Explore the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara on a full-day tour from Kyoto. Escorted by a local guide, 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

Kyoto and Nara Day Trip from Kyoto including Nijo Castle

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 hotels in Kyoto

Departure Time:

8:40am from Kyoto New Miyako Hotel

or

• ANA Hotel Kyoto: 8.50am
• Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto: 8:10am
• Hotel Monterey Kyoto: 8:05am
• Hyatt Regency Kyoto: 8:25am
• Karasuma Kyoto Hotel: 8:15am
• Kyoto Hotel Okura: 8:05am
• Kyoto Tokyu: 8:50am
• New Hankyu Kyoto: 8:25am
• New Miyako: 8:35am
• The Westin Miyako Kyoto: 7:50am
• Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto: 8:45am

Return Details:

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 and Nara Day Trip from Kyoto including Nijo Castle

Inclusions:

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

Exclusions:

• Gratuities (optional)
• Entrance to Treasures Hall
• Entrance to Manyo Botanical Gardens at Kasuga Shrine

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
• Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat
• Infant meals not included
• On Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays, Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed. During these dates, the tour will visit other destinations. The same is true of the period before and after the public viewing of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in April and October, the three days before and after Aoi Festival (including the festival, held on May 15), as well as when there is an Imperial Household event.
• On Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December, or Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday, Nijo Castle is
  closed. The tour will visit Ryoanji Temple or Daitokuji Daisen-in Temple instead.
• Please note you will be asked to fill in your full name, nationality, gender, and age before entering the Kyoto Imperial Palace (forms will be handed out on the day of the tour).
• Please provide advanced notification if your group consists of five or more Japanese people. If you do not inform us of this information, your party may be refused entry to the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
• The tour may not visit Nara Nagomikan if it is closed or due to traffic conditions.
• Connections to the Kyoto Night Tour or Kyoto Maiko Dinner tours (page 9) cannot be made due to time constraints. At Kasuga Taisha Shrine, the tour does not include entrance to areas requiring admission.
• During the Jidai Festival on October 22, Heian Shrine is closed to the public and will be replaced by Chishaku-in Temple."

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. The palace will also be closed on Oct. 10-31, Nov. 11, Nov. 17-20 in 2010.

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.

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.

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.

Voucher Info:

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Local Operator Information:

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