Kyoto day trip from Nagoya: 3 sites with Kobe beef lunch

Ninety minutes at Fushimi Inari among thousands of vermillion torii gates

A full-day tour from Nagoya to Kyoto's three most photographed sites, with an English-speaking guide, round-trip bus fare, and a premium shabu-shabu lunch. You spend 90 minutes exploring Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine's iconic red torii gates, walk through Arashiyama's bamboo grove and across the historic Togetsukyo Bridge, then have 100 minutes at Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the traditional shopping streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. The tour runs approximately 11 hours. Timing may shift due to traffic or to fit all three sites into one day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Fushimi Inari Shrine1h 30m
2. Arashiyama Park1h 40m
3. Kiyomizu-dera Temple1h 40m · entry included
4. Saganopass by
5. Togetsukyo Bridgepass by

Kyoto day trip from Nagoya

• Explore Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
• Enjoy Kobe Beef Shabu-Shabu lunch
• Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• View Togetsukyo Bridge
• Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Stroll Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets

The experience

If you're staying in Nagoya and want to see Kyoto's most recognizable landmarks without arranging your own transport, this tour handles the logistics: the bus picks you up at your chosen meeting point, carries you to each site, and brings you back the same day. You'll have a guide speaking English throughout, and the route is built around three stops that define what most visitors come to Kyoto to photograph. Arrive 10 minutes early at your assigned meeting point. The bus departs on time and cannot wait for late arrivals.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine opens the day with 90 minutes to walk among its thousands of vermillion torii gates, the "Senbon Torii" that tunnel up the mountainside. After that, you move to Arashiyama for lunch at Kyoto Wasabi, where you choose between A5-ranked Kobe beef or pork shabu-shabu. Both are premium versions of the same dish, cooked at your table. The afternoon splits between the Bamboo Grove's narrow pathways and the Togetsukyo Bridge's views over the Katsura River, then ends at Kiyomizu-dera Temple with 100 minutes to explore the temple grounds and wander the narrow, shop-lined streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. The full day runs about 11 hours, though traffic and the need to fit all three sites into daylight can shift the return time.

One piece of luggage per person travels in the bus trunk, but it won't be accessible between stops, so keep valuables with you. The guide will have a participant list at the start. Confirm your name before departure. If extreme weather forces a cancellation, you get a full refund. Because the tour's return time can vary, don't book time-sensitive activities (restaurant reservations, flights, or ship departures), for the same evening.

What’s included

• Round-trip bus fare from Nagoya.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
• A5-ranked Kobe beef or pork shabu-shabu lunch at Kyoto Wasabi.
• consumption tax and all relevant taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pork Shabu-Shabu LunchGuide in English · 07:40Meet at 7:30 AM (departs at 7:40 AM; meeting time: 7:30 AM / departure time: 7:40 AM)

Shabu-shabu lunch featuring Kobe beefGuide in English · 07:40VIPLINER bus stop in Nagoya (meeting time: 7:30 AM / departure time: 7:40 AM)

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 07:40

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 49

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VIP Japan Tours

Is this one for you?The fixed 11-hour schedule and group format mean you travel with other visitors and follow a set itinerary, which is what fits three major Kyoto sites into a single day from Nagoya without managing your own transport or timing between stops. If you prefer a private vehicle or a flexible schedule, a different option would suit you better.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What makes Fushimi Inari Shrine so famous that it's worth 90 minutes of the tour?

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is known for its thousands of vermillion torii gates, called the "Senbon Torii," which form tunnels up the mountainside and are among Japan's most photographed sights. The 90 minutes gives you time to walk the pathways and explore beyond the main gate where most visitors turn back.

Can I choose between the Kobe beef and pork shabu-shabu, or is one included?

You choose one at checkout: either the A5-ranked Kobe beef shabu-shabu or the pork shabu-shabu. Both are served at Kyoto Wasabi in Arashiyama, where the dish is cooked at your table.

How long is the full tour, and will I be back in Nagoya by a certain time?

The tour is approximately 11 hours, but timing can shift due to traffic or to ensure all three sites fit into the day. Because the return time varies, the operator recommends avoiding time-sensitive bookings (like restaurant reservations or evening flights), for the same day.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes round-trip bus fare from Nagoya, an English-speaking guide, the shabu-shabu lunch you select, and all entry fees and taxes. Bring one piece of luggage per person if needed, but keep valuables with you since luggage stored in the trunk won't be accessible between stops.

What happens if I arrive late to the meeting point?

The bus departs on time and cannot wait for late arrivals. If you miss the departure, the tour cannot be rebooked and no refund is issued. Arrive at least 10 minutes early at your assigned meeting point, and if you're unsure which one, contact the operator at least two days before to confirm.

Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove included, or is it a separate stop?

The Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama is part of the tour itinerary. After lunch, you walk through the grove's pathways and enjoy views from the Togetsukyo Bridge before heading to Kiyomizu-dera Temple for the final stop.