Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji & Arashiyama
by Travel Japan Together
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$162.26Overview
This 10-hour bus tour in Kyoto offers visits to major cultural sites with a flexible sightseeing style. At each stop, the group receives a brief introduction from an English-speaking guide who provides historical and cultural context. Guests can join optional guided walks for more detailed explanations or use free time to explore independently. The tour begins at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, where guests learn about Shinto beliefs and Inari worship, with the option to walk through the famous tori gate pathways. Next is Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a wooden terrace overlooking Kyoto. After a guide-led introduction to the temple’s history and Buddhist significance, visitors may join a walk through the temple grounds and the nearby historic streets or explore on their own. The bus passes by Nijo Castle, with the guide explaining its history during the drive. Then the tour stops at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, where the guide discusses the temple’s gold-leaf exterior and its connection to the Ashikaga shogunate. From there, the group visits Ryoan-ji Temple to see its famous Zen rock garden; guests can either listen to the guide’s talk on Zen Buddhism and garden design or spend quiet time reflecting. The final major stop is Arashiyama, a district known for natural sites like the Sagano Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge. After a short introduction, guests have free time to walk the bamboo paths, visit shops, or relax by the river before rejoining the group for departure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Start at Fushimi Inari-taisha, a Shinto shrine known for thousands of tori gates. The English-speaking guide provides a short introduction covering Shinto beliefs, Inari worship, and the shrine’s history. Guests may join the guide for a detailed walk through the tori gate pathways or explore independently.
60 min
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a wooden terrace offering views over Kyoto. The guide presents the temple’s history, Buddhist beliefs, and cultural role. Visitors can either walk with the guide through the temple grounds and adjacent historic streets Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, or use free time for personal exploration and photos.
60 min
Nijo Castle
Pass by Nijo Castle on the bus. The guide explains the castle’s history and significance during the drive.
Kinkakuji Temple
Stop at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion covered in gold leaf and set beside a reflective pond. The guide provides historical context about the temple’s architecture, Buddhist spirituality, and its construction by the Ashikaga shogunate.
50 min
Ryoan-ji Temple
Visit Ryoan-ji Temple, home to a famous Zen rock garden. The guide explains Zen Buddhist concepts of emptiness and contemplation, and the garden’s design philosophy. Guests may join the guided talk or spend quiet time in the garden alone.
40 min
Arashiyama
Arrive in Arashiyama, known for natural features including the Sagano Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge. The guide gives a brief overview of the area’s cultural and historical importance. Guests have free time to walk in the bamboo grove, visit shops, or rest by the river before meeting again for departure.
80 min
Meeting point
we will start a tour at Hotel Vischio Kyoto.
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation terms shown at checkout.
Additional info
More things to do in Kyoto
- Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day Cultural Lesson
- Kyoto Night Walking Bar Hopping Tour in Pontocho with 3-4 Drinks and Dishes
- Kyoto Gion Cultural Walking Tour and Apprentice Geisha Show with Dining Options
- Kyoto Geisha District Walking Tour in Gion
- Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour: Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, Fushimi Inari, Bamboo Forest & Kinkaku-ji
- South Kyoto in a Nutshell 3-4 Hour Gentle Backstreet Bike Tour Including Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji & Arashiyama
by Travel Japan Together
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$162.26Overview
This 10-hour bus tour in Kyoto offers visits to major cultural sites with a flexible sightseeing style. At each stop, the group receives a brief introduction from an English-speaking guide who provides historical and cultural context. Guests can join optional guided walks for more detailed explanations or use free time to explore independently. The tour begins at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, where guests learn about Shinto beliefs and Inari worship, with the option to walk through the famous tori gate pathways. Next is Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a wooden terrace overlooking Kyoto. After a guide-led introduction to the temple’s history and Buddhist significance, visitors may join a walk through the temple grounds and the nearby historic streets or explore on their own. The bus passes by Nijo Castle, with the guide explaining its history during the drive. Then the tour stops at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, where the guide discusses the temple’s gold-leaf exterior and its connection to the Ashikaga shogunate. From there, the group visits Ryoan-ji Temple to see its famous Zen rock garden; guests can either listen to the guide’s talk on Zen Buddhism and garden design or spend quiet time reflecting. The final major stop is Arashiyama, a district known for natural sites like the Sagano Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge. After a short introduction, guests have free time to walk the bamboo paths, visit shops, or relax by the river before rejoining the group for departure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Start at Fushimi Inari-taisha, a Shinto shrine known for thousands of tori gates. The English-speaking guide provides a short introduction covering Shinto beliefs, Inari worship, and the shrine’s history. Guests may join the guide for a detailed walk through the tori gate pathways or explore independently.
60 min
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a wooden terrace offering views over Kyoto. The guide presents the temple’s history, Buddhist beliefs, and cultural role. Visitors can either walk with the guide through the temple grounds and adjacent historic streets Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, or use free time for personal exploration and photos.
60 min
Nijo Castle
Pass by Nijo Castle on the bus. The guide explains the castle’s history and significance during the drive.
Kinkakuji Temple
Stop at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion covered in gold leaf and set beside a reflective pond. The guide provides historical context about the temple’s architecture, Buddhist spirituality, and its construction by the Ashikaga shogunate.
50 min
Ryoan-ji Temple
Visit Ryoan-ji Temple, home to a famous Zen rock garden. The guide explains Zen Buddhist concepts of emptiness and contemplation, and the garden’s design philosophy. Guests may join the guided talk or spend quiet time in the garden alone.
40 min
Arashiyama
Arrive in Arashiyama, known for natural features including the Sagano Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge. The guide gives a brief overview of the area’s cultural and historical importance. Guests have free time to walk in the bamboo grove, visit shops, or rest by the river before meeting again for departure.
80 min
Meeting point
we will start a tour at Hotel Vischio Kyoto.
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation terms shown at checkout.
Additional info
More things to do in Kyoto
- Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day Cultural Lesson
- Kyoto Night Walking Bar Hopping Tour in Pontocho with 3-4 Drinks and Dishes
- Kyoto Gion Cultural Walking Tour and Apprentice Geisha Show with Dining Options
- Kyoto Geisha District Walking Tour in Gion
- Kyoto 1-Day Bus Tour: Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, Fushimi Inari, Bamboo Forest & Kinkaku-ji
- South Kyoto in a Nutshell 3-4 Hour Gentle Backstreet Bike Tour Including Fushimi Inari Shrine