Things to do in Mount Hiei

Nick introduced the attractions and Japanese culture during the car ride. The trip went smoothly, and although the weather in July was very hot, the Miho Museum was still well worth visiting. It offers different scenery in different seasons and is truly an ideal paradise!

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!

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!

THIS WAS FANTASTIC! Not only was it affordable but it was funny, taught us so much and allowed my husband to step back into the ring even for a few seconds! An amazing time and I will definitely be recommending this experience to my clients and followers!

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! ❤️

we really enjoyed the show and learning about sumo. the host was great and the wrestlers put on an amazing show. comfy cushions on seats and good selection of drinks available.

My husband and I had a great experience! Dong was a great teacher and made our experience seamless and fun from start to finish. We will be recommending this experience to our friends visiting Kyoto in the future. Thank you Dong! :)

Absolutely loved this kimono rental experience 🫶 The kimonos were so pretty with so many beautiful designs to choose from, and the makeup was soft, elegant, and done so nicely ✨ The staff were incredibly kind and helpful throughout the whole process, which made everything feel comfortable and special. I truly felt so pretty and confident walking around Kyoto in my kimono 💕 Highly recommend!

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.