Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comKyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace
based on Enjoy the sights of Kyoto on this morning tour. Visit Nijo Castle, marvel at the gold covered Kinkakuji Temple - Golden Pavilion, walk through Kyoto Imperial Palace - The emperor's residence until 1868. Tour concludes at the shopping paradise of the Kyoto Handicraft Center, see demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts.
Nijo Castle - The Kyoto Residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for the contrast of its solemn appearance and gorgeous interiors.
Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) - Kyoto's most popular temple is the home of perhaps the world's most authentic and exquisite Japanese Garden, as well as the celebrated Golden Pavilion.
Kyoto Imperial Palace - The ancient Imperial Palace clearly shows the Japanese taste for purity, simplicity and calmness. The residence of the Imperial family until the capital was relocated to Tokyo in 1868. View the Shishinden Imperial state chamber where enthronement ceremonies took place.
Kyoto Handicraft Center - Enjoy shopping at Kyoto Handicraft Center. See demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts.
Your tour will conclude at the Kyoto Handicraft Center where a free shuttle service is provided to major Kyoto hotels.
- Marvel at the Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple and Imperial Palace
- Watch traditional Japanese artists work their craft at the Kyoto Handicraft Center
- Free shuttle service from Kyoto Handicraft Center to major Kyoto Hotels
Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Daily
Unavailable Dates:
- 29 December to 5 January
Departure Point:
Tour departs from Kyoto New Miyako Hotel, or selected hotels in Kyoto.
Departure Time:Passengers commencing the tour from central departure point (Kyoto New Miyako Hotel) will need to be there by 8.40am at the latest in order to check in for the tour.
Return details:Tour concludes at the Kyoto Handicraft Center. The Handicraft Center offers free shuttle services to major hotels at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, after which a transfer service is available on request.
Hotel Pickup:Selected Kyoto hotels as per the list below. If you are staying at one of the following hotels and wish for a hotel pick up, you MUST enter your hotel details (Name and address) in the 'Hotel Pick Up' box. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call the supplier and advise them of this information directly. The supplier contact details will be on your voucher once you have a confirmed booking.
If your hotel is not on the list below, you will need to make your way to the central departure point, Kyoto New Miyako Hotel, at 8.45am.
Hotel Pick Up List and Times:
PLEASE NOTE: Hotel pick up is ONLY available from the hotels listed below.
- Kyoto Tokyu: 8.05am
- The Westin Miyako Kyoto: 8.10am
- Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto: 8.15am
- Kyoto Hotel Okura: 8.25am
- New Hankyu: 8.25am
- Kyoto Tower: 8.35am
- ANA Hotel Kyoto: 8.50am
- New Miyako: 8.45am
- Keihan Kyoto: 8.40am
- Gion Yoshiima: 8.15am
Nijo Castle:On Tuesday's in January, July, August and December when Nijo Castle is closed, the tour will visit Ryoanji Temple instead. Ryoanji Temple is a temple of Zen Buddhism. Well known for its karesansui garden - a type of dry garden composed of 15 rocks over white sand. This garden is believed to represent the philosophy of Zen.
Kyoto Imperial Palace :On Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and some other days when Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu instead. This shrine is known as the god of study. Many people go here to pray for success in passing school entrance examinations. "Ushi-san" (Mr. Cow), the familiar of the god of Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine, is always lying stretched out, and he seems quite content to be caressed by visitors. When supplications for improved academic performance and examination success are made, he is said to pass these on to the god of the shrine. That explains the presence of so many cows within the grounds of Kitano-Tenmangu. White cows, black cows, brindle cows, calves - all stand in readiness for the visitor. While originally the cow was the symbol of a good harvest, at some point it came to represent scholarship after being associated with Sugawara Michizane for so long. Not only that, but in the process of being rubbed by countless visitors praying for good health, this cow's body has been polished to a high gleam.
Note: On June 25, September 25 & December 25, the tour visit Higashi Honganji Temple. Higashi Honganji (East Honganji) was built in 1602 as the head temple of the Otani faction. Its main hall is Kyoto's largest wooden structure. As one part of the headquarters of the two factions of Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Sect), one of Japan's largest Buddhist sects, it is a place to experience a certain atmosphere of contemporary Japanese Buddhism.
- Prices are listed as a guide only. For an exact price quote, select a date
- Infants aged 5 years and under are free of charge, as long as the infant is sitting on parent's lap.
- Child prices are applicable for children aged 6 - 11 years.
- Prices are per person.
- Currency is set to USD. Change currency
- Our pricing is updated constantly to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.
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- Hotel pickup (from selected Kyoto hotels only)
- Transportation by Motorcoach
- Admission Fees
- English speaking guide
- Tax
- Food and beverages
- This tour must be booked at least 3 days in advance of your travel date
- Confirmation for this tour will be received at time of booking, unless you are booking within 7 days of your tour date. In this case, confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability.
- Tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated
- You will be asked for your full name, nationality, gender and age to follow the necessary procedures before entering Kyoto Imperial Palace
- This tour is wheechair accessible, however passengers who require assistance must provide their own carer.
- Please note that some parts of pathway on this tour are gravel surface.
Wheelchair Access:
Bookings cancelled or amended 8+ calendar days in advance of the scheduled departure or commencement time will not be charged any fees; between 3 and 7 calendar days in advance of the scheduled departure or commencement time will be charged a 50% cancellation fee; within 2 calendar days of the scheduled departure or commencement time will be charged a 100% cancellation fee.
Local Operator Information:Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
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We enjoyed the tour very much. It would not have been as informative had we done it by ourselves. Just ... Read more ›
Anonymous, United States, August 2008
