9 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
Meet your guide and group at one of two convenient departure points, either in central Osaka or central Kyoto.
Begin your exploration of UNESCO-recognized Kyoto, capital of Japanese culture, in the Arashiyama district. Visitors who arrive in this striking area in April will be treated to the visual feast of blooming cherry blossom trees, while those who arrive in November are likely to experience fiery fall colors. During the summer, observe locals participating in cormorant fishing. Another pleasant option for your time in Arashiyama is the Sagano Bamboo Forest, where you can enjoy a walk along the edge of Tenryuji temple.
Take a break around mid-day for lunch. Guests who have paid for the lunch option will enjoy a traditional meal. After, continue to Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), where you can admire this elegant complex’s collection of serene gardens and neatly manicured grounds and learn about its construction. Continue to the Great Buddha Statue at Todaiji Temple, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.
Leaving Kinkaku-ji, continue to Nara and proceed to Nara Park, a preserve known for the 1,200 wild deer that freely roam its grounds. Visitors can purchase “senbei” snacks to feed the animals.
Following your trip to Nara Park, return by bus to your original departure point.
Operated by
LIMON Tours -DMC Japan
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.57
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295 traveller ratings
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Ancient Kyoto tour was AMAZING!
alanpN6258IK, Apr 2025
Our Tour guide, Eiko, was amazing and made the tour very enjoyable! The bamboo forest walk, the golden pagoda, the Todai-Ji Temple and Grand Buddha were great sights, which our whole family enjoyed!
Good tour
davidcB288JL, Apr 2025
This was a good tour and I do r commend it. All 3 locations were worth seeing, especially the temple at Nara park. There was an appropriate amount of time taken at each place, they took good care of us, and our tour guid did a good job of explaining things about the city. 5 stars.
Kyoto 25
Leeann R, Apr 2025
Eiko was a great guide, very informative and kept things interesting. Amazing sights at all of the stops and lunch was tasty
Amazing
C2061TNrobertar, Apr 2025
We had such a unique day with Lemon tour! Maria was a wonderful tour guide who explained everything to us and kept us entertained. Kyoto is a beautiful city
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear you had a unique and memorable day exploring Kyoto with LIMON Tours. We're especially happy that Maria made the experience enjoyable and informative. We hope to welcome you again on another journey soon
Itinerary
Arashiyama
First, we'll make our way to Arashiyama, where we'll enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch of seasonal Kyoto specialties (If option selected) before exploring the area. The Sagano Bamboo forest has been a popular nature-viewing destination since the Heian Period. Listen to the distinct rustle of bamboo leaves as you walk through the vibrant green bamboo path. You can also see the "moon-crossing bridge," Togetsukyo, as you walk along the beautiful Katsura River.
2 hoursKinkakuji Temple
Later, drive through Kyoto proper and arrive at Kinkaku-ji: the Golden Pavilion. True to its name, the gold-leaf covered temple dazzles in the sunlight, reflected in the mirror-like pond it overlooks. After admiring the sight (and taking some great pictures,) wander through the sprawling garden that has retained its original design from the 14th century.
Admission tickets not included in last minute option.
45 minutesAdmission IncludedNara
Take a short walk through Nara Park, famous for the 1,200 or so wild deer that live freely within the park. With special "shika-senbei," you can feed the polite deer which are famous for "bowing." Within Nara Park you will find the UNESCO World Heritage site, Todai-ji Temple, home to one of the three titanic Great Buddha Statues of Japan.
2 hours
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Lunch(if option selected)
- Entry ticket to Kinkaku-ji Temple (This is not included if you choose a last minute option)
- Entry ticket to Todai-ji Temple (This is not included if you choose a last minute option)
- English Speaking Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle with free Wi-Fi
Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (the tour begins and ends at the meeting points.)
- Entry tickets and meals(if the last minute option is selected)
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour departs from Kyoto and Osaka on different dates and buses. Choose your departure point carefully when booking.
- Infants (0-2 years) free (seat and meal not included); must sit on an adult's lap
- Meeting Time at Namba, OCAT 1F (Near Daiso): 8:50 AM
- Meeting Time at Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit, in the tourist bus parking area: 9:05 AM
- Please check in 10 minutes before the booked start time
- The bus will depart as scheduled; late arrivals are non-refundable
- Schedule subject to change due to traffic or weather conditions for safety
- Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended
- Our business hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM JST on weekdays. Please note that we are unable to respond to emails outside of these hours.
- We cannot provide vegan or halal meals. Please book an option without lunch.
- For vegetarian requests, contact us directly (contact tour operator) at least 3 days before the tour
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.