Kyoto and Nara Day Trip from Osaka by Train and Bus with Licensed Guide
by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥63,000Overview
This full-day tour lasts about 11 hours and 15 minutes, starting with a train ride from Osaka to Kyoto accompanied by an English-speaking assistant. From January 2025, the train segment between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto uses the Shinkansen bullet train with non-reserved seating. Upon arrival in Kyoto, a licensed English-speaking guide joins the group for visits to Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Each stop includes time to explore the main sights: 50 minutes at Nijo Castle (or Ryoan-ji Temple if Nijo Castle is closed), 45 minutes at Kinkakuji Temple, and 40 minutes at the Kyoto Imperial Palace (or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Nishi Hongan-ji Temple if the palace is closed). Lunch is offered as an option, featuring a Western-style set menu, a vegetarian set menu, or an Indian thali vegetarian meal served at a different restaurant. Guests selecting no lunch option have free time to eat around Kyoto Station. After lunch, the tour continues by bus to Nara for visits to Kasuga Grand Shrine (about 60 minutes, including a special visit area when available), Todai-ji Temple (50 minutes, with a 25-minute walk from the parking lot), and a 20-minute stop at Nara Park to see the deer. The return journey from Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station is accompanied by an English-speaking assistant using public transportation with non-reserved seating. The tour concludes at Osaka Namba Station. Admission fees and transportation costs are included. The tour involves considerable walking, especially at Todai-ji Temple. Participants needing assistance with walking should notify the operator in advance. The schedule and order of visits may vary depending on traffic and site availability.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Train ride from Osaka to Kyoto
Participants are accompanied by an English-speaking assistant from Hotel Granvia Osaka to the bus boarding location at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti. Travel begins with public transportation from Osaka Station to Shin-Osaka Station, then on to Kyoto by Shinkansen bullet train in non-reserved seating. Seating is not guaranteed due to non-reserved seats.
Bus boarding at Kyoto Avanti
After arriving at Kyoto Station, the group walks to the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti. From there, the tour bus departs to begin the sightseeing portion of the trip.
Nijo Castle
This World Heritage site was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Visitors have about 50 minutes to see the Ninomaru Palace’s detailed carvings and decorations. The Honmaru Palace and Painting Gallery are not included. If Nijo Castle is closed (on Tuesdays in January, July, August, December, and from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3, or the following day if Tuesday is a holiday), the tour visits Ryoan-ji Temple instead.
50 min
Kinkakuji Temple
This World Heritage site features wooden architecture covered with thin layers of gold leaf, situated beside a pond. Visitors spend about 45 minutes here.
45 min
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The former residence of the Emperor until about 150 years ago, with about 40 minutes to visit. If the palace is closed (Mondays or the following day if Monday is a holiday, or during Imperial Household Agency events), the tour visits Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, known for its god of learning and national treasure main hall. If the closure falls on the 25th, Nishi Hongan-ji Temple is visited instead.
40 min
Kyoto
Lunch is typically a Western-style set menu. Vegetarian meals must be requested at booking. An Indian thali vegetarian meal is also available at a separate restaurant. Guests without lunch option have free time near Kyoto Station to eat independently. Meal choices cannot be changed on the day of the tour.
60 min
Kasuga Grand Shrine
A World Heritage shrine from the Nara Period, considered home to the deer believed to be shrine messengers. The tour includes about 60 minutes and access to the Main Sanctuary special visit area from 2025, where visitors can see hanging lanterns. If this area is unavailable, the Kasuga Taisha Museum or Todaiji Museum is visited instead.
60 min
Todai-ji Temple
This World Heritage site is one of the largest wooden structures worldwide, known for its large main hall and bronze Great Buddha statue. Visitors have about 50 minutes here, with a 25-minute walk from the parking lot. Guests needing assistance for walking should notify the operator when booking.
50 min
Nara Park
A large public park famous for its freely roaming deer considered sacred. The stop lasts about 20 minutes.
20 min
Return trip to Osaka
An English-speaking assistant accompanies participants on public transportation from Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station. All train seats are non-reserved, so seating is not guaranteed. The tour ends at Osaka Namba Station.
Meeting point
Please meet at Hotel Granvia Osaka 1F in front of elevator, not the 19th floor with front desk. After the meet-up, walk to JR Osaka Station. The tour will be guided by an assistant until reaching the Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1.
End point
The tour ends at Osaka Namba Station at around 6:30 PM. Hotel drop-off is not included, so please make your own way back to your accommodation.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Kyoto and Nara Day Trip from Osaka by Train and Bus with Licensed Guide
by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥63,000Overview
This full-day tour lasts about 11 hours and 15 minutes, starting with a train ride from Osaka to Kyoto accompanied by an English-speaking assistant. From January 2025, the train segment between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto uses the Shinkansen bullet train with non-reserved seating. Upon arrival in Kyoto, a licensed English-speaking guide joins the group for visits to Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Each stop includes time to explore the main sights: 50 minutes at Nijo Castle (or Ryoan-ji Temple if Nijo Castle is closed), 45 minutes at Kinkakuji Temple, and 40 minutes at the Kyoto Imperial Palace (or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Nishi Hongan-ji Temple if the palace is closed). Lunch is offered as an option, featuring a Western-style set menu, a vegetarian set menu, or an Indian thali vegetarian meal served at a different restaurant. Guests selecting no lunch option have free time to eat around Kyoto Station. After lunch, the tour continues by bus to Nara for visits to Kasuga Grand Shrine (about 60 minutes, including a special visit area when available), Todai-ji Temple (50 minutes, with a 25-minute walk from the parking lot), and a 20-minute stop at Nara Park to see the deer. The return journey from Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station is accompanied by an English-speaking assistant using public transportation with non-reserved seating. The tour concludes at Osaka Namba Station. Admission fees and transportation costs are included. The tour involves considerable walking, especially at Todai-ji Temple. Participants needing assistance with walking should notify the operator in advance. The schedule and order of visits may vary depending on traffic and site availability.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Train ride from Osaka to Kyoto
Participants are accompanied by an English-speaking assistant from Hotel Granvia Osaka to the bus boarding location at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti. Travel begins with public transportation from Osaka Station to Shin-Osaka Station, then on to Kyoto by Shinkansen bullet train in non-reserved seating. Seating is not guaranteed due to non-reserved seats.
Bus boarding at Kyoto Avanti
After arriving at Kyoto Station, the group walks to the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti. From there, the tour bus departs to begin the sightseeing portion of the trip.
Nijo Castle
This World Heritage site was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Visitors have about 50 minutes to see the Ninomaru Palace’s detailed carvings and decorations. The Honmaru Palace and Painting Gallery are not included. If Nijo Castle is closed (on Tuesdays in January, July, August, December, and from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3, or the following day if Tuesday is a holiday), the tour visits Ryoan-ji Temple instead.
50 min
Kinkakuji Temple
This World Heritage site features wooden architecture covered with thin layers of gold leaf, situated beside a pond. Visitors spend about 45 minutes here.
45 min
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The former residence of the Emperor until about 150 years ago, with about 40 minutes to visit. If the palace is closed (Mondays or the following day if Monday is a holiday, or during Imperial Household Agency events), the tour visits Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, known for its god of learning and national treasure main hall. If the closure falls on the 25th, Nishi Hongan-ji Temple is visited instead.
40 min
Kyoto
Lunch is typically a Western-style set menu. Vegetarian meals must be requested at booking. An Indian thali vegetarian meal is also available at a separate restaurant. Guests without lunch option have free time near Kyoto Station to eat independently. Meal choices cannot be changed on the day of the tour.
60 min
Kasuga Grand Shrine
A World Heritage shrine from the Nara Period, considered home to the deer believed to be shrine messengers. The tour includes about 60 minutes and access to the Main Sanctuary special visit area from 2025, where visitors can see hanging lanterns. If this area is unavailable, the Kasuga Taisha Museum or Todaiji Museum is visited instead.
60 min
Todai-ji Temple
This World Heritage site is one of the largest wooden structures worldwide, known for its large main hall and bronze Great Buddha statue. Visitors have about 50 minutes here, with a 25-minute walk from the parking lot. Guests needing assistance for walking should notify the operator when booking.
50 min
Nara Park
A large public park famous for its freely roaming deer considered sacred. The stop lasts about 20 minutes.
20 min
Return trip to Osaka
An English-speaking assistant accompanies participants on public transportation from Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station. All train seats are non-reserved, so seating is not guaranteed. The tour ends at Osaka Namba Station.
Meeting point
Please meet at Hotel Granvia Osaka 1F in front of elevator, not the 19th floor with front desk. After the meet-up, walk to JR Osaka Station. The tour will be guided by an assistant until reaching the Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1.
End point
The tour ends at Osaka Namba Station at around 6:30 PM. Hotel drop-off is not included, so please make your own way back to your accommodation.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.