From Osaka or Kyoto: Kyoto and Nara 1-Day Bus Tour





Description
Begin your day from VIP Lounge in Osaka or Kyoto. Your journey begins in Nara, Japan’s ancient capital. Discover the beauty of Nara Park, a historic landmark reflecting the city’s timeless charm. Continue to Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the 15-meter Great Buddha inside the world’s largest wooden structure. Next, immerse yourself in the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Walk amidst towering stalks and feel the tranquil atmosphere as sunlight filters through the grove. Free time for lunch (note: location may shift to Fushimi Inari depending on traffic). Lunch Option features world-famous Kobe beef celebrated for its tenderness and rich flavor. You can choose from these three classic styles: Shabu-shabu, Sukiyaki, or Beef Rice Bowl. Continue to Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Admire its gold-leaf exterior and serene garden. Finally, visit the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its thousands of vermilion torii gates up Mount Inari.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Nara, Japan’s historic capital. Discover the serene beauty of Nara Park and explore Todai-ji Temple, the largest wooden structure in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Be awed by Japan’s colossal Buddha statue, towering 15 meters high.
Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara, is home to the Great Buddha, one of the largest bronze statues in the world, and the world’s largest wooden building.
The Manyo Botanical Garden, also known as the Kasuga Taisha Garden, is a botanical garden located next to the Kasuga Shrine at 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara, Nara, Japan.
Tamukeyama Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine near Tōdai-ji, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. It was established in 749. Kami enshrined here include Emperor Ojin, Emperor Nintoku, Empress Jingū and Emperor Chūai in addition to Hachiman.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting charm of Arashiyama. Visit to the renowned Bamboo Grove, a magical forest of towering green stalks that create a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Wander through this captivating path, where the light filters through the dense bamboo, creating a unique and tranquil experience. For travelers who choose the no-meal option, you will have a total of 120 minutes in Arashiyama to explore local dining options and enjoy the picturesque surroundings at your own pace. For Travelers Who Have Selected the Lunch Option: Enjoy 50 minutes for lunch at Kyoto Shokujidokoro Wasabi, followed by 60 minutes for Arashiyama.
The Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or Sagano Bamboo Forest is a natural bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan. It consists mostly of mōsō bamboo and has several pathways for tourists and visitors. The Ministry of the Environment considers it a part of the soundscape of Japan.
Yusai-tei in Arashiyama is a modern art gallery and dye studio offering a hands-on kimono-dyeing workshop.
Ōkōchi Sansō is the former home and garden of the Japanese jidaigeki actor Denjirō Ōkōchi in Arashiyama, Kyoto. The villa is open to the public for an admission fee and is known for its gardens and views of the Kyoto area. Several of the buildings are recorded as cultural properties by the national government.
For Travelers Who Have Selected the Lunch Option (Departure from Osaka Only): You will enjoy a delightful Kobe Beef Shabu-Shabu, accompanied by an informative explanation of the world-famous Kobe beef, renowned globally for meeting the strictest standards among Japan’s three major Wagyu breeds. Its finely textured, tender meat features intricate marbling that melts during cooking, creating a soft, velvety texture that delights the palate. Lunch will be served at Kyoto Shokujidokoro Wasabi, located on the historic grounds of Jurakudai, the site of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's renowned Golden Castle. This traditional townhouse, with a history spanning over 100 years, provides a unique and memorable dining experience. For Travelers Who Have Selected the Lunch Option: 50 minutes for lunch, followed by 60 minutes in Arashiyama. For Travelers Who Have Selected the No Lunch Option: No scheduled activities here, with 120 minutes to explore Arashiyama.
Tenryū-ji, formally known as Tenryū Shiseizen-ji, is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha, and its first chief priest was Musō Soseki.
Nonomiya Shrine, or the Shrine in the Country, is a Shinto shrine in the Arashiyama district on the west side of the city of Kyoto, Japan, close to its bamboo forest.
This Buddhist temple in a serene forest with views is popular in fall when its maples change color.
Fudo-in is a temple in the holy Koyasan Buddhist mountain retreat. It is located off of the main road between the Visitor center and Okunoin cemetery.
Iwatayama Monkey Park is a commercial park located in Arashiyama in Kyoto, Japan. The park is located atop Mount Arashiyama, on the opposite side of the Ōi River of the train station. It is inhabited by a troop of over 120 Japanese macaque monkeys.
The Fukuda Art Museum posesses a collection that consists of approximately 2000 items, prinmarily Japanese paintings dating from Edo period (1603 - 1868) .
The "Arashiyama Kimono Forest" in English is called Kimono Forest. It is a public art installation located at Randen Arashiyama Station in Kyoto. The installation features a pathway lined with numerous cylindrical pillars, each wrapped in vibrant kimono fabric encased in clear acrylic.
Visit to Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its dazzling golden exterior and serene gardens. Your ticket is included!
Shrine with 10th-century origins featuring annual festivals to mark natural & historical events
Painted canvases, ceilings & screen doors by Insho Domoto in a space designed by the artist himself.
Togetsukyō Bridge, meaning "Moon-Crossing Bridge", is a landmark wooden bridge in Kyoto's Arashiyama district, spanning the Katsura River. It's renowned for its scenic beauty, especially during cherry blossom season and autumn foliage, and has a history dating back over a thousand years.
Fushimi Inari Shrine, a revered Shinto shrine designated as an Important Cultural Property. This iconic shrine is renowned for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates, which create a stunning and immersive tunnel-like pathway up the sacred Mount Inari. As you walk through the gates, you’ll pass through a series of shrines, each representing a different aspect of the deity Inari Okami, who is worshipped for prosperity in business, household safety, and success in various endeavors.
This garden is registered as a scenic beauty spot by Kyoto City and the earthen jar burried in the garden creates beautiful sound when drips of the flowing water on the ground touch the ceramic bottom.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour schedule may change without prior notice due to weather, road traffic conditions, and other unforeseen reasons. (There might be delays in returning to the designated location. If the tour is cancelled by the supplier due to extreme weather or natural disaster, you will receive a full refund.
- This tour will depart regardless of weather or traffic conditions, unless you are notified otherwise by the local operator. Trip Advisor / Viator and your local tour operator will not be responsible for itinerary changes due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Depending on the number of participants, English and Chinese commentary might be given in the same bus.
- Infants under 3 years old are free of charge without seat. If a seat is required, please book with children's price
- Please arrive 10 minutes before at your selected meeting point, as your assigned bus & guide will be based on that specific location. The guide has a list of participants for each bus & may not be able to accommodate guests who arrive at a different meeting point. Late arrival or arrival at the wrong location will miss the tour, & refund won't be issued. If you'd like to change your meeting point or unsure about the meeting point, pls notify us at least 2 days before departure for assistance.
- The bus will be departing on time (no exception).
- Please adhere to the scheduled time. We are unable to accommodate delays or wait for any reason. The tour will depart promptly as scheduled to respect all customers' time.
- In case of late arrival or arrival at wrong location, regardless of contact prior to the departure time, refunds may not be granted.
- Please check the photo in the product page & scan the QR code for the meeting point reference.
- Regarding luggage, we allow one piece of luggage per person during the excursion. Please also ensure that the luggage is manageable and fits comfortably within our vehicle. Please also be aware that any items stored in the trunk will not be accessible in between stops on the tour, so keep all valuables with you.
- In general, we do not send out confirmation emails prior to departure. If you would like more information or need to clarify something, please contact us and we will send you the relevant details.
- Upon arrival, please confirm your name with the guide or staff on the participant list.
- Our contact number may be unavailable outside business hours (Mon–Fri, 9:30AM–6:00 PM JST).
Reviews(154)
A great tour. So many lovely things to see and experience. It was hot but manageable. Lunch was amazing!
Unfortunately with two of our stops on this tour it was more a guide yourself . Not what I paid for. Was taken to the deer park & then given instructions on how to find the Toda-ji Temple . Eventually found it. Second time was trying to find the Bamboo Forest. We were given rather confusing directions from a street corner & unfortunately we never found the proper forest only the edge of it ( I think). Eric seemed nice but very hard to understand his English. Compared to our tour in Hiroshima this tour failed to impress.
Dear valued customer, Thank you for your honest feedback. We’re very sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, particularly regarding the level of guidance and clarity of directions at certain stops. We understand how frustrating this must have been and will take your comments into account to improve communication and overall tour quality. We also appreciate your note about the guide and will review this internally. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you again for sharing your experience. Best regards, VIP Japan Tours
Gary was great! He made sure we all had a lovely time.
Dear valued customer, Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so happy to hear that you had an amazing time on the tour and that our guide Gary made such a positive impression. He truly cares about creating a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone, so your kind words will mean a lot to him. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another memorable journey in the future! Best regards, VIP Japan Tours
This tour was the highlight of my trip! It’s the perfect way to see all the iconic spots in Kyoto and Nara efficiently. ・Amazing Guide: KOJI-san was so energetic and fun—he kept everyone smiling the whole day! ・Perfect Pace: I loved that we had enough free time at each stop to explore and shop at our own pace. It never felt rushed. ・Unique Experience: Even with the crowds, this tour offered a fresh and interesting perspective on Japan’s beauty. A must-do if you want a fun, stress-free, and fulfilling day. Thanks for the memories, KOJI!
Dear valued customer, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that the tour was a highlight of your trip and that you enjoyed exploring Kyoto and Nara at a comfortable pace. Our guide Koji will be especially happy to know he helped make your day fun and memorable! We truly appreciate your recommendation and your thoughtful feedback. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future! Best regards, VIP Japan Tours
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Kept us all engaged with his cultural insights.
Dear valued customer, Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing our tour! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience and found our staff friendly and engaging. Sharing cultural insights is something we truly value, so it’s wonderful to know that it made your day even more memorable. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another adventure in the future! Best regards, VIP Japan Tours
This was the worst excursion I have ever taken. Our tour guide gave us very little information about the history and culture of Japan, that is why I book excursions. For me the worst part was that he would walk us to activity, many times with confusing turns in the path and would leave us , completely on our own to explore and make it back to the bus. On three occasions today, I found myself lost and stressed that I wouldn’t make it back in time. I have never booked an excursion where you’re expected to know what to do and where to go without guidance. This was a definite zero for me
Good but there’s room for improvement. Example the itinerary should have contingency plans for alteration when facing lousy weather; the waiting /meeting spots were all unsheltered, and last stop in Kyoto (after the shrine) guests who did not wish to continue the attraction-visit due to the rain and bad traffic, could not wait in the bus nor in any comfortable sheltered cafes. We were put in a no choice spot with no eatery or seats for an hour plus. Other than the rigid program/schedule which Eric our guide closely adhered to, Eric was knowledgeable with the history of Japan, he was jovial and made the bus ride less boring. Thumbs up to him.
Dear valued customer, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad to hear you found the tour enjoyable overall and that our guide Eric made the journey engaging with his knowledge and cheerful attitude—we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We also sincerely appreciate your suggestions regarding weather contingencies and waiting arrangements. We’re sorry for the inconvenience you experienced and will take your comments into account as we work to improve the comfort and flexibility of our tours. We hope to welcome you on another tour in the future under even better weather conditions! Best regards, VIP Japan Tours
It was a long day but worth it. Hary our tour guide was fun , entertaining and very knowledgeable about the history of Kyoto and Nara.
Dear valued customer, Thank you so much for sharing your experience on us! We’re glad to hear that, even though it was a long day, you found the tour worthwhile. Kyoto and Nara are full of incredible history and sights, and we’re happy you were able to experience so much in one trip. It’s especially nice to hear your kind words about our guide. He’ll be delighted to know you enjoyed his fun and knowledgeable guidance. We truly appreciate your review and hope to welcome you again on another memorable journey in Japan! Best regards, VIP Japan Tours
Exhausting! Too much for one day and probably too long in some of the stops. Great guide tho who was very helpful.
Well organized excursion. They leave you free time to see things on your own. Very friendly and helpful guide
Dear valued customer, Thank you for your kind review! We're glad you enjoyed the tour and had time to explore Kyoto and Nara at your own pace. It’s great to hear that our guide was helpful and friendly. Thank you again for joining us — we hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! Best regards, VIP Japan Tours



