Things to do in Takashima

Floating Shirahige Shrine Torii Gate and Mangetsu-ji Ukimido floating on Lake Biwa are quite unique and beautiful. La Collina's grass-roof pavilion in Omihachiman also has a bit fairytale-like feel, and her Baumkuchen is worth trying. The only downside was that after several days of heavy rain, the Biwako Valley Ropeway we were supposed to take was under maintenance, so we went to Sanzen-in Monzeki instead. Fortunately, the temple was tranquil and a good place to purify the mind The guide, Mr Roman, was a courteous, thoughtful, and responsible person. He kept accurate time management, provided brief introductions and reminders before reaching each attraction, and thoughtfully catered to the needs of every member of the group. It was a valuable experience.

Great weather all day. Got to see some beautiful sights, though if I'd known Biwako Valley would be so cold up there, I would've brought my jacket. Anyways thank you for being patient with me. seemed like I was the naughty one in this group tour😅and I really appreciate the guide Peter for taking photos, it meant a lot to us which is why I give 5 stars. 很好的天气，也看到了一些美丽的景色。还有很感谢导游Peter帮我们拍照，真的很高兴。

This is a meaningful tour that visits four locations: Shirahige Shrine, Sanzen-in Temple, Mangetsuji Temple, and La Collina. I chose it to see Shiga Prefecture, a lesser-known area in the Kinki region, and I was happy to see the large and magnificent Lake Biwa. Sanzen-in Temple, which was included as a substitute for the Lake Biwa Observatory in the winter season, was unfortunately a temple located in Kyoto Prefecture. Personally, I think it would be better if the schedule only included Shiga Prefecture's attractions, excluding Sanzen-in Temple. It seems like the Shiga Prefecture tour needs an image upgrade. Unfortunately, due to the old bus (18 seats) being fully booked with no empty seats, you have to endure the discomfort of a long journey if you end up in a bad seat.

Our tour guide, Mia, was incredibly kind and thoughtful, and her explanations in both English and Chinese were excellent. She's a five-star guide! The Miho Museum is definitely worth visiting, and it was absolutely stunning during cherry blossom season. We were also very lucky to encounter a festival when we visited Chikurin-in Temple, and the torii gate on Lake Biwa was beautiful as well.

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.

Many thanks to our guide, Xiaoyu, who was incredibly helpful. The area around Lake Biwa is perfect for a leisurely exploration, and first-time visitors on a tour can hit the major attractions. Be sure to bring a thick jacket and enough cash before heading up to the top of Mount Biwa. The view from the summit is like a fairyland, but it's also very cold up there. Tourists accustomed to using Alipay everywhere in big cities for taxis and subways might be spoiled, but it's still a good idea to have some cash when visiting less-traveled spots. I exchanged money with our guide on the spot. Fortunately, Japan doesn't constantly demand exorbitant tips like in the US, nor does it pressure you into buying things excessively like in some other countries. It's very professional and well-regulated.

Our tour guide, Xiao Liu, was very attentive and took care of everyone. He also explained the cultural background on the bus. This one-day tour was really great, no need to rush around every day with a typical tour group. I'll definitely join this type of activity again when I come to Japan in the future. The only downside was that it snowed too much 😅

Naomi was a great tour guide, she was very kind and welcoming. She explained each landmark very well and even recommended other attractions and sites to see in Kyoto. The tour was very timely and Naomi and the driver were able to make the tour work even with the rain going on. This is a great option for people who want to visit all of these locations without having to worry about public transportation.

Casper is amazing! He's the best guide I've had on the many tours I've taken. The four Lake Biwa spots we visited this time were all beautiful. I recommend everyone to participate in this tour! I look forward to participating again next time during the snowy season or the autumn foliage season!