Mt. Hiei is considered as the “mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism”, hence it is one of the most sacred places in Japan. It is high 848 meters and it lies on the borders between Kyoto and Shiga offering a breathtaking view of Kyoto and Lake Biwa. It has a very important symbolic meaning also for Japanese history, in particular during the “Warring State Era” of Japan (1477-1573). Atop the mountain you will find the splendid Enryaku-ji Temple, the Head Temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism founded by the monk Saicho (767-822). Many influential monks studied at Enryaku-ji, including the founders of later sects such as the Pure Land, Zen and Nichiren ones. What makes this place worthy of a visit is the mystical atmosphere created by the woods and the mountains typical of this kind of place, in particular in Autumn with the colorful leaves and in Winter, when the Temple is surrounded by fog and covered by a snow blanket.

Miho Museum is located in Koka City (Shiga Prefecture), the birthplace of Ninja, and it is is one of Japan`s architectural gem. This beautiful and small museum is named after Mihoko Koyama, a textile heiress and one of the wealthiest women in Japan. She commissioned the renown architect I.M Pei, the same person who projected the glass pyramid at Louvre, to design a “paradise on earth” in order to display her rare personal collection of rare ancient artworks such as utensils used in tea ceremonies, calligraphic and religious works, ceramics and more. The architecture is stunning and the tunnel through the mountain leading to the Museum features the concept of “harmony”: the building instead of being dominant structure overlooking the valley, fits perfectly with nature, as if it were part of the natural environment.

Lake Biwa is Japan`s largest lake and it is located in Shiga Prefecture, only 15 minutes far away from Kyoto. It owes its name to the Japanese Lute “Biwa” and it is said to be one of the oldest lake in the world, which origins can be traced back to 4 millions years ago. This is why nowadays Lake Biwa is considered a biodiversity hotspot since it is home of hundreds of endemic species. Lake Biwa natural scenery appears also in Japanese literature and attracted aristocratic families of Kyoto who escaped from summer heat. Lake Biwa is a holiday destination that satisfies all tourists and it offers a vast range of outdoor activities admiring the Lake panorama from Biwako Terrace, constructed at the top of Biwako Valley where, in winter, you can practice skiing or snowboarding. In summer you can experiencing cruising or water sports, swimming, exploring the island, camping, also visiting museums and Shirahige Shrine with its canonic red torii gate standing in the crystalline water. In winter you can