Otsu Trip Overview
Discover and learn in detail about the beautiful Japanese roof architecture of temples and shrines. This is a unique opportunity to visit workshops and experience this form of craftsmanship.
On this tour, you will visit some of the last craftsmen who dedicate their lifework to the preservation of renowned temples and shrines in Japan. Since ancient times, Japanese people have believed that the beauty of Japanese architecture starts from the roof. This tour is an amazing chance to learn and understand Japanese roof tiles, which are recognized internationally for their beauty and artistic details. In the intimate venue of their workshops and homes, the roof craftsmen will explain to you how roof materials such as tiles, cypress bark and rice straw are used for roofs and share in detail the differences between temple and shrine roofs.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Starts: Otsu, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Otsu Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Otsu, Shiga, Japan
Discover and learn in detail about the beautiful Japanese roof architecture of temples and shrines. This is a unique opportunity to visit workshops and experience this form of craftsmanship.
On this tour, you will visit some of the last craftsmen who dedicate their lifework to the preservation of renowned temples and shrines in Japan. Since ancient times, Japanese people have believed that the beauty of Japanese architecture starts from the roof. This tour is an amazing chance to learn and understand Japanese roof tiles, which are recognized internationally for their beauty and artistic details. In the intimate venue of their workshops and homes, the roof craftsmen will explain to you how roof materials such as tiles, cypress bark and rice straw are used for roofs and share in detail the differences between temple and shrine roofs.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station (KOSEI LINE) is the starting point of the tour. Meet our guide in front of the ticket gate (there’s only one gate at the station) at 9:30 am.
We can also pick you up at JR Kyoto Station at 9:00 am in front of the 7-11 convenience store next to the West Ticket Gate (2nd floor). The pick-up charge is 4,500JPY/group. Your train fare is not included in the price. Please pay the pick-up charge by cash to our tour conductor.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Hieizan-Sakamoto Station, 3 Chome-31 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113, Japan
After a 20-minute train ride from JR Kyoto station, you will arrive at JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station. Meet our tour conductor in front of the ticket gate.
We will take a taxi to the roof masters workshops.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Sakamoto Tourist Information Center, 6-1-13 Sakamoto, Otsu 520-0113 Shiga Prefecture
*The workshops are close to the Tourist Information Center
We will visit a very famous group of decorative tile artisans who are well known for exclusively producing roof tiles and gargoyles for historical sites in both Kyoto and Shiga.
The group has been dedicated to temple construction for several generations and has been creating onigawara decorative tiles for over 100 years. They are one of the few decorative tile artisans’ workshops still existing in this region.
Next, we will visit an artisanal workshop for hiwadabuki, cypress bark roofing, run by the seventh-generation successor. This ancient technique of roof-making has been used predominantly for high-class shrines and temples and is original to Japan. Records show that neighborhood temples had this style of roof as early as 1,350 years ago.
The artisans at this workshop are busily contributing their sophisticated skills and craftsmanship to prestigious buildings in Kyoto and other areas. At the workshop, we will learn about hiwadabuki, cypress bark roofing, and kokerabuki, roofing made with thin wooden boards.
Also, we can see the female workers and artisan’s wives preparing cypress bark materials for roofing by hand as it has been done since olden times. It is a truly rare chance to see and experience the daily life of the workshop in action.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Honke Tsuruki Soba, 4-chōme-11-40 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113, Japan
We will take a short break at a 300-year-old Soba buckwheat noodle restaurant. The buckwheat noodles are freshly made by hand every day. The chef must adjust the ratio of the ingredients precisely according to that day’s temperature and humidity.
Different types of fish flakes are blended together to produce a flavorful soup seasoned with local soy sauce brewed in the neighborhood. The restaurant is always packed with the locals savoring that day’s fare.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hiyoshi Taisha, 5-1-1 Sakamoto, Otsu 520-0113 Shiga Prefecture
Next, we will visit Hiyoshi Shrine, enshrined at the foothill of Mt. Hiei, the head temple of the 3,800 Hiyoshi shrines throughout Japan that originates from an amazing 2,100 years ago. When Japan’s capital was moved to Kyoto 1,200 years ago, this shrine was enshrined to protect Kimon or the ‘Demon’s Gate’, an unlucky quarter of the city. Thus, the shrine was worshiped as a guardian that kept away the curse of the evil spirit as well as disaster. It has been also considered a protector of Enryakuji Temple, a World Heritage site situated on Mt. Hiei.
All the shrine buildings have hiwadabuki or cypress bark roofs, with the eastern main hall designated as a National Treasure. Here guests can admire the work of the artisans you met earlier on the tour, made following the same ancient techniques described in documents as long as 1,350 years ago.
Hiwadabuki roofs have to be repaired every 30 years depending on the wear and tear which varies depending on the environment and the roof’s shape. This roof-repairing process has been handed down for over 1,350 years.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hieizan-Sakamoto Station, 3 Chome-31 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113, Japan
－Returning to Kyoto with fond memories.
We will get a taxt to JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station. The tour conductor will accompany you to JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station for your return journey to Kyoto.
Duration: 5 minutes
