Enryakuji Temple

The 10-seater minivan departed at 7:30 AM. About an hour later, I felt the driver was dozing off, as the vehicle kept swerving. When I started to feel unsafe, I began a simple conversation with the driver. Fortunately, we soon arrived at a rest stop, which helped him wake up. This incident truly needs to be reviewed, and I hope you take it seriously. Aside from that, the driver was very polite, and when he wasn't drowsy, his driving was stable and not overly fast, which is commendable. Thank you.

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!

absolutely fantastic experience. I went late April and it was perfect to see the spring bloom. ride was fairly quick, clean and comfortable. lots of sightseeing and space to walk around. I went around 11am and there were not a lot of people. I highly recommend buying a ticket for the garden while you are up there. really great atmosphere and neat art to check out. ended up getting a coffee and some goodies at the gift shop. great for a solo traveler as there were not a lot of tourists and it was very serene.

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 particular business is tailored to your group, so there is no large corporate awkwardness. As a small business, they are able to 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 of places... this one is fun, enjoyable, and most everyone can get something out of this experience.

Amazing experience for us family of 4! We had a wonderful time at the Onsen. You have choices of using the indoor or outdoor jacuzzi, although we preferred the outdoor open-air bath. You have a close encounter with nature and it was so rejuvenating. The facilities are well equipped and there is a nice restaurant serving local sumptuous dishes. We will definitely do it again next time we go back to Japan.

This was such a fun experience we were lucky to practically have a private class. So maybe try the morning sessions the afternoons get much busier. Taka was so much fun and taught us a lot. My son was lucky enough to get to spa with him and got a lesson in the art of Kendo. Who new 1.5mins Kendo sparing would be such hard work.

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!

Really cool experience! My oldest son turned 13 while in Kyoto, we also have a 8 and 10 year old that complete our family of 5, we did this for his birthday following a samurai experience EVERYONE really enjoyed it! It was not to hard for our youngest; as long as it’s the ninja stars or kunai knife, my husband and I did the masks and they need more attention to detail so maybe not for the 8-10 year old range.

Such an awesome experience, would recommend to anyone visiting the area. Already booked another class with them lol.