Kyoto Itinerary

Arashiyama - Arashiyama (嵐山) is a charming and popular district located on the western outskirts of Kyoto. This area has been a favored destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would visit to enjoy its natural beauty. The Togetsukyo Bridge is a central and well-known landmark in Arashiyama. Noteworthy attractions include the famous bamboo groves, Tenryuji Temple, and relaxing boat rides on the Hozugawa River, which offer scenic views and a unique experience. Visitors can also spend time with Japanese macaques at the Arashiyama Monkey Park while enjoying a panoramic view of Kyoto city.

North of central Arashiyama, the atmosphere becomes more rural and less touristy, with several small temples scattered along the base of the wooded mountains. The area north of the Togetsukyo Bridge is known as Sagano, while “Arashiyama” technically refers to the mountains south of the river but is commonly used to describe the entire district.

Kinkakuji Temple - Originally called Rokuonji, Kinkakuji Temple is the only remaining building from Yoshimitsu’s former retirement villas and is now an elegant Zen temple overlooking a large pond, as per Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s wishes upon his death in 1408. Its upper two floors are entirely covered with gold leaf, giving it a golden appearance, hence its nickname, the Golden Pavilion.

Nijo Castle - Once an imperial villa, Nijo Castle is now recognized as a World Heritage site. It witnessed the rise and fall of the Tokugawa clan and other significant political events in Japanese history, including the announcement of the Meiji Restoration. It briefly served as an imperial palace after the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, and its palace buildings are considered some of the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture from Japan’s feudal era. One of the most striking features of the palace is the “nightingale floors” (uguisubari) in the corridors, which chirp when walked upon as a security measure against intruders.

Nanzen-ji Temple - Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Nanzen-ji Temple is one of the most renowned Rinzai Zen temples in Japan. Originally Emperor Kameyama’s retirement villa, it includes a temple hall and garden centered around a pond. A notable feature is a large brick aqueduct that passes through the temple grounds, part of a canal system constructed to carry water and goods between Kyoto and Lake Biwa in neighboring Shiga Prefecture.

Gion - Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, located along Shijo Avenue between the Kamo River to the west and Yasaka Shrine to the east. The area is filled with shops, restaurants, and ochaya (teahouses) offering entertainment by geiko (Kyoto’s dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices). Gion’s significant concentration of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses attracts tourists. These homes were built with narrow facades only five to six meters wide but extend up to twenty meters from the street, as property taxes were once determined by street frontage. One of Japan’s most famous temples, Kiyomizudera, or “Pure Water Temple,” is also located in the nearby neighborhood. Visitors can enjoy a Geisha dance performance at Gion Corner.

https://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Established in 711 AD, Fushimi Inari Taisha has been a place where people gather to pray for bountiful harvests, business prosperity, family safety, and the fulfillment of various wishes. It is now globally recognized as one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights and one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. The shrine is renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which form a network of trails behind its main buildings. These trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, standing at 233 meters, offering a perfect nature trail for hiking enthusiasts.

Uji - Escape to the southern end of Kyoto for a tranquil detour where the landscape transforms into a lush expanse of green terraced fields, perfect for hiking and exploration. Uji city is renowned for its finest Japanese tea, Uji Matcha. Visitors can explore tea plantations, participate in hand-picking, and experience the tea ceremony. Byodoin Temple, a notable sightseeing spot, is recognized as one of the famous monuments of ancient Kyoto and is featured on the obverse of a 10 yen coin. In the evening, tourists can experience Ujigawa Ukai, traditional cormorant fishing on the Uji River.

Hozugawa River Boat Ride End Point - This boat ride down the Hozugawa River leads to the Hozukyo Gorge, stretching from the Hozu Bridge area in Kameoka City to Arashiyama’s Togetsukyo Bridge. It is known as one of the most beautiful gorges and a major sightseeing experience to explore in Kyoto.

Nara

Nara Park - Alongside Naramachi and Nishinokyo, Nara Park is a must-see area in Nara City. Covering 660 hectares, it is renowned for its free-roaming deer and world-famous temples. Feeding the deer is an attraction in itself, with special crackers available for purchase throughout the park.

Todai-ji Temple - Home to a giant bronze statue of Buddha (Daibutsu), Todai-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. The temple complex is a significant cultural and historical site, attracting visitors with its impressive architecture and religious significance. To the east is the famous Nigatsudo Temple, offering one of the most beautiful scenes in all of Nara, especially at sunset. It is best known for Omizutori, an annual fire and water ceremony involving huge flaming torches believed to be linked to healing properties.

Kofuku-ji Temple - Located in Nara, Japan, Kofuku-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century. The temple complex includes several pagodas, halls, and beautiful gardens. Kofuku-ji is an essential part of Nara’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing ancient Japanese architecture and religious artifacts.

Kasuga Grand Shrine - Kasuga Taisha is famous for its lanterns, donated by worshippers. Hundreds of bronze lanterns hang from the buildings, while numerous stone lanterns line its approaches. The lanterns are lit twice a year during two Lantern Festivals, one in early February and one in mid-August. Many smaller auxiliary shrines are located in the woods around Kasuga Taisha, twelve of which are along a path past the main shrine complex and are dedicated to the twelve lucky gods.

Higashimuki Shopping Street - This covered shopping arcade near Nara Park offers a good selection of restaurants and souvenir shops, making it a great option on rainy days. A highlight is Nakatidou mochi pounding shop, where visitors can experience mochitsuki, the traditional process of pounding mochi (Japanese rice cake), and enjoy freshly pounded mochi.

Tempozan Harbor Village - Tempozan Harbor Village is a comprehensive leisure spot in the Osaka Bay area, home to the world’s largest aquarium, Kaiyukan. It offers many tourist attractions, including Tempozan Marketplace, where visitors can enjoy gourmet food, shopping, and amusement, as well as the Osaka Cruise on a sailing tourist boat, the Santa Maria sightseeing boat, and more.

Osaka

Osaka Castle - Osaka Castle, or “Osaka-jo” in Japanese, is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, and for good reason. This five-story castle is one of the country’s most visually spectacular creations, with a history dating back almost 450 years. It was constructed in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as the center of a new, unified Japan under his rule. While the castle itself is beautiful, the surrounding parks are also worth exploring.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine - Sumiyoshi Taisha has stood watch over Osaka Bay for nearly 2,000 years. Founded in the 3rd century before the introduction of Buddhism, it features a unique style of shrine architecture called Sumiyoshi-zukuri, free from mainland Asian influence. Since its founding, Sumiyoshi Taisha has been associated with the sea, with people involved in fishing, shipping, and other maritime industries coming to pray for safe voyages. The shrine offers spiritual protection for the port of Osaka, which was the main gateway to Japan’s historical capitals and the rest of the country until the late nineteenth century. Leading to the main shrine grounds is the beautiful Sorihashi Bridge, which creates a uniquely high arch over a pond.

Kuromon Market - A popular covered market in Osaka, Japan, also known as the “Gastronome” or “Osaka’s Kitchen,” has been around for over 200 years. The market is known for its fresh seafood, meat, and produce, showcasing some of the finest seafood in Japan, both prepared and ready to eat.

Hozenji Yokocho - A narrow alleyway that has preserved the atmosphere of old Japan with its traditional lanterns and cobblestone paths. Visitors can also visit Hozen-ji Temple, a small Buddhist temple located just off Dotonbori. Built in the 17th century, it is dedicated to Fudo Myoo, one of the five wisdom kings in Buddhism.

Dotombori District - Located along the Dōtonbori canal, this area is known for its vibrant nightlife, filled with neon lights, delicious street food, retro vibes, stores, and bars. It is also home to the famous Glico Man sign, a popular photo spot for tourists and locals alike.

Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street - A covered shopping street that has been Osaka’s most important shopping area for 400 years, with hundreds of shops lining this 600-meter-long street. Visitors can walk down the street to experience Japan’s love of consumer retail and enjoy some shopping.

Kobe

Kitano Ijinkan-gai - This district in Kobe was home to many foreign merchants and diplomats after the Port of Kobe opened to foreign trade in the late 19th century. More than a dozen of the former mansions, known as Ijinkan, remain in the area and are open to the public as museums. The entire district is pleasant to walk through and offers a variety of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques, making it a favorite among families and couples.

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens - Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens are Japan’s largest herb gardens, with about 75,000 herbs and flowers of approximately 200 kinds blooming throughout the year. There are 14 garden areas where visitors are welcomed by seasonal herbs and flowers arranged according to different themes. This excursion includes a ropeway ride offering a perfect panoramic view of Kobe port city. Visitors can stroll to observe Nunobiki Waterfalls and enjoy closer interactions with nature.

Kobe Shu-shin-kan Breweries - Shushinkan features a large shop selling sake and sake-related products, as well as a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine paired with sake. Free guided tours of the sake warehouse are held once per day, except in December. Sake tasting is also available.

Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park - On January 17, 1995, at 5:46 am, the city of Kobe was struck by the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, resulting in the loss of more than 5,000 lives and the destruction of tens of thousands of homes. This museum, opened in 2002, commemorates the tragic event and educates visitors about earthquakes and disaster prevention. It includes a large screen theater with realistic images of the earthquake’s destructiveness, a documentary film about the recovery process, and various interactive games about disaster prevention.

Kobe Harborland - Located slightly west of downtown, Kobe Harborland is one of the city’s leading tourist areas and a large commercial complex with shopping malls, restaurants, movie theaters, and other recreational facilities. The Takahama Wharf, where ships including the Kobe Concerto cruise ship berth, is a perfect spot to take a stroll while enjoying the refreshing sea breeze.

Himeji Castle - Also known as “White Heron Castle,” Himeji Castle is famous for its pure white appearance and beautiful architecture. It holds the distinction of being Japan’s first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and is counted among Japan’s national treasures. Unlike many historical buildings in Japan, Himeji Castle has never been destroyed or burnt down, making it one of the 12 original castles still standing in Japan today. Iakuya Shiji Park preserves the former residential area of the Iakus, offering visitors a glimpse into the daily life and cultural heritage of the Japanese during that era.

• Private transportation
• Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed during the excursions
• Excess baggage
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Parking fees

• Meals
• On-board restrooms

This exclusive tour offers an opportunity to explore the highlights of Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, or Nara over one or more incredible days. Experience the vibrant cityscape of Osaka, the tranquil beauty of Nara with its renowned temples and friendly deer, the traditional allure of Kyoto’s historic sites and temples, and the nostalgic charm of Kobe, known for the Mt. Rokko nature trail and herb gardens.

Seize this chance to enjoy your excursions in style and comfort, with the flexibility to adjust the itinerary to match your interests during the journey. The trip can be customized to include pick-up in Osaka or Kobe, visits to Kyoto/Nara, and drop-off at your preferred destination(s) at the end of the tour. We also suggest popular attractions for families with children.

NOTE: The price listed is for a single-day ticket for any of the locations. If you wish to enjoy excursions in multiple cities, we recommend booking multiple tickets separately at a discount! Feel free to contact us for further information.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.