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Offered languages
- English
Visit three significant Kyoto temples: Honganji, Sanju Sangendo, and Chishaku-in to see impeccable views of the city, beautiful historic gardens, iconic statues, and traditionally painted national treasures with a nationally-certified tour guide-interpreter.
Highlights of the tour include:
◆ View Kyoto from above at Kyoto Station’s rooftop garden
◆ Walk the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a head temple of the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism
◆ Walk along Takase River with its historic townhouses to see the daily lives of the Kyoto locals
◆ Visit Higashi Honganji Temple’s Goeido, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world
◆ Be among 1,001 Buddhist statues at Sanjusangen-do Temple
◆ See Chishaku-in Temple’s gorgeous painted screens, designated as National Treasures of Japan
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Please meet us at Kyoto Station's Open Air Plaza ("Ozora Hiroba").
Itinerary
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1
You will first meet your guide at JR Kyoto Station, a futuristic marvel made of steel and plate glass. From there, you will head to the 15th floor, where you can enjoy excellent views of the city from a peaceful rooftop garden.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
After the station, you will then head down one of Kyoto’s quieter alleys to Higashi Honganji Temple, one of two head temples of the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism, the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. At Higashi Honganji, you will visit, among other buildings, the impressive Goeido hall, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. Consisting of towering high ceilings and gold fittings, it is a sight to be seen.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Next, you will arrive at Sanjusangen-do Temple (officially called “Rengo-in Temple”). Here, you can see a large gold statue of the “thousand-armed” Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of Mercy, flanked by 1,000 human-sized replicas — a breathtaking scene, unlike anywhere else in the world.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4
At Chishaku-in Temple, the last destination on this tour, you can see artworks painted by Hasegawa Tohaku and his pupils. Tohaku was one of the greatest Japanese painters of the 16th century, and the beautiful gold-leaf screens displayed here showcase the very best of his skills (three of them are even designated National Treasures). The temple is also known for its lush strolling garden, where visitors can appreciate a beautiful green landscape atop a man-made hill. The garden is centered around a pond and some highlights include its striking azalea area, which is vibrantly colorful in mid-spring.
50 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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