Lake Biwa tours

Effy was amazing same with the bus driver. Every pitstop was amazing. I was nervous about the height going up on the gondola but up the top was so worth it. Everything was great sight seeing along the way also, wish I could upload more pics.

Here's an honest and straightforward review of three major attractions in Shiga Prefecture: Shirahige Shrine, Biwako Terrace, and La Collina Omihachiman. 1. Shirahige Shrine Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I left feeling a bit disappointed. The torii gate in the water is located across the road, making it dangerous to cross and difficult to appreciate properly from a distance. The shrine itself doesn't offer much to see, so it's best suited as a quick stop. 2. Biwako Terrace This was definitely the highlight of my trip. The panoramic view of Lake Biwa from the terrace cafe was truly spectacular, and I was most satisfied with being able to relax amidst the expansive scenery. 3. La Collina Omihachiman It was so crowded that it was hard to leisurely soak in the unique atmosphere. The signature dessert, the confectionery, also tends to be a hit or miss in terms of taste. However, the grass-roofed buildings and the garden views were beautiful, making it an excellent spot for taking photos.

Last time, I visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, so this time I went to places I hadn't seen before. It was just before a long holiday, so there weren't many people, and it was wonderfully peaceful and quiet! When you actually see it, it's not so much 'Wow, that's amazing!' but rather beautiful scenery, the path you walk while admiring that scenery, various photos taken at photo spots, and an unexpected seagull zoo feeding (making eye contact with seagulls and hawks). I didn't have high expectations, but it was fun! The only downside is that the travel time is a bit long if you depart from Osaka! However, our guide, MICA, explained many things about Japan so well and took such beautiful photos that I even changed my KakaoTalk profile picture for the first time in a while! 😄

During our trip to Japan, we stayed in Kyoto. My husband and I wanted to visit Lake Biwa, but since we were traveling independently, we opted for a convenient one-day tour. It was great not having to worry about transportation, and our tour guide was very professional, able to switch between Chinese, Japanese, and English.

It was truly a delightful day trip. The large tour bus was clean and comfortable, and the driver handled it smoothly and steadily. Of course, the most important thing was meeting an excellent tour guide, Xiao Du. He could explain and communicate in three different languages, which was superb! He was gentle, meticulous, and very attentive. He even gave us a bonus (a recommendation for a hidden gem), which added even more color to an already rich itinerary. I'm incredibly grateful. Thumbs up, thumbs up, thumbs up!

Richard the tour guide was helpful and responsive. The tour included beautiful views in Amanohashidate. Chairlift and Sky Cycle were a surreal experience at Amanohashidate Viewland. Boat ride was a fun experience feeding the Seagulls and Kites at Ine Bay.

I was very fortunate to have Abu as my tour guide this time; he was truly exceptional. In addition to providing detailed explanations of the attractions along the way, he also shared a lot of Japanese culture and historical background, making the entire trip very enriching. He took great care of every group of guests, and even as a solo traveler like myself, I never felt overlooked, which was very reassuring. During the trip, a small incident occurred: a vending machine in a tourist area took my money when I tried to buy water. At the time, we were in a hurry to catch a cable car, so Abu quickly decided not to delay the itinerary and told me he would accompany me to the service center to handle it later. Due to the language barrier, when I explained my situation to the service staff, they didn't fully understand at first and asked for clarification multiple times. Fortunately, Abu was there to help translate and explain. Although the back-and-forth communication took some time, we eventually managed to get a refund. Not only is he a professional guide, but he also proactively assists and patiently handles unexpected situations for travelers, which I truly appreciate. I highly recommend Abu and hope to join another one of his tours in the future!

The day before the one-day tour, we received an email from our tour guide, Sun Jiaxue (Yuki), detailing the itinerary, important notes, meeting point, and contact information. Since there were about 20 people in our group, we traveled by large bus. At the start of the one-day tour and just before reaching our destination, our guide Yuki provided detailed explanations and important information. She also used Line to send reminders about the itinerary and pickup locations. Itinerary Stop 1: Miho Museum - I.M. Pei's Utopia. Anyone studying architecture must experience the master's architectural design and its integration with the environment. Lunch was at our own expense; the rice balls and Miho tofu at the ticket center's restaurant are worth trying. (Photos 1-3) Itinerary Stop 2: Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei - This is the head shrine for over 3,800 Hie, Hiyoshi, and Sanno shrines across Japan, known for monkeys serving as messengers of the gods. (Photo 4) Itinerary Stop 3: Shirahige Shrine and Water Torii Gate on Lake Biwa - A legendary spot said to be closest to the gods. (Photos 5-6) Many thanks to our tour guide Yuki and the driver for their excellent service on today's one-day tour. Our family of four had a truly enriching experience.

The Miho Museum is truly stunning. It's remarkable how much effort an organization can put into promoting and disseminating aesthetics, from collecting and displaying exhibits to constructing the museum itself. Visitors to this secluded mountain location will undoubtedly be awestruck and impressed by this architectural masterpiece that rose from nothing. The quaint Bamboo Forest Garden is charming and compact. According to the introduction, it was once a training dormitory for monks from Enryaku-ji Temple. Enjoying matcha while gazing at the garden is quite therapeutic and relaxing. Shirahige Shrine, especially on a clear day, offers beautiful photo opportunities, and its omamori (charms) are also lovely. After a full day of sightseeing, I actually felt incredibly relaxed and peaceful.