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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.
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Lunch (only if you select "With Lunch" option when booking)
National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
Fees other than those listed in Includes
Nijo Castle
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.
Kinkakuji Temple
A World Heritage site. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond.
End points: Tour ends at Osaka Namba station.
Starting point:
Hotel Granvia Osaka, 3-chōme-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
End points: Tour ends at Osaka Namba station.
Starting point:
Hotel Granvia Osaka, 3-chōme-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
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
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
440 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Steven H,
Jul 5, 2025
- Viator
The one day tour is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time. All 5 stops were spectacular and the guide (KC) did a fantastic job of explaining everything. Of course, at each site you could spend many hours, but this was a great way to see a lot and learn a lot in Kyoto and Nara.
Laureen D,
May 24, 2025
- Viator
KC was hands down the best tour guide we had during our two-week stay in Japan—and that's saying a lot because we had several excellent guides. He was incredibly knowledgeable and informative, sharing insights with the perfect balance of politeness and humor. We were laughing all day long while learning so much. KC's genuine personality and warmth made the experience unforgettable. We absolutely loved him and can’t recommend him highly enough!
Pamela M,
May 18, 2025
- Viator
Enjoyable experience. Meet our needs & expectations. We were able to manage the lenght of the trip..
Michelle S,
Apr 15, 2025
- Viator
We had a great tour with KC. He was friendly, funny and had a wealth of knowledge regarding the several temples and Shrines and historical information. Thank you to the lady who brought us back to Osaka and helped us navigate our way back to our Hotel. Im sorry we didn't know your name.
John G,
Apr 13, 2025
- Viator
More free time at Nara would have been good. Long walk at the end of the day from and to the bus station
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