Kyoto Morning Tour of Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Osaka

Osaka, Japan

See the sights of Kyoto on this 3.5-hour morning tour. Kyoto was Japan's capital and the Emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. Included in this tour is a visit to Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto Imperial Palace and the Kyoto Handicraft Center.

You'll travel 30-minutes by train from Osaka to Kyoto. Enjoy a morning tour of Kyoto, departing from Osaka! Japan's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face. You'll see Kyoto's highlights, steeped in culture including Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Handicraft Center. You'll return by JR rail from Kyoto to Osaka station.

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.

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 and national holidays the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu instead. 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. 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.

USD $104.20

Review by: Denise W	October 2011
Good tour. I went on a Saturday, so no Imperial Palace as advertised. I would choose a different day if I could. Overall a nice tour.

Review by: Mikhail K	October 2010
All was very good and worth of price paid. No negative comments.

Review by: Cm_D	September 2010
Guides were on time, very friendly and accommodating. couldn't ask for more.

Review by: KAVIN SIM	September 2010
Great trip to major tourist attractions such as Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle and other tourist spots. Tour guid was caring and well trained with information pertaining to explaination of history of places we visited

Review by: Catherine C, Philippines	April 2010
We went to the Nishi Homanji Temple I don't know if this is the same as Kinkakuji Temple then to the Nijo Castle & finally the Golden Pavilion. We didn't go to the Imperial Palace. All these are Unesco Heritage sites & really worth seeing. Unfortunately, it rained the whole time we were there! and worse my shoes gave up on me and there was nowhere to buy a replacement except the Handicrafts Center which was the last stop of the tour! Imagine my predicament in the Golden Pavilion!

Review by: John R, United States of America	October 2009
Our guide was very prompt and met us exactly where where we expected. The sites were very interesting, and we spent plenty of time at each site. Our guide was very friendly.

Review by: Aretina B, United States of America	August 2009
The morning tour was great! I have no complaints about it.

Review by: Monique D, United States of America	August 2009
Mid August in Japan is awfully hot and humid; I suggest going at a better time of year. The tour sites were fantastic but there were too many on the tour. We had a hard time hearing anything from the back of the group. We still enjoyed the tour!

Review by: MONIQUE D	August 2009
Mid August in Japan is awfully hot and humid; I suggest going at a better time of year. The tour sites were fantastic but there were too many on the tour. We had a hard time hearing anything from the back of the group. We still enjoyed the tour!

Review by: Belinda B, Australia	November 2008
Fantastic if your looking for a quick cultural experience of Japan. Highly recommended.

Review by: Catherine F, United Kingdom	July 2008
The tour was very good and well organized.

Review by: Kek Hua S, Singapore	May 2008
It's worth doing because you don't expect anything less. We saw what we wanted to see, all within the time allocated. The guides were helpful and friendly.

Review by: KEK HUA S	May 2008
It's worth doing because you don't expect anything less. We saw what we wanted to see, all within the time allocated. The guides were helpful and friendly.

Review by: Raymond B, United Kingdom	September 2007
This trip was good value for money and well organized, with pick-up and return times adhered to. The guide was very knowledgeable and had a good command of the English language, certainly better than my Japanese! Of the three attractions, it was only possible to get into Nijo Castle, but all in all it was a worthwhile trip.