Sanzen-in Temple tours

We thoroughly enjoyed this day trip filled with serene shrines, peafeful temples, natural beauty, and some touristy shopping and food at the end of the tour. Our guide Hide, was friendly and knowledgeable and he got us everywhere safely and on time. We would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see these major sites and attractions without having to worry about the transportation.

During the summer vacation, I took my child to Japan. There were many places I wanted to visit, but I knew transportation would be a challenge, and without a guide, I might not understand anything. I've never joined a tour group or a day trip in China before, so I decided to try this with an open mind, and it truly deserves a five-star rating! This package is excellent and very affordable (I really didn't expect it to be so good for such a low price). The tour guide is a very enthusiastic Chinese person who is a permanent resident in Japan. The bus was comfortable throughout the trip, and the guide shared a lot about the local customs and culture from his many years in Japan, which was very insightful. A big thank you to Tour Guide Wu Shifeng; he was excellent and very professional, with no hidden fees! We visited all the classic Kyoto landmarks in one day, and the pace was just right! Highly recommended! Everyone should definitely go for it!

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.

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! ❤️

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.

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!

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.

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。