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Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara: Explore Historic Temples, Geisha District, and Deer Park in One Day
5.0
4 Ratings
Nara
Embark on a day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara, where you'll explore historic temples, the enchanting Geisha district, and encounter friendly deer in a park. Customize your itinerary and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Duration:
14 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Nara Park - After a 2-hour bullet train ride to Kyoto, a car with a driver will be waiting for us at Kyoto station. The drive to Nara will take 1 hour. Nara Deer Park is a public park home to 1,200 Sika deer, which are considered a symbol of the city and have been designated as a natural treasure.
- Todaiji Temple Cultural Center - Todaiji Temple is one of Japan’s most impressive temples, built in the mid-700s, and houses one of the country’s largest bronze Buddha statues.
- Kinkakuji Temple - After visiting Nara, the car will take us back to Kyoto in an hour to visit Kinkakuji Temple. Also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, it was built in 1397 as a three-story Zen temple in northern Kyoto. The temple is famous for its top two floors, which are completely covered in gold leaf and framed by pine trees, with its reflection shimmering in a pristine pond. The temple is an impressive structure overlooking a large pond and is registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - A 1,300-year-old stunning Shinto shrine and a beautiful piece of Japanese history. This shrine is one of the most iconic sights in Japan and the most visited shrine in Kyoto. It features many attractions, including 10,000 vermilion torii gates and fox statues that are great to see and walk through. The walk through the thousand-gate (senbon torii) path offers some spectacular views.
- Gion - Kyoto city’s entertainment district, known for the refined performers called Maiko and Geisha who have captivated patrons for centuries. Gion is filled with charming, understated townhouses and teahouses, restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine, and venerable temples and shrines. After Gion, the car will take us back to Kyoto station, where we can take the bullet train for around 2 hours back to Tokyo station.
What's Included
- Transportation in Kyoto included with selected options
- Guiding services and tour management
- Transportation arrangements
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees : Todaiji tempe: ¥800 / person , Kinkakoji temple :¥500 / person
- Transportation fee(from Tokyo to Kyoto and back): ¥ 28,000/person (In case of holding JR pass: Free)
- Lunch
- Guide extra expenses from Tokyo: ¥50,000 (In case of Tokyo station pick up,cash to the guide).
- Transportation in Kyoto Up to 5 passengers (cash) ¥100,000, 7 passengers: ¥125, 000
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Within a day from Tokyo, you can have the chance to explore both top temple and shrine in Kyoto, along with the historic area of Gion where Geisha are spotted, along with Nara deers park and Todaiji temple . Itenerary is shown here, however, you can still customize it in arrangement with the guide.
Tour itinerary is planned based on hiring a car/ van for 9 hours to cover (cash to the driver):5 passengers:
07:15 Meeting at Tokyo Station (Gin-no-Suzu Square -Silver Bell Square-, the most well-known meeting place in Tokyo Station), help you to buy the bullet train tickets and heading to Kyoto using bullet train (Shinkansen)
10:00 Pick up at Kyoto station and move to Nara
11:30 Nara deers park
12:00 Todaiji temple
12:45 Back to Kyoto
14:15 Kinkakoji temple
15:30 Lunch break
16:30 Fushimi Inari shrine
17:30 Gion area
18:00 Back to Kyoto station, and take bullet train to Tokyo
21:00 Arrive Tokyo and tour finish
Location
Nara Park
469 Zoshicho,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(4 Ratings)
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Quenie_p
Apr 18, 2024
We received exceptional - it made the experience so special! - Hi, it was great experience for me & my family! It was short but the itinerary was I believe what best we could do with the limited time we have. Midori-san was so warm, helpful and very attentive. Very knowledgeable with the history of the places we went to! She even went above and beyond and helped us upgrade our shinkansen tickets to reserved bec we were likely going to stand if we kept the non reserved tickets.
Review provided by Viator
Laura_m
Apr 16, 2024
The Todai-Ji Temple was... - The Todai-Ji Temple was definitely worth the ride to Nara. My guide, Yuji Hino, even explained where the pathway stones came from & why there were arranged the way they were. There is so much symbolism in Japan and I would have missed that. Most signs inside this temple had an English translation, but most of what we saw elsewhere did not. An English speaking guide really enhanced my experience.
Review provided by Viator
Djungst651
Mar 19, 2024
Great time in Kyoto - Amazing temples and shrines. Our guide was very accommodating as our train schedule was delayed. He was knowledgeable and friendly.
Review provided by Viator
Hendrika_r
Nov 14, 2023
Best way to see Kyoto - Most excellent way to see Kyoto, we were able to visit several temples and shrines. Loved the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and the Fushimi Inari Shrine, really beautiful. Ahmed our tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave us enough time at each site. Lunch was delicious with traditional food, great suggestion from our guide. Highly recommend this private tour!
Review provided by Viator
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