expedia
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Sign in
A group of people sitting on a beach, watching fireworks over the water. 1
A group of people in white robes sitting and standing on a rocky ledge surrounded by greenery. 2
A staircase surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery. 3
A traditional Japanese torii gate, wooden buildings, and a clear view of a body of water with mountains in the background. 4
A traditional Japanese temple with a red roof, surrounded by lush green trees. 5
By kansai holiday
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$816 per traveller* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple travellers
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 10h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages

Overview

  • Escape Kyoto for a private 10-hour car journey linking sacred Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei with Lake Biwa's peaceful western shore. Travel hotel-to-hotel with an English-speaking driver-cum-guide offering basic route information and local assistance, not licensed guiding.

    Default route: Kyoto hotel → Mt. Hiei viewpoint (weather permitting) → Enryakuji East Pagoda area → Mangetsuji Ukimido → Omi-Maiko lakeshore → Shirahige Shrine → Kyoto hotel.

    Enryakuji's Konpon Chudo interior is closed for renovation until about January 2028; other accessible temple areas may be visited. Lake views can be obscured by fog or clouds, and winter weather may close mountain roads. At Shirahige, use the shrine-side observation deck; never cross Route 161.

    Admission tickets, meals and overtime are excluded. The 10 hours include driving, waiting, sightseeing and lunch. Contact us at least 24 hours before departure to request route changes. Traffic, access and weather may alter the stops.

Activity location

  • Mount Hiei
    • Ichijoji Idegadanichosenguchi
    • 606-0000, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Mount Hiei
    • Ichijoji Idegadanichosenguchi
    • 606-0000, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Check availability

HIEI & LAKE BIWA 10H MAX9

  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

English Driver-Guide / Max 9: 10-hour private tour for up to 9 guests with an English-speaking driver-guide.
Max 9 / 15 x 28-in Bags: Max 9; up to 15 x 28-in bags. No licensed guide; tickets/meals extra. Overtime JPY 5,000/h; free cancel 24h+.
Pickup included

Price details
AU$444.17 x 2 TravellersAU$888.34
Total
Price is AU$888.34
Until Sun, 8 Nov

HIEI & LAKE BIWA 10H MAX6

  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

English Driver-Guide / Max 6: 10-hour private tour for up to 6 guests with an English-speaking driver-guide.
MAX6 / UP TO 4 SUITCASES: Max 6; up to 4 x 28-in bags. No licensed guide; tickets/meals extra. Overtime JPY 5,000/h; free cancel 24h+.
Pickup included

Price details
AU$407.76 x 2 TravellersAU$815.52
Total
Price is AU$815.53
Until Sun, 8 Nov

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Hotel pickup and drop-off within kyoto city.
  • Inclusions
    30 minutes of free waiting from the scheduled pickup time
  • Inclusions
    Private vehicle service according to the selected option
  • Inclusions
    One infant seat per order, when requested in advance
  • Inclusions
    Basic route support based on selected duration and confirmed stops.
  • Inclusions
    Highway tolls
  • Inclusions
    Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Inclusions
    Fuel fees.
  • Inclusions
    Parking fees
  • Exclusions
    Meals and drinks
  • Exclusions
    Personal expenses
  • Exclusions
    Admission tickets.
  • Exclusions
    The second and subsequent baby infant seat costs JPY 2,000.
  • Exclusions
    Overtime: JPY 5,000/hour for for6- or 9-seat
  • Exclusions
    Night service from 22:00 to 07:00 incurs an additional fee of JPY 2,000 for all services.
  • Exclusions
    Extra stops not confirmed in advance.
  • Exclusions
    Out-of-area pickup or drop-off.
  • Exclusions
    Professional licensed guide service, unless separately booked and confirmed.
  • Exclusions
    Driver-guide’s ticket if guests ask them to enter paid attractions or join paid activities

Know before you book

    • Specialised infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Mount Hiei

  • 20m
Begin your journey with a scenic drive through the forested slopes of Mt. Hiei. When weather and road conditions allow, stop at a suitable viewpoint, such as Yumemigaoka, to enjoy panoramic views towards Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains. Take photographs and admire the landscape from an accessible viewpoint along the route. Clear views cannot be guaranteed. Fog, clouds, heavy rain, snow or seasonal haze may completely obscure the lake. The viewpoint may be shortened, changed or skipped during poor visibility or unsafe road conditions.

Enryakuji Temple

  • 1h 40m
  • Admission ticket not included
Visit Enryakuji Temple, one of Japan's most historically significant Buddhist temple complexes and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Explore the East Pagoda (Todo) area, admire traditional Buddhist architecture and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Mt. Hiei. The temple complex is divided into three major areas. This itinerary focuses on the East Pagoda area; the West Pagoda and Yokawa districts are not guaranteed additional stops. Important Renovation Notice: Entry inside Konpon Chudo Hall is suspended from January 2026 until approximately January 2028 due to major restoration work. Other open temple areas may still be visited. The Yakushi Nyorai standing image and the Inextinguishable Dharma Lamp have been temporarily enshrined at Manpaido during the restoration period. Your English-speaking driver-cum-guide can assist with route coordination and basic local information.

Mangetsu Temple Uki-mido

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket not included
Visit Mangetsuji Temple, home to the picturesque Ukimido Floating Hall extending over the waters of Lake Biwa. Walk through the temple grounds, admire the traditional wooden hall and enjoy peaceful views of the surrounding lake. Discover the atmosphere of a lakeside Buddhist temple associated with the historic Eight Views of Omi. Enjoy time for independent sightseeing and photography.

Biwako Omi-Maiko Nakahama Beach

  • 40m
Enjoy a relaxing stop along Omi-Maiko, a scenic section of Lake Biwa's western shore known for sandy lakeside areas and beautiful pine trees. Take a leisurely walk, admire the lake and surrounding mountains, and enjoy time for photographs. This stop focuses on sightseeing and relaxation rather than swimming or water sports. Lake scenery changes with the weather, season, wind and water conditions. Seasonal swimming areas and beach facilities are operated separately. Their availability and any associated fees are not included in the tour price.

Shirahige Shrine

  • 30m
Visit Shirahige Shrine, one of the most recognisable landmarks on the western shore of Lake Biwa. Admire the shrine's traditional architecture and its famous vermilion torii gate standing in the lake. Enjoy time for independent shrine sightseeing and photography. Important Safety Notice: The lakeside torii stands across busy National Route 161. Visitors must use the designated observation platform on the shrine side of the road. Do not cross the highway to approach the torii gate or take photographs. The appearance of the lake and torii depends on weather, visibility and lighting conditions.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Mount Hiei
    • Ichijoji Idegadanichosenguchi
    • 606-0000, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Mount Hiei
    • Ichijoji Idegadanichosenguchi
    • 606-0000, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Kyoto your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Kyoto

With so many activities in Kyoto, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Kyoto. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Kyoto to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.