Kyoto Morning Tour: Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle & Imperial Palace

About this experience

Available from both Kyoto and Osaka, this morning tour is ideal for first-time visitors who want to explore Kyoto efficiently. Accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter, visit top landmarks including UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle, the stunning Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, once the Emperor’s residence. For guests departing from Osaka, an English-speaking assistant will accompany the transfer to Kyoto, including travel by shinkansen (non-reserved seating). The tour ends in the Kyoto Station area, allowing you to spend the afternoon exploring Kyoto at your own pace.

What to expect

1. Stop 1

   [From Osaka Only] From Hotel Granvia Osaka to the bus boarding location at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti, you will be accompanied by our English-speaking staff (not a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter). First, you will travel from Osaka Station to Shin-Osaka Station using public transportation. From Shin-Osaka to Kyoto, you will take the shinkansen (bullet train) in non-reserved seating for a comfortable journey. Please note that as all train rides use non-reserved seats, seating is not guaranteed.

2. Stop 2

   [From Osaka Only] After arriving at Kyoto Station, you will walk to the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti, where the tour bus departs. From there, you will board the bus and begin your sightseeing tour.

3. Stop 3 · 50min

   A World Heritage site. This castle was built on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. The impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see. The tour will not enter the Honmaru Palace and Painting Gallery. Nijo Castle is closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December, and from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. (Closed on the following day if Tuesday is a holiday.) If closed, Ryoan-ji Temple will be visited instead.

4. Stop 4 · 45min

   A World Heritage site. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond.

5. Stop 5 · 40min

   See the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was used as the Emperor's residence until about 150 years ago. On days when the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to visitors, Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) and on days when there is an Imperial Household Agency event, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead. This shrine is famous for the god of learning, and its main hall is a designated national treasure. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons. As the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to visitors on If the closed day falls on the 25th, the tour will visit Nishi Hongan-ji Temple.

Tour & ticket options

Options may have different inclusions and meeting points. Choose your option when booking on Viator.

Meeting & pickup

• [From Osaka] Please meet our staff holding a JTB Sunrise Tours sign at Hotel Granvia Osaka 1F, in front of the elevator (not the 19th-floor front desk). After meeting, walk to JR Osaka Station. Our staff will guide you to the bus boarding location at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti.
• [From Kyoto] Meet your guide at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti (across from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit). The meeting point is on the basement level, not the ground floor.

End point

• [From Kyoto or Osaka] The tour ends in front of Kyoto Avanti, across from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit.

• If you have arrived at the meeting location but have trouble finding the meeting point, you can call the local operator JTB Sunrise Tours on +81 3 5796 5454 (Operated between 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Japan time) for assistance. • In case bookings have been made separately, you may be assigned to be on separate tour buses. • You can refer to below link for specific directions: https://www.sunrise-tours.jp/en/access/avanti

Before you go

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
• As the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) and on days when there is an Imperial Household Agency event, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead. If the closed day falls on the 25th, the tour will visit Nishi Hongan-ji Temple.
• Nijo Castle is closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December, and from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. (Closed on the following day if Tuesday is a holiday.) If closed, Ryoan-ji Temple will be visited instead.
• Refunds will not be issued in case the tour visits aforementioned alternative destinations.
• Seats may not be designated.
• Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with bus seats or lunch. If bus seats or lunch is required, please make a booking under the child rate.
• [From Osaka Only]The tour will be accompanied by an English-speaking assistant (not a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter) from Hotel Granvia Osaka to the Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1F, and from Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station.
• [From Osaka Only] This tour ends in front of Kyoto Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit), and does not include return trip transportation expenses from Kyoto to Osaka and assistant service.
• [Compliance Policy] Images of Kinkaku-ji Temple and the Kyoto Imperial Palace are restricted for commercial use. As we are committed to strict corporate compliance, we respect these regulations and therefore do not use these images on this product page.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.