Miho Museum & Old Chikurin-in & Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei & Lake Biwa-Shirahige Shrine One-Day Tour (Osaka/Kyoto pick-up and drop-off available)
- Visit the Miho Museum and Old Chikurin-in Temple to experience the beauty of architecture and gardens
- Check in at Hiyoshi Taisha Sanno Torii and experience a thousand-year-old shrine culture
- Shirahige Shrine's stunning torii gate in the lake, Osaka pick-up and drop-off, pure play with no shopping
What to expect
Miho Museum, Kyu Chikurin-in, and Shirahige Shrine on Lake Biwa One-Day Tour Departing from Osaka/Kyoto, step into the “Peach Blossom Spring” brought to life by master architect I.M. Pei – the Miho Museum; stroll through the national scenic garden Kyu Chikurin-in, capturing beautiful mirror reflections; finally, head to Shirahige Shrine on the shores of Lake Biwa, encountering the torii gate in the lake and the sunset over the lake. (Optional meeting point collection plan or Osaka pick-up plan. Please note that the hotel pick-up plan is only for round trips to and from Osaka~)
Miho Museum · A Real-Life Peach Blossom Spring (Tours are not available on Miho Museum closing dates)
Designed by Mr. I.M. Pei, inspired by “The Peach Blossom Spring,” approximately 80% of the architecture is hidden within the mountain. Enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, lush green mountains in summer, layers of red leaves in autumn, and the museum closes in winter if there is heavy snow. The collection includes ancient civilization artworks from Japan, China, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The perfect blend of art and nature makes it a sacred place for photography and architecture enthusiasts. There are restaurants and cafes inside the museum, where you can arrange your lunch time freely (at your own expense).
Kyu Chikurin-in · Mirror Reflection Garden A nationally designated scenic garden, once the secluded retreat of a high priest from Mount Hiei. The pavilion allows for capturing mirror reflections of the garden. It is tranquil and peaceful, with no time limit, allowing you to slowly find the best shooting angles. The moss garden offers different scenery in each of the four seasons. You can enjoy matcha and wagashi in the garden, experiencing a Japanese Zen space. ※ If the garden is closed, the tour will be changed to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei (Closed on: every Monday (except holidays), the day after a holiday, December 26-31, and from July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026)
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine · Sanno Faith Grand Head Shrine (Only visited on days when Kyu Chikurin-in is closed) Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the grand head shrine for over 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines across Japan. Its distinctive “Sanno Torii” has a triangular structure at the top, symbolizing the fusion of Shinto and Esoteric Buddhism. Monkeys replace komainu as guardian beasts, an important symbol of the Sanno faith. In autumn, the maple leaves turn the mountains red, making it a famous spot for viewing autumn foliage in Shiga.
Lake Biwa · Shirahige Shrine Water Torii Shirahige Shrine was built approximately 1900 years ago, making it one of the oldest shrines in the Omi region. The torii gate stands quietly in the lake, complementing the distant Oki Island. The light and shadows on the lake shore change with time, making it a must-visit place for photography enthusiasts. Lake Biwa, as Japan’s largest lake, is affectionately known as the “Lake of Life” and, like Mount Fuji, symbolizes the Japanese spirit.























Reviews
The Miho Museum is absolutely amazing! There was a special exhibition on precious metals during spring, and the curation was so excellent that I didn't want to leave. The Old Chikurin-in Temple is also a very peaceful place, allowing one's mind to calm and relax.
Our tour guide, Kuwahara-san, provided excellent service. He was kind and friendly, and explained the itinerary clearly.
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.
We had a great time today, the itinerary was very comfortable, and our tour guide Mia was very thoughtful and responsible, taking great care of our travel companions. We will definitely continue to book tours with Klook.
Thanks to Liao Zai for the meticulous arrangements. The itinerary was smooth, and he even helped group members take photos. He also recommended a mysterious photo spot at Shirahige Shrine.
Tour guide Ms. Naomi, absolutely excellent!
Good to know
【About Miho Museum】 No tours are available on Miho Museum’s closing days. Admission for permanent exhibitions: 1100 JPY; Admission for special exhibitions: 1300 JPY. Reference admission fees: Adults 1300 JPY, High school and university students 1000 JPY, Elementary and junior high school students free.
【About Kyu Chikurin-in Temple】 The tour does not include admission to Kyu Chikurin-in Temple. Admission is self-paid: 330 JPY; Tasting matcha + wagashi in the garden: 400 JPY. Closed days: Every Monday (except holidays), the day after a holiday, December 26-31, and from July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.
【About Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei】 The tour does not include admission to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei. Reference admission fees: Adults 500 JPY/person, Junior high and high school students 300 JPY/person, Elementary school students and younger free.
【About Tour Duration】 According to Japanese law, Japanese drivers’ maximum working hours per day must not exceed 10 hours. The guide may adjust the tour sequence and停留时间 (stay duration) appropriately based on the traffic and on-site conditions of the day.
【About Pre-Tour Notification Email】 We will send an email between 20:00 and 22:00 (Japan time) the night before your departure. The email will include: guide’s contact information, driver’s information, meeting point map, and important notes. Please be sure to check your email and your spam folder. If you are traveling during peak season, the email may be slightly delayed; we appreciate your understanding. If you receive multiple emails, please refer to the latest one.
【About Seating Arrangement】 This tour is a shared group tour, and seats are arranged on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note any special requests when placing your order; the final arrangement will be subject to the guide’s on-site coordination.
【About Shared Group Tours】 This tour is a shared group activity, and you may be traveling with guests from different countries or speaking different languages. We hope you can embrace diverse cultures and enjoy the variety of your journey.
【About Meeting Time】 Please be sure to arrive at the designated meeting point on time. As this tour operates on a shared ride model, late arrivals cannot be waited for, and no refunds will be given. Any costs or liabilities incurred due to late arrival will be borne by you. Thank you for your understanding.
【About Force Majeure Factors】 In case of tour delays due to force majeure factors such as weather or traffic, the guide will flexibly adjust the tour sequence on-site, or shorten/cancel the stay duration at some attractions as appropriate, to ensure tour safety. We will do our best to provide you with the best experience, and we appreciate your understanding.
【About Luggage Policy】 Each traveler may carry 1 standard piece of luggage free of charge. Please note this in the “Special Requests” section when placing your order. If you bring luggage without prior notice, it may cause insufficient space in the vehicle, affecting the safety and comfort of others. The guide has the right to refuse your boarding, and the fee will not be refunded.
【About Vehicle Type】 We will arrange a suitable vehicle (e.g., commercial van, minibus, coach) based on the actual number of participants; the vehicle type cannot be specified.
【About Leaving the Tour Mid-way】 This tour is a shared group tour, and you cannot leave the group mid-way or depart early. If you leave the group mid-way on your own, the remaining itinerary will be considered automatically forfeited, and no refund will be given. Any problems or costs arising from this will be borne by you.
【About Arrangements After the Tour】 As the tour end time may be affected by uncontrollable factors such as weather and traffic, the times mentioned above are for reference only. We recommend that you do not arrange other tight schedules (such as flights, performances, appointments) on the same day. We will not be responsible for any losses caused by delays.
Contact us
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