1-Day Kyoto & Nara Tour with Western-Style Menu Lunch (Round-trip from Kyoto)

Accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter, the tour takes customers on an efficient sightseeing course around the 2 ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara in just a day. The tour visits popular sightseeing spots (Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine) including World Heritage Sites that have been protected and nurtured by the people of Kyoto and Nara since ancient times. This is Sunrise Tours’ most popular course in western Japan. In Kyoto, learn about Japan’s historic structures by visiting places such as Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. In Nara, feel the enduring history and culture at Todai-ji Temple, see wild deer at Nara Park, and appreciate local tradition at Kasuga Taisha Shrine. From January 2025, the tour will also enter the Kasuga Taisha Shrine special visit area. The area has many attractions such as historical gates and structures as well as hanging lanterns in the corridor. Experience up close the Kasugayama Primeval Forest which has remained untouched for over a thousand years. Enjoy the view out the window from the suburbs of Kyoto to Nara.

Highlights

  • Accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter

  • Visit Nijo Castle an impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru.

  • Visiting Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Enjoy Lunch and visiting Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha) Nara Park

  • Visiting Kasuga Taisha Shrine Main Sanctuary Special Visit

  • Duration

    10 hours and 40 minutes

  • Offered in

    English

What is included

  • National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter fee, Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour, Lunch charges

ITINERARY

Meeting / Pickup Point

08:20 / Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1F (across from Kyoto Sta. Hachijo Exit)

Start time

8:20 am

End point

Tour Ends in front of Kyoto Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit)

What To Expect

Visit Nijo Castle an impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru.
Visiting Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Enjoy Lunch and visiting Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha) Nara Park.
Visiting Kasuga Taisha Shrine Main Sanctuary Special Visit

Visit Nijo Castle an impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru.

Please be at the meeting location at least 10 minutes before departure. Meet at 8:20, Dep. at 8:30 *Please refer to [Bus Company]. A World Heritage site. This castle was built on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. The impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see.

Visiting Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Enjoy Lunch and visiting Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha) Nara Park

Kinkaku-ji Temple a World Heritage site. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond. 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. A Western-style set menu meal will be served. 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.

Visiting Kasuga Taisha Shrine Main Sanctuary Special Visit

This Nara Period shrine is designated as a World Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers. From 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.




















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  • If the minimum number of participants (1) is not met by 4 days before the scheduled date, the tour on that date may be canceled.

  • The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations.

  • 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 Dec. 26 to Jan. 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). Thank you for your understanding. 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 Dec. 2024, the tour will visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine but will not enter areas requiring admission. From Jan. 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.

  • Seats may not be designated.

  • From Jan. 2025, the tour drop-off location will only be in front of Kyoto Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • [Important Notes/Supplements: Bus/Hired Car Company] Teisan Kanko Bus Co., Ltd. (in general); Yasaka Sightseeing Bus Co., Ltd.; Yuai Kanko Bus Co., Ltd.; Toh-ho-kanko Bus Co., Ltd.; Kyoto Kanko Bus Co., Ltd.; or Senriyama Bus Co., Ltd.

  • [Important Notes/Supplements: Bus/Hired Car Company] In general, Teisan Kanko Bus will be used. If otherwise, it will be specified in the final itinerary.

  • [Important Notes/Supplements: Bus/Hired Car Company] Depending on the number of tour participants, transportation to be used may be other than a large bus (mid-size bus, small bus), a hired car (van, minivan - MK Co., Ltd. or Yasaka Group), or a taxi. Standard transportation for approximate number of customers: Large bus: around 26 people or more - Mid-size bus: around 11-25 people - Small bus: around 9-10 people - Van (hired car): around 5-8 people - Minivan (hired car): around 3-4 people - Taxi: around 1-2 people

  • Guide Language Support: English - The tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.

  • Drivers do not work as guides.

  • JTB SUNRISE