Things to do in

Otsu

Meet your friendly guide and journey to Ohara by bus. On your way, listen to fascinating stories about your destination. First, visit Sanzen-in Temple which is famous for its many flowers such as cherry blossoms, hydrangea, and autumn leaves. Then, move on to the Hosen-in Temple with its 700-year-old Japanese white pine. Observe the garden through an imaginary picture frame. After, explore Jakko-in Temple located deep in the mountains. Marvel at the many beautiful plants of the mountains and in the garden around the temple. Visit a pottery shop and design your own plate. You can also enjoy a relaxing foot bath here. For dinner or lunch, try some of the amazing vegetables Ohara is also famous for (not included). Your guide will provide you with the best recommendations on where to eat.

After meeting your driver at your hotel lobby in Kyoto, drive for about 1 hour to the Miho Museum. On the way, take a tunnel through a mountain to the impressive museum designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei, the designer of the Louvre Pyramid. Upon arrival, soak up the serene atmosphere as the museum’s architecture blends harmoniously into its natural surroundings. Enter the museum and explore the permanent exhibitions of ancient art pieces from areas such as Egypt, Western Asia, Greece, Rome, Southern Asia, and China. After exploring the museum, drive to nearby Shigaraki pottery town. Here, savor lunch at a local restaurant, then head to one of the town’s many pottery studios and join a workshop to make your own pottery. The pottery experience takes about 90 minutes, and you can choose to make objects such as a teacup or plate. The firing process will take several weeks, so your creation will be shipped to your home country once it is completed. Get introduced to how pottery was made historically in the old large kilns that you can see in the town, and enjoy the many different ceramic objects on display and for sale. Lastly, drive back to Kyoto and be dropped off at your hotel.