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Two days Door to Door tour of Kyoto & Nara from Tokyo
This tour is for those who want to visit Kyoto and Nara, by staring at your hotel in Tokyo and returning there.
The guiding cost doesn't include the following costs: Transportation 33,000, Admission 4,000, Hotel 10,000, Meal 5,000 JPY per person. (See what's not included).
You can choose your favorite routes in Kyoto and Nara from the followings.
Three routes in Kyoto; {1A. Miyabi/ 1B. Golden/ 1C. History}
Two routes in Nara; {2A. Highlight/ 2B. Heritage}
Meeting Point
at your hotel in Tokyo
- I will meet you near the reception. I will show your name on my iPad.
<1st Day>
At your hotel
I will pick you up at your hotel near the reception. We will use the bullet train from Tokyo about 9:00AM to Kyoto, which costs about 30,000 JPY per adult (you and the guide) in addition to the guiding fee.
9:00-11:30 From Tokyo to Kyoto station by the bullet train
From Tokyo to Kyoto station by the bullet train; We will take the bullet train from Tokyo about 9:00 AM to Kyoto. I will book our train with the seats on the Mt. Fuji view side so please pay me about 30,000 JPY per adult, including our return trip (you and the guide) in cash. If you want to buy our tickets at the ticket office with your credit card, we won't get good seats together as the bullet trains are busy with business trips in the morning.
At your hotel in Kyoto
At your hotel in Kyoto; You will drop off your luggage at your hotel. I will book our hotel near Kyoto station. (about 10,000 JPY per person for you and the guide)
12:00 - 17:00 In Kyoto, you can choose one of the following three routes (1. Miyabi, 2. Golden, and 3. History).
1. Miyabi: 12:00-13:00 Fushimi Shrine
Fushimi Shrine; The most popular place in Kyoto according to Trip Adviser. This shrine was established in 8th century by Hata family. It is good for the harvest and business. Many companies made donations and get Torii gates in return. There are more than 10,000 Torii gates now. We will visit its main shrine and walk through the 1000 red Torii Gates area. (Admission free)
1. Miyabi: 13:30-14:00 Sanjusangen-Do Temple
Sanjusangen-Do Temple; This temple was established in the 12th century by Kiyomori Taira under the order of Emperor Emeritus Goshirakawa to save people from suffering. There are 1001 statues of golden Buddha in the building. They are Kannon Bosatsu with 11 heads and 40 extra arms.
(Admission: 600/400/300 JPY per adult/student/child)
1. Miyabi: 14:00-15:00 Lunch
Lunch; I will take you to my favorite restaurant for Obanzai; a casual home made lunch menu.
(from 1,000 JPY)
1. Miyabi: 16:00-17:00 Kinkaku-Ji Temple
Kinkaku-Ji Temple; The World Heritage, first built in the 14th century by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga who was the leader of the Samurai who governed Japan. It is popular for its golden house and Japanese garden. (Admission: 400/300 JPY per adult/student)
1. Golden: 12:00-13:00 Fushimi Shrine (Same as the Miyabi route)
Fushimi Shrine; The most popular place in Kyoto according to Trip Adviser. This shrine was established in 8th century by Hata family. It is good for the harvest and business. Many companies made donations and get Torii gates in return. There are more than 10,000 Torii gates now. We will visit its main shrine and walk through the 1000 red Torii Gates area. (Admission free)
1B. Golden: 1st day 13:00-14:00 Lunch
Lunch; I will take you to my favorite casual restaurant for lunch. (from 1,500 JPY)
1B. Golden: 1st day 14:00-14:30 Arashiyam area
Arashiyam area; It is a scenic area with Katsura river and mountains. We will walk the popular traditional Togetsu-Kyo bridge to enjoy the view.
1B. Golden: 1st day 14:30-15:00 Tenryu-Ji Temple
Tenryu-Ji Temple; This temple is the World Heritage and has been to be the rank No. 1, Zen temple in Kyoto. It was first established in the 14th century by Takauji Ashikaga who started the Samurai period of Muromachi. We will walk through the temple including the popular Japanese garden Sogenchi. (Admission: 500/300 JPY per adult/student)
1B. Golden: 1st day 15:00-15:30 Bamboo forest in Sagano
Bamboo forest in Sagano; We will walk through the trail in the bamboo forest to enjoy its unique view.
1B. Golden: 1st day 15:30-16:00 Transportation
Transportation: We will take a taxi to Kinkaku-ji Temple.
1B. Golden: 1st day 16:00-17:00 Kinkaku-Ji Temple
Kinkaku-Ji Temple; The World Heritage, first built in the 14th century by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga who was the leader of the Samurai who governed Japan. It is popular for its golden house and Japanese garden. (Admission: 400/300 JPY per adult/student)
1C. History: 1st day 12:00-13:00 To-Ji Temple
To-Ji Temple; This temple is the World Heritage which was established about 1,200 years ago. This temple practices the esoteric Buddhism (Shingon sect), which was brought by monk Kukai (Kobodaishi) from China. We will see the 3 D Mandara, which shows the organization chart of Buddhism with numerous statues of Buddha. (Admission: 500/400/300 JPY per adult/junior high/elementary)
1C. History: 1st day 13:00-14:00 Lunch
Lunch; We will have a casual lunch at Kyoto station. (from 1,500 JPY per person)
1C. History: 1st day 14:30-15:30 Sanjusangen-Do Temple
Sanjusangen-Do Temple; ThisThis temple was established in the 12th century by Kiyomori Taira under the order of Emperor Emeritus Goshirakawa to save people from suffering. There are 1001 statues of golden Buddha in the building. They are Kannon Bosatsu with 11 heads and 40 extra arms.
(Admission: 600/400/300 JPY per adult/student/child)
1C. History: 1st day 16:00-17:00 Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle; This castle is the World Heritage which consists of traditional buildings with many Japanese Paintings as well as beautiful Japanese gardens. (Admission: 1030/350 JPY per adult/student)
17:30-20:30 Gion (Shopping, Entertainment, and Dinner)
Gion (Shopping, Entertainment, and Dinner); Traditional Kyoto street, good for shopping. If you want, I will take you to the show of Japanese traditional performing art, including Maiko dance. (about 3,000 JPY per person, the show will not be available on Monday through Thursday in winter, Not available now due to COVID19) Then,I will take you the popular gourmet street Ponto-Cho to enjoy Kyoto dinner. ( from 3,000 JPY per person)
At your hotel in Kyoto
I will take you to your hotel in Kyoto.
<2nd Day>
At your hotel in Kyoto
I will pick you up at your hotel in Kyoto.
9:00 - 10:30 Transportation from Kyoto to Nara
Transportation from Kyoto to Nara; We will use the express train from Kyoto at 9:00AM to Kintetsu Nara station.
10:30-18:00 Please choose one route for the 2nd Day from {2A. Highlight/ 2B. Heritage}
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 10:30-11:00 Nara Park
Nara Park; Deer are protected in Nara as they carried the divine of this area from Kashima; eastern Japan. So many deer welcome you for food. (Admission free, Deer food 200 JPY)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 11:00-11:30 Nara Todai-Ji Temple
Nara Todai-Ji Temple ; Todai-Ji temple was first built in 752 as the main temple of Buddhism in Japan. The Great Buddha is Rushana which is 15 m tall with about 500 tons of bronze. (Admission 600/300 JPY per adult/under 12)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 12:00-13:00 Nara National Museum
Nara National Museum; Nara museum was opened in 1895. There are more than 1,000 statues of Buddha. Educational and must see those who are interested in the statues of Buddha. (Admission: 520/260 JPY per adult/student)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 13:00-14:00 Lunch
Lunch; I will take you to my favorite restaurant of Japanese lunch. (from 1,000 JPY)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 14:00-15:00 Nara Kofuku-Ji Temple
Nara Kofuku-Ji Temple; Kofuku-Ji temple was first established in 710 as the main temple of the Fujiwara family who controlled the Emperors during Heian period. It has a great collection of old statues of Buddha and warriors. (Admission: 1,400/1,000/450 JPY per adult/under 18/12)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 10:30-11:00 Nara Park
Nara Park; Deer are protected in Nara as they carried the divine of this area from Kashima; eastern Japan. So many deer welcome you for food. (Admission free, Deer food 200 JPY)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 11:00-11:30 Nara Todai-Ji Temple
Nara Todai-Ji Temple; Todai-Ji temple was first built in 752 as the main temple of Buddhism in Japan. The Great Buddha is Rushana which is 15 m tall with about 500 tons of bronze. (Admission 600/300 JPY per adult/under 12)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 12:00-13:00 Lunch
Lunch;I will take you to my favorite restaurant of Japanese lunch. (from 1,000 JPY)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 14:00-15:00 Nara Horyu-Ji Temple
Nara Horyu-Ji Temple ; The most famous temple built 1,300 years ago by Prince Shotoku, who established Japan as a nation. This temple was first registered as the world heritage in Japan, which has the oldest wooden buildings in the world. (Admission: 2,000/1,000 JPY per adult/under 15)
15:00 - 18:30 Transportation from Nara to Tokyo
Transportation from Nara to Tokyo; We will take an express train from Nara to Kyoto. Then take the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
At your hotel
End of the tour
Ending Point
at your hotel in Tokyo
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee, hotel pick-up (no charge)
Transportation cost of you and the guide (about 33,000 JPY per adult, including that of the Shinkansen)
Lunch (from 700 JPY per person for you and guide)
Dinner (from 3,000 JPY per person for you and guide)
Lodging cost (from 10,000 JPY per person per person for you and guide)
Entrance fee of you (about 4,000 JPY per adult in total)
-Kinkaku-Ji Temple: adult 400, child 300
-Sanjusangen-Do Temple: adult 600, child 400
-Tenryu-Ji Temple: adult 500, child 300
-Ryoan-Ji Temple: adult 500, child 300
-Nijojo Caste: adult 1030, junior high 350, elementary 200
-To-Ji Temple: adult 500, junior high 400, elementary 300
-Todai-Ji Temple: adult 600
-Nara National Museum: adult 520 student 260
-Kofuku-Ji Temple: adult 900
-Nara Horyu-Ji Temple: adult 2,000 under 15 1,000
Tour Important Information
This tour uses public transportation and we have to depend on trains and buses in Kyoto and Nara.
This tour is for those who stay in Tokyo area.
I will book your seats of the train if you agree to pay me in cash about 33,000 JPY per adult for you and the guide at our tour.
Please book your hotel within walking distance from Kyoto station.
I will stay an inexpensive hotel (from 15,000 JPY) near the station, I can book your rooms if you want.
You can't use the JR Pass for this tour.
Important message from the supplier
There is little restriction due to COVID 19 in 2023. I was vaccinated six times with the Pfizer one.
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
Tokyo Tour Reviews
“Yuki was the best guide for our trip to Kyoto”
I can’t say enough about Yuki! He was so organized from the beginning conversation to the end of the tour. He was knowledgeable and kept us on schedule. He showed us his Miyabi Tour of Kyoto that we chose. His I knowledge on the history, customs and Japanese culture was outstanding. You cant make a better decision than to hire Yuki for your tour. We loved Yuki and we are so happy we met him and were able to spend the day with him.
Yuki K.
(361 reviews)Dear Kimberly Thank you for writing the review of my tour. We visited Fushimi Shrine, Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and Gion area. It was the day before the main festival of Gion and we enjoyed to see Yasaka Shrine and Yomahoko float for the main festival. Thank you for taking my tour. Yuki
“ A Rainy Day Made Better”
If you're interesting in visiting historical sites and learning about Japanese culture, Yuki is the guide for you! While it rained must of our day in Tokyo, it did not make it any less exciting, fun, and interesting. Yuki added color to every place that we went to. He taught us how to use the subway, how to read our fortunes, and how to properly enter and exit shrines. This you cannot learn just by reading signs. This is what I believe is important in respecting and appreciating the Japanese culture. He has an iPad with information on each location which provided an additional knowledge and fun facts. He is very kind, friendly, and welcoming. He only provides tours around 3 times a week, so do not wait to book him! We cannot recommend him enough. Thank you Yuki for sharing your day with us. We are so grateful and can only hope our paths cross again. - Alisa
Yuki K.
(361 reviews)Dear Alisa Thank you for your review. It was a rainy day but we took the advantage by visiting less crowded quiet gardens. There are lotus and Iris flowers blooming even better under the rainy weather. Thank you for taking my Tokyo tour. Yuki
“Yuki was wonderful!”
We had such a great trip today with Yuki. He was knowledgeable and so helpful getting us around. He was patient with our two kids (ages 9 and 12) and set up a perfect day. He was on time and the day was perfectly planned. Thank you!!
Yuki K.
(361 reviews)Dear Meghan Thank you very much for wring the review of my Hakone tour on the same day. It was cloudy but Mt. Fuji appeared at the last minutes. It was unfortunate that the Shinkansen had a big trouble on our return trip to Tokyo so that we changed our plan to take a local train instead. Thank you again for taking my tour. Yuki
