/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12975/8afded75-36cb-457b-babb-a8bfa7c93a91.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12975/0e766342-4e73-467a-b4eb-6601b9972800.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12975/8e5b6f5e-2788-4f96-a483-597fb9fc5d01.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12975/50793bd1-7577-4743-9d52-a58a30b99d91.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12975/33393186-4ab4-401a-9c69-454d6f7dfe53.jpg)
Best of Osaka and Kyoto, Cruise Excursion
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/46733/f91fb200-8cd3-42eb-ab83-22445375e494.png)
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
Carole B.
“Nice visit”
The tour guide provides an excellent experience. He was knowledgeable, friendly and well organized, making every visit both informative and enjoyable. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, allowing enough time at each location without being rushed. He was always attentive to the group’s needs. Thank you for the nice tour Carole
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/46733/f91fb200-8cd3-42eb-ab83-22445375e494.png)
Shuji O.
Thank you very much for your kind words! I'm glad you chose this tour because Ohara is one of my favorite places, too. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wish I had gone to the flea market near the end of the tour. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip in Japan!
Judi J.
“Kobe to Kyoto: enchanting and amazing!”
Shuji is an amazing person to guide you through the Kobe Osaka Kyoto area. He’s a great communicator prior to the tour in terms of setting up the itinerary. He took us on the bullet train from Kobe to Kyoto. We then toured some amazing sites in Kyoto, spending a full day. He is very knowledgeable and a great communicator in both the Japanese and English languages. I highly recommend a tour with Shuji. Such a pleasant, informative and friendly gentleman.
Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind words. We had a great time with your friend. If we had more time, we could have enjoyed the tour more. You are great travelers who know how to enjoy traveling. Thank you for your kindness. I hope you enjoy Kagoshima too! Thank you!
Michael C.
“Great day at Himeji”
We had a great day with Shuji. Thankfully, he was with us to navigate Osaka Station and get us on the proper train to Himeji. Once in Himeji, we visited the castle, with Shuji teaching us its history along the way. After the castle, we had lunch and visited the beautiful gardens near the castle. He took pics with his phone throughout the day and airdropped them to us at the conclusion of the tour. It's a long day when you include both legs of the train ride, but Shuji helped us a lot and was very informative about the history of the area and the castle. Great tour!
Shuji O.
Yes, it was a nice tour. Thank you for the great review. Since it was a little late for the cherry blossoms, we could enjoy the World Heritage castle very much. Yes, it’s really worth visiting. We could enjoy the wonderful restaurant too. I failed it at the best cherry season. We were so lucky. Thank you for the happy tour!
$320/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/11957/2d5fdd42-fd1a-4f29-a2db-d4009ef32373.jpg)
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.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/174364.jpg)
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.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12337/181979.jpg)
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～
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13001/67e41b2c-77cd-41dd-92db-adbe4e6918dd.jpg)
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
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/14395/fb4c0f3c-cf2e-4f09-b68f-5d8830e2050d.jpg)
Cruise ship excursion to Osaka 5 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 5 hours
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/20533/68b86dfc-6668-4e3f-a9b7-8b3d4bce4c32.jpg)
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