This day trip left a very good impression on me. Although it was only a short day, the organizer's dedication was evident in both the itinerary and the quality of service. What impressed me most was the service attitude of the customer service staff and driver; they were not only friendly and polite but also very patient. Any questions or needs during the trip could be raised at any time, and they were always willing to discuss and assist in resolving them. This made me feel comfortable and at ease throughout the trip. July is the height of summer, and the weather is extremely hot. Driving yourself would require not only focused driving but also considerable effort in planning routes and finding parking, which would be physically demanding. The biggest advantage of this day trip was that I didn't have to drive myself, allowing me to focus entirely on enjoying the scenery and the journey. At each attraction, I could easily get off and explore, then return to the comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to rest and recharge before heading to the next destination. This arrangement was especially thoughtful in the hot summer and significantly enhanced the quality of the trip. Furthermore, the driver drove smoothly and provided relevant information along the way, making the entire journey even more fulfilling. The vehicle was comfortable and clean, making for a very relaxing ride. Before I knew it, the day's itinerary was complete. Even though there were distances between attractions, I didn't feel tired from the journey; instead, I maintained a pleasant mood and fully enjoyed the unique features and scenery of each stop. Overall, this day trip made me realize that sometimes the most important thing about travel isn't just which attractions you visit, but whether you can enjoy the journey with a relaxed and happy mindset. The excellent service, comfortable transportation, and thoughtful arrangements all made this trip even better. If I have the opportunity to travel to other places in the future, I will prioritize similar chartered car or day trip itineraries. They not only save time and effort but also allow more time for the trip itself, so I can enjoy every wonderful moment.
Previously, when traveling from Osaka to Kyoto, my instinct was to take the train or JR. This time, with a 10-year-old child, the subway and train journeys alone were exhausting.
Trying a private car arrangement proved to be very advantageous:
Time-saving: Directly getting from our accommodation to our destination saved a significant amount of time.
Effortless: Luggage was handled, avoiding long walks and waiting times.
Worry-free: The itinerary was pre-arranged, ensuring we arrived on time without worrying about missing our trains; boarding and alighting times were flexible.
Cost-saving: Compared to day tour groups, our private car day trip was cheaper when split among the passengers.
On the day of the trip, Kyoto was hot. We didn't have to endure the heat at the station. When we arrived, we found it too hot outside, so we boarded the car early after visiting the sights. We quickly discussed it with the driver, and they quickly adjusted the itinerary to indoor activities, avoiding a forced outdoor activity in the sun. We finished shopping and returned to the hotel satisfied within the allotted time.
This experience was very satisfying.
Driver Chen was a friendly and polite person, and our conversation in the car was pleasant.
I was torn between Biwako Valley and Hakodateyama, but it seemed like the attractions at Biwako Valley were under maintenance, so I chose Hakodateyama. When you get off the gondola, you can use the mini pool with a slide, grass sledding, and lifts as many times as you like for free with this ticket! How generous! There were also paid attractions like an athletic course, a long grass sledding area, and buggies, but my kids enjoyed the athletic course the most. It's a pretty fun athletic course. My kids are not very athletic, so they were almost ready to give up 💦 The restaurant opened for business that day, and for a ski resort restaurant, the quality was high and the food was delicious. The prices were also reasonable. There were also many photogenic spots. I've been to Biwako Valley three times this year for skiing, but it's incredibly crowded, and the restaurants are too high-end, making it difficult for families with children. The number of people at Hakodateyama was just right. I'm sorry to say, but Hakodateyama wins. Also, all the staff were friendly and kind, which made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Thank you very much.
The advanced course at Alps Adventure is short but high, and my arms were really sore. The beginner and intermediate courses are longer, but they get crowded with families with children. You can ride the buggies for 8 minutes straight. They can reach a top speed of about 30 km/h. The rainbow sleds are quite thrilling.
It's a great deal, and they even included another subway one-day pass. I'll definitely order again next time.
Anonymous User
Family
Shiga Weather, Climate and Best Time to Visit
Data source:Meteostat Update date:2025-09
Shiga year round climate
Spring (March–May): Average -0.3–11.1°C, the climate changes from cold to mild. Temperatures begin to rise in March, but be aware of the temperature difference between morning and evening. Common activities: Cherry blossom viewing (depending on the cherry blossom variety and blooming time), enjoying nature, visiting shrines and temples. Recommended clothing: Warm coat, sweater, long pants, scarf.
Summer (June–August): Average 14.7–21.6°C, the climate is warm and humid, with relatively high rainfall, especially in August. Common activities: Lake activities, hiking (choose shaded routes), visiting attractions around Lake Biwa. Recommended clothing: Light and breathable clothing, rain gear, sun hat.
Autumn (September–November): Average 11.2–17.9°C, the climate is comfortable and pleasant, with a large temperature difference between morning and evening. Common activities: Maple leaf viewing (depending on the maple leaf variety and color change time), cycling, enjoying local cuisine. Recommended clothing: Light jacket, long-sleeved clothing, comfortable shoes.
Winter (December–February): Average -6.2–-0.3°C, the climate is cold and dry, with occasional snowfall. Common activities: Skiing (requires going to the mountains), hot springs, indoor activities. Recommended clothing: Heavy coat, warm clothing, hat, gloves, scarf.
Shiga climatological average
Annual average temperature: approx. 7°C / Annual rainfall: approx. 1050 mm / Summer humidity: 70%–80% / Rainiest month: August
Shiga monthly average temperature and precipitation
Month
Air temperature (°C)
Precipitation (mm)
January
-6.2°C
75.8
February
-5.8°C
49
March
-0.3°C
58.6
April
6.6°C
57.3
May
11.1°C
70.2
June
14.7°C
108.7
July
19.8°C
95.6
August
21.6°C
172.6
September
17.9°C
120.8
October
11.2°C
111.4
November
4.5°C
69.7
December
-3.4°C
60.7
Shiga weather for the next seven days
8/3
Monday
Sunny
22.9°C/15°C
8/4
Tuesday
Partly Cloudy
26.1°C/17.4°C
8/5
Wednesday
Sunny
26.8°C/17.4°C
8/6
Thursday
Sunny
26.7°C/18.1°C
8/7
Friday
Partly Cloudy
26.1°C/18.9°C
8/8
Saturday
Partly Cloudy
23.4°C/19°C
8/9
Sunday
Fog
21°C/17.7°C
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