Otsu

The itinerary was comprehensive and well-organized. Our guide, Mr. Liu Du, was very professional, providing detailed explanations of the history and highlights of each attraction in both Chinese and English. His time management was excellent, and the driver was very smooth. Given the inconvenient transportation around Lake Biwa, this day trip was a great option for travelers who don't drive themselves.

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.

This time, I finally fulfilled my dream of visiting the MIHO Museum, stepping into a time tunnel to admire ancient gold artifacts, and enjoying lunch at the restaurant. The food was additive-free and very satisfying. Our driver, Nick Lee, was extremely professional, driving safely, providing clear explanations, and taking excellent care of us. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.