Otsu

My husband and I very much enjoyed this tour guided day trip to Shiga! Our tour guide Effy was very informative and kept us updated throughout the day regarding itinerary. The bus was clean and comfortable and the bus driver did a great job too in driving us. All of the places we went to were beautiful and very scenic. We definitely recommend doing as part of your Japan trip.

Here are my honest and straightforward reviews of three major attractions in Shiga Prefecture (Shirakige Shrine, Biwako Terrace, La Collina Omihachiman). 1. Shirakige Shrine Perhaps because my expectations were high, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. The underwater torii gate is located across the road, making it dangerous to cross and difficult to appreciate properly from a distance. The shrine itself doesn't offer much to see, so it's suitable for a quick, passing visit. 2. Biwako Terrace This was definitely the highlight of my trip. The panoramic view of Lake Biwa from the terrace cafe was truly spectacular, and I was most satisfied with being able to relax and enjoy the open scenery. 3. La Collina Omihachiman There were too many people, and it was difficult to leisurely enjoy its unique atmosphere due to the crowds. The signature dessert, the confectionery, also tends to divide opinions on taste. However, the grass-roofed buildings and the garden's overall view were beautiful, making it an excellent spot for taking photos.

We received an email from our tour guide, Sun Jiaxue (Yuki), the day before the one-day tour, detailing the itinerary, important notes, meeting point, and contact information. Since there were about 20 people in our group, we took a large bus. At the beginning of the one-day tour and just before reaching our destinations, tour guide Yuki provided detailed explanations and important information. She also used Line to send reminders about the itinerary or pick-up locations. Itinerary Stop 1: Miho Museum - I.M. Pei's Utopia. Anyone studying architecture must experience the master's architectural design and its integration with the environment. Lunch is at your own expense; the rice balls and Miho tofu at the ticket center's restaurant are worth trying. (Photos 1-3) Itinerary Stop 2: Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei - The head shrine of over 3,800 Hie, Hiyoshi, and Sanno shrines in Japan, known for monkeys serving as messengers of the gods. (Photo 4) Itinerary Stop 3: Shirahige Shrine on Lake Biwa with its Water Torii - The legend of being closest to the gods. (Photos 5-6) Many thanks to our tour guide Yuki and the driver for their service on today's one-day tour, which made it a very rewarding experience for our family of four.

The Miho Museum is truly stunning. It's remarkable how much effort an organization can put into upholding, promoting, and disseminating aesthetics: from the collection and display of exhibits to the construction of the museum itself. Travelers who come here, believing they are in a remote mountain corner, will undoubtedly be awestruck and impressed by this architectural masterpiece that rose from nothing. The ancient bamboo forest courtyard, on the other hand, is small and exquisite. According to the introduction, it was once the training quarters for monks of Enryaku-ji Temple in ancient times. Sipping matcha while gazing at the courtyard is quite therapeutic and relaxing. Shirahige Shrine, when the weather is good, is beautiful for photos, and its omamori (charms) are also lovely. After a full day of activities, I actually felt very relaxed and peaceful.

We had a great time in Himeji and Kobe! The atmosphere was so peaceful… slow, calm, and serene. Mr. Cao is a great driver! He is very approachable, friendly, and organized, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable. Overall, it was a wonderful experience! ✨

During our trip to Japan, we stayed in Kyoto, and my husband and I wanted to visit Lake Biwa. However, due to the inconvenience of independent travel, we opted for a one-day tour package, which was very convenient as we didn't have to worry about transportation. The tour leader was able to switch between Chinese, Japanese, and English, and was very professional.

We had a wonderful experience with our private car charter in Kyoto! A special thank you to our driver, Aki, who was incredibly kind, patient, and accommodating throughout our very long day. The car was immaculately clean, luxurious, spacious, and extremely comfortable, which made traveling around Kyoto throughout the day so enjoyable. Aki never made us feel rushed and allowed us to truly enjoy each stop and take in the beauty of Kyoto. More than just transportation, Aki helped make our day an experience filled with wonderful memories that we will treasure from our visit to Japan. His kindness, patience, and professionalism made such a difference. We are incredibly grateful and would highly recommend this private car charter—and especially Aki—to anyone visiting Kyoto! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The travel distance was a bit long, but the scenic spot itself was beautiful and well worth it. The cable car was a bit expensive, but still highly recommended. As for the tour guide, they were a bit sloppy, actually losing a group member's cable car ticket and then asking each person if they had an extra. Their ticket management skills could definitely be improved.

Nick will introduce attractions and Japanese culture in the car. The trip went smoothly. Although the weather in July was very hot, the Miho Museum is still very much worth visiting. It has different scenery in different seasons and is an ideal paradise!