MOST UNIQUE Day Tour from Kyoto or Osaka | Lake Biwa’s most beautiful ‘Ghibli inspired’ spots
Welcome back to my channel and today’s video I am in Sha Prefecture at Lake Biawa. This is definitely one of Japan’s bestkept secrets and not many tourists know to visit this region. It’s easily accessible by day trip from Kyoto or Aaka. And today we’re going to be visiting four of Sheica’s most beautiful and unique sites. We are at the Lake Berwa viewpoint and we go up the mountain even higher by these cable cars. It’s huge and it’s so high up. Return ropeway is 4,000 for an adult or children are half price. You have to pay for your pet. We could bring our dog here. How cool is that? All right, I’m going to get myself a ticket and go up. Okay, here it is up close. Tra every 15 minutes, so it’s a very quick process and they they fit a lot of people on them. Ours isn’t coming right now. There’s seats at the side or I just won’t stand because there’s so many people. [Music] Cool. We are really, really high up and the viewing platform and the restaurant look amazing. So, I’m going to head over there and take a look at this view because honestly, we came so much further up than I was expecting. These are the views. And there’s like an infinity edge pool along here. I wouldn’t call it a pool. I’d call it like a water feature. But look, you sit up there. Wow. This top section is a paid section and you can book a front row seat and then down there is the free blueing viewing platform. It’s just so pretty. Honestly, there’s a whole another viewpoint off to the left hand side as well. It was pretty much empty before. It’s also got a seat which is in the shade, but it’s definitely quieter than the other one. And there’s a whole another section. This one’s the infinity lounge. And I think this top one is my favorite. How beautiful is that? I certainly would like to be sitting out there and having a mauy just quietly. But wow, even the mountain views are just equally as impressive as the lake. It’s just beautiful, the whole thing. And you’re allowed your dogs up here, which I love. Look at the little fluffy dog at the table there. There’s this little pathway from the big viewing platform that leads down to some other viewing spots. Not many people are down here. So, I’m going to go for a look because it’s always nice to go that little bit further and to get to see more. Just heard a bell. Oh, this is the lover’s bell. This viewpoint has a love bell and is in the shape of a love heart. How gorgeous. And the view itself is pretty spectacular, too. So sweet. I am going to try one of their local favorites, which is the terrace waguar bread. It looks pretty delicious. It looks like a cross between a meat pie, and a Japanese meat pie, I would call it. Let’s go try it. So, this is the curry bread. Looks delicious. That is so tasty. like even better than a meat pie. We had about 2 hours of walk, which is about an hour and a half up at the viewpoint. It takes about 15 minutes each way to get up and down. So, I’m just heading back down to the bus now. Beautiful old shrine. And then the famous Tory gates are just there. Down the bottom is definitely the best viewpoint. You get the two Torah gates together. It’s beautiful. Oh, and up here there’s a viewpoint. Whoops. Here you have all of your lucky charms that you can buy from here and probably where you can also get your um gosh book stamped. All up, we spent about 20 minutes at this stop, which was plenty of time to get some photos, some videos, and to have a look around. It’s not a huge shrine, but it’s definitely beautiful, and just nice to get out of the city and see a bit more regional Japan. Stop three is another shrine. And this is in a beautiful little residential area. And all the little houses are so cute. a few that are selling like coffees, teas, matcha. And then this is the temple here, the Ukimoto temple. It’s so pretty here and there. Such a beautiful breezes. Middle of summer, so it’s lovely. But let me show you. So pretty. These trees are beautiful. So, you can actually come out into the temple and go for a walk around. It’s just beautiful. Oh, wow. You will have to come see for yourself. The trees here are out of this world. Take a look at the trunk. Sorry, one of the branches. So, it goes from here all the way. Still going. Still going. All the way through to here. That is crazy. We have arrived at our fourth stop and this one is called Laina and this was one of the reasons I booked this tour because this place looks straight out of a fairy tale. Let me show you how cool. So inside is like a cake shop. They are famous for all their cakes. Like look at all the layers in these cakes. Although that is three pieces for $20. So it’s actually quite reasonable for the amount of work that goes into these cakes. That in Australia would be worth so much more. Ceiling’s pretty cool. There’s a lot of people here and a lot of different bakery goods to choose from and cakes, gift wares as well, but mostly it’s all sweets. This is definitely off the beaten track. I don’t think I have seen this place at all over social media. It is a very much a domestic tourism spot this one. It’s amazing. On the opposite side of the building are beautifully manicured gardens, pathways. This is all designed by a famous architect and designer in Japan. And the theme of the grass roof houses just continues everywhere. Isn’t that gorgeous? It is very lovely and cool through these under um cover walkways as well, I assume, because they’re all, you know, we’re under a grass. We’re under grass. If you’re wanting to get yourself a coffee and some food, it’s nearly 40° today, so the misters are out and refreshing everyone. There’s a good platform over there. Let’s go have a look. How cool. I’m just heading over to the other side to this building here and going to see what’s inside. We started over the other side of the big grass building. This is probably another food spot by the look of everyone sitting out the front eating. This place is a lot bigger than I was expecting. I wasn’t expecting it to be anything quite like this at all. This is a lot bigger. A lot more impressive than anything I was imagining. Oh my goodness. Look at these cakes. Wow. Oh, and they’ve got the bakers. That’s cool. Very cool. I love that. That’s such a cool thing. They are definitely a popular item because look at the queue. The first shop at the entry didn’t seem to be as long as that one. So, if you are coming to go and you are wanting to try this game, I would go at the beginning. I am trying the famous cake. I’m halfway through it already. Like I said, I thought I was filming, but it wasn’t. It’s so delicious. So, this cost 475 y for a cake with so many layers and so much work involved to have to see the bakery. So worth it. You’ve got like a light icing on the outside and a lemony buttery texture. 10 out of 10 for cake. And that is the end of this video. Make sure you check out all the links below as well as my full detailed itineraries. And check out the rest of my vlogs over my Japan trip. I’m uncovering loads of hidden gems, but also iconic sites across Aaka, Kyoto, Okyama. So, make sure you check those out as well.
Join us on this One Day Tour from Kyoto or Osaka to Lake Biwa & Shirahige Shrine, a magical Kyoto day trip that feels straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie!
This Lake Biwa day tour from Osaka / Kyoto takes you to some of Japan’s most beautiful and cinematic spots — from the mystical Shirahige Shrine, with its floating torii gate over Lake Biwa, to the dreamy Ukimido Hall (Mangetsuji Temple), which looks like a scene straight from Spirited Away.
We’ll also stop by La Collina Omihachiman, a whimsical and eco-inspired complex that feels like something right out of a Ghibli world — think Totoro meets Howl’s Moving Castle!
One of the highlights for me was definitely the Lake Biwako Valley Viewpoint with 360 degree views of Japan’s Largest Lake – Lake Biwa.
📌 LINKS
🔗 Lake Biwa Day Tour – https://shorturl.at/eVRf9
🔗 My Osaka Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/thesavvytourist/_qyxrZTY2L
🔗 My Kyoto Hotel: https://booking.stay22.com/thesavvytourist/_qyxrZTY2L
🔗 Kyoto Itinerary: https://the-savvytourist.com/things-to-do-in-kyoto-itinerary/
🔗 Osaka Itinerary: https://the-savvytourist.com/osaka-itinerary/
🔗 Tokyo Itinerary: https://the-savvytourist.com/5-day-tokyo-itinerary-and-map/
🔗 JR Kansai Pass Info & Prices: https://shorturl.at/HDE7G
🤑DISCOUNT CODE KLOOK: https://www.klook.com/coupons/?code=TRAVELLIVNKLOOK
💰GET A WISE CARD FOR THE BEST EXCHANGE RATES: https://wise.prf.hn/click/camref:1100lLpJp
On this full-day Ghibli-inspired Japan tour, you’ll visit:
✨ Shirahige Shrine – Lake Biwa’s iconic floating torii gate
✨ Ukimido Hall (Mangetsuji Temple) – the “floating temple” that looks like Spirited Away
✨ La Collina Omihachiman – a Ghibli-like candy village with whimsical design and sweets
✨ Lake Biwa scenic stops – peaceful, photo-perfect moments all day long (Biwako Valley)
If you’re searching for a Ghibli-inspired Kyoto day trip, Lake Biwa tour, or day trip from Osaka, this is one of the most magical experiences you can do in Japan.
Perfect for photographers, anime lovers, and anyone chasing that real-life Ghibli aesthetic!
Don’t forget to like 👍, comment, and subscribe for more Osaka and Kyoto day tours & hidden gems across Japan.
🎟 Book the exact tour here: https://shorturl.at/eVRf9
1 Comment
so good