• Nara National Museum - The Nara National Museum (Nara Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan), situated in Nara Park, is an art museum that primarily showcases Japanese Buddhist art. Founded in 1889, the museum maintains its original building and is complemented by a new wing, connected to the original structure via an underground passage.

Both wings exhibit the museum’s permanent collection, which includes Buddhist statues, paintings, scrolls, and ceremonial objects mainly from Japan. The new wing also hosts temporary exhibitions, including an annual autumn exhibition of treasures from Todaiji Temple. A ticket to the museum grants access to both wings, and English explanations are available throughout the museum.

• Nara Park - Nara Park is a stunning location where Japan’s history and nature blend seamlessly, attracting numerous tourists. Covering approximately 660 hectares, the park is home to around 1,200 freely roaming deer, which visitors can feed with special deer crackers.
  The park features many historical buildings, such as the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Temple, the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, offering a wealth of sights to explore. Additionally, the park’s seasonal natural beauty is captivating, with cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant autumn leaves being particularly popular.
  Nara Park is a unique place where history and nature harmonize, allowing visitors to fully enjoy Japan’s traditional culture and beautiful landscapes. Be sure to visit and experience its charm for yourself.

• Kinkakuji Temple - The upper two floors of the Zen temple Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), located in northern Kyoto, are entirely covered with gold leaf. Originally named Rokuonji, the temple served as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s retirement residence. Following his death in 1408, the shogun left it as a Zen temple belonging to the Rinzai sect. Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the grandson of Yoshimitsu, erected Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) on the opposite side of the city a few decades after seeing Kinkakuji. The only remaining building from Yoshimitsu’s former retirement community is Kinkakuji, an elegant temple built overlooking a large pond. Throughout its history, it has burned down multiple times, twice during the Onin War, a civil war that devastated a great deal of the area.

• Arashiyama - Arashiyama is home to the Togetsukyo Bridge, also known as the “Moon Crossing Bridge”. It was most recently rebuilt in the 1930s after being created during the Heian Period (794-1185). The bridge appears especially lovely against the backdrop of the wooded slope. Adjacent to the bridge is a riverbank park dotted with scores of cherry trees. Nice walks and bicycle rides can be had along the walking routes that go through the bamboo groves. When there is a light wind and the long bamboo stalks softly move back and forth, the woods become very picturesque. Bamboo has been utilized for generations in local workshops to make a variety of goods, including mats, cups, boxes, and baskets.

• Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - A significant Shinto shrine located in southern Kyoto is called Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha). It is well-known for the thousands of red torii gates that cross a system of paths that run behind the major structures. The paths lead into the forested area of the holy Mount Inari, which is located on the shrine grounds and rises to a height of 233 meters. Of the thousands of shrines devoted to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, Fushimi Inari is the most significant. Since foxes are believed to be Inari’s messengers, there are numerous fox statues scattered across the shrine grounds. The history of Fushimi Inari Shrine dates back to a time before Kyoto became the capital in 794. While exploring the mountain paths is the main reason most international visitors come to Fushimi Inari Shrine.

• Todai-ji Temple - Todaiji (Tōdaiji, “Great Eastern Temple”) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple’s influence on government affairs.

Until recently, Todaiji’s main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two-thirds of the original temple hall’s size. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple - One of Japan’s most well-known temples is Kiyomizudera, which translates to “Pure Water Temple”. It got its name from the pristine waters of the Otowa Waterfall, which is located on the forested hillsides east of Kyoto, where it was established in 780. The temple established the Kita Hosso sect in 1965 after first being connected to the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The most notable feature of Kiyomizudera is its wooden stage, which protrudes 13 meters over the surrounding hillside from the main hall. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant view of the many cherry and maple trees below, which burst into a sea of color, from the stage.

• Kyoto Imperial Palace - The Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park (Kyõto Gyoen), an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace and a few other attractions. The current Imperial Palace was reconstructed in 1855 after it had burnt down and moved around town repeatedly over the centuries. The complex is enclosed by long walls and consists of several gates, halls, and gardens. The enthronement ceremonies of Emperors Taisho and Showa were still held in the palace’s main hall. Tokyo Imperial Palace is now used for enthronement ceremonies.

• Gion - Gion, the most well-known geisha neighborhood in Kyoto, is situated along Shijo Avenue between the Kamo River to the west and Yasaka Shrine to the east. Shops, restaurants, and ochaya (teahouses) abound, offering entertainment by geiko (Kyoto’s dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices). Gion’s significant concentration of classic wooden machiya merchant houses draws tourists. The homes were constructed with slender facades that are only five to six meters wide but extend up to twenty meters in from the street because property taxes were previously determined by street frontage. Hanami-koji Street, which runs from Shijo Avenue to Kenninji Temple, is the busiest section of Gion. The street and its side alleyways are lined with beautiful, lovely, and pricey places to eat.

• Complimentary pickup from Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara
• Private transportation
• Tour Guide
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Bottled water
• Surcharges on fuel
• Parking fees

• Any Special Ride or Cruise not Included in this Package

Embark on an immersive journey into the rich tapestry of traditional Japanese culture and history with a full-day excursion to Kyoto and Nara, departing from central Kyoto or Osaka. Experience the serene ambiance of Kyoto’s Arashiyama district and take in the stunning scenery of the Kinkaku-ji temple grounds. Continue to Nara to encounter the free-roaming deer in Nara Park. The tour offers multiple pickup locations and optional lunch upgrades. Discover the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara on this day trip from central Kyoto or Osaka. Delight in Kyoto’s attractions such as the Arashiyama district and Kinkaku-ji temple. Opt for a lunch upgrade with a choice between a buffet or a Beef Shabu Shabu set meal. Enjoy the convenience of included entrance fees and organized transportation.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.