Kyoto & Nara Day Trip -Golden Pavilion & Todaiji from Kyoto/Osaka

This tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter as it visits the most famous sightseeing spots including World Heritage sites in Kyoto and Nara, such as Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Participants will surely enjoy this tour which takes an efficient trip around two historical cities. This is Sunrise Tours’ most popular course in western Japan. Enjoy the view out the window from the suburbs of Kyoto to Nara. [Only for guests select Osaka Start & End Option]After a day filled with historical wonders, our assistant will escort you back to Osaka.

A World Heritage site. Tour the historical castle completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for the Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace. The impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see. The tour will not enter the Honmaru Palace and Painting Gallery. Please refer to “Information travelers need from you” regarding alternative destinations on the day of closure.

A World Heritage site. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond.

See the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was used as the Emperor’s residence until about 150 years ago. On days when the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to visitors, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (disembark for sightseeing) as an alternative destination. This shrine is famous for the god of learning, and its main hall is a designated national treasure. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Please refer to “Information travelers need from you” regarding alternative destinations on the day of closure.

A World Heritage site. This is the symbol of the Nara Period and one of the world’s largest wooden structures. Its huge main hall and bronze Great Buddha are impressive to behold.

[Until December 2024] This Nara Period shrine is designated as a World Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers. Until December 2024, The tour does not include entrance to areas requiring admission.

[From January 2025] This Nara Period shrine is designated as a World Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers. From January 2025, the Main Sanctuary special visit area will be newly added to the itinerary. Visitors can get closer to the Main Sanctuary and view the hanging lanterns in the corridor.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• As the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) and on days when there is an Imperial Household Agency event, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead. If the closed day falls on the 25th, the tour will visit Nishi Hongan-ji Temple.
• Nijo Castle is closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December, and from December 26 to January 3. (Closed on the following day if Tuesday is a holiday.) If closed, Ryoan-ji Temple will be visited instead.
• Participants will walk from the parking lot to Todai-ji Temple (about 25 min one-way). Please inform us at the time of booking if any person in your group is using crutches or a wheelchair, or has a chronic illness that makes it difficult to walk for long distances.
• Until December 2024, the tour will visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine but will not enter areas requiring admission. From January 2025, the tour will also enter the Main Sanctuary special visit area. However, in case the special visit area cannot be entered due to events or operational circumstances, the Kasuga Taisha Museum or Manyo Botanical Garden will be visited instead.
• Refunds will not be issued in case the tour visits aforementioned alternative destinations.
• The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations.
• Seats may not be designated.
• [Only for guests selected With Lunch option] Lunch will be a Western-style set menu. For those who would like a vegetarian meal, please make sure to inform us at the time of reservation. If requests are not provided in advance, same-day changes cannot be accepted. Halal, gluten-free, and other meal requests are not available.
• For those who don’t require lunch, please make a booking for the ‘No Lunch’ option. There will be time allotted for the Kyoto Station vicinity. Please purchase your own lunch.
• Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with bus seats or lunch. If bus seats or lunch is required, please make a booking under the child rate.
• Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour.
• [Only applicable from 2025 for guests who selected Osaka Departure] Travel will be in the non-reserved seat section of the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.

• Osaka Start & End – No Lunch
  Add
  End points: Tour ends at Osaka Namba station.
  Starting point:
  Hotel Granvia Osaka, 3-chōme-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
• Kyoto Start & End – No Lunch
  Add
  End points: Tour ends at Kyoto Station.
  Starting point:
  JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO, Japan, 601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, ３１ B1F AVANTI
• Osaka Start & End – With Lunch
  Add
  End points: Tour ends at Osaka Namba station.
  Starting point:
  Hotel Granvia Osaka, 3-chōme-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
• Kyoto Start & End – With Lunch
  Add
  End points: Tour ends at Kyoto Station.
  Starting point:
  JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO, Japan, 601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, ３１ B1F AVANTI

• Lunch (only if you select “With Lunch” option when booking)
• National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
• Air-conditioned vehicle

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Entrance to at Honmaru-goten Palace at Nijo Castle
• Lunch (only if you select “No Lunch” option when booking)

Trending Kyoto Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out

• If you have arrived at the pickup location but have trouble finding the meeting point, you can call the local operator JTB Sunrise Tours on +81 3 5796 5454 (Operated between 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Japan time) for assistance.
• In case bookings have been made separately, you may be assigned to be on separate tour buses.
• You can refer to below link for specific directions:
https://www.sunrise-tours.jp/en/access/avanti

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc..
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Tokyo.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 418 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 14 Travelers is accepted for booking.