From Kyoto/Osaka/Nagoya to Shiga Prefecture by bus

• Visit the World Heritage Site Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, Ishiyama-dera Temple with its connections to Murasaki Shikibu (author of "Tale of Genji"), and Mii-dera Temple, a National Treasure.
• Enjoy lunch served on a cruise boat while savoring the scenery of Lake Biwa.
• Overnight accommodations are provided at Ogoto Onsen.

Tour stops

• Ishiyama-dera Temple
  A temple associated with Murasaki Shikibu (author of "Tale of Genji")
• Lake Biwa cruise on the Michigan
  Enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa while eating lunch
• Mii-dera Temple
  A National Treasure
• Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei
  A World Heritage Site that is the pride of Shiga Prefecture

• Zoom to the top of Japan's fastest ropeway.
  Gaze down on the magnificent scenery of Lake Biwa from the observatory, located 1,100 meters high.
• Visit Shirahige Jinja Shrine and the dawn redwoods, popular spots for taking pictures.
• Pick fruit at a U-pick and enjoy sake tasting.

Tour stops

• Biwako Valley
  Ride by ropeway to the mountaintop, an elevation of 1,100 meters
• Lunch at Shirahige Jinja Shrine
  The vermillion-colored torii mysteriously rises out of the lake
• Dawn redwood trees
  The road lined with dawn redwoods shows a different kind of beauty in each season
• Makino Pic-land
  Experience the fun of picking fruit
• Kawashima Brewery
  Visit a sake cellar and taste sake

• Enjoy Takamatsuzuka Tomb, Ishibutai Kofun (a tumulus made of gigantic stones) and other attractions of Asuka, said to be where Japan arose as a country.
• A drive through the countryside provides excellent views of terraced rice paddies and other views of traditional agricultural life.
• Take a stroll through Imai, a town that retains its old Edo feel

Tour stops

• Takamatsuzuka Tomb
  A tumulus famous for its colorful murals. Enjoy replicas of the murals at Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall
• Ishibutai Kofun
  The largest stone structure from the Asuka period that is a mystery to archaeologists
• Tachibana-dera Temple
  The Nimen-seki (two-faced stone), a mysterious carving symbolizing good and evil
• Terraced rice paddies
  An excellent location for taking pictures of the picturesque bucolic scenery
• The Imai townscape
  Take a stroll through this town filled with an Edo atmosphere
• Imanishi Syuzou
  Visit their sake cellar and taste sake

• Enjoy sightseeing at the temples and shrines of Nara, designated as a World Heritage Site, and Nara Park
• Enjoy walking through the old parts of Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, including the "Secret Back Road."

Tour stops

• Nara Park
  Famous for its deer, some 1,200 in number
• Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha Hall
  The largest wood structure in the world
• Kasuga Grand Shrine
  A beautiful shrine painted in bright vermillion
• Kofuku-ji Temple
  The five-story pagoda is worthy of note
• Back Road
  Experience a trip back in time to ancient Japan

Return to Osaka or Kyoto after sightseeing

Tour stops

• Wakayama Castle, one of Japan's Top 100 Castles
  spring for cherry blossoms, peonies and wisteria, summer (June) for hydrangeas, fall for colorful trees, winter for narcissuses and ume
• Tuna preparation show at Wakayama Marina City
  a great way to see how tunas are cut up
• Lunch
  fresh barbecued seafood
• Mount Koya, a holy land in the sky and World Heritage Site
  feel as though it is the year 1200
  Stroll and sutra writing
• Dinner
  Traditional Buddhist vegetarian food at a temple

Tour stops

• Religious service (Buddhist sutra chanting etc.) or zazen (Zen meditation)
• Breakfast
  Traditional Buddhist vegetarian food at a temple
• Okunoin mausoleum of the monk Kukai
• Kongobu-ji Temple, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism
• Danjo Garan Temple Complex
• Lunch
  Traditional Buddhist vegetarian food or Japanese lunch
• Yuasa Soy Sauce
  Tour of stockroom, production facilities and gift shop