Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine Floating Torii One-Day Tour From Osaka & Kyoto - Kansai Line L

Itinerary 

The following itinerary is for reference only. The specific attractions, visiting order, and duration may be adjusted according to actual conditions on the day of travel.

08:40 Osaka – Start of the Journey

Begin your beautiful day trip from Osaka.

Meeting & Pickup Options

• Meeting Point Package:
  08:40 at Nipponbashi Exit 2 (Namba–Shinsaibashi area)

• Kyoto Stop:
  09:50 Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit – Sightseeing Bus Parking Lot

• Hotel Pickup Package:
  07:30–08:30 Pickup from hotels or accommodations within the Osaka Loop Line area

Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes early. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

Pickup order and timing will be arranged by the driver-guide based on distance and traffic conditions. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

10:50 Shiga

▼ Miho Museum – I. M. Pei’s Hidden Paradise

(Approx. 2.5 hours, including free time for lunch)

No tour departures on museum closure days.

Museum Closure Periods

• Annual: December 15–31

• 2026 Closure Dates:
  January, February, March 1–13, March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27,
  May 7, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8–July 3, July 6, July 13, July 21–22,
  August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24, September 1–25, September 28,
  October 5, October 13, October 19, October 26, November 2, November 9, November 16, November 24,
  November 30, December 7–31

Designed by world-renowned architect I. M. Pei, the Miho Museum is inspired by “The Peach Blossom Spring”, a utopian tale from Chinese literature. Located deep in the mountains, nearly 80% of the building is hidden underground, blending architecture seamlessly with nature.

The museum houses artworks from ancient civilizations including Japan, China, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Visiting the Miho Museum feels like a journey of discovery—winding mountain paths, tunnels opening suddenly into breathtaking scenery, where architecture, art, and nature resonate as one.

The museum has also hosted prestigious events such as Louis Vuitton’s 2018 Resort Collection, and during cherry blossom season, visitors can enjoy a stunning sakura tunnel.

Admission Fees (pay on site, for reference):

• Adults: JPY 1,300

• High school & university students: JPY 1,000

• Elementary & junior high students: Free
  (Permanent exhibition: JPY 1,100 / Special exhibitions: JPY 1,300)

Official calendar: http://www.miho.or.jp/calendar/

🍽 Lunch Recommendation (at your own expense)

The museum features a restaurant and café. Ingredients such as wheat, rice, vegetables, coffee beans, tea, and seasonings are sourced from local farms using Shumei Natural Farming methods, offering a pure and authentic taste rarely found elsewhere.

14:20 Shiga

▼ Former Chikurin-in Temple – Mirror Reflections Like Rurikoin

(Approx. 60 minutes)

A nationally designated scenic garden once used as a retreat by senior monks from Mount Hiei. The upper-floor layout allows visitors to capture mirror-like reflections similar to Kyoto’s famous Rurikoin, but with fewer visitors and no strict time limits—perfect for photography.

Enjoy moss-covered gardens throughout all four seasons, stroll along mountain streams and stone paths, or savor matcha tea while appreciating the tranquil Zen atmosphere.

Admission (self-paid):

• Garden entry: JPY 330

• Matcha & traditional sweets: JPY 400
  Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays), the day after holidays, Dec 26–31

▼ Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine (Alternative when Chikurin-in is closed)

(Approx. 60 minutes, admission self-paid)

The head shrine of over 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines across Japan, with a history recorded in the Kojiki. The shrine complex contains nearly 40 buildings, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

During autumn, approximately 3,000 maple trees surround the shrine, creating a spectacular seasonal landscape.

Sanno Torii Gate
Distinctive torii gates topped with a triangular roof, symbolizing the fusion of Shinto and Esoteric Buddhism. Monkeys, regarded as divine messengers, replace traditional guardian lion dogs throughout the shrine grounds.

Admission (reference):

• Adults: JPY 500

• Junior & senior high students: JPY 300

• Elementary school students and under: Free

15:50 Shiga

▼ Shirahige Shrine – Floating Torii Gate on Lake Biwa

(Approx. 30 minutes)

Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake and a designated national park, is affectionately known as the “Lake of Life.” Like Mount Fuji, it is regarded as a symbol of Japan.

Founded nearly 1,900 years ago, Shirahige Shrine is the oldest shrine in Omi and part of Japan’s cultural heritage. Its iconic torii gate stands serenely in the waters of Lake Biwa, with fishing boats passing by and changing skies creating endlessly photogenic scenes beloved by photographers.

16:30 Return Journey

Begin the return trip. Arrival times are for reference only and may vary depending on traffic and conditions.

17:30 Kyoto

Drop-off at Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit – Sightseeing Bus Parking Lot

19:20 Osaka

Disband at Nipponbashi Exit 2 area or Osaka city hotels.

Guests using the hotel pickup-only package will conclude the tour here (hotel return is considered waived and non-refundable).
Guests using the meeting-point package will disband directly.
Guests requiring hotel drop-off will be arranged accordingly after transfer vehicle arrival.

🛍 Optional Evening Suggestions (After Tour)

Shinsaibashi: Osaka’s most famous shopping street, featuring department stores, drugstores, specialty shops, and character stores such as Hello Kitty and Disney. Many shops offer Chinese-speaking staff and accept UnionPay cards.

Dotonbori: The heart of Osaka’s food culture, lively day and night. Famous for takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen, traditional izakayas, and popular restaurants such as Kani Doraku.

Drop-off Notes

• Guests with meeting-point packages may end the tour directly.

• Guests with hotel pick-up packages will be transferred back to their hotel or accommodation via arranged shuttle.

Travel Information

【This tour allows free luggage. Please inform us of the number of luggage items in advance when booking.】

1. Once the booking is confirmed, the travel date cannot be changed. Any losses incurred due to changes must be borne by the guest.

2. Please provide complete and accurate information at the time of booking (full name, number of participants, phone number, email address, and pick-up location) to avoid errors that may affect the itinerary.

3. Please carry your passport and valuables with you at all times. Any loss, theft, or damage shall be borne by the guest.

4. Elderly guests, guests with cardiovascular conditions (such as high blood pressure or heart disease), and pregnant women are advised to travel with a companion.

5. Guests under 18 years old are not permitted to book this tour alone. A legal guardian must book and participate together.

6. This is a shared fixed-route tour. Guests are required to follow the scheduled stop times at each attraction and comply with the driver-guide’s arrangements.

   • If you prefer a more flexible itinerary, please refer to our private charter services.

   • Please arrive at the designated pick-up point on time. Late arrivals will not be waited for.

   • This product cannot be refunded, rescheduled, transferred to another departure, or joined midway. If you fail to participate due to personal reasons, the loss shall be borne by yourself.

7. If a guest fails to participate or leaves the tour early due to personal reasons or lateness, no refund will be provided.

8. Guests who leave the group during the tour will be deemed to have voluntarily terminated the service, and no refund will be issued. Any resulting personal injury or property loss shall be the guest’s own responsibility.

9. Arrival times may vary due to traffic conditions, weather, holidays, or crowd levels. Delays or cancellations caused by these or other force majeure factors are non-refundable.

10. Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable walking shoes.

11. Please comply with Japanese laws and regulations. Do not carry prohibited items to avoid legal issues.

12. During free time, guests are responsible for their personal safety and belongings. Any accidents or losses caused by failure to follow advice shall be borne by the guest.

Important Tour Notes

Due to the unpredictability of traffic conditions, weather, holidays, or crowd levels, arrival times at attractions may change.
According to Japanese law, a driver’s maximum working time is 10 hours per day. To ensure safety and stable operations, the itinerary may be adjusted as necessary, including shortening visit times or canceling certain attractions.

We sincerely ask for your understanding and support regarding any such adjustments made in the interest of safety. In cases involving the above or other force majeure factors, we regret any inconvenience caused. Refunds will not be provided under these circumstances, as this policy is implemented to protect both drivers and passengers and ensure smooth tour operations.

Force Majeure Includes but Is Not Limited To

• Natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, typhoons, etc.

• Traffic incidents: road accidents, severe congestion, etc.

• Weather conditions: heavy snow, rainstorms, dense fog, etc.

• Government regulations: emergency orders, traffic controls, etc.

• Medical emergencies: sudden illness or injury of a guest or group member

• Social events: strikes, protests, social unrest

• Mechanical failures: vehicle breakdowns or malfunctions

Cancellation & Refund Policy

• More than 3 days before departure (excluding the departure date): 100% refund

• 2–3 days before departure (including those days): 50% refund

• 1 day before departure or on the departure date: No refund