Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comKyoto Day Tour of Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and Sanjusangendo from Osaka
based on See all the sights of Kyoto in a day. Travelling from Osaka, visit Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Kyoto Handicraft Center, Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo Hall and the Kiyomizu Temple.
Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face. Enjoy this morning tour to see some of the main highlights of this wonderful city.
Visit Nijo Castle, and it's Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace - residence of the Imperial family until the capital was relocated to Tokyo in 1868 before feasting on a buffet lunch at the Kyoto Handicraft Center where you'll also have the opportunity to shop.
Tour continues with a visit to the Heian Shrine, a reflection the elegance of Japanese life. Explore Sanjusangendo Hall, long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues of Kannon, Bodhisattva, that date back to the 13th century. Tour concludes with a visit to where you'll enjoy sweeping views of the entire city of Kyoto before your rail journey back to Osaka.
- Tour the many highlights of the wonderful city of Kyoto
- Travel by return rail from Osaka to Kyoto, 30-minutes in each direction
- Visit the enchanting Heian Shrine
- Explore Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple and the Kiyomizu Temple
- Enjoy a buffet lunch at the Kyoto Handicraft Center
Kyoto Day Tour of Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and Sanjusangendo from Osaka
- Daily
Unavailable Dates:
- 29 December to 5 January
Tour departs from selected Osaka hotels
Departure Time:- 8.00am
Passengers commencing the tour from central departure point (Last Tour pick up point - Hotel Granvia Osaka) will need to be there by 7.45am at the latest in order to check in for the tour.
Return details:Tour concludes upon arrival at Osaka Station at approximately 6.30pm.
Hotel Pickup:Selected Osaka 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 Last Pick up point - the Hotel Granvia Osaka - by 7.45am
Hotel Pick Up List and Times:
PLEASE NOTE: Hotel pick up is ONLY available from the hotels listed below.
- Granvia Osaka: 7.40am
- Hilton Osaka: 7.20am
- Swissotel Nankai Osaka: 7.10am
- Nikko Osaka: 7.10am
- New Hankyu Hotel: 7:20am
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.
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.
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. It's also a paradise for shopping.
Heian Shrine
The brightly colored shrine with its vermilion pillars and green roof, and its enchanting inner gardens and ponds, reflects the elegance of life in the ancient Japanese court.
Sanjusangendo Hall
A renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues of Kannon, Bodhisattva, that date back to the 13th century.
Kiyomizu Temple
A quaint old lane lined with pottery shops lead up to this famous temple. Enjoy a sweeping view of the entire city of Kyoto from its lofty terrace.
- 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. No meals are included for infants.
- If a seat (or meal) is required for an infant, they must pay the Child Price. In this case, you must enter the infants age as a Child age when submitting your booking request.
- 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 Osaka hotels only) to the Osaka station
- Return JR rail from Osaka to Kyoto
- Buffet lunch
- Admission Fees
- English speaking guide
- Tax
- Gratuities (optional)
- 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 the train journey from Osaka to Kyoto and vice versa are non-reserved local trains.
- Some parts of pathway on this tour are gravel.
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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