Koto Sanzan Temple Bus from Hikone

I am planning a trip to Japan Shiga prefecture for autumn folio experience. I am putting a 3 nights stay in Hikone as based exploring the south eastern part of Lake Biwa area. One of the highlight which I would like to cover is the Koto Sanzan Temples excursion as I am a photographer enthusiast. Previous year, there are shuttle buses operated from Hikone Station in autumn but it seems that not available this year. How do I reach those temples on my own and back and back to Hikone. I have done some search and it seems that regular buses do not reach those places.

Thanks,
.

good afternoon

as you rightly said, every autumn there is designated shuttle bus that travels from hikone station to Koto Sanzan area

while waiting for the 2024 updates,
please find 2023 bus timetable (which was released on 27Sep2023) for your reference
https://www.kotousanzan.jp/pdf/2023_kouyou.pdf

there are also more expensive options such as tourist bus
that departs from kyoto to Koto Sanzan area during the autumn foliage season
please find below 2024 details for your reference
https://www.ohmitetudo.co.jp/bus/icoico/event/file/bus-icoico-event-te...

in the meantime, it will be handy also to visit the hikone tourist centre at the JR station for the latest transportation options

in relation to regular transportation (non seasonal) ,

for hyakusaiji
there are regular buses from 八日市駅 yokaichi station
https://www.city.higashiomi.shiga.jp/cmsfiles/contents/0000007/7636/ai...
and from 能登川駅 notogawa station
http://www.ohmitetudo.co.jp/bus/

for saimyouji
there are ride share taxis from 河瀬駅 kawase station and 尼子駅 amago station
(reservation required)
and even from saimyouji to kongourinji
https://saimyouji.com/access/

last for kongourinji
there are ride share taxis from 稲枝駅 inae station (reservation required)
http://kongourinji.jp/access/index.php

have a wonderful trip