Enryakuji Temple

We departed at 7:30 AM in a 10-seater minivan. About an hour later, I noticed the driver seemed to be falling asleep, as the vehicle kept drifting. Feeling unsafe, I started a brief conversation with the driver. Fortunately, we arrived at a rest stop shortly after, which helped him wake up. This is definitely something that needs to be addressed, and I hope you take it seriously. Aside from that incident, the driver was very polite, and when he wasn't drowsy, he drove steadily without speeding, which is commendable. Thank you.

Today, due to the holiday, there were heavy crowds and severe traffic congestion. Fortunately, the weather was clear and the scenic beauty far exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide, Yafei, gave us detailed introductions on the bus in advance regarding the cultural history, local cuisine, and great photo spots for each attraction, which was extremely helpful. Despite the heavy traffic, the guide continuously communicated with the driver to estimate our arrival time and constantly kept us updated on the estimated arrival times and duration of our visits, allowing us to adjust our expectations accordingly. She was very dedicated and responsible. As for the scenery, Lake Biwa is truly stunning with its sparkling waters. Exploring, checking in, and taking photos on the mountain yielded amazing pictures. We experienced both the cable car and the Sky Bridge; the scenery on the mountain was pleasant and expansive, and we had a wonderful time. The only thing to note is that it is windy at the top of the mountain, so it is best to wear a windbreaker and long pants to avoid getting cold. Due to the traffic jams, we only had half an hour to explore and shop at our last stop, La Collina Omihachiman. The tour guide efficiently led us quickly to the cake factory at the very back, allowing us to catch the core scenery just before sunset. The experience was still quite good overall. Generally speaking, thanks to the clear weather and comfortable temperatures, this trip greatly exceeded expectations. The only minor drawback was the traffic, which compressed the time available at each attraction, making it feel a bit like a rushed "special forces" style tour, and the return trip was a bit late. However, overall we had a thoroughly enjoyable and comfortable time. Special thanks to our dedicated tour guide Yafei, and to the experienced and smooth driver who warmly greeted each of us when getting on and off the bus and helped us with our luggage!

absolutely fantastic experience. I went late April and it was perfect to see the spring bloom. ride was fairly quick, clean and comfortable. lots of sightseeing and space to walk around. I went around 11am and there were not a lot of people. I highly recommend buying a ticket for the garden while you are up there. really great atmosphere and neat art to check out. ended up getting a coffee and some goodies at the gift shop. great for a solo traveler as there were not a lot of tourists and it was very serene.

Need a kitchen knife? Make your own. This is it! As a family of 5, it was well worth it to learn an aspect of culture and have your kids participate. This business in particular, is tailored to your group so there is no large corporate awkwardness. As a small business they are able assist you one on one, as necessary. Learn to make a knife: heating, pounding to shape, grinding and sharpening; all in one. I'm from the US and have toured a lot if places.....this one is fun, enjoyable, and most everyone can get something out of this experience.

Amazing experience for us family of 4!We had a wonderful time at the Onsen ,you have choices of using the indoor or outdoor jacuzzi ,although we preferred the outdoor open air bath .You have a close encounter with nature and it was such rejuvenating.The facilities is well equipped and there is a nice restaurant serving local sumptuos dishes.We will definitely do it again next time we go back to Japan.

This was such a fun experience we were lucky to practically have a private class. So maybe try the morning sessions the afternoons get much busier. Taka was so much fun and taught us a lot. My son was lucky enough to get to spa with him and got a lesson in the art of Kendo. Who new 1.5mins Kendo sparing would be such hard work.

Really cool experience! My oldest son turned 13 while in Kyoto, we also have a 8 and 10 year old that complete our family of 5, we did this for his birthday following a samurai experience EVERYONE really enjoyed it! It was not to hard for our youngest; as long as it’s the ninja stars or kunai knife, my husband and I did the masks and they need more attention to detail so maybe not for the 8-10 year old range.

Such an awesome experience, would recommend to anyone visiting the area. Alredy booked another class with them lol.

If you're planning a leisurely trip to Kyoto, one that isn't rushed and allows you to deeply experience the beauty of Kyoto's mountains, forests, and ancient temples, I truly highly recommend this tour! 🌿 I especially want to give a strong recommendation to our tour guide, Wang Zhaoyu! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you only speak Chinese, there's absolutely no need to worry. Mr. Wang speaks fluent Chinese, and his professionalism was evident even the day before the tour. I couldn't find the meeting point the day before, so I called the guide on a whim, and to my surprise, he not only answered immediately but also patiently helped me step-by-step. This level of service alone deserves a five-star rating! Throughout the entire trip, Mr. Wang's explanations were clear, and he was very friendly and approachable. His driving skills were also incredibly impressive; despite being very prone to motion sickness, I didn't feel sick at all. His driving was smooth and comfortable, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. The itinerary was also excellent, perfect as an introductory tour for these attractions. It not only helps you quickly understand the characteristics of each site but also helps you identify which places best suit your preferences. If you find a particular spot you love, it will give you better direction for a more in-depth, self-guided exploration next time. For a day trip, the pace of this itinerary is very comfortable, suitable for those who prefer a slower pace. Each attraction allowed ample time to linger and experience the charming blend of Kyoto's mountains, ancient temples, and streams. It's a route I highly recommend. 🍃 Nanzen-ji Temple boasts a solemn and ancient temple atmosphere, complemented by the famous Suirokaku aqueduct, where history and nature blend perfectly, offering different charms in every season. Eikan-do Temple is renowned for its autumn foliage, and although it wasn't maple leaf season during our visit, the serene and elegant garden still had a unique charm; each has its own beauty. 🍃 Sanzen-in Temple is filled with a strong sense of Zen, with its tranquil and healing moss garden. Strolling through it instantly calms the mind. We were also fortunate to encounter an exhibition by artist Kumiko Minami (on its last day), which added an unexpected surprise to the trip. 🚃 Although the Eizan Electric Railway (between Hieizan-guchi Station and Kurama Station) doesn't offer the spectacular autumn maple leaf tunnel, the summer mountains are lush green, and the scenery along the way is fresh and therapeutic, showcasing another vibrant side of Kyoto. ⛩️ The most unforgettable aspect of Kifune Shrine is the neatly arranged red lanterns lining both sides of the approach, which look especially dreamy against the green backdrop. Although we didn't experience kawadoko (riverside dining) this time, seeing the kawadoko structures built along the stream gave us a deep appreciation for Kyoto's unique summer charm. Overall, this was a comfortable and stress-free in-depth trip to Kyoto. There was no constant rushing; instead, we truly had the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the beauty created by the intertwining mountains, ancient temples, and streams. If you're still wondering whether to join, I genuinely recommend choosing Tour Guide Wang Zhaoyu. He is professional, friendly, meticulous, and reliable, and he will undoubtedly make your Kyoto trip even more enjoyable! ❤️