Enryakuji Temple

We departed at 7:30 AM in a 10-seater minivan. About an hour later, I noticed the driver seemed to be falling asleep, as the vehicle kept drifting. Feeling unsafe, I started a brief conversation with the driver. Fortunately, we arrived at a rest stop shortly after, which helped him wake up. This is definitely something that needs to be addressed, and I hope you take it seriously. Aside from that incident, the driver was very polite, and when he wasn't drowsy, he drove steadily without speeding, which is commendable. Thank you.

Today, due to the holiday, there were heavy crowds and severe traffic congestion. Fortunately, the weather was clear and the scenic beauty far exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide, Yafei, gave us detailed introductions on the bus in advance regarding the cultural history, local cuisine, and great photo spots for each attraction, which was extremely helpful. Despite the heavy traffic, the guide continuously communicated with the driver to estimate our arrival time and constantly kept us updated on the estimated arrival times and duration of our visits, allowing us to adjust our expectations accordingly. She was very dedicated and responsible. As for the scenery, Lake Biwa is truly stunning with its sparkling waters. Exploring, checking in, and taking photos on the mountain yielded amazing pictures. We experienced both the cable car and the Sky Bridge; the scenery on the mountain was pleasant and expansive, and we had a wonderful time. The only thing to note is that it is windy at the top of the mountain, so it is best to wear a windbreaker and long pants to avoid getting cold. Due to the traffic jams, we only had half an hour to explore and shop at our last stop, La Collina Omihachiman. The tour guide efficiently led us quickly to the cake factory at the very back, allowing us to catch the core scenery just before sunset. The experience was still quite good overall. Generally speaking, thanks to the clear weather and comfortable temperatures, this trip greatly exceeded expectations. The only minor drawback was the traffic, which compressed the time available at each attraction, making it feel a bit like a rushed "special forces" style tour, and the return trip was a bit late. However, overall we had a thoroughly enjoyable and comfortable time. Special thanks to our dedicated tour guide Yafei, and to the experienced and smooth driver who warmly greeted each of us when getting on and off the bus and helped us with our luggage!

En helt fantastisk upplevelse. Jag åkte i slutet av april och det var perfekt för att se vårblomningen. Resan var ganska snabb, ren och bekväm. Massor av sevärdheter och utrymme att promenera runt. Jag åkte runt klockan 11 och det var inte mycket folk. Jag rekommenderar starkt att köpa en biljett till trädgården när du ändå är där uppe. Riktigt härlig atmosfär och fin konst att titta på. Det slutade med att jag köpte kaffe och lite godsaker i presentbutiken. Perfekt för en ensamresenär då det inte var många turister och det var väldigt lugnt.

Behöver du en kökskniv? Gör din egen. Det här är det! Som en familj på 5 var det väl värt att lära sig en aspekt av kulturen och låta barnen delta. Just det här företaget är skräddarsytt för din grupp, så det finns ingen stor, opersonlig företagsatmosfär. Som ett litet företag kan de hjälpa dig enskilt vid behov. Lär dig att göra en kniv: värma, hamra till form, slipa och skärpa; allt i ett. Jag är från USA och har besökt många platser.....den här är rolig, njutbar, och de flesta kan få ut något av den här upplevelsen.

Detta var en så rolig upplevelse, vi hade turen att praktiskt taget ha en privatlektion. Så kanske prova förmiddagspassen, eftermiddagarna blir mycket mer hektiska. Taka var så rolig och lärde oss mycket. Min son hade turen att få sparra med honom och fick en lektion i Kendokonsten. Vem visste att 1,5 minuters Kendosparring skulle vara så hårt arbete.

Fantastisk upplevelse för oss, en familj på fyra! Vi hade en underbar tid på Onsen, du kan välja att använda inomhus- eller utomhusjacuzzin, även om vi föredrog utomhusbadet under bar himmel. Du får en nära upplevelse med naturen och det var så föryngrande. Anläggningarna är välutrustade och det finns en trevlig restaurang som serverar lokala, överdådiga rätter. Vi kommer definitivt att göra det igen nästa gång vi åker tillbaka till Japan.

En riktigt häftig upplevelse! Min äldsta son fyllde 13 år när vi var i Kyoto, vi har också en 8- och en 10-åring som kompletterar vår familj på 5. Vi gjorde detta för hans födelsedag efter en samurajupplevelse och ALLA tyckte verkligen om det! Det var inte för svårt för vår yngsta; så länge det handlar om ninjastjärnorna eller kunai-kniven. Min man och jag gjorde maskerna och de kräver mer uppmärksamhet på detaljer, så kanske inte för åldersgruppen 8-10 år.

En så fantastisk upplevelse, skulle rekommendera till alla som besöker området. Har redan bokat en ny kurs med dem, haha.

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! ❤️