Kyoto Afternoon Tour to Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo Hall and Kiyomizu Temple from Osaka

Osaka, Japan

Travel round-trip by rail to Kyoto and visit key cultural landmarks in the former capital. View the splendid gardens of Heian Shrine, see 1,000-armed statues at Sanjusangendo Hall and take in beautiful panoramic views from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kiyomizu Temple. Aboard a comfortable coach, you’ll explore these iconic sites with a knowledgeable local guide who informs you about the city’s rich religious heritage.

After you’re picked up from your Osaka hotel, walk with your guide to Osaka Station for your journey to Kyoto. Board the JR rapid service train (non-reserved seating) and disembark at Kyoto Station for a short walk to the New Miyako Hotel, where you’ll hop aboard your comfortable coach.
Your afternoon tour of Kyoto highlights begins at Heian Shrine, which reflects the graceful elegance of life in the ancient Japanese court. Admire the brightly colored shrine with its vermilion pillars and green roof, along with enchanting inner gardens and ponds.
Next, travel by coach to the renowned Sanjusangendo Hall, Japan's longest wooden structure, which features 1,001 Bodhisattva statues that date back to the 13th century. Marvel at the 1,000-armed wooden statue of Kannon — the goddess of mercy — flanked on each side by 500 human-sized statues standing in rows. After approximately 30 minutes exploring this awe-inspiring sight with your guide, re-board the coach for Kiyomizu Temple.
A quaint old lane lined with pottery shops leads up to this famous temple, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Translated as Pure Water Temple, Kiyomizu was established amid wooded hills near the Otowa Waterfall in the 8th century. Enjoy sweeping views of the entire city of Kyoto, as well as surrounding cherry and maple trees, from its lofty terrace!
Your tour concludes with a guided journey on the JR rail back to Osaka Station, where you’ll make your own way back to your hotel.

USD $80.00

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   bebot,    October 2017
The places we visited were ok, but it was really stressful for us, bec from pick up pt we have been walking from difft train stations to another. The guide who picked us up was also rude, saying we should not join the tour if we have any complaints. We will not get tour from sunrise anymore.

Review by:   Andrew C,    June 2016
Too much time spent on picking up customers at too many locations. Service is excellent. Bus comfortable. Tour quide speaks good English and helpful.

Review by:   Michael D,    December 2015
Very interesting took lots of photos thoroughly enjoyable tour guide Saiko very knowledgable and friendly.

Review by:   Susan V,    April 2014
This tour was great. We saw two of the most amazing temples. Only complaint would be I would have liked a little more free time to look around the amazing market at the Kiyomizu Temple.

Review by:   crystalpearl,    July 2011
My sister and I went together and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the sights. Our only irritation, really, was the other tourists that came on the trip, who, at times, insisted on trying to add their own 2 cents to the tour with ignorant or thoughtless comments. But besides that, what really sold the tour for me was the personal guide that we got that got us from Osaka station to Kyoto. Because she had no other tourists to guide to Kyoto, we got some face-time with her and really learned a lot about Japan just by her openness and friendliness. All in all, I'd definitely do another tour through Viator.

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