Kyoto and Nara 2-Day or 3-Day Rail Tour by Bullet Train from Tokyo

Choose from a two-day or three-day Bullet train excursion to Kyoto and Nara from Tokyo. You'll tour Nara's temples and shrines, spend the night in Kyoto and take morning and afternoon sightseeing tours of Kyoto. You'll then have the option of spending a second night in Kyoto, with a day free to spend at your leisure exploring the city that's known as the cradle of Japan's cultural heritage.

As you zoom your way to Kyoto from Tokyo by Bullet train, look out for splendid views of Mt Fuji if the weather permits. After lunch at the New Miyako Hotel, you'll travel 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. 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.

After spending the night in Kyoto, you'll visit the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, noted for its gorgeous interiors, and KyotoImperial Palace. After lunch at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, you'll visit Sanjusangendo Temple with its 1,001 impressive images of Buddha, the vermilion-hued Heian Shinto shrine and the Kiyomizu Buddhist temple.

You then have the option of returning to Tokyo by Bullet train, or staying another night in Kyoto and returning to Tokyo by Bullet train the next evening after spending the day exploring the city at your leisure.

Please Note:

• Nijo Castle - On Tuesdays in January, July, August and December 'Nijo Castle' is closed a visit to 'Ryoanji Temple' will be included instead.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace - On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays and some other days, Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed and a visit to 'Kitano Tenmangu' will be included instead. On June 25, September 25 and December 25, you will visit 'Ryoanji Temple' instead.

IMPORTANT: The Imperial Palace will be closed on April 22 and April 30, 2009. The Imperial Palace will be substituted with a visit to the Nishihonganji Temple. The Nishihonganji temple houses several national treasures and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Schedule details

Departure Point:

Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal or selected hotels in Tokyo

Departure Time:

  9.00am from Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal

or

Hotel pickup at:

• Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka/Information Desk - 8:00am
• ANA InterContinental Tokyo/Bell Desk - 8:20am
• Ariake Washington/1st Floor Information Desk - 8:00am
• Century Hyatt/Concierge - 7:50am
• Cerulean Tower Tokyu/Guest Relation - 7:40am
• Conrad Tokyo/Bell Desk - 8:10am
• Crowne Plaza Metropolitan Tokyo/Bell Desk - 7:40am
• Daiichi Hotel Tokyo/Bell Desk - 8:25am
• Four Seasons (Chinzan-so)/Concierge - 8:00am
• Ginza Capital (annex bldg.)/Lobby - 8:00am
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo/Lobby - 8:25am
• Grand Pacific Meridien/Bell Desk - 8:10am
• Grand Palace/Bell Desk - 7:55am
• Hilton Tokyo/Bell Desk - 7:55am
• Imperial (main bldg.)/Bell Desk - 8:25am
• Intercontinental Tokyo Bay/Concierge - 8:30am
• Keio Plaza Tokyo/Front Information Desk - 8:05am
• Laforet Tokyo/Bell Desk - 7:55am
• Le Meridien Pacific Tokyo/Bell Desk - 8:15am
• Mandarin Oriental/Bell Desk - 7:50am
• New Otani (main bldg.)/Bell Desk - 7:50am
• New Sanno/Lobby - 8:05am
• Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa/Bell Desk - 8:20am
• Nikko Tokyo/2nd Floor Bell Desk - 8:15am
• Okura (main bldg.)/Assistant Manager Desk - 8:10am
• Park Hotel Tokyo/Bell Desk - 8:20am
• Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo/Lobby - 7:50am
• Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Ginza HotelBell Desk - 8:15am
• Royal Park/Bell Desk - 7:50am
• Royal Park Shiodome Tower/1st Floor Doorman Desk - 8:25am
• Shiba Park/Guest Relation - 8:30am
• Shinagawa Prince Hotel (Main Tower)/Guest Relations - 8:05am
• Shinjuku Washington/3rd Floor Information Desk - 7:45am
• Sunshine City Prince/Bell Desk - 7:30am
• Tokyo Dome/Bell Desk - 8:20am
• Tokyo Prince/Bell Desk - 8:30am
• The Prince Park Tower Tokyo/Bell Desk - 8:20am
• Tokyo St. (Hato Bus at Marunouchi South Exit)/Hato Bus Waiting Room #7 - 8:15am
• Westin Tokyo/Bell Desk - 7:55am
• Yaesu Fujiya/Bell Desk - 8:05am
• Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal/Sunrise Tour Desk - 9:00am

Return Details:

Concludes at the Tokyo Station at approximately 9:00 - 9:15pm

Pricing information

Click the link below for a price quote on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Tour options:

Additional information

Inclusions:

• 1 or 2 nights accommodation
• Tokyo to Kyoto return trip by Bullet train
• Morning and afternoon sightseeing tours of Kyoto
• Professional guide
• Lunch
• Hotel pickup (selected hotels only)

Exclusions:

• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Hotel drop off
• Baggage handling

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
• Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat
• Infant meals not included
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults

Itinerary:

You may choose between a two or three day tour. Please see below for options available. Please note that Day 1 is the same for both tours:

Day 1: Tokyo - Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto:
You will be transferred in the morning to Tokyo Station around 9:40am and board a Shinkansen train for the classical city of Kyoto. Enjoy a splendid view of imposing Mt. Fuji en route (weather permitting). Lunch at New Miyako Hotel. In the afternoon enjoy a tour to Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan. Visit Todaiji Temple housing a great image of Buddha, colorful Kasuga Shrine with 3,000 lanterns, and Deer Park where many tame deer are freely roaming, before returning to Kyoto.

Kyoto overnight accommodation (your choice from the following):

Tourist Class Hotel or First Class Hotel
*see Kyoto Accommodation List for details

Day 2:
OPTION 1: Kyoto (Option for 3 day course)
Morning sightseeing of Kyoto, visiting Golden Pavilion, Nijo castle noted for its gorgeous interiors, and Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays: visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Higashi Honganji Temple instead). After lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Center, enjoy afternoon sightseeing of the city, visiting Sanjusangendo Hall with its 1,001 impressive images of Buddha, vermilion-hued Heian Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple with its wooden veranda. Return to Kyoto hotel in the evening.

OPTION 2: Kyoto - Tokyo (option for 2 day course)
Enjoy a morning sightseeing around Kyoto, visiting Golden Pavilion, Nijo castle noted for its gorgeous interiors, and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
After lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Center you will see more of the city, visiting Sanjusangendo Hall with its 1,001 impressive images of Buddha,vermilion-hued Heian Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple with its wooden veranda. In the evening board a Shinkansen train back to Tokyo - around 6:40pm. Transfer to major hotels in Tokyo around 9:30pm.

Day 3: For 3 days Course
Free at leisure before returning to Tokyo. In the evening board a Shinkansen train back to Tokyo at 6:40pm. Transfer to major hotels in Tokyo at 9:30pm.

Kyoto Accommodation:
You can choose from the following Tourist or First Class hotels in Kyoto. Please specify in the 'Special Requirements' box at time of booking. Hotel is not guaranteed and is subject to availability.

Tourist Class hotels:

• Kyoto Montrey Hotel
• New Miyako Hotel
• Kyoto Tokyo Hotel
• Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

First Class hotels:

• Kyoto Hotel Okura
• Kyoto ANA Hotel

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.