(9:40 AM Depart Kyoto → 10:50 AM Arrive)

After meeting and boarding the bus at 9:40 AM, we headed straight for our first stop, MIHO MUSEUM, tucked away deep in the mountains. We arrived at around 10:50 AM, and having a private coach made the journey incredibly easy. One moment we were on the bus, and the next we were stepping straight into a secluded mountain retreat.

After passing through the futuristic metallic tunnel and crossing the dramatic cable-stayed bridge, the museum suddenly appeared ahead of us. It is a striking reveal, and one that feels impressive no matter how many times you see it.

Our guide gave us plenty of time here, with departure not until 1:30 PM. That meant we could take our time admiring I.M. Pei’s masterful use of light and architecture, as well as exploring the museum’s collection of ancient art.

Afterwards, I even had time for a leisurely lunch at Peach Valley, where I paid separately to try the restaurant’s signature Omusubi-zen rice ball set. It was a delicious way to round out the visit before getting back on the bus.

(1:30 PM Depart MIHO MUSEUM → 2:30 PM Arrive at Hiyoshi Taisha)

After lunch, we relaxed in the air-conditioned coach before arriving at our second stop, Hiyoshi Taisha, at 2:30 PM. This historic shrine is the head shrine of more than 3,000 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines across Japan.

The moment I stepped into the grounds, I was surrounded by towering trees, thick moss, and lush greenery. Even in the July heat, the atmosphere felt noticeably cooler and wonderfully peaceful.

Keep an eye out for the many wooden monkey carvings and decorations around the shrine. Monkeys are regarded here as divine messengers and symbols of protection against misfortune. I spent plenty of time taking photos before we regrouped and departed at around 3:15 PM.

(4 PM Arrive at Shirahige Shrine → 4:40 PM Depart)

Our final stop was Shirahige Shrine, where we arrived at 4 PM. The shrine is best known for its enormous torii gate standing in the waters of Lake Biwa, a spectacular sight that has earned it the nickname “Itsukushima of Omi,” after the famous island shrine near Hiroshima with its iconic floating torii gate.

Seeing the vivid red torii rising from the shimmering lake in person was every bit as beautiful as I had hoped. With the wide-open water stretching into the distance and the gentle sound of the waves, the setting felt wonderfully peaceful. After plenty of photos, we reluctantly said goodbye and boarded the bus again at 4:40 PM for the journey back.

(5:40 PM Arrive Back in Kyoto)

The ride back was wonderfully quiet, with plenty of people dozing off after a full day of sightseeing. We arrived at the first drop-off point in Kyoto at around 5:40 PM, which felt like perfect timing. There was still plenty of evening left to grab dinner and wrap up the day at an easy pace.

After experiencing it for myself, I can definitely recommend taking a bus day tour in Shiga. There are several big advantages, especially if you want to see multiple harder-to-reach spots in a single day.

While a bus tour makes getting around Shiga incredibly convenient, there are a few things to keep in mind before booking. In particular, it is a good idea to carry some yen in cash for admission fees and other expenses along the way.

Overall, taking this Klook bus tour saved a huge amount of time and energy, making it especially convenient for travelers who are not driving but still want to explore some of Shiga’s harder-to-reach highlights. Next time you are in Kansai, consider setting aside a day to escape the city and enjoy Shiga’s beautiful scenery at a more relaxed pace.

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