From Osaka/Kyoto: Kyoto & Nara Day Trip with Lunch

4.4
(55 reviews)

9 to 10 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Begin your journey from Osaka or Kyoto, and step into Japan’s most iconic sights.

Start at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where sunlight filters through towering stalks, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Enjoy a traditional meal at Kyoto Wasabi, a 120-year-old townhouse preserving the charm of old Kyoto. Choose from Kobe Beef Shabu-shabu, Pork Shabu-shabu, or Vegetarian Curry.

Continue to Nara, Japan’s ancient capital. Stroll through Nara Park and visit Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Inside the world’s largest wooden structure, marvel at the 15-meter Great Buddha, an awe-inspiring symbol of Japan’s heritage.

Conclude at Fushimi Inari Shrine, famed for its thousands of vermilion torii gates forming a striking path up Mount Inari. This unforgettable sight is among Japan’s most photographed landmarks.

At day’s end, relax on your bus ride back, with the flexibility to return to Osaka or Kyoto.

What's Included

Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
English or Chinese Speaking Guide
Entrance fee to Todaiji temple (Optional)
Hotel Pick up / Drop off

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 9 to 10 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    Your adventure starts with a visit the natural beauty of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, one of the most picturesque sights in Japan. As you stroll through the towering bamboo stalks, you will feel as though you have entered another world. The gentle swaying of the bamboo and the serene atmosphere offer a peaceful escape, making it an unforgettable experience. Be sure to stop for a photo with the iconic bamboo backdrop and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

    1 hour 20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Tenryū-ji, formally known as Tenryū Shiseizen-ji, is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha, and its first chief priest was Musō Soseki.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    The Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or Sagano Bamboo Forest is a natural bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan. It consists mostly of mōsō bamboo and has several pathways for tourists and visitors. The Ministry of the Environment considers it a part of the soundscape of Japan.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    This Buddhist temple in a serene forest with views is popular in fall when its maples change color.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Ōkōchi Sansō is the former home and garden of the Japanese jidaigeki actor Denjirō Ōkōchi in Arashiyama, Kyoto. The villa is open to the public for an admission fee and is known for its gardens and views of the Kyoto area. Several of the buildings are recorded as cultural properties by the national government.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Yusai-tei in Arashiyama is a modern art gallery and dye studio offering a hands-on kimono-dyeing workshop.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    The "Arashiyama Kimono Forest" in English is called Kimono Forest. It is a public art installation located at Randen Arashiyama Station in Kyoto. The installation features a pathway lined with numerous cylindrical pillars, each wrapped in vibrant kimono fabric encased in clear acrylic.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Togetsukyō Bridge, meaning "Moon-Crossing Bridge", is a landmark wooden bridge in Kyoto's Arashiyama district, spanning the Katsura River. It's renowned for its scenic beauty, especially during cherry blossom season and autumn foliage, and has a history dating back over a thousand years.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Iwatayama Monkey Park is a commercial park located in Arashiyama in Kyoto, Japan. The park is located atop Mount Arashiyama, on the opposite side of the Ōi River of the train station. It is inhabited by a troop of over 120 Japanese macaque monkeys.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Nonomiya Shrine, or the Shrine in the Country, is a Shinto shrine in the Arashiyama district on the west side of the city of Kyoto, Japan, close to its bamboo forest.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    The Kimono Forest at Randen Arashiyama Station is a beautiful and unique attraction featuring around 600 cylindrical pillars decorated with colorful Kyoto-style kimono fabrics. These illuminated art pieces create a magical pathway both during the day and at night, when the soft lighting makes the patterns glow.

    Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Savor an unforgettable dining experience at "Kyoto Wasabi," a charming, centuries-old Kyoto townhouse that has been welcoming guests for over 120 years. Begin your culinary adventure with the epitome of luxury—our exquisite Kobe beef shabu-shabu. Delicately sliced wagyu beef, world-renowned for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor, is gently cooked in a savory broth right before your eyes. Next, immerse yourself in the heart of traditional Kyoto cuisine with our Kyoto Pork Shabu-shabu, where tender pork and silky tofu are simmered in a fragrant, flavorful broth. For a lighter yet equally satisfying option, indulge in our signature Vegetarian Curry Rice, offering a comforting blend of spices and fresh ingredients or indulge in a delicious dinner featuring Kobe beef shabu-shabu, prepared with Japan’s finest wagyu beef, renowned worldwide for its tenderness and rich flavor. Every dish is a celebration of authentic Japanese craftsmanship and flavor.

    50 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    The Fukuda Art Museum posesses a collection that consists of approximately 2000 items, prinmarily Japanese paintings dating from Edo period (1603 - 1868) .

    Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Nara, Japan’s historic capital. Discover the serene beauty of Nara Park and explore Todai-ji Temple, the largest wooden structure in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Be awed by Japan’s colossal Buddha statue, towering 15 meters high.

    1 hour 20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    The Manyo Botanical Garden, also known as the Kasuga Taisha Garden, is a botanical garden located next to the Kasuga Shrine at 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara, Nara, Japan.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Tamukeyama Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine near Tōdai-ji, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. It was established in 749. Kami enshrined here include Emperor Ojin, Emperor Nintoku, Empress Jingū and Emperor Chūai in addition to Hachiman.

    Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Immerse yourself with the Fushimi Inari Shrine, a revered Shinto shrine designated as an Important Cultural Property. Famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates, this iconic shrine creates a stunning tunnel-like pathway up the sacred Mount Inari. As you stroll through the gates, you will encounter a series of shrines, each honoring the deity Inari Okami, who is celebrated for prosperity in business, household safety, and success in various pursuits. At the end of the tour, return by bus with the option to disembark at either Kyoto or Osaka, giving you the flexibility to choose your preferred conclusion for the day.

    1 hour 20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    This garden is registered as a scenic beauty spot by Kyoto City and the earthen jar burried in the garden creates beautiful sound when drips of the flowing water on the ground touch the ceramic bottom.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The tour schedule may change without prior notice due to weather, road traffic conditions, and other unforeseen reasons. (There might be delays in returning to the designated location.) The tour schedule may be delayed due to traffic or weather. If the tour is cancelled by the supplier due to extreme weather or natural disaster, you will receive a full refund.
  • This tour will depart regardless of weather or traffic conditions, unless you are notified otherwise by the local operator. Trip Advisor / Viator and your local tour operator will not be responsible for itinerary changes due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Depending on the number of participants, English and Chinese commentary might be given on the same bus.
Supplied by VIP Japan Tours

Show 10 more

Tags

Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Excellent Quality
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

Show more

Rating

4.4 Based on 55 55 reviews
5 stars
37
4 stars
11
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
1 star
2
Likely to sell out
from per person
Was {{currencySymbol}}{{ summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount }}