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Best of Osaka and Kyoto, Cruise Excursion
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Joined 2023
Since there are so many beautiful places in Kyoto, please choose one or two places to visit. I can recommend some places depending on the season or situation.
And on the way to Kyoto, you can visit Osaka Castle and the Sky Building or Dotonbori in Osaka.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Osaka port or somewhere in Osaka
Osaka Castle
The symbol of Osaka, towering in the sky. Built in 1583, it has a dramatic history. Many kinds of trees bloom in season in the large park, especially we can enjoy a lot of cherry blossoms in full bloom at the end of March or the beginning of April.
Dotonbori
If you start from Kobe port, you have to skip it.
Dotonbori is one of the largest and most popular food districts in Osaka. Bori" means canal, in which three-dimensional neon signs are reflected. You will see many casual stalls selling famous local foods such as takoyaki.
Tenryuji Temple/ Banboo
You will see the beautiful garden with beautiful Arashiyama and Kameyama in the backdrop.
You must feel it's exotic in Bamboo Grove.
Enjoy the panoramic views from the Kameyama Park.
Kinkakuji Temple
If you start from Kobe port, you have to skip it.
And even if you start from Osaka port without a vehicle, you have to skip it too.
Golden Temple. Top of the must-see list in Japan.
Visit at the best time of the day.
Osaka Port or somewhere in Osaka
The schedule will be a little tighter if you depart from Kobe Port.
Ending Point
Kobe or Osaka Port
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
Port pick-up
Chartered taxi (8 hours): GoWithGuide has car services separately.
Highway fee: several thousand yen
Lunch (you and guide)
Admission fees (about 2000 yen/person, no guide needed)
Tour Important Information
We will walk on the paved road. But we go up and down stairs. So, please put on easy walking shoes. Please take water with you. Please walk with your speed. There are so many photo spots.
We can also use the public transportation. It will cost much less, but visiting places will be limited. For example, you can visit only the Arashiyama area (Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge).
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Shuji O.
Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport.
I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds.
I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature.
I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan.
If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!
Reviews
Simon W.
“Fantastic day trip of Kyoto with a true expert”
My family were lucky enough to have Shuji show us around Kyoto on a day trip to all the key sites. Shuji advised us to start early at 7am which was great advice to avoid the crowds and the heat. Shuji has a wealth of knowledge on Japanese history and the key facts at all the spots we stopped. My two daughters in the early 20s and my wife and I found Shuji interesting in a wealth of subjects and we were so happy to spend time with him. If you are looking for a very professional tour guide Shuji has our full recommendation without reservation. Thank you Shuji - it was great having all your help and wisdom - and also your kindness and good humour! Simon
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Shuji O.
Yes, I was also so happy to spend time with you. This is one of my fondest memories! Despite the heat, we enjoyed exploring the Kiyomizu Temple early in the morning. We ended in the Gion district, which interested you all very much. I was so happy to have such great conversations with you. Thank you very much for telling me all about our favorite, Mark Knopfler!
Alberto R.
“Osaka with Shuji”
Shuji is an excellent guide. My only recommendation is that when doing a tour in Osaka, you should understand the city and where you want to go; otherwise, you may end up short after completing the tour. There are too many places to go, and driving from one site to another takes time.
Shuji O.
Thank you very much for your review! We were actually in Kyoto, not Osaka. It was a very hot day. Thank you for being cooperative in such hot weather. I hope you enjoyed Japan a lot.
Peter G.
“Visit to Kyoto September 2025”
I highly recommend Shuji as a guide. He was very well organized with excellent communication in the lead up to our trip. He prepared the perfect itinerary for 4 adults and 2 teenagers across two half days. He was also flexible and we changed our start times (to early morning) to accommodate for the hot weather. Overall a great experience. Thank you Shuji.
Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind words. Even in the terribly hot weather, we could still had fun on our tours. I owe this to your wonderful understandings and supports. Yes, everything, including the breakfast at the cafe, was very nice. I was really happy with you all. Please enjoy Hakone! Thank you very much.
$339/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
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Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
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Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
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The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years! There are so many historic sites and beautiful places that you will be at a loss for what to choose. Please tell me about your favorite. Considering the access, the season, and the time, I will make a suitable plan. I recommend some hidden gems if you like going off the beaten track. And also the charming famous popular tourist spots worth visiting when it is so busy. I will tell you stories to help you appreciate the place.
The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
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Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Since there are so many beautiful places densely in eastern Kyoto, we can take a walking tour there. Please add or skip some. This is an example of a walking tour in eastern Kyoto, emphasizing history and culture. We will use the train only once or twice.
Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Other Popular Shore Excursion Tours in Osaka
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Cruise ship excursion to Osaka 6 hours
Join a memorable Osaka tour starting from Osaka Port. First we will visit Osaka Castle, a symbol of the city with a rich history and seasonal blooms. Then explore the Grand Front to Sky Building, enjoy window shopping, and admire the stunning views from the observatory. For a pace change, relax at Nakanoshima Park with its beautiful buildings and rose garden. Next let's experience the foodie haven of Dotonbori, famous for its neon signs and local delicacies. We return to Osaka Port by 3:00 PM.
Cruise ship excursion to Osaka 6 hours
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Cruise ship excursion to Kyoto 8 hours
Kyoto tour starting from Osaka Port. We will visit nice spots according to the season. For example, in the fall, we visit Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, the bamboo forest, Jojakkoji Temple (a mecca for fall foliage), Tenryuji (a World Heritage site), and Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Temple). We return to Osaka Port by 5:00 PM.
Cruise ship excursion to Kyoto 8 hours