[Tour Guaranteed with 4 Participants] Shiga-Otsu Day Tour: MIHO Museum or Hachimanbori, Former Chikurinin Temple or Hiyoshi Taisha & Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine (Depart from Osaka and Kyoto) | Japan

About this tour

Take a break from your busy everyday life and immerse yourself in the Japanese countryside. Discover Leoh Ming Pei’s MIHO Art Museum, enjoy the bamboo courtyard’s reflection and gaze at Lake Biwa’s water torii gate. Explore destinations that blend ancient history, art, and natural beauty.

• Avoid tourist crowds and indulge in shopping-free sightseeing
• Begin the tour with a minimum of 4 participants; tours are not offered on Mondays, and the schedule depends on the MIHO Museum’s opening date
• Experience a comfortable journey with a local professional Chinese or Japanese tour guide
• Enjoy hotel pick-up and drop-off within Osaka City, and skip the complicated public transportation

The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.

— Itinerary Summary —

• 7:30 am: Pick up from hotels or B&Bs within the Osaka Loop Line
• 8:40 am: Nihonbashi Subway Station Exit 2 (Namba Shinsaibashi area)
• 9:50 am:  Kyoto Hachijo Exit Bus parking lot
• 10:30 am: MIHO Museum (about 2 hours, including lunch time; free to walk around)
  If MIHO Museum is closed, the tour will visit Hachimanbori instead
• 1:50 pm: Former Chikurinin Temple (about 60 minutes)
  If Former Chikurinin Temple is closed, the tour will visit Hiyoshi Taisha, Mount Hiei instead
• 3:20 pm: Lake Biwa (about 30 minutes)
• 5:20 pm: Arrive in Kyoto
• 7:00 pm: Arrive in Osaka

— Attractions —

• MIHO Museum of Art I.M. Pei’s Paradise (Ticket at your own expense)
  The MIHO Museum, designed by renowned architect Mr. Ieoh Ming Pei, embodies the concept of ‘The Peach Blossom Spring’. Situated far from the city, with the unique feature of 80% of the building nestled within the mountains, it is open during the lush summer seasons but closed in the winter. The museum’s collection spans ancient civilizations, including Japan, China, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
  – Opening date: please refer to the official website
  – Tickets for permanent exhibitions: JP¥1,100
  – Tickets for special exhibitions: JP¥1,300
  – Explore the museum’s restaurants and cafes, offering a variety of meals. Guests are free to choose their lunch options
• Hachimanbori, Omihachiman (alternative attraction when MIHO Museum is closed)
  Hachiman-bori Moat is a man-made canal that flows through the center of Omihachiman City, connecting the town to Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. In the late 16th century, the ruling Toyotomi family built a castle and moat, developing a Jōkamachi, a castle town, at the base of Mount Hachiman. The moat, originally constructed to protect the castle, later became a vital waterway for transporting goods via Lake Biwa to major cities like Osaka and Tokyo. During the Edo period, the canal was a lively hub, as Omi merchants would set out from Hachiman-bori to trade across the country.

• Former Chikurinin Temple
  Experience the tranquil ambiance of a scenic garden, once a retreat for monks on Mt. Hiei. Recommended by Japanese photographers, it offers mirrored reflections similar to Rurikoin. Capture the serene atmosphere without disturbance or time constraints. The moss-covered courtyard possesses unique charm year-round, creating a perfect setting for enjoying matcha. Explore Zen through meticulously designed mountain and stream stone steps.
  – Ticket (at your own expense): JP¥330
  – Tasting matcha and wagashi in the garden: JP¥400
  – Closed days: every Monday (open on holidays), the day after the holiday (December 26–31)

• When Former Chikurinin Temple is closed, Hiyoshi Taisha, Mount Hiei will be visited instead.
• Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine and the Torii Gate
  Lake Biwa, located near Kyoto in central and western Japan, is a national symbol and the country’s largest lake, designated under Japan’s conservation laws and recognized in the Ramsar Convention for its significance as a wetland. Known as the ‘Pure Land of Water,’ it’s cherished like Mount Fuji. 
• Shinsaibashi
  Visit Osaka’s renowned shopping street with a variety of stores, from large department stores to chain drugstores and small shops, including famous brands, Hello Kitty, and Disney stores. It’s a hub for drugstores with Chinese-speaking staff, ensuring a convenient shopping experience.
• Dotonbori
  Day or night, this street never rests. Dotonbori, the birthplace of Osaka’s food culture, offers a plethora of delicious treats such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, Kinryu Ramen, as well as traditional Japanese izakayas and various restaurants, including the renowned Kani Doraku.

＊ MIHO Art Museum will be closed on the following dates: 19 and 26 August 2024, and 2–27 September 2024. During these periods, the tour will proceed to Hachimanbori in Omihachiman without visiting the MIHO Art Museum 

＊When Former Chikurinin Temple is closed, Hiyoshi Taisha, Mount Hiei will be visited instead. Former Chikurinin Temple closed on every Monday (unless it’s a holiday), the day after a holiday, and from 26–31 December

— Important Notice—

• Each person is allowed to bring one piece of luggage free of charge, with no size restrictions. Any excess luggage will incur a fee of 2000 Japanese Yen per piece. Please indicate the number of additional luggage items when signing up for the tour.
• Children under the age of 2 free of charge without occupying a seat. Please inform us in advance when registering for the tour. Children aged 3 and above will be charged the same fare as adults.
• A driver will serve as the guide for small groups of 1-13 participants. A driver and a guide will be provided for groups of 14-45 participants. The actual arrangement will be subject to the number of participants on the day of departure.
• Vehicle types for reference:
  5-8 seater: Toyota Alphard or similar
  9-14 seater: Toyota Hiace or similar
  18-22 seater: Small bus
  22+ seater: Large bus
  * Please note that the above vehicle types are for reference only, and the actual vehicle will be subject to the number of participants on the day of departure.