Itinerary Reference

08:25 Meet at Exit 2 of Kintetsu‑Nippombashi Station, Osaka. It is recommended to arrive 10‑15 minutes in advance (Meeting Package).

Hotels/guesthouses within the five central wards of the Osaka Loop Line (Naniwa Ward, Chuo Ward, Nishi Ward, Tennoji Ward, Umeda area): Arrive at the designated location to wait 10 minutes in advance (Shuttle Package).

10:50 MIHO Museum, 2 hours and 30 minutes, including time for lunch on your own, free time available.

14:20 Kyuchikurin‑in Temple, 1 hour, where you can also experience matcha and wagashi (at your own expense); replaced by Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in case of closure.

15:50 Lake Biwa, 30 minutes.

17:20 Shirahige Shrine.

16:30 Happily conclude the day's tour and head back.

19:20 Disband near Kintetsu‑Nippombashi Station, Osaka (Meeting Package).

For passengers returning to hotels/guesthouses, please wait in the Shinsaibashi area for the shuttle bus to arrange the return to your hotel or guesthouse (Transfer Package).

*The itinerary is subject to adjustment due to factors such as traffic or weather.

Tour Highlights

Visit the MIHO Museum designed by I. M. Pei, where architecture and nature blend seamlessly, making it a pilgrimage site for art and architecture lovers.

Visit Shirahige Shrine to experience the mysterious atmosphere of Japan's "floating shrine", where the lake and sky merge into one and scenery is stunning in all four seasons.

Explore Kyuchikurin‑in Temple featuring a dry landscape garden, and immerse yourself in Edo‑period charm and garden aesthetics.

Easily depart from the two major cities of Kansai for a one‑day exploration of Shiga's cultural hidden gems and natural wonders.

Easily explore popular hidden gems around Lake Biwa, unlocking healing nature, zen gardens, and millennial shrine scenery all in one stop! No tedious transportation planning required, enjoy a hassle‑free journey from start to finish, perfectly suited for first‑time visitors to Japan, independent travel experts, and families with children, to immerse yourself in the unique charm of Kansai's niche slow travel.

Head first to the MIHO Museum, an art sanctuary designed by master architect I. M. Pei, inspired by The Peach Blossom Spring and acclaimed as a utopian paradise hidden in the mountains. Over 80% of the venue's architecture is hidden underground, with the long light‑and‑shadow corridor offering scenery at every step. LV once hosted its Cruise collection fashion show here, and the romantic cherry blossom tunnel is breathtakingly popular. The museum houses ancient civilization collections spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa, including ancient Chinese and Japanese art, Egyptian artifacts, and Silk Road relics, initiating an artistic feast across time and space. During the visit, you can leisurely enjoy lunch at the museum.

Next, explore the zen hidden gem Kyuchikurin‑in Temple, a Japanese garden photo spot treasured by photographers, whose attic layout shares the same lineage as the famous Rurikoin Temple. The exquisite garden paired with crystal‑clear pond water captures healing mirror reflections in all four seasons. Stroll among the mountain streams and stone steps to savor the tranquil zen of Japanese gardens in detail. Visitors can experience matcha and wagashi at their own expense, immersing themselves in Japanese elegance. Warm tip: During the renovation or temporary closure period from July 1 to September 30, 2026, it will be replaced by Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine on Mount Hiei, where you can worship the millennial shrine complex and iconic Sannoh torii gates, and deeply explore the historical heritage of the ancient capital.

Finally, check in at Shirahige Shrine by Lake Biwa to cap off the journey. This 1,900‑year‑old oldest shrine in Omi is selected as a core landscape of Japan Heritage. The floating torii gate standing above the blue waves is an iconic view, set against distant Mount Okishima and fishing boats drifting gently across the lake surface, full of atmospheric charm as light and shadow shift. It is also a must‑visit sanctuary for countless photography enthusiasts, offering a full view of the natural tenderness of Lake Biwa, the "Lake of Life".

Travel through art, gardens, and ancient shrines in a single day, escape the hustle and bustle of crowds, and easily unlock the authentic and stunning scenery of Shiga!