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![Shiga Private Tour - Autumnal Leaves at Keisoku-ji Temple (鶏足寺) [1 of 4]](https://gowithguide.com/images/1AS09jDpgIWZlAta7iHwMekCtPm7xgmwBO-kRq5rDrk/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38009.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - Autumnal Leaves at Keisoku-ji Temple (鶏足寺) [2 of 4]](https://gowithguide.com/images/cHkcT8JJbnc_v4Uc4lUvWbK76sHwNUz8ImBEBHE5ipg/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38008.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - Autumnal Leaves at Keisoku-ji Temple (鶏足寺) [3 of 4]](https://gowithguide.com/images/mPJctwvbpa262vXzu8kko934ILRU3rPibaIIR3n-dak/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38007.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - Autumnal Leaves at Keisoku-ji Temple (鶏足寺) [4 of 4]](https://gowithguide.com/images/5_H7aTiJrgI5JFLgqeg4ZU8O75sD9XjH0kY9O34P57E/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38006.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - The Path towards the Ruin of Hokkeji-temple (法華寺), Which Used to Play a Leading Role among 102 Temples about 1,200 Years Ago [1 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/WPiwo2HGYlpTpWM89eXjtDCo4dmzFxkEoOh1TwV3CKM/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38616.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - The Path towards the Ruin of Hokkeji-temple (法華寺), Which Used to Play a Leading Role among 102 Temples about 1,200 Years Ago [2 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/G4PLcwnJ72fRqIum2siv0vg9W5Sc8nv-Mac0iLWRxNk/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38615.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - Lake Biwa and Surrounding Mountains Seen from the Summit of Mt. Shizugatake [1 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/gxGNxYmxhk_qUBRloQx3UkCU0bYTLOg6WjmW_UdhtzE/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38018.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - Lake Biwa and Surrounding Mountains Seen from the Summit of Mt. Shizugatake [2 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/RU8hU5PtyD8nvVhdwqV1Ytphc0RadHQzMB0MhOTxsX0/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38016.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - The Temple Enshrining Kinomoto Guardian Deity for the Folks (Big Jizo Budda) [1 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/K5IuDgaWSzDw2GaZJo9teT2z2ZqGzs6LZtWDQhm9s0E/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38015.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - The Temple Enshrining Kinomoto Guardian Deity for the Folks (Big Jizo Budda) [2 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/cGPIf7-Qdd8LexHXUOZxJIMmfQqx8K20FOoJyy-dHCI/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38011.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - Kinomoto Guardian Deity for the Folks (Big Jizo Budda) [1 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/7__RkonsE-kvZApPqUNY1WkHOWSPFYgO7t8lVnZzAkc/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38010.jpg)
![Shiga Private Tour - Kinomoto Guardian Deity for the Folks (Big Jizo Budda) [2 of 2]](https://gowithguide.com/images/NEPFIynGRK9SeYbNoMPal70pX7ZzoPsR9MYSdKEV1ME/f:avif/h:800/w:800/plain/gowithguide/tours/1811/38013.jpg)
Autumnal Leaves at Keisoku-ji & Shizugatake Old Battlefield
Joined 2017
Keisoku-ji was re-built by the Venerable, Saicho (767-822 AD), and named after footmarks of a chicken left on accumulated snow. The monk found an Eleven-headed Deity of Mercy in burned-out ruins, and then opened tremendous area of many Buddhist temples. Though the temple became deserted now, the breath-taking beauty of hundreds of colored leaves attracts so many people just like the old days.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Kinomoto Station
Kinomoto Guardian Deity for the Folks (Big Jizo Budda)
Keisokuji-temple (From the Middle of Nov. to the Middle of Dec.)
Shakudoji-temple (From the Middle of Nov. to the Middle of Dec.)
Koko-kaku (A Treasure House, Taking Custody of the Principle Image of Eleven-headed Deity and Other Important Properties)
Yoshiro-kaku (A Treasure House, Taking Custody of the Buddist Statue of Curing All Illness, Buddist Paintings, etc.)
Hokkeji-ruin (Renowned for the Encounter of Mitsunari ISHIDA with Hideyoshi HASHIBA Here)
Shizugatake Old Battlefield
Ending Point
JR Kinomoto Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee
Admission / Entrance Fee (For Tourists and the Guide) 1) Koko-kaku & Yoshiro-kaku (Treasure House of Keisoku-ji temple): 500 JPY / Each
Transportation (If necessary, For Tourists and the Guide) 1) A round bus fare from Kinomoto Sta. to Keisoku-ji temple: 500 JPY / Each, 2) A lift fare to the summit of Mt. Shizugatake: 420 JPY / Each (A single fare for an adult) ; 210 JPY / Each (A single fare for a child); 800 JPY / Each (A double fare for an adult); 400 JPY / Each (A double fare for a child) [Note] If a tourist prefers a bike ride to the destination, a bicycle rental is also available from Kinomoto sta., with 500 JPY / each.
Lunch and/or Dinner (For Tourists)
Any Unexpected Cost (For Tourists)
Tour Important Information
[General]
This "One Day Tour for Autumnal Leaves around Keisoku-ji Temple & Shizugatake Old Battlefield" consists of the following 2 major courses;
1) Morning Course
We can visit representative old temples (Keisoku-ji and Shakudo-ji), ruins and related treasure houses of the land of MAHOROBA (an Ideal place filled with happiness). We can also appreciate breathtaking autumnal beauty of the old mountainous temple in late fall.
2) Afternoon Course
We can visit one of the most famous old battlefields, Mt. Shizugatake in the midst of the age of Provincial Wars (1583). We climb up to the summit too by a lift, from where we can see the fantastic vista of both Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo.
The total distance is about 30km, including climbing the mountain. We can take lunch at Kinomoto.
[Note]
[1] Both 1) and 2) above are to be cancelled if it heavily rains.
[2] The season of autumnal leaves at Keisoku-ji area is from Middle Nov. to Early Dec.
[3] Lift service for the summit of Mt. Shizugatake is available from Late Apr. to Early Dec.
Lift service for the summit of Mt. Shizugatake is available as follows; May, Oct., Nov.: Every day (9:00 - 17:00) Apr.: only Sat. and Sun. during 23 to 30 Aug.: During 1 to 27 Jun., July, Sep.: Only Sat., Sun. and holidays Others: Out of service
Important message from the supplier
1. Basically 7 days a week
2. Besides sightseeing spots in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara), the guide has a detailed knowledge in KOHOKU (Northernmost) district in Shiga Pref.
i.e.,
1)Shizugatake Old Battlefield, 2)Lake Yogo, 3)Woody Pal Yogo, 4)Tojyuin temple, 5)Kanzan-ji temple, 6)Zencho-ji temple, 7)Kaizu Osaki for Cherry Blossom Viewing, 8)Keisoku-ji temple for Autumnal Leaves, 9)Throughout Central Kinomoto area, 10)Odani Jyo Castle, 11)Sugatani Hot Spring Resort, 12)Chikubu-shima island, 13)Doganji-temple (A National Treasure), 14)Takatsuki Museum of Ethnic and Historical Materials, 15)Throughout Central Nagahama city, etc.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2017
About Tour Guide Yoshi K.
My name is Yoshi, alias known as "Lonesome Cowboy", who used to live and work in El Paso in the Lone Star state of the US. During my stay there, I was able to enjoy opportunities to go around the Southwest (TX, NM, AZ, UT, CO) alone, taking advantage of given long holidays. The total distance I drove was no less than 3,000 km (about 1,900 miles).
I dropped by a motel in a countryside town along the highway, drank several glasses of whiskey at the bar, and the next day continued travelling for other new towns that I had never seen before. I felt that I was just a cowboy wandering place to place of the wide country in the middle of the 19th century.
Long time has passed since I had come back to Japan from that exciting and fulfilling life there, and I already retired and came back to my hometown, KOHOKU (湖北; The northern region of lake Biwa, Shiga pref.) When I recall back those good old days, a kind of feeling that I would like to serve tourists from abroad has bubbled over in my mind. I want to help you to see and enjoy quite distinctive four seasons, impressive legends and moving stories caused by historic happenings, and casual everyday lives of the village people here.
Let me guide you around KOHOKU, which is not definitely on the Golden route of Japan travel and will not become in the future either, but we believe you must be able to feel and catch a kind of essence of the Japanese people who had created and have developed the deep and genuine culture. Such nature, historical events and crystallization of the people's effort are the ultimate attraction of KOKOKU.
Reviews
“Yoshi was awesome!”
Yoshi was very informative, knowledgeable, time conscious, kind, humble, and considerate. We asked a lot of questions because we truly wanted to understand the Japanese culture, and he -answered them with honesty. We are 69 years old and he often asked us: can you walk 15 minutes to a certain location or can you walk up the stairs? He seemed to be very sensitive about our health mobility. Although he is about our age, he has great wisdom and much more energy than we did. We would highly recommend him.
Yoshi K.
Dear Linda san, and Mike san I was so happy to be able to share the time with you on the 18th. Thank you for your lavish words to this amateurish tour guide. I was glad to know that both of you were listening in earnest, when I explained about the histories and the related episodes, with what little knowledge I have. I already sent my "Homeworks" to your e-mail address, and will send all the photos in a week, as I promised. Again, I was really lucky to get acquainted with the nice couple from Louisiana. From Yoshi
“Excellent guide! ”
Yoshi is an excellent guide! He is a hard-working and wonderful ambassador for his country. Yoshi takes his work seriously and is scrupulously prepared. His care for his clients really shows. He went above and beyond for us. Yoshi is very well-informed about so much, including Japanese history, current Japanese affairs, and the flowers and trees of Japan. He is interesting, energetic, kind, and hospitable. Our only wish was that we had more time with Yoshi! We are grateful we met him.
Yoshi K.
Dear Julie san and Ron san. Thank you very much for your nice feedback. As our mission as a tour guide is, of course, to insure our customers' satisfaction, I've believed (as a former Quality Engineer) that we have to do our maximum effort, sacrificing our short lunch and rest time. I'm so glad to know that you kindly felt a touch of it. Again, I was extremely happy to be able to have an opportunity to go around the best spots with you and Ron san yesterday. Thank you, PS: I will try not to be a "Crybaby" any more. From Yoshi Apr., 19 (Fri.), 2019; 22:23
Siti M.
Impressive Three-Day Tour around Old Capitals (Nara, Kyoto, Osaka) of Japan (Revised on Mar., 18)
Customized
“Nara Kyoto Osaka revisited”
Very lucky to have Yoshi san as our guide who took care of us from the time he picked us up from the hotel until he send us back to the hotel. I'm very impressed and appreciative when he accomodate to our slow movement. He planned well according to what we wanted even at the short notice of visiting Nara Womens University. Really love the Kimono experience and picnic under cherry blossoms at Osaka castle. Our family especially my daughter had a lovely and wonderful time. Thank you Yoshi san for understanding and being an amazing tour guide for us. - Siti, Malaysia.
Yoshi K.
Siti san, Zainal san, alias sweet Sumo wrestler, and a promising No.1 journalist in Malaysia, Farah san, I thank you very much for selecting such an amateurish tour guide like me for your memorable tour tripping around Kansai district, Japan. I was relieved that the weather on the days during your trip was relatively good (not so cold and not so warm), and we could make it in time when the cherry blossoms that all of you must have eagerly anticipated started. You were able to dabble at OHANAMI (Cherry viewing) at Osaka Jyo park, eating Takoyaki, weren't we? The gift that charming Farah san surprisingly gave me must have become one of my most important treasuries. Thank you so much. PS : As I promised so, I'm going to send all the photos that I took for your wonderful family through e-mail in a few days. From Yoshi
$263/ per group
More tours by Yoshi K.
Bike Tour around Yogo, an Old Home of Japan in Shiga
Lake Yogo, alias "Mirror Lake" is a northernmost attraction in Shiga pref. Literally, it looks like a natural mirror on a calm day, perfectly reflecting surrounding mountains. The one day tour takes you to representative spots associated with impressive folklores about the lake and its vicinity. We can also visit the stage of the fierce historical battle of Shizugatake of the Provincial Wars.
A Half Day Bike Tour around Lake Yogo in Shiga
Lake Yogo is a northernmost mysterious attraction in Shiga prefecture, and its another name is "Mirror Lake", since it looks like a natural mirror on a calm day, perfectly reflecting surrounding mountains. The lake was a stage of the fierce historical battle of Shizugatake in the midst of the age of Provincial Wars (1583). There are also many folklores associated with the lake.
One Day Bike Tour around Kohoku in Shiga
Kohoku, i.e., northernmost district in Shiga pref. is said to be “The home of Kan-non (Deity of Mercy)”, many of which have been protected by successive villagers of the hamlets since more than 1,200 years ago. You can also appreciate breathtaking autumnal beauty of the old mountainous temple of Keisoku-ji in late fall. Thus, you may feel a genuine cultured atmosphere of old Japan here at Kohoku.
A Winter Tour around Lake Yogo in Shiga (余吴湖畔冬季之远行在滋贺县)
Lake Yogo is a mirror-like spot surrounded with community based forests in a secluded corner of Shiga. Though the district around the lake is often covered with fresh snow almost every day in sever winter season, the sceneries from the lakeside must give sightseers unique landscapes associated with genuine local cultures of Japan and folklores which have come down from more than 1,200 years ago.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Shiga
Tour of Ishiyama-dera Temple
(Highlights) This temple is popular not only among pilgrims and dedicated Buddhists but also among ordinary citizens. It is well-known as the place where a 12th -century woman writer Murasaki-shikibu worked on the manuscript of her masterpiece "Genji-monogatari (tale of Genji)". People visit the temple to pray for the safe childbirth, peace in the family and happy marriages. It is also the place where people can enjoy viewing the beautiful harvest moon known as "Ishiyama-no-syugetsu (moonlight over the temple of Ishiyama-dera) in mid-September. Not only Buddhist rituals but also jazz concerts and other festive events are held at that time. In mid-August, in addition, a magnificent fireworks show can be seen in the nearby river bank accompanied by as many as 3,000 candles lit in line in the same bank a bit away and "Bon" dancing" is performed by visitors each year. The 900-year-old temple is the attractive place surrounded by natural beauties throughout the year: plum blossoms in winter, cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green leaves in early summer and colored leaves in the fall. ( How to visit the temple and enjoy) After you go through the main gate, walk to the admission-collecting booth, where you are asked to pay 500 yen. They will give you a leaflet explainig about the temple in its entirety.Then, go up the steep hill and you will reach the "Hondo" main hall, which houses the magnificent "Go-honzon-sama", or " Kannon-sama", the Goddess of mercy, which is the principal icon of the temple. There you have to pay another 300 yen, then you can step in to the sacred hall, where the huge image sits. You have to take your shoes off beforehand. Taking a photo is not allowed there. You can sit on the chair before the image and offer a prayer. Afterward, walk on the path that leads you to whatever places or buildings there are in the compound. You will never get lost, since there are signboards everywhere directing your way and the path is simple. One hour will be enough for the tour of the entire temple. (Others) The bus fare is 230 yen and the entrance fee is 500 yen ( plus 300 yen for entering the "Hondo" main hall). You can also take a private railway train ride for almost the same fare.
Tour of Lake Biwa and Temple of Mii-dera
(Highlights) (1) Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, whose area is 670 square kilometers and circumference, 241 kilometers, which is slightly more than the distance between Tokyo and Hamamatsu. It is said to be four million years old, the third oldest lake in the world. You can see only a fraction of the lake from its southern end, though. You can enjoy cruising on board the colorful sightseeing ship "Michigan". Fares depend on when you start cruising and how long you are on board the ship. Even if you do not get on board the ship, you can spend leisurely time just looking at the blue water of the magnificent lake or take a walk along the lake side road. (2) Temple of Mii-dera is located in the midst of beautiful natural surroundings on the hill a bit far from the heart of Otsu city. There are a total of 13 buildings and structures in the temple compound, including the "Hondo (main hall)", or "Kondo (golden hall)", but the most well-known among these is the bell called "Mii-no- bansyo", famous for its melodious sound. The best time for visiting the temple is either in early April when cherry blossoms are in full bloom or in late in autumun when the entire temple compound is filled with colorful leaves.. (How to enjoy) (1) (In Lake Biwa) In addition to enjoying cruising on the lake, you can spend time just marveling at and getting in touch with the greatness of the nature. You can see migratory birds floating on the lake water in winter and anglers leisurely hurling and towing their fishing rods and lines over the embankment guard. (2) (At Temple of Mii-dera) You can enjoy seeing different kinds of old, historical buildings and structure as you stroll along the road on the slopes. It also is a good exercise for you in the clean environment to walk in the temple precincts. (Others) The transportation fee between Kyoto and Ishiyama on a JR train is 240 yen and the temple entrance fee is 600 yen. There are four different types of cruises you can choose from and the fare is set for each of them. In the case of one-hour-and-20- minute cruise starting from Otsu port at 10 in the morning, you (supposing you are an adult person) have to pay 2,780 yen. The fares for other cruises are roughly the same as this one, not exceeding 3,000 yen per person.
One Day Bike Tour around Kohoku in Shiga
Kohoku, i.e., northernmost district in Shiga pref. is said to be “The home of Kan-non (Deity of Mercy)”, many of which have been protected by successive villagers of the hamlets since more than 1,200 years ago. You can also appreciate breathtaking autumnal beauty of the old mountainous temple of Keisoku-ji in late fall. Thus, you may feel a genuine cultured atmosphere of old Japan here at Kohoku.
One Day Tour around Central Nagahama in Shiga (长滨市内一天远行在滋贺县)
Nagahama (Population: about 120,000; Area: about one sixth of the whole of Shiga) has developed after Hideyoshi, a famous hero in the Provincial War Period, put his base castle here in 1570s. UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Asset, Hikiyama festival has an origin of celebrating a birth of the strongman’s first son. Thus, many spots associated with the old days still remain here and there.