Passeios por Mount Hiei

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.

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!

Due to the holiday today, there were heavy crowds and severe traffic congestion. Fortunately, the weather was clear and the scenic views far exceeded our expectations. On the coach, our tour guide Yafei gave us detailed advance introductions to the history, culture, local delicacies, and best photo spots for each attraction, which was extremely helpful for the itinerary. Despite the heavy traffic, the guide kept communicating with the driver about the estimated arrival time and constantly kept us updated on arrival estimates and duration of visits, allowing us to adjust our expectations accordingly. She was very dedicated and responsible. As for the scenery, Lake Biwa is truly gorgeous with sparkling water. Exploring, checking in, and taking photos on the mountain yielded amazing pictures. We experienced both the cable car and the sky bridge; the mountain scenery was pleasant and expansive, and we had a wonderful time. The only thing to watch out for is that it is very windy at the summit, so it is best to wear a windbreaker and long pants to avoid catching a chill. Due to the traffic jams, we only had half an hour to explore and shop at the last stop, La Collina Omihachiman. However, the tour guide efficiently led us straight to the cake factory at the very back, allowing us to catch the core scenery just before sunset. The overall experience was quite decent. All in all, thanks to the clear weather and comfortable temperatures, this trip greatly exceeded expectations. The only minor regret was the traffic congestion, which compressed the time available at each attraction and made it feel a bit like a rushed tour, with our return trip being a bit late. Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and felt very comfortable. A big thank you to our conscientious tour guide Yafei, and to the experienced driver who drove smoothly, warmly greeted each of us when getting on and off the bus, and helped us with our luggage!

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 tour guide Wang Zhaoyu! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you only speak Chinese, there's absolutely no need to worry. Mr. Wang speaks Chinese very fluently, and his professionalism was evident from the day before the meeting. The day before, I couldn't find the meeting point, 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 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 safely enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. The itinerary was also excellent, very suitable as an introductory tour for these attractions. It not only allows you to quickly understand the characteristics of each spot but also helps you identify which places best suit your preferences. If you find a particularly favorite spot, you'll have a better direction for planning a deeper, self-guided exploration next time. For a one-day tour, this pace is very comfortable, suitable for companions who walk slower, with ample time reserved at each attraction to 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 perfectly merge, offering different charms in each season. Eikan-do Temple is renowned for its autumn foliage, and although this wasn't the maple leaf season, the tranquil and elegant garden still had a unique charm, each with its own beauty. 🍃 Sanzen-in Temple is filled with a strong sense of Zen, with its quiet and healing moss garden. Strolling through it instantly calms the mind. This time, I was also lucky enough to catch an exhibition by Professor Kumiko Minami (on its last day), adding an unexpected surprise to the trip. 🚃 Although the Eizan Electric Railway (Takaragaike Station – Kurama Station) doesn't have the spectacular autumn maple tunnel, the summer's lush green mountains and the fresh, healing scenery along the way showcase another kind of vibrant Kyoto landscape. ⛩️ What's most unforgettable about Kifune Shrine are the red lanterns neatly arranged on both sides of the approach, looking especially dreamy against the green backdrop. Although I didn't experience Kawadoko cuisine this time, just seeing the Kawadoko landscape built along the stream deeply conveyed the unique charm of Kyoto's summer. Overall, this was a relaxed, stress-free, in-depth trip to Kyoto, where there was no constant rushing, but rather a genuine opportunity to slow down and experience the beauty created by the intertwining of mountains, ancient temples, and streams. If you're still hesitating whether to join, I truly recommend choosing tour guide Wang Zhaoyu; he is professional, friendly, meticulous, and reliable, and will definitely enhance your Kyoto trip!

We thoroughly enjoyed this day trip filled with serene shrines, peaceful 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.

Our guide, Tiger, explained everything about our tour, and he was especially considerate of our group's late booking for the Sagano Romantic Train ride, adjusting his time to wait for us. Thank you!

This tour was definitely an excellent choice for a Kyoto trip. Getting to these spots can be tricky and tiring, but joining this tour perfectly solved that problem, offering great value for money! It was a wonderful travel experience. The air in Kibune after the rain was incredibly fresh and refreshing. Our guide, Ultraman, was very nice, friendly, and humorous. The itinerary was well-planned, and his lively explanations were impressive. I feel very lucky to have booked this tour. Thank you, Ultraman, for being so charming and capable! I'm already reminiscing and looking forward to visiting again!

A great small boutique tour. No need to drag luggage, it can be stored in the trunk, and the driving time isn't long. The driver-guide's service attitude was excellent. The time allotted was sufficient for all activities. The night before, they individually confirmed meeting and pick-up times with everyone and reminded us not to be late, which was very thoughtful. On the second day, they were also very punctual. When approaching the hotel, they specifically messaged us in advance so we could wait at the hotel entrance, which was very considerate. Along the way, the driver-guide explained the historical origins, characteristics, and precautions for each attraction, allowing everyone to visit the sights with a purpose. The three attractions were well-connected and all very good, with beautiful scenery that my family also loved. For those staying in Osaka, traveling to Kyoto can be a bit far, so this day trip is very suitable. I would recommend it to friends!

Tuve un tiempo REALMENTE genial, Bunny, la guía turística es muy, muy amable y sabe mucho sobre los lugares que visitamos, mi familia y yo somos mexicanos y pudimos entender su inglés muy, muy bien. ¡Es una experiencia realmente hermosa y el tren es hermoso! ¡Las vistas son espectaculares!