Shiga: Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine & Miho Museum & Former Chikurin-in Temple Day Trip | Departing from Osaka/Kyoto
- Step into I. M. Pei's masterpiece, the Miho Museum, and experience the dreamy beauty of an art sanctuary hidden in the mountains and a cherry blossom tunnel in spring.
- Explore the Kyu-Chikurin-in Temple and admire the mirror garden, reminiscent of Rurikoin Temple, immersing yourself in the tranquil Zen atmosphere of mossy stone steps and matcha sweets.
- If the temple is closed, visit Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei instead, and experience the origin of Japan's Sanno faith and the spiritually powerful monkey guardians.
- Visit the Lake Biwa Floating Torii Gate, a sacred place for photography enthusiasts, and enjoy the stunning scenery of Oki Island interwoven with the lake surface in the distance.
- In a single day, experience architectural aesthetics, Zen gardens, and natural lake views, and discover the diverse cultural charm surrounding Kyoto.
What to expect
This is a high-quality route that connects architectural aesthetics, Japanese gardens, ancient beliefs, and lakeside hidden gems. Its overall ambiance is quiet and restrained, yet full of surprises at every turn, making it an immersive, niche-style INS journey✨.
- The journey begins at the Miho Museum, known as a "real-life Peach Blossom Spring." Designed by the master I.M. Pei, 80% of the building is hidden within the mountains. After passing through tunnels and crossing suspension bridges, the view gradually opens up, as if truly entering the world of "The Peach Blossom Spring." The architectural lines are minimalist yet powerful, perfectly blending with the mountains, sky, and light and shadow. Every step offers a high-end composition📐🌿. The museum's collection spans diverse ancient civilizations, where art and nature echo each other, and during cherry blossom season, the pink tunnel gives the entire space a soft-focus filter.
- Next, we arrive at the Old Chikurin-in Temple, a photographer’s secret “Rurikoin alternative.” The wooden table in the attic reflects the garden scenery, creating a transparent and tranquil mirror image. With no crowds and no time limits, you can slowly find your perfect angle. Moss, maple leaves, rocks, and flowing water form a scene full of Zen. With a cup of matcha in hand, time seems to pause🍵. From July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026, due to garden renovation work, the garden will be closed, and visitors will be redirected to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei, which is the head shrine of over 3,800 Hie and Hiyoshi shrines in Japan. The red Sanno Torii gates and the “divine messenger monkeys” scattered throughout the grounds give the entire shrine both solemnity and a lively spirit. During the autumn foliage season, the shrine is surrounded by red leaves, with incredibly rich layers of color, making every casual shot a masterpiece⛩️.
- The journey culminates at the Shirahige Shrine's torii gate in Lake Biwa. The torii stands quietly in the lake, presenting different expressions with changes in light, weather, and water color. Fishing boats pass through, creating a clean and powerful scene. There is no hustle and bustle here, only the lake breeze, the sky, and the traces of time flowing, making it a place where one can truly slow down🌊.
This route does not seek excitement, but rather uses architecture, nature, and faith to create a high-aesthetic journey that is both enduring and engaging.
Reviews
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.
My wife and I joined a day tour today. The weather was great, and the itinerary was excellent. We visited Lake Biwa and the Miho Museum, taking many photos. The entire process was very smooth. Our driver and guide, Wang Weibing, was very nice. He also introduced us to the history, culture, and suggested activities for each attraction during the drive. The timing was perfectly arranged, and he proactively helped us take photos at every stop. We are very grateful to him and would love to join his tour again if we have the chance.
I've always dreamed of visiting the Miho Museum, but the inconvenient transportation always deterred me. When I stumbled upon this tour, which allowed me to visit several desired locations at once, I immediately signed up! I was incredibly lucky to catch a beautiful sunny day on April 16th, and the cherry blossoms at the museum hadn't completely fallen yet. Seeing the interplay of light and shadow on the architecture amidst the spring scenery was like a dream. I especially want to commend our guide, Sen. He was energetic and enthusiastic, providing detailed explanations in both Chinese and English, making the entire trip incredibly enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to visit Miho but is worried about the hassle!
I was very satisfied with this trip. Our tour guide, Naomi-san, contacted me via WhatsApp the night before, which was very thoughtful and friendly. She's also incredibly talented, being Japanese and fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. We had ample time to explore and relax at each attraction, and every place was beautiful. We traveled in a small tour bus, seating about 24 people, which was relatively compact.
This trip was absolutely perfect, largely thanks to our guide, Naomi. She diligently provided explanations in both Chinese and English for guests from various backgrounds. Her explanations were very detailed, and she always offered recommendations for interesting souvenirs or cafes around the attractions. The beauty of the MIHO Museum is truly something to behold, especially during cherry blossom season; it's so moving it almost brings tears to your eyes. And the Old Chikurin-in Temple is an absolute must-visit for taking stunning photos – don't miss it!
Visited the MIHO Museum, which has a collection of ancient art. Had to pay the entrance fee on-site. Then took a long bus ride to see Biwa Lake and the Torii gate in the water. Ended the trip at an old temple; the highlight was the mirror reflecting the trees. I was the only English speaker on the entire trip; everyone else spoke Chinese. The guide took great care of us, explaining everything well in both languages. It was enjoyable and I got to see new places, but I would recommend spending more time in the Shiga area.
Embrace the art, beautiful architecture, and many Instagram-worthy spots! Moho Museum, the former Chikurin-in Temple, and Lake Biwa’s Shirahige Shrine are not easy to reach by train from Kyoto, so this tour is a convenient way to visit several famous attractions in Shiga, Japan. Our tour guide, Liao, and the driver made the trip run smoothly. Liao was very helpful throughout the day. We were the only group that did not speak Mandarin, but both the guide and other tour members kindly helped with English translations, which made the experience very pleasant. A few things to note: the schedule is quite tight, and there isn’t much time for a sit-down meal. It’s best to bring lunch and snacks for the road. Also, there many different tour buses at the meet up location which makes it hard to know which bus parking spot to meet. Communicate with your guide early for the exact parking spot.
The Miho Museum is truly wonderful. I hope they offer tours that allow for more time in the future. Such magnificent architecture and excellent exhibitions deserve more time to be thoroughly appreciated! The water torii gate in the afternoon could only be photographed from across the road, and the actual view and sacredness of the scene, when not framed in a photo, were a bit disappointing.
Director Liao is so considerate! He specially extended the visiting time at the Miho Museum, allowing us to stroll and appreciate it slowly, which is super comfortable. The torii gate on the water at sunset must be absolutely stunning. The orange sunset shines on the water, and the terrain has a natural sense of vastness, filling the scene with imagery!
Our driver and guide, Mr. Kangfu Wu, made this day trip absolutely wonderful! He was incredibly kind and enthusiastic, taking meticulous care of us from the moment we met. His explanations were clear and patient, and he shared many insights into local Japanese culture and stories about the sights, making the journey much richer and more enjoyable. The itinerary was well-planned and flowed smoothly, and he managed our time perfectly. He even pointed out great photo spots and important tips, which made us feel very safe and happy throughout the trip. We are so grateful for Mr. Wu's dedicated service; it was a pleasant and unforgettable journey, highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We genuinely recommend this guide and hope to join another one of his tours on our next visit to Japan!
Good to know
- According to Japanese law, vehicle usage time cannot exceed 10 hours. Therefore, the tour guide may adjust the itinerary based on the actual conditions of the day. We appreciate your understanding.
- We will send an email with the tour guide and vehicle information for the next day between 20:00-21:00 (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM) on the day before the tour. Please check your inbox promptly. Emails may be mistakenly filtered into your spam folder. During peak season, there may be delays in sending the email. We apologize for any inconvenience. In special circumstances, if you receive multiple emails, please refer to the latest one. If you use WeChat, you can add the tour guide's account proactively based on the information in the email.
- Please note: As this is a group tour, there may be guests who speak other languages traveling in the same vehicle. We appreciate your understanding.
- To ensure your trip goes smoothly, please be sure to confirm the meeting location and avoid making temporary changes once it is confirmed. If you fail to board the vehicle due to a change of meeting location for personal reasons, we will not be able to issue a refund. We appreciate your understanding.
- We will do our best to accommodate your seating requests, but as this is a shared tour, seating is primarily allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have special needs, please inform us in the remarks, and we will do our best to arrange a suitable seat for you. The final arrangement is subject to the tour guide's coordination on the day. We hope you understand and are accommodating. Thank you for your understanding.
- During peak tourist seasons or other special circumstances, the departure time of the tour may be earlier or slightly later than scheduled. The specific departure time is subject to the email notification you receive the day before the tour. Please prepare accordingly in advance.
- As the day tour is a shared ride, we kindly ask that you arrive at the meeting location or attraction on time. No refunds will be given for late arrivals, and any incidental expenses and responsibilities incurred due to tardiness will be borne by you. Thank you for your understanding.
- In the event of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the park may adjust the operating hours of the rides or show times, or even cancel some projects and performances without prior notice. We appreciate your understanding.
- This product may be adjusted according to weather and other factors. To ensure your safety, staff members have the right to ask guests to suspend outdoor activities, communicate with you, and make alternative arrangements. The specific situation is subject to the actual situation on the day.
- The transportation, sightseeing, and stopover times involved in the itinerary are subject to the actual conditions on the day. In special circumstances (such as traffic jams, weather conditions, etc.), the tour guide may reasonably adjust the order of attractions, with the consent of the guests, without reducing the number of attractions in the itinerary.
- Each guest can bring one piece of luggage free of charge. Please indicate this in the "Special Requirements" section when placing your order. If you bring luggage without informing us one day in advance, it may cause congestion in the vehicle and affect driving safety. The tour guide has the right to refuse you boarding, and the fee will not be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.
- We will arrange different vehicle types based on the actual number of travelers. We cannot specify the vehicle type. Thank you for your understanding.
- It is not possible to leave the group early or depart midway during the tour. If you choose to leave the group midway, the uncompleted portion will be regarded as a voluntary abandonment, and no refund will be given. You will be responsible for any accidents that may occur after leaving the group. Thank you for your understanding.
- Seasonal limited-time events (such as cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, special flowering seasons, illuminations, fireworks displays, snow scenery viewing, hot spring season, festive activities, etc.) are greatly affected by climate, weather, or other force majeure factors, and specific arrangements may be adjusted. Therefore, please refer to the official notification. If we do not receive an official notification to cancel the event, we will arrange it according to the original plan. If the flowering period or special event does not meet expectations, no refund will be given. Please be aware of this.
- As the journey is long, the actual arrival time will be affected by factors such as traffic and weather. The above times are estimates only. Please avoid arranging other activities after the day's itinerary. We will not be liable for any losses caused by delays. Thank you for your understanding.
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