The Ryokan Collection

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Lovely Autumn Foliage in Shiga and Kyoto
4 nights, 5 days
L'Hotel du Lac to Kyoto

Day 01 KIX - L'Hotel du Lac

Arrive at Kansai International Airport. You will be welcomed by an English-speaking driver and transfer to L'Hotel du Lac by private car, with a light lunch on the way.

This lovely drive overlooks the largest lake in Japan, the beautiful Lake Biwa.

About Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, covering 670 sq. kilometers (259 square miles), and is located in Shiga Prefecture, northeast of Kyoto. Because of its proximity to the ancient capital of Kyoto, references to Lake Biwa often appear in Japanese historical literature. Lake Biwa is one of the world's 20 oldest lakes, dating back 4-6 million years, and is therefore classified as an "ancient" lake. The lake is home to 62 endemic species, including fish, insects and plants. Surrounded by mountains, it has long been known as a place of beautiful scenery with green mountains and crystal-clear water, and is featured in many poems and paintings.

Check in at L'Hotel du Lac

Enjoy hot spring baths, play tennis or have a relaxing stroll on the spacious lawn overlooking Lake Biwa until dinnertime. At the spa ZEN-NA, you can refresh both body and soul in an extraordinary luxury spa room. The therapists, who serve ZEN-NA guests exclusively, look forward to welcoming you. 19:00 Dinner: Japanese French cuisine at L'Hotel du Lac's Le Paysage restaurant is justly famous for its excellent French cuisine made from seasonal local ingredients, and paired with wines specially chosen by renowned sommelier Shinya Tasaki. The food is exquisite, and the chefs in their modern, open-air kitchen make full use of premium-quality fish, meat and vegetables from all over Shiga Prefecture.
Day 02 Around Lake Biwa Visit Keisoku-ji temple, then drive the Oku (deep) Lake Biwa Parkway, to see the colorful autumn leaves.Kotohira, by private car.
Oku Lake Biwa Parkway This 18.8km road is a comfortable driving course, running along the northern coast of Lake Biwa. Though not all of the mountains will be covered in colorful leaves, the scenery with evergreen trees and autumn red and yellow leaves create a beautiful contrast. Keisokuji Keisokuji is believed to have been built in the Heian era (794-1185) by Saicho, a Japanese Buddhist monk credited with founding the Tendai school of Buddhism in Japan. He is also said to have been the first to bring tea to Japan. It used to be a large temple inhabited by warrior monks. Now, it has a rustic appearance, and is lovely in the autumn red leaf season. Keisokuji is covered with red and yellow leaves from the middle to the end of November. Nagahama Castle Museum If you are interested in Japanese castles, you must visit Nagahama castle, whose first lord was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who took charge in 1573. The building was rebuilt to house the museum in 1983. Here, you can learn about the castle and history focusing on the Sengoku (Warring States) period. Chikubu island You may visit tiny Chikubu island, which has been a sacred island since ancient times. The island is about 2km in circumference and about 6km offshore in the middle of Lake Biwa. The island is uninhabited, but there is a historical shrine that was founded in 420. It takes 30 minutes to get there from the port, and about 80 minutes for sightseeing. It is said to be a spiritual island and is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site. Dinner: French cuisine Restaurant Le Paysage offers two set menus, the Tasaki Original Meal in a Modern French style, with the main dishes changing with the seasons, and the Chef's Original Meal, a fusion of Japanese and French cuisines created by the chef, and featuring local Omi beef.
Day 03 Kyoto Check out from L'Hotel du Lac and travel to Kyoto by private car. We will make two stops to see the colorful autumn leaves, and arrive in Kyoto by early evening time, where you will spend the night.
Biwako Valley After breakfast, you may start the day by visiting the Biwako Valley. This vast natural expanse surrounding Mt. Hourai is known for its hiking in the summer and ski resorts in the winter, as well as the splendor of its red autumn leaves from the middle of October until the end of November. The famous ropeway offers panoramic scenes of the carpet of colorful leaves from above. Hiei-zan After enjoying the mountain scenery, we'll head to Hiei-zan (Mt. Hiei), which lies on the border between Kyoto and the city of Otsu in Shiga Prefecture. You can go to the mountaintop by tollway, cable car or ropeway to see the historical Enryaku-ji temple, founded in 788. The best season for the autumn colors is from the beginning of November, for about a month.
Evening time: Arrive at Kyoto Kyoto: The Imperial capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years, Kyoto is an amazing experience for a visitor - it's like being immersed in a millennium of Japanese culture and history, complete with temples, shrines, World Heritage Sites, traditional Japanese buildings and modern Western architecture. Kyoto has nurtured a rich array of cultural forms during its long history as a capital that must not be missed by visitors. Check in to ryokan and relax until dinnertime.
Kodaiji illumination If time permits, you may visit Kodaiji, a beautiful temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama District. It was established in 1606 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan's greatest historical figures, by Hideyoshi's wife Nene, who is also enshrined there. The temple features richly decorated interiors and is surrounded by beautiful Zen gardens. The gardens are lit up in special illuminations in spring and autumn, from sunset until 9:30 pm. Dinner: Japanese kaiseki cuisine at the ryokan. One of the most delicious experiences at a Japanese ryokan is to have a kaiseki dinner. Kaiseki, the very pinnacle of the Japanese art of food is a traditional multi-course dinner, and dishes are beautifully arranged and garnished, often with seasonal leaves and flowers.
Day 04 Kyoto Take some time to enjoy the gorgeous autumn leaves among the city's quaint and lovely temples. These two elements create scenes too beautiful to describe. There are so many temples to choose from; here are some suggestions:
Kiyomizu temple This temple, established in 778, has attracted worshippers since the Heian period (794-1185). The Main Hall (Hondo), built in the "stage" style, is noted for its beautiful background scenery, which changes with the seasons. Built atop a precipice, the main hall, which is a National Treasure, is famous as the Kiyomizu Stage with its magnificent view of the city below. The temple precincts contain 15 buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties, including the inner temple (Okunoin), the famous three-tiered pagoda and Amida Buddha Hall (Amidado). Eikan-do Eikan-do is the main temple of the Jodo-shu Seizan-Zenrinji school of Buddhism. It began as a training temple of Esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon sect in 853. The temple's treasures are on public display from Nov. 11 to Dec. 5. Eikan-do is well known for its autumn colors, and there are illumination events in the evenings from Nov. 11 to Dec. 5. Hogonin Temple Hogonin Temple was built in 1461 as a sub-temple of Tenryu-ji by the Shogun. Today, Hogonin is known as the Momiji-dera, or Maple Temple, because of the profusion of Japanese maples growing throughout its grounds. Hundreds of visitors pass through the garden each fall to view the colors of the maple leaves turning, which reach their peak in late November. During that same month, the temple hosts a spectacular evening illumination event. Tofuku-ji Temple Tofuku-ji is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto that was founded in 1236. In autumn, people come from all over Japan to see this temple's outstanding autumn colors. The most popular view is of the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees. Nanzen-ji Nanzen-ji Temple was established in 1291 by Emperor Kameyama. Nanzen-ji is one of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto. It is also the head temple of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Justly famous for its autumn colors covering the hills of Higashiyama, the Nanzen-ji Temple complex very popular in the fall. 18:30 Dinner: Japanese kaiseki cuisine at the ryokan
Day 05 Kyoto - Next destination Check out from the ryokan and leave your luggage there. This is a good opportunity for a morning walk around the ryokan to enjoy the autumn leaves and cool weather until your departure time. Then you will transfer to Kyoto Station by private car and take a shinkansen bullet train to your next destination.

OUR RYOKAN in SHIGA and KYOTO AREA
The Ryokan Collection has one member ryokan in Shiga.
L'Hotel Du Lac Nestled on the shores of Lake Biwa, in the midst of a lush forest, sits L'Hotel du Lac, waiting to welcome you to an expansive, natural world with spectacular views of the beautiful lake and islands floating serenely in the distance. Wildlife including deer and troops of monkeys roam the grounds and the surrounding forests, and all manner of birds flit in the trees and waterfowl populate the lake. For more information, click here.

The Ryokan Collection has five member ryokan in Kyoto.
Hiiragiya Hiiragiya, located in the heart of Kyoto, takes great pride in preserving the traditions and culture of Japan. It offers modern-day amenities, while respecting the aesthetic considerations of the past. Each of the 30 rooms is designed with its own unique motif, and each displays quintessential Japanese elegance and sophistication. For more information, click here.

Sumiya This ryokan is an excellent choice when planning a trip to Kyoto. Located near the heart of the main sightseeing areas, Sumiya is a very traditional-style ryokan and in its 100 years in business, it has seen three generations of owners. Sumiya is a very inviting ryokan. Entering through the ryokan's fusuma (sliding door), you immediately feel as if you are visiting an old traditional Japanese home. For more information, click here.

Seikoro This enchanting ryokan was built in 1831, and is now a popular and well-known presence in the city. Its captivating entrance leads to a uniquely decorated parlor where you can find rare Japanese and Western antiques on display. Located east of the Kamo River, the gardens of this well-known ryokan have abundant lush greenery - a perfect place to find peace and well-being. For more information, click here.

Gion-Hatanaka Walking up the stone stairway to the entrance of Gion Hatanaka, you immediately see that this ryokan celebrates the expression of Japanese style. It is located in the heart of Higashiyama, right next to Yasaka Shrine, yet it is so secluded that you can easily forget where you are. The tranquility of this place will help you transcend to a state of complete relaxation. For more information, click here.

Ugenta The village of Kibune seems a world away along a narrow, winding road through deep forests and mountains. It is rather different from what any traveler might expect, and you may be amazed that such extraordinary places like this even exist. Nestled in this natural and out-of-the-way locale, just 30 minutes north of Kyoto, lies the picturesque Ugenta. Renovations completed in 2005 highlight some of the 200-year-old architectural highlights that give Ugenta its unique character. For more information, click here.

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