Passeios por 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!

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!

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.

This is such a good experience for my last day in Japan. Atsuki communicates well for the pick-up and is on time (not a bare minimum where I come from). He is also very informative about the onsen culture, its history, and the do’s and donts. On the other hand, I’m also very relaxed and I can tell the smooth skin I still have even hours after the onsen. This is highly recommended!

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!