Kyoto Morning Tour - Kyoto Imperial Palace, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle

Soak up the sights of Kyoto on this guided city morning tour. You'll travel by coach and visit Nijo Castle, the gold covered Kinkakuji Temple and Golden Pavilion. There's also time to walk through Kyoto Imperial Palace - The emperor's residence until 1868. Your tour concludes at the shopping paradise of the Kyoto Handicraft Center where you'll 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.

Schedule details

Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace

Departure Dates:

Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.

Departure Point:

Tour departs from Kyoto New Miyako Hotel

OR

Selected Kyoto hotels

Departure Time:

• 8:40am from Kyoto New Miyako Hotel
OR

• Kyoto Tokyu: 8.05am
• The Westin Miyako Kyoto: 8.00am
• Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto: 8.15am
• Kyoto Hotel Okura: 8.15am
• New Hankyu Kyoto: 8.25am
• Kyoto Tower: 8.35am
• ANA Hotel Kyoto: 8.45am
• Karasuma Kyoto Hotel: 8:25am
• New Miyako: 8.45am
• Hyatt Regency Kyoto: 8:35am
• Yoshi-ima: 8.10am

Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.

Return Details:

Concludes at the Kyoto Handicraft Center

Pricing information

Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Additional information

Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace

Inclusions:

• Professional guide
• Transport by air-conditioned coach
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pickup (selected hotels only)
• Local tax

Exclusions:

• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and drinks
• Hotel drop off

Additional Information:

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless you are booking within 7 days of travel. In this case, confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
• Wheelchair accessible - if assistance is required, passenger must provide their own carer
• Some parts of road on this tour are gravel and steep inclines

Itinerary:

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 : Note: On Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and some other days when Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu instead. The palace will also be closed on Oct. 10-31, Nov. 11, Nov. 17-20 in 2010.

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 and 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.

Terms and Conditions:

If you cancel at least 8 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 per cent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 per cent 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.