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Multi Day Tours

2-Day Lake Biwa & Mount Hiei: Castles, Canals, and Sacred Peaks

2

DAYS

3

DESTINATIONS

6

GUESTS (MAX)

rooms

Multi Day Tours

2-Day Lake Biwa & Mount Hiei: Castles, Canals, and Sacred Peaks

2

DAYS

3

DESTINATIONS

6

GUESTS (MAX)

rooms

Multi Day Tours

2-Day Lake Biwa & Mount Hiei: Castles, Canals, and Sacred Peaks

2

DAYS

3

DESTINATIONS

6

GUESTS (MAX)

From US$600 per person
From US$600 per person

Overview

What You’ll Discover

Overview

What You’ll Discover

We put together this two-day overnight for travellers who want to see the Lake Biwa region within easy reach of Kyoto. We take you first to Hikone Castle, one of the few original castles left in Japan, and the merchant canals of Ōmihachiman, then up Mount Hiei to Enryaku-ji Temple, a thousand-year monastery among ancient cedars. With transport and your overnight stay arranged, you explore feudal heritage and Buddhist tradition at your own pace.
We put together this two-day overnight for travellers who want to see the Lake Biwa region within easy reach of Kyoto. We take you first to Hikone Castle, one of the few original castles left in Japan, and the merchant canals of Ōmihachiman, then up Mount Hiei to Enryaku-ji Temple, a thousand-year monastery among ancient cedars. With transport and your overnight stay arranged, you explore feudal heritage and Buddhist tradition at your own pace.

Climb Mount Hiei to Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage monastery founded more than 1,200 years ago, set among ancient cedars.

Look out over Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, from the keep of Hikone Castle — one of only a handful of original castles left standing in the country.

Wander the Hachiman-bori canals of Ōmihachiman, where merchant houses and boat-lined water preserve a prosperous Edo-era past.

Highlights

Explore the Highlights of Your Journey

Highlights

Explore the Highlights of Your Journey

  • Lake Biwa — Japan's largest freshwater lake, ringed by mountains and dotted with lakeside towns.

  • Ōmihachiman — A canal town of willow-lined waterways and old merchant storehouses from the Edo era.

  • Hikone Castle — One of Japan's few surviving original castles, looking out over Lake Biwa.

  • Enryaku-ji Temple, Mount Hiei — A vast mountaintop monastery founded more than 1,200 years ago, once home to armies of warrior monks.

Illustrated map of Japan with all prefectures and regional boundaries
Illustrated map of Japan with all prefectures and regional boundaries

Information

Where This Journey Takes You

Information

Where This Journey Takes You

This itinerary connects some of Japan’s most distinctive regions, combining iconic highlights with lesser-known destinations to create a seamless travel experience from start to finish.

This itinerary connects some of Japan’s most distinctive regions, combining iconic highlights with lesser-known destinations to create a seamless travel experience from start to finish.

Area

Kansai

Duration

2 Days

Group Size (Max)

6 Guests

Destinations

3 Destinations

Accommodation

1 night, Double/Twin room, 3–4 star hotel

Meal

Breakfast：1 | Dinner：1 (Day1)

Transport

Chartered Vehicles

Pick-up

At hotel in Kyoto City or Kyoto Station

Drop-off

At hotel in Kyoto City or Kyoto Station

Guide Language

Self-guided

Itinerary

Explore Every Moment Along the Way

Itinerary

Explore Every Moment Along the Way

Day 1

Day 2

Day 1

Drive from Kyoto to Hikone Castle, one of only a handful of original castles left in Japan. Climb the steep wooden stairs of its keep and look out over the wide blue sweep of Lake Biwa. After lunch in the castle town, walk the Hachiman-bori canals of Ōmihachiman, following willow-lined water past stone bridges and old merchant storehouses that preserve the spirit of a prosperous Edo-era town. Spend the night quietly by the lake.
Drive from Kyoto to Hikone Castle, one of only a handful of original castles left in Japan. Climb the steep wooden stairs of its keep and look out over the wide blue sweep of Lake Biwa. After lunch in the castle town, walk the Hachiman-bori canals of Ōmihachiman, following willow-lined water past stone bridges and old merchant storehouses that preserve the spirit of a prosperous Edo-era town. Spend the night quietly by the lake.

Lake Biwa (Hikone Castle, Hachiman-bori Canal)

Lake Biwa hotel (3–4 star)

Dinner included

Day 1

Drive from Kyoto to Hikone Castle, one of only a handful of original castles left in Japan. Climb the steep wooden stairs of its keep and look out over the wide blue sweep of Lake Biwa. After lunch in the castle town, walk the Hachiman-bori canals of Ōmihachiman, following willow-lined water past stone bridges and old merchant storehouses that preserve the spirit of a prosperous Edo-era town. Spend the night quietly by the lake.
Drive from Kyoto to Hikone Castle, one of only a handful of original castles left in Japan. Climb the steep wooden stairs of its keep and look out over the wide blue sweep of Lake Biwa. After lunch in the castle town, walk the Hachiman-bori canals of Ōmihachiman, following willow-lined water past stone bridges and old merchant storehouses that preserve the spirit of a prosperous Edo-era town. Spend the night quietly by the lake.

Lake Biwa (Hikone Castle, Hachiman-bori Canal)

Lake Biwa hotel (3–4 star)

Dinner included

Day 1

Drive from Kyoto to Hikone Castle, one of only a handful of original castles left in Japan. Climb the steep wooden stairs of its keep and look out over the wide blue sweep of Lake Biwa. After lunch in the castle town, walk the Hachiman-bori canals of Ōmihachiman, following willow-lined water past stone bridges and old merchant storehouses that preserve the spirit of a prosperous Edo-era town. Spend the night quietly by the lake.
Drive from Kyoto to Hikone Castle, one of only a handful of original castles left in Japan. Climb the steep wooden stairs of its keep and look out over the wide blue sweep of Lake Biwa. After lunch in the castle town, walk the Hachiman-bori canals of Ōmihachiman, following willow-lined water past stone bridges and old merchant storehouses that preserve the spirit of a prosperous Edo-era town. Spend the night quietly by the lake.

Lake Biwa (Hikone Castle, Hachiman-bori Canal)

Lake Biwa hotel (3–4 star)

Dinner included

Day 2

Climb the forested slopes of Mount Hiei on the second day to Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of the Tendai school of Buddhism. Walk among ancient cedars between halls spread across the mountaintop, founded more than 1,200 years ago and wrapped in mist and birdsong. Spend a quiet, contemplative morning here before lunch nearby and the return to Kyoto.
Climb the forested slopes of Mount Hiei on the second day to Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of the Tendai school of Buddhism. Walk among ancient cedars between halls spread across the mountaintop, founded more than 1,200 years ago and wrapped in mist and birdsong. Spend a quiet, contemplative morning here before lunch nearby and the return to Kyoto.

Mount Hiei (Enryaku-ji Temple)

Breakfast included

Day 2

Climb the forested slopes of Mount Hiei on the second day to Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of the Tendai school of Buddhism. Walk among ancient cedars between halls spread across the mountaintop, founded more than 1,200 years ago and wrapped in mist and birdsong. Spend a quiet, contemplative morning here before lunch nearby and the return to Kyoto.
Climb the forested slopes of Mount Hiei on the second day to Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of the Tendai school of Buddhism. Walk among ancient cedars between halls spread across the mountaintop, founded more than 1,200 years ago and wrapped in mist and birdsong. Spend a quiet, contemplative morning here before lunch nearby and the return to Kyoto.

Mount Hiei (Enryaku-ji Temple)

Breakfast included

Day 2

Climb the forested slopes of Mount Hiei on the second day to Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of the Tendai school of Buddhism. Walk among ancient cedars between halls spread across the mountaintop, founded more than 1,200 years ago and wrapped in mist and birdsong. Spend a quiet, contemplative morning here before lunch nearby and the return to Kyoto.
Climb the forested slopes of Mount Hiei on the second day to Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of the Tendai school of Buddhism. Walk among ancient cedars between halls spread across the mountaintop, founded more than 1,200 years ago and wrapped in mist and birdsong. Spend a quiet, contemplative morning here before lunch nearby and the return to Kyoto.

Mount Hiei (Enryaku-ji Temple)

Breakfast included

Policies

Important Travel Information

Policies

Important Travel Information

Talk to Our Team

Every journey is different. Our Japan Travel Specialists are here to answer your questions, refine every detail, and help you choose the itinerary that best matches your interests, travel style, and pace.

Talk to Us

Design My Trip

Inclusions

- Pick up and drop off service - Charter Vehicles - Accommodations (1 nights, Double/Twin room, 3-4 star) - Meal (Breakfast/ Dinner: Day 1) - Entrance tickets and activities to the following: 　・Enryaku-ji Temple - Inbound Travel Insurance

Exclusions

Cancellation

Additional Info

Talk to Our Team

Every journey is different. Our Japan Travel Specialists are here to answer your questions, refine every detail, and help you choose the itinerary that best matches your interests, travel style, and pace.

Talk to Us

Design My Trip

Talk to Our Team

Every journey is different. Our Japan Travel Specialists are here to answer your questions, refine every detail, and help you choose the itinerary that best matches your interests, travel style, and pace.

Talk to Us

Design My Trip