Kyoto & Nara Tour from Osaka: Six UNESCO Sites in One Day

Six World Heritage landmarks, two ancient cities, one guided day from Osaka

This full-day tour from Osaka visits Kyoto and Nara's most significant temples, shrines and palaces with a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter. You travel by shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto, then by tour bus through both cities, seeing Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park with its sacred deer, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, including its newly added Main Sanctuary special visit area with lantern-lined corridors. Lunch is included (Western-style, vegetarian, Indian thali, or no-lunch option chosen at booking). All admission fees and transport between Osaka, Kyoto and Nara are covered. The tour runs about eleven hours and ends at Osaka Namba Station.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nijo Castle50m · entry included
2. Golden Pavilion45m · entry included
3. Kyoto Imperial Palace40m
4. Kasuga Taisha Shrine1h · entry included
5. Todai-ji Temple50m · entry included
6. Nara Park20m
7. Yoshikien Gardenpassing by

Kyoto and Nara sightseeing tour

• Travel from Osaka to Shin-Osaka Station
• Take shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto
• Walk to Sunrise Tours Desk at Kyoto Avanti
• Board tour bus and start sightseeing
• Visit Nijo Castle
• Visit Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)
• Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
• Enjoy lunch (Western, vegetarian, Indian thali, or no lunch)
• Visit Todai-ji Temple in Nara
• Visit Nara Park and see deer
• Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine and special inner area
• Travel from Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station

The experience

The day starts with an English-speaking assistant meeting you at Hotel Granvia Osaka and accompanying you to Kyoto Avanti, where the licensed guide takes over. You travel by public transportation to Shin-Osaka Station, then board the shinkansen in non-reserved seating for the journey to Kyoto: a comfortable ride that covers the distance without the planning. Once at Kyoto Station, the tour bus departs from Kyoto Avanti's basement level, and the guide begins walking you through the city's landmarks.

Nijo Castle opens the itinerary: a World Heritage site built by the first Tokugawa shogun, its Ninomaru Palace known for elaborate wooden carvings and decorative detail. From there you move to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, where the wooden structure is layered in pure gold and set beside a pond. The Kyoto Imperial Palace follows, the Emperor's former residence used until roughly 150 years ago. If it is closed on your visit day (Mondays or during Imperial Household Agency events), the tour visits Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead, a national treasure dedicated to the god of learning. Lunch arrives at a set time: a Western-style set menu by default, or vegetarian or Indian thali if you chose that option at booking. The no-lunch option gives you free time around Kyoto Station to eat on your own.

In Nara, Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a World Heritage site where the deer roaming the grounds are considered sacred messengers. From 2025, the tour includes access to the Main Sanctuary's special visit area, where you walk among hanging lanterns in historic corridors. Todai-ji Temple, one of the world's largest wooden structures, houses a massive bronze Great Buddha. The walk from the parking lot takes about 25 minutes one way. Nara Park itself is the spacious setting where the deer move freely. The guide accompanies you through all these stops, explaining the history and significance of each site. At the end of the day, an English-speaking assistant travels with you by public transportation from Kintetsu Nara Station back to Osaka Namba Station, where the tour concludes.

What’s included

• National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter throughout the Kyoto and Nara portions.
• shinkansen travel from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto in non-reserved seating.
• tour bus transport through both cities.
• admission to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace (or alternative shrine if closed), Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha Shrine including the Main Sanctuary special visit area.
• lunch as a Western-style set menu, vegetarian set menu, or Indian thali (chosen at booking), or free time to eat on your own if you select the no-lunch option.
• English-speaking assistant for transfers between your Osaka hotel and Kyoto, and between Nara and Osaka Namba Station.

Options for this experience

3 options

No LunchGuide in English · 07:15Lunch is not part of this plan.

With Western-Style LunchGuide in English · 07:15The lunch is a set Western-style menu. If you want a vegetarian meal, please tell us when you make your reservation.

With Indian ThaliGuide in English · Available from 13 Nov · 07:15Guests will be taken to a dining venue that is separate from the area serving Western-style lunch.

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

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDeparts at 07:15

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 40 · max 9 per booking

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover both Kyoto and Nara's major temples and palaces in one day with a licensed English guide managing the route between cities. Choose the no-lunch option to eat independently in Kyoto, or the Indian thali if you need a vegetarian alternative to the standard menu.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How do I get from Osaka to Kyoto on this tour?

You travel by shinkansen (bullet train) from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto in non-reserved seating. An English-speaking assistant accompanies you from your hotel to the Kyoto Avanti departure point, and the licensed guide meets you there to begin the sightseeing portion.

What is the walk like at Todai-ji Temple?

Todai-ji Temple requires a walk of about 25 minutes one way from the parking lot. If anyone in your group uses crutches, a wheelchair, or has difficulty walking long distances, let the operator know at booking so they can note it.

Can I choose what I eat for lunch?

Yes, at booking you select Western-style set menu, vegetarian set menu, Indian thali, or no lunch. The Indian thali is served at a separate restaurant from the Western and vegetarian options. Changes cannot be made on the day of the tour.

What happens if Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed when I visit?

If the palace is closed on Mondays or during Imperial Household Agency events, the tour visits Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead, a national treasure famous for its connection to the god of learning. If closure falls on the 25th, Nishi Hongan-ji Temple is visited instead.

Does the tour include entry to all the temples and shrines?

Yes, all admission fees to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto Imperial Palace (or its alternative), Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are included in the tour price.

What is the Main Sanctuary special visit area at Kasuga Taisha?

From 2025, the tour includes access to the Main Sanctuary's special visit area, where you can walk closer to the main sanctuary and view the hanging lanterns lining the historic corridors. If this area is unavailable due to events or operations, the Kasuga Taisha Museum or Todaiji Museum is visited instead.