E-voucher
English
Free Cancellation
Overview
See the best that the historic cities of Kyoto and Nara have to offer during this full-day tour of the cities’ top temples and sights. It’s a great introduction to the culture and traditions of ancient Japan, along with some time at a nature park thrown in for good measure.
Begin your excursion by stopping by two of Kyoto’s most important highlights with your guide, starting with a stop at Nijo Castle, which was the home of the Tokugawa Shogun until the mid-1800s. This World Heritage-listed site, constructed in 1603, is renowned for the contrasts between its intricate interior and solemn exterior façade.
Head next to Kinkaku-ji, the city’s most popular religious site and what is considered by many to be one of the world’s most elaborate Japanese gardens. Check out the temple’s Golden Pavilion, a 3-story building sheathed in gold leaf and situated beside a picturesque pond, where you can take some great photos.
Move on next to Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, where you have a chance to see the Shishin-den, a key site for important state ceremonies, before wandering the palace’s beautiful grounds.
If you’ve chosen the upgraded option, take a break for an included lunch, then re-board your bus for the drive south to Nara, where you stop by two of the temples and shrines that form the city’s own UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Todai-ji, a religious complex known for housing one of the world’s largest statues of the Buddha (Great Buddha Hall) before continuing to the adjacent Nara Park.
Make your next stop of the day at Kasuga Shrine, renowned for the more than 3,000 lanterns lining its interior. Finish your excursion at Nara’s Deer Park, a famous section of Nara Park with free-roaming groups of deer.
Operated by
JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.4
/ 5
450 traveller ratings
5
262
4
140
3
22
2
16
1
10
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
Best day with Satchiko
S495QPjulias, Aug 2025
We are on an 11-day trip to Japan and I think this was the best day of our entire tour. Seeing Mijo castle was absolutely incredible. The Golden Temple was amazing. The bowing deer of Nara was a dream come true. We were blown away by Todaiji Temple and Kasugataisha Shrine. We also saw the Imperial Palace which was spectacular. I feel like this tour managed to show us the most important historical sites of Japan in one day without being feeling too rushed. Satchiko was an absolutely fantastic guide. She was very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and kind and managed to keep the tour running like clockwork. She taught us some local Kyoto phrases and gave us a great historical overview. Not enough good things to say about this tour, it was an absolute dream. Just the best day.
Absolutely incredible tour
figt2021, Aug 2025
We had an incredible time on our Kyoto/Nara 1-day tour with Sachiko. She was a wonderful guide and it was easily one of the best days we had in Japan. Seeing Nijo Castle was remarkable and Sachiko was very knowledgeable, kind, and patient with us. Nara was a bucket list item for us and it really exceeded our expectations. If you are only in Kyoto for a short time, be sure to prioritize this tour. It gave us an amazing overview and we were blown away with the sites. This tour was 10/10. Highly recommend.
Great tour with great stops
Steven_H, Jul 2025
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.
Super fun!
Heidi K, May 2025
It was packed full of great experiences! Our tour guide Kaicy was wonderful! He made it fun and educational. Allowed just enough time at stops.
Itinerary
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.
50 minutesAdmission IncludedKinkakuji Temple
A World Heritage site. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond.
45 minutesAdmission IncludedKyoto Imperial Palace
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 "Additional Information" regarding alternative destinations on the day of closure.
40 minutesKasuga Grand Shrine
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.
1 hourAdmission IncludedTodai-ji Temple
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.
1 hourAdmission Included
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- 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
Exclusions
- Fees other than those listed in Includes
Additional Information
- 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.
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.