Kyoto and Nara Day Tour - Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Todaiji

Explore the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara on a full-day tour from Kyoto. You’ll tour Kyoto in the morning, enjoy a buffet lunch at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, then take an afternoon tour of Nara’s temples and shrines.

Known as the cradle of Japan's cultural heritage, Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. On your morning tour of the city you’ll see the main highlights of wonderful, culture-rich Kyoto, including Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. The castle was built in 1603 and is noted for the contrast of its solemn appearance and gorgeous interiors.

You’ll also visit Kyoto's most popular temple, Kinkakuji Temple, the home of perhaps the world's most authentic and exquisite Japanese garden, as well as the celebrated Golden Pavilion. At the ancient Kyoto Imperial Palace you’ll visit the former residence of the Imperial family, which clearly shows the Japanese taste for purity, simplicity and calmness. Here you'll also visit the Shishinden Imperial state chamber where enthronement ceremonies took place.

After lunch (free soft drinks included) and shopping at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, you'll see demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts before traveling to Nara, in Japan's Kansai region. Nara was the country’s first permanent capital city, and has an abundance of Unesco World Heritage sites, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. You’ll visit the Todaiji Temple housing a great image of Buddha, colorful Kasuga Shrine with 3,000 lanterns, and the Deer Park, where tame deer freely roam and can be hand-fed.

Schedule Details Departs:

• 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 hotels listed at approximately 7pm 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
Gion Yoshiima: 8.15am

Itinerary: 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.

Note: 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.

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.

Note: 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.

Buffet Lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Center
Enjoy a buffet lunch (free soft drinks included, alcoholic drinks not included) and shopping at Kyoto Handicraft Center. Enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts.

Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple, constructed in the 8th century, is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples. In it's huge precincts are various national treasures of Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Once of Japan's best-known temples, it enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha. A wonder of religious architecture.

Deer Park
Over 1,000 tame deer roam freely in the verdant 1,250 acres peaceful park. If you wish to feed the deer, they will gladly eat from your hand. Special food is sold in the park grounds (not included).

Kasuga Shrine
The most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara, it features some 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns.

Additional Information