Otsu

April 11, 2026: The sky was clear and the itinerary was well-planned. Before arriving at our first stop, MIHO, we saw that minibuses had been queuing for over an hour to enter. Fortunately, the tour bus allowed priority entry. Our tour leader, Xiao Liao, arranged a 2.5-hour stop at the MIHO Art Museum, allowing for a leisurely visit, and we happened to catch the special exhibition: "The Tale of Ancient Gold." The outdoor scenery—blue skies and pink cherry blossoms—was dreamlike, like a fairyland. Next, we visited the former Chikurin-in Temple and Shirahime Shrine, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Lake Biwa along the way. Xiao Liao not only explained the attractions but also provided information on dining options. Additionally, because I was worried about motion sickness on the mountain roads, I had noted in the booking that I preferred front-row seats, and I'm very grateful to Xiao Liao for thoughtfully arranging second-row seats for me.

The boat ride on the lake was smooth and the water was crystal clear. The boat facilities were excellent, and the staff were fantastic!

Enryakuji Temple covers a large area, and you could easily spend a whole day exploring it. The 1,000 yen entrance fee allows you to visit many places, which is great value. There are also soba noodle shops and the Enryakuji Hall at the summit, so you won't be short of food. There are shuttle buses available for transportation to the East Tower, West Tower, and Yokokawa area.

The cable car departs only at 00:00 and 03:30 on the hour, so please be aware of the boarding time. The trees along the route are mostly maple and acer trees; in autumn, the mountains are ablaze with vibrant red leaves 🍁, while in spring the scenery is much more subdued.