MIHO Museum, Kyu Chikurinin Garden, Lake Biwa & Shirahige Jinja Tour

▲ [Miho Museum] Pei created an evocative and tranquil passage for the museum, inspired by the paradise described in the work "Peach Blossom Spring" by the ancient Chinese poet Tao Yuanming. Visitors walk along a walkway surrounded by weeping cherry trees, through a tunnel, and across a suspension bridge to the museum. About 80% of the Miho Museum is built underground to protect the surrounding natural environment. Most of the building is hidden from view on the mountainside. ▲ [Former Chikurin-in Garden] A fully open Japanese classic building, now famous for its Zen-filled courtyard and perfect matcha. The scenery here is similar to Rurikoin Temple in Kyoto. The image of the old bamboo forest table is not inferior to Rurikoin Temple, because the garden has Japanese umbrellas, stone lanterns, green pines, azalea balls and other elements, which have a different artistic conception. ▲ [Lake Biwa] is considered the oldest lake in the world, formed at least 4 million years ago. There are not only many ancient legends about this lake, but also a large number of works of art related to it. Lake Biwa is famous for its biodiversity and has many endemic species, from fish and birds to rare molluscs.