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Lake Biwa Scenic Day Trip: Valley Observation Deck & Shirahige Shrine Water Torii Gate (Departing from Kansai)

4.5 / 5
71 reviews
900+ booked
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Free cancellation (24 hours notice)
You'll get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hour(s) before the activity date (destination local time)
Depart from Osaka, Kyoto
Duration: 10.5 hour(s)
08:00-18:30
Guide language
English, Chinese, Japanese
Meet-up
Large group (4-45)

Itinerary

Photos & details
Find your departure point
Day 1

Meet-up2 sessions

1

Shirahige Shrine Torii

30 min(s) • Self-guided • Free entry

2

The Biwako Terrace observation deck is open from May 1 to November 23, 2026, and from December 19, 2026, to March 21, 2027. Please note that the scenic area will be closed for maintenance from September 7 to September 11, 2026, during which time visits cannot be arranged. In the event of the scenic area being closed, cable car suspension, or other force majeure factors preventing normal sightseeing, the itinerary will be changed to visit Sanzen-in Temple. The specific arrangements will be subject to the guide's notification on the day. & more

3 hr(s) • Self-guided • Pay on site

The Biwako Terrace observation deck is open from May 1 to November 23, 2026, and from December 19, 2026, to March 21, 2027. Please note that the scenic area will be closed for maintenance from September 7 to September 11, 2026, during which time visits cannot be arranged. In the event of the scenic area being closed, cable car suspension, or other force majeure factors preventing normal sightseeing, the itinerary will be changed to visit Sanzen-in Temple. The specific arrangements will be subject to the guide's notification on the day.
Visit Sanzen-in Temple on other dates or when the cable car is out of service.
3

Day Collina Ōmi-Hachiman

1 hr(s) • Self-guided • Pay on site

To drop-off points2 sessions

icon For reference only. The itinerary is subject to change.

Know before you go

What's included

  • Driver, Host: English, Chinese, Japanese
  • Transport: Bus
  • Admission: Torii Gate in Lake Biwa (Shirahige Shrine)
  • Meals
  • Admission
  • Accommodation
  • Extra fees
  • Gears & Equipment
  • Tax & discounts
  • Insurance
  • Biwako Cable Car Fare
  • Sanzen-in Temple admission fee
  • Other personal consumption
  • Special arrangement
  • Services vary based on customer selection

Before you book

Additional information

Other Reminders

  • 【Notification Sending Time】One day before your trip, between 16:00 and 22:00 Japan time, we will send detailed guide and vehicle information via email. Please be sure to check your inbox. During peak travel season, the sending time may be slightly delayed. If you receive multiple emails, please refer to the last one.
  • 【LINE Add Friend Instructions】Due to different LINE account registration regions, there may be regional restrictions, and in some cases, it may not be possible to add friends by searching for an account. We appreciate your understanding.
  • [Group Tour Instructions] This itinerary is a fixed international group tour route. You will share a vehicle with other travelers. Temporary stops are not possible in non-scenic areas, so please understand.
  • 【Meeting Notice】Please be sure to arrive at the designated location on time. If you are unable to participate in the itinerary due to lateness, getting lost, or other personal reasons, it will be considered an automatic forfeiture, and related fees will not be refunded.
  • 【Vehicle Arrangement】Depending on the number of participants on the day, a small car service with a driver doubling as a guide may be arranged. This format offers more flexible itinerary planning, but the driver will prioritize safe driving, and the commentary along the way will be relatively brief.
  • [Language Note] This tour is a multi-language group tour. The guide will provide services and communicate in Chinese/English bilingual or simple multi-language. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
  • 【Itinerary Adjustment】The itinerary may be adjusted due to traffic conditions, weather changes, or other force majeure factors. In case of delay or partial change, no refund or compensation will be provided. If you have subsequent travel plans or flight arrangements on the same day, please be sure to allow sufficient time.
  • 【Baggage Regulations】Each passenger may carry one piece of luggage free of charge. Any excess will incur a fee of 2,000 JPY per piece, payable on-site. Please be sure to note the number of luggage pieces when placing your order. If not informed in advance, the tour guide will arrange based on vehicle space availability, and related fees will not be refunded.
  • [Special Groups] Seniors aged 70 or above, or pregnant women, who register for a tour group must sign and return a waiver form no later than one day before departure to ensure travel safety.
  • 【Itinerary Notes】The duration of stay at each attraction has been pre-planned. Please adhere to the meeting times to avoid affecting the overall arrangement. During peak season or holidays, traffic congestion may occur, and the tour guide will adjust the itinerary sequence according to the actual situation.
  • 【In-car Regulations】To maintain a clean environment inside the vehicle, please do not eat or drink in the car. If any damage or mess is caused, a cleaning fee will be charged according to local standards.
  • 【Explanation for Leaving the Group】If you leave the group on your own after the itinerary begins, it will be considered an automatic waiver of subsequent services, and related fees will not be refunded. During this period, the traveler will be solely responsible for their personal and property safety.

Attraction information

  • 【Scenic Area Opening Information】The Pipa Lake Observation Deck will be open from May 1 to November 23, 2026, and from December 19, 2026, to March 21, 2027. It will be closed for maintenance from September 7 to September 11, 2026, and from November 24 to December 18, 2026. During other periods, or if the scenic area is closed or the cable car is suspended due to equipment maintenance, strong winds, adverse weather, etc., the itinerary will be changed to a visit to 【Sanzen-in Temple】. Please be aware that no additional compensation will be provided for any price difference resulting from changes to attractions.
  • 【Ropeway Fee Information】The Biwako Terrace ropeway and admission fees are at your own expense. The reference fee is 5,000 JPY per person (includes round-trip ropeway, unlimited chairlift rides, and Biwako Terrace admission fee); an additional 500 JPY per person will be charged on specific dates (2026/08/08–08/16, 09/20–09/22). Please refer to the on-site announcement for actual fees.
  • 【Shirahige Shrine Water Torii Gate】To photograph the water torii gate, it is recommended to go to the dedicated observation deck (Blue Lake Shirahige Platform). Please do not enter the lake or approach the torii gate area. The surrounding area mostly consists of natural lake shore terrain, and some areas have no guardrails. Please pay special attention to your footing safety when walking and photographing, and please observe shrine visiting etiquette, avoiding noise and disturbing local order.
  • 【Biwako Terrace (Biwako Valley)】Ropeway and observation facilities require an additional fee, which is subject to on-site rates. They are also susceptible to weather conditions; in case of strong winds or thunderstorms, operations may be temporarily suspended or closed. Due to significant temperature differences in the mountains, it is recommended to bring a jacket and sun protection. Additionally, opening hours or additional charges may apply on certain dates or during maintenance periods, so please refer to on-site announcements.
  • 【Sanzen-in Temple】Admission tickets are at your own expense. Please maintain quietness and respect the religious environment during your visit. Stepping on the moss garden and courtyard areas or entering unauthorized areas is prohibited. Stone steps may be slippery on rainy days, so please be careful when walking and prevent slips.
  • 【La Collina Omihachiman】There are many people in the park, and popular desserts may require queuing to purchase. Please pay attention to safety when walking on the grassy slopes and in building areas, avoid running, and do not enter non-open factories or back-of-house areas.

Prohibitions & Limitations

  • This activity is not recommended for anyone with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, etc.
  • Participants who appear intoxicated may be refused service. In this case, no refunds will be given
  • Pets are prohibited

Accessibility

  • Child seats are not available
  • Important: Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount

Vehicle & luggage info

  • The driver has the right to refuse a reservation if the group size or luggage exceeds the capacity of the reserved vehicle. In this case, no refunds will be issued

Terms & Conditions

Confirmation

  • You'll get confirmation within minutes. If you don't see any confirmation, reach out to our customer support.

Cancellation policy

  • You'll get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hour(s) before the activity date (destination local time)

Booking changes policy

  • Change are allowed until 24 hour(s) before activity starts
  • The booking can’t be changed if it was booked with Klook Pass, under pre-sales or comes with a freebie.
  • The booking cannot be changed if the voucher has not yet been issued.
  • Bookings made using SG Culture Pass or Taiwan Culture Points cannot be changed.

How to use

Usage validity

  • The voucher is valid only on the specified date (and time if applicable)

Age & eligibility

Eligibility

  • Important: Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount
  • Free for children aged 0-2 as long as they will not occupy separate seats
  • Children aged 3+ will be charged the same rate as adults
  • Seniors aged 70+ should present a medical certificate before participating

Reviews

4.5 / 5
Fantastic
71 reviews
Guide
4.6
Itinerary
4.5
Quality of transfer
4.6
Value for money
4.5
Had a great time exploring Lake Biwa! I was the only non-Chinese speaker in the group, but our guide made sure I was included the whole time—translating key info and checking in with me throughout the tour. I forgot her name, but she was incredibly helpful and friendly. All the stops were beautiful—I loved every place we visited!
Sanzen-in Temple + Shirasu Shrine + Ukimido Temple, a one-day tour of La Collina, completed in a joyful atmosphere. Overall very good, although it rained, being able to see the autumn leaves made it worth the ticket price. At La Collina, the tour guide Casper strongly recommended the No. 1 Baumkuchen, saving us a lot of time so we could take pictures. In summary, our tour guide Casper was very enthusiastic and responsible, a great tour guide, highly recommended!!
The travel distance was a bit long, but the attraction itself was beautiful, making it well worth it. The cable car was a bit expensive, but still recommended. As for the tour guide, they were a bit disorganized; they actually lost a group member's cable car ticket and then went around asking if anyone had an extra. Their ticket management skills could definitely be improved.
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 😅
It's a niche tour because the attractions are relatively far, and the travel time by car is longer. However, although the attractions are small and distant, they offer a different feeling, giving people a sense of inner peace, making them worth visiting. It is recommended that tour participants must be punctual, otherwise, it will be troublesome if they are left behind. Also, it is best to bring your own food, as there are only a few restaurants near Sanzen-in Temple and the final cake factory. The other attractions have no restaurants or convenience stores, so it will be difficult if you get hungry along the way.
Saves a lot of travel time, and focuses on four key attractions. The cable car requires an extra fee, but it's well worth it. The only downside is that there's too little time, but that's the trade-off when you join a day trip.
it was an extreme rush trip due to the distance of each location, which was understandable. much worthy for photo taking session. still appreciate for the tour arrangement as it is convenient for anyone that would want to head there for a glance and reduce tiredness from self traveled by public transport. the guide was friendly, introduce each attraction spot, told us which spot is photo worthy.
The day went well, despite a reorganization in the order of activities, but we completed the entire program. Our guide Alexa was very professional and warm. She made sure everything went well for everyone. She provided explanations of the excursions in 3 languages, and each time she made sure that everyone understood well. She took care to remind everyone of the important elements each time: where the restrooms are, where to buy tickets, and the times. I greatly appreciated that she offered several times to take photos for people.

About the operator

Operated by株式会社三宇観光
8934Total reviews
93 %Good review rate
Reviews of this operator
Our tour guide, Xiao Liu, was very attentive and took care of everyone.
See all reviews

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