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Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka
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Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto

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Kyoto, Japan
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Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto
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The Great South Gate at the entrance to Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan. The temple houses Great Buddha Hall, one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
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up to 24 hours in advance
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icon12 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English and 4 more
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
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Overview

Spend a day exploring historic neighborhoods, visiting temples, and shopping on a full-day tour from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Explore the Arashiyama district, tour the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nara Park, and take in the stores at Kobe MOSAIC. This tour includes Kinkaku-ji entrance fee, as well as pickup from Kyoto Station, Umeda, Nippombashi or Namba. Opt for a buffet or shabu shabu lunch and/or a Kobe steak or an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu dinner.
  • Visit a historic Kyoto district and UNESCO-listed Kinkaku-ji (entrance fee included)
  • Stroll through Nara Park and shop at Kobe MOSAIC
  • Choose from various meal add-ons for lunch and/or dinner
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Local taxes
Pickup and drop-off at central meeting points
Round-trip bus fare
Beef Shabu-Shabu or Buffet lunch (if meal is selected)
Kobe Beef Steak set or All-you-can-eat Shabu-Shabu dinner (if meal is selected)
English speaking tour guide
JR train tickets (Kyoto departure only)
Drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure Point

1: Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
2: Hearton Hotel Nishiumeda, 3-chōme-3-55 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
3: Tsurutontan Soemoncho, 3-17 Souemonchō, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0084, Japan
4: OCAT Bus Stop, 1 Chome-4 Minatomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0017, Japan

Return Details

1: OCAT Bus Stop, 1 Chome-4 Minatomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0017, Japan
2: Hearton Hotel Nishiumeda, 3-chōme-3-55 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
3: Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
Meet a driver at a central location in Osaka, then board a bus for the trip to Kyoto, where your first stop of the day is a tour of the Arashiyama district. For Kyoto-departure participants, first take a train with a guide at Kyoto Station, join the tour bus in Arashiyama. In early April, Arashiyama lights up with cherry blossoms, and during summer months, traditional cormorant fishing is practiced in Arashiyama’s Hozu River.

If you’re visiting in the fall, autumn leaves are a highlight, and you can visit the Tenryuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the Sagano Bamboo Forest. You can visit a local restaurant for lunch, before continuing to the Kinkakuji Temple, a pagoda built to house sacred Buddha relics.

Spend the afternoon touring Nara Park and Todai-ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once one of the Seven Great Temples. See the largest Buddha statue in Japan, and spot some of the wild deer that live within the park.

Pause for dinner and shopping at the Kobe MOSAIC, a shopping mall in the city’s port, with roughly 80 shops and restaurants—and a Ferris wheel that’s perfect for nighttime views of the city. Select the option to dine on beef, pork, or chicken shabu-shabu, a kind of traditional hotpot, alongside vegetables, soft drinks, and ice cream.

After dinner, begin the return trip to Osaka, where this tour concludes with drop-off by the Namba OCAT or the Hearton Hotel Nishi in Umeda.

The participants from JR Kyoto Station, after getting off the bus in Osaka, return to JR Kyoto Station by train on your own. Your guide will accompany you to JR Osaka Station and provide a train ticket.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Kinkakuji Temple
After lunch, you will tour the Kinkaku-ji temple. Kinkaku, a pagoda made to house the sacred relics of the Buddha, has given this temple the popular name of Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion). But the official name of this branch temple of the Rinzai sect Zen temple of Shokoku-ji is Rokuon-ji. This complex, whose gardens and architecture focused around a central Golden Pavilion, was said to evoke paradise on earth. And the view of Kinkaku which is reflected in the Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond) is very beautiful. This was built by the third Ashikaga Shogun Yoshimitsu for his own villa but turned into a temple after his death. This temple was rebuilt in 1955.
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Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
Arashiyama
Upon arrival at Arashiyama, you will tour the Arashiyama district located in the Western part of Kyoto. This area becomes most attractive around early April and late November when the cherry blossoms bloom and fall color seasons usually peak. During the summer months, traditional cormorant fishing is practiced on the Hozu River for tourists to watch. One highly recommended spot is the Sagano Bamboo Forest. It is a pleasantly cool 100m long walkway that begins from the side of the world heritage Tenryuji Temple. Later, you will have lunch (if selected) at the designated restaurant.
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Duration: 2 hours 
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Nara Park
Nara Park is famous for the 1,200 or so wild deer that live freely within the park. Within Nara Park you will find the Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Kobe Harborland umie Mosaic
Then, enjoy dinner and shopping at Kobe MOSAIC. Kobe MOSAIC is a shopping mall which is located in the port of Kobe. There are roughly 80 restaurants and shops selling fashion goods and Kobe souvenirs. There is also a Ferris wheel at the amusement park in Mosaic Garden, you can take a ride and enjoy the Kobe night scenery. Your dinner (if option is selected) will be either Kobe Beef Steak set or all-you-can-eat Shabu-Shabu.
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Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Infant (0-2 years old) is free (no seat and no meal)
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Please note: tour guide will manage the meeting time of each location as well as the amount of time spent at each location
  • Please note: the bus will leave as scheduled and will not wait for late arrivals. Please be on time.
  • Meeting Time at Kyoto Station: 9:05 AM
  • Meeting Time at Umeda, Hearton Hotel Nishi-Umeda: 8:20 AM
  • Meeting Time at Nippombashi (in front of Tsurutontan Soemoncho Udon Restaurant: 8:25 AM, Drop off at Namba
  • Meeting Time at Namba, OCAT: 8:50 AM
  • Emergency call center available from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm everyday
  • Only collapsible strollers are acceptable. They will be put in the luggage space while on the bus.
  • Lunch: Beef Shabu-Shabu or Buffet lunch (if meal is selected; vegetarian option available upon request 3 days before departure at the latest)
  • [IMPORTANT] Nippombashi Dep: Drop off point is at Namba.
  • [IMPORTANT] Kyoto Dep: End point is at Kyoto station. You return by train on your own after getting off the bus in Osaka. Your guide will accompany you to Osaka Station and provide a train ticket.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 42 travelers
  • OPERATED BY LIMON Tours -DMC Japan

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
See all safety measures taken by Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto?
A:
The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto?
A:
The policies on social distancing are:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto?
A:
The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 42 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Day Trip by Bus to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka/Kyoto.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "If you are short of time, this tour is absolutely worth to use 1 days to visit 3 cities, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe." See review
  • "If you have a limited time in Osaka, i prefer this tour." See review

Reviews

4.0
star-4
105 Reviews
5 stars
53
4 stars
30
3 stars
14
2 stars
3
1 star
5
Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 105 reviews
star-1
Extremely disappointing
ashleykmin
, Jan 2020
Our experience with this trip was extremely disappointing. Our English guide - Toshi - was not only he wasn’t explaining the trip properly but he seems to be short in English. I expected him to explain about the histories and untold stories about the sites that we’ve visited but all he kept saying was either very beautiful or only expressions. Train your guides or hire one who actually knows your history as that’s what travelers want to hear AT ALL TIMES from this kind of tours. This was a truly disappointing tour.
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2020
Dear customer, Thank you for bringing your valuable opinion into my concern. We will definitely try our best meeting your satisfaction. What we call our tour conductors are staffs who are supposed to operate this trip safely and well. Therefore different from a tour guide there may be a lacking of some historical explanations. Sorry to hear your frustration on this trip and we will make effort doing better next time. Hope to see you again in the future! Sincerely, Team LIMON
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star-5
Enjoyable
Tombhoy69
, Nov 2019
Tour guide was not specific enough some of us could not understand where to meet. What we saw was lovely and worth the money but we skipped Kobe and left tour at Osaka.
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icon Response from Host , Nov 2019
Dear Customer, Thank you for booking with out tour. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour. And we will make efforts to do our best in your next trip together. Looking forward to seeing you in a near future. Best Regards, Team LIMON
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star-1
Worse tour ever.
Culture673736
, Oct 2019
I did multiple countries travel with my wife and this is the worse tour company that you can ask for. Tour company named Shinki bus tour. The tour ended at 9:30 and they did not drop us off at the location that they pick us up from the beginning. Many more bad things that cannot describe with words.
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star-3
Tour Kyotw, Nara, Kobe
vutt2019
, Oct 2019
Admission fee was cutoff in temple at Nara park was bad. While details gave everyone is included. Asked tour guide and promised to reply but nothing happened
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icon Response from Host , Nov 2019
Thank you for your review.The admission fee is for Kinkakuji which is in Kyoto. We believe on the website it is written like : Visit a historic Kyoto district and UNESCO-listed Kinkaku-ji (entrance fee included). Therefore, Only this admission is provided. Hope to see you again next time we will do better to fit your demands.
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star-1
If you want to rush and barely experience this is a tour for you (unpleasant)
travrice
, Sep 2019
I carefully read each review and this is how the tour is really. disappointing on time and find a better tour. I've been on many tours korea, taiwan, europe, usa, thailand, indonesia. this was a poor tour that is put together. I knew it was a busy tour but a tour I was ready to finish after the first stop. you barely have time for anything less than two hours in each place if not 30 minutes. kyoto: bamboo forest less than 2 hours, golden pavilion less than an hour to see. Nara was by far disappointing about 45 minutes and the bus is parked in a inconvenient area. Kobe was surprisingly peaceful for the night view and glad to be done with this tour. tour guides friendly yet not exactly the best guides (ive been on plenty of tours but for this tour too pushy) very general with information and confused when asked simple questions. overall save money and split this tour up or just choose another tour group.
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star-5
Osaka Trip
Guide05277250373
, Jun 2019
Excellent tour : well worthy of the time and the enjoyable company . Perfect for our vacation despite the limited days we spend in Osaka
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icon Response from Host , Jul 2019
Dear customer, Thank you very much for joining us.We are glad to hear that you have a very good time in Kyoto Nara and Kobe with us. we hope that we could serve you again in your next trip. Best Regards, Team LIMON
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star-4
A very interesting day trip from Osaka
GoPlaces59506
, Jun 2019
It was a very interesting tour by bus. The tour guide was very polite and helpful. All locations highlighted in the itinerary were covered.Ours was a family of four with two young daughters. We were seated in the bus close to each other family member.It was a comfort to all of us. The tour we booked via Viator was value for money. I recommend this tour initiated by Viator to any tourist especially families who visit Japan's important touristic locations. Thank you our tour guide and Viator for concluding this tour successfully satisfying all of us.
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icon Response from Host , Jun 2019
Dear customer Thank you very much for choosing our 1-day trip. It is a pleasure to hear that you and your family have enjoyed yourself in the tour. We will maintain the quality of our trip and we look forward to serving you again in the future.
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star-4
3 in one trip
Go11450269864
, May 2019
Very good trip overall. Except does all the major tourist spots and Kobe by night was good but in sufficient time touring the city highlights.
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icon Response from Host , Jun 2019
Dear customer Thank you for travelling with us. We are happy that you enjoyed the trip. We have also noted the problem you raised about the lack of time. We will look into it and improve it for the future.
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star-3
Go Japan!
Scenic53846819227
, Apr 2019
Tiring but very informative. Will definitely go back to Japan to explore more areas. The guide was funny but very helpful.
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icon Response from Host , Jun 2019
Hi, thanks for your comment and welcome to Japan again. please ask us if you need a help. We are looking forward to seeing you again in the future.
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star-2
Bad Time & Programme management
Compass567010
, Dec 2018
Tour comes with a Chinese and English speaking guide.The Chinese guide was clear and helpful however the English guide ( Lady in pony tail mid age) was convoluted with her explanation and often included non essential info instead of key info such as time and place to meet. As a result, the group lost a few tourists during the day. This is very bad management and is a big taboo for tour guides. I feel for the tourists who cannot understand English as they often am not sure where they are and wht time to gather.Time management was also bad. When a time is fixed to get back to the bus, the guides also dilly dally back to bus 5 min past time. Together with the delay here and there by rest of the pax, overall day trip was delayed by an hour. Kyoto sights did not include the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine which just feels altogether a touch and good with non proper curation kind of trip. I actually feel I deserve a refund for half the trip.
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