2025

Thoroughly enjoyed Otsu-e workshop by Misato . I enjoyed and appreciate the the cultural origins and stories of the folk art she shares , authentically keeping her family and cultural heritage going. I enjoyed creating my own bell. She also brought us to the Miho Museum and nearby pottery venues around Shiga. Superb experience and highly recommend!

Unforgettable

Published on Apr, 2025

We had an unforgettable time with Misato: learning about Otsu-e , the origins and how it has evolved and we painted our individual oni-bells with her. She took us through the process like the wonderful teacher she is and was a great chat over tea and snacks. Thanks again Misato! We strongly recommend this experience to anyone enjoys culture and art, it’s very refreshing after an otherwise touristy itinerary as well.

An educational and unique experience!

Published on Nov, 2024

As someone interested in unique travel experiences and learning about traditional culture, my friend and I decided to go for this Otsu-e workshop and it did not disappoint. In fact we got more than we had expected as aside from the art experience, our lovely guide, Misato-san took us for an stroll from Otsu station to her family's studio and told us about the history of the town and several traditional businesses along the way. We were able to try some traditional snacks and tea. At the workshop, she also gave a short presentation of Otsu-e through history. I highly recommend this experience if you like Japanese culture even if you can't draw well like me!

An educational and unique experience!

Published on Nov, 2024

As someone interested in unique travel experiences and learning about traditional culture, my friend and I decided to go for this Otsu-e workshop and it did not disappoint. In fact we got more than we had expected as aside from the art experience, our lovely guide, Misato-san took us for an stroll from Otsu station to her family's studio and told us about the history of the town and several traditional businesses along the way. We were able to try some traditional snacks and tea. At the workshop, she also gave a short presentation of Otsu-e through history. I highly recommend this experience if you like Japanese culture even if you can't draw well like me!

My one and only Ohtsu-e guardian bell

Published on Sep, 2024

It was my first visit to Ohtsu city, the capital of Shiga prefecture and the main port of Lake Biwa the largest freshwater lake in Japan.  The city was also the last post town on the Tokaido trail connecting Tokyo and Kyoto in Edo period.  I learned a lot more about the facts and history of the city from the owner of Ichiewado Seminar House and a good friend of mine. After a nice catch up, I painted my own bell at her workshop.  The design is a guardian demon from Ohtsu-e, a local folk painting from Edo period. I chose my colors and started painting. Not quite confident at first, but as I went on painting I was immersed in it having lots of fun. Painting my own Ohtsu-e with a long history made me imagine the time when travelers walked the trail and got rest and food and souvenirs on their way. Now my little guardian demon bell is on duty at the entrance of our house protecting it from any evil spirits that try to come in!

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