One Day Kyoto Tour from Osaka

General information

Destination
Osaka, Japan

Program details

Hop aboard the train from Osaka to Kyoto for a day discovering the sights and sounds of Kyoto. Arrive in the former ancient capital to begin a tour of the many temples and palaces that adorn the city. We start at the World Heritage Nijo Castle whose flamboyant style and sublime gardens are bound to impress. Then head to the striking Kinkaku-ji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion for its sparkling golden exterior, and the former ruling palace of the Emperor of Japan: Kyoto Imperial Palace. Take a break and have a set meal lunch before restarting your whirlwind tour of Kyoto.



After lunch of a western set menu, we will visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of 40,000 inari-jinja shrines located all over Japan. The bright red Senbon Torii gates are a must-see attraction. Then on to the Sanjusangen-do Temple, world's longest wooden structure, houses life-size statues of Buddhist Kannon deities dating back to the 13th century.

The last stop at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, famous for its wooden veranda.The view of Kyoto from the World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera is superb. The historic shopping lane that leads to the temple adds to a wonderful experience.



Finally, all participants will be dropped off at Kyoto Station then to hotels. During the Gion Festival (Sakimatsuri, July 15 - 16), drop-off service to Karasuma Kyoto Hotel and Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto will be unavailable due to traffic restrictions.





Languages

English



Others



Nijo Castle is closed on Tuesdays (or Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday) in January, July, August, and December and over the New Year's holidays. On these days, the tour will visit Ryoan-ji Temple.



Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to the public on the following days: (Mondays, Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday, May 14-17 for the Aoi Festival, New Year's holidays, and whenever there is an Imperial Household event). Kitano Tenmangu Shrine will be the replacement,



which is famous for housing the God of scholarship. This shrine's main hall is a designated national treasure. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons.

The tour will visit Nishi Hongan-ji Temple instead of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on January 25th and October 25th