Kyoto

Kyoto Top Highlights Full-Day Trip from Osaka/Kyoto

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan

From $67.56

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up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

10 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Enrich yourself with the fascinating history of Kyoto’s numerous UNESCO-listed temples and shrines during this day trip from Osaka. Explore the seemingly endless ‘torii’ gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, visit Kiyomizu-dera temple, and explore Kinkaku-ji temple. Customize your trip by adding on a deluxe or standard Japanese style lunch, and select from four pickup points.

Discover the UNESCO-listed temples and shrines of Kyoto, round-trip from Osaka or Kyoto
Walk among thousands of bright-red 'torii' gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine
Admire the views from Kiyomizu-dera and the elegant architecture of Kinkaku-ji
Optional lunch choices include Deluxe or Standard Japanese Style Lunch

What's Included

English-speaking guide
Bus fare for the trip
Optional Lunch (if selected)
Entrance ticket to Kinkaku-ji Temple (if option selected)
Entrance ticket to Kiyomizu-dera Temple (if option selected)

Personal expenses
Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
Entry tickets and meals (if the last minute option is selected)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

Type to search

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Pick a departure point that works for you, choosing a departure location from Kyoto or Osaka.

Begin your first Kyoto visit by heading to the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Wander through this religious site’s collection of more than 1,000 brilliant-red “torii” gates and learn about its connection to the Japanese deities of agriculture, business, traffic safety, and a bountiful harvest.

Following the shrine, head to Shijo-karasuma to enjoy an optional deluxe or standard Japanese-style lunch.

After lunch, head to Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera temple. You’ll have one hour to enjoy the amazing city views from the temple’s viewing platform, and to learn about the temple’s construction with 139 pillars and not a single nail.

Continue to Kinkaku-ji temple, often referred to as “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion,” this elegant complex hosts a collection of peaceful gardens and traditional Japanese-style architecture. At the end of your visit you’ll be dropped off back to the same as starting point.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

1 hour 40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kinkakuji Temple

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Arashiyama

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Infants (0-2 years) free; no seat&meal, must sit on an adult's lap
Meeting Time at Umeda, Hearton Hotel Nishi-Umeda: 8:20 AM
Meeting Time at Namba, OCAT 1F (Near Daiso): 8:50 AM
Meeting Time at Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit Tourist Bus Parking 9:05 AM

Please check in 10 minutes before the booked start time
The activity provider is not liable for losses due to delays
Schedule subject to change due to traffic or weather conditions for safety
Emergency call center: +816-6131-5340, available 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM JST on departure date
For live emergency assistance, visit https://limonbus.livecall.jp
Our business hours are from 10:00 to 17:00 JST on weekdays, during which we are • unable to respond to emails.
Halal and Vegan meals unavailable; please book without lunch and bring your own
Vegetarian requests, contact us directly (contact tour operator) at least 3 days before the tour
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 42 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

163 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 163 reviews

Thank you for a wonderful trip!

Miriam_P, Apr 2024

There were a lot of people in this but it went well. The guide Tammy was ver nice and friendly. The lunch was great!

Thankful

LamFong_C, Apr 2024

Tour guide Maria pays atttention to everyone needs. She is patient and kind. Thank you for leading us a wonderful time.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Lam Fong_C, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for your wonderful review of our Kyoto Trip. We’re delighted to hear that Maria’s attentive and kind approach made your tour experience memorable. Her dedication to meeting everyone’s needs truly sets her apart. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you on another tour soon!

Not worth it, do it yourself!

Linda_P, Apr 2024

This was a taxi day, where you are not even able to go to the restroom, because you’re always late for the next site. We were literally running!!! It took me 4 attempts to finally be able to go to the restroom, and other clients were waiting for me to make sure that nobody was left behind (while the guide ran away…, continuing the tour) The guide doesn’t know anything about the attractions sites, and is reading in English in the bus the facts as bad a beginner. If English isn’t your first language, Wikipedia is more helpful. We understood at the end of the day why we were rushing: another group was with us and they had an earbuds system that they hide from us. So we had to rush the paths to avoid them and not see the extras that they got… we had to wait for them, and while they did the attractions and comments on site we were losing our time. We paid 325$ Can, for 2 people and we had better experiences at way much lower costs. Some people in our tour booked the same tour to get together during this excursion, but had been placed in different buses… they are just thinking about saving costs, and not about the quality of the experience that they are offering. It’s a shame.

Kyato highlights

lynnel_c, Apr 2024

We had changed the time on our reservation and the agency never updated it so didn’t have our reservations, instead of coming back to Osaka and taking back to kyato. Two ladies were extremely rude and just wanted to leave us stranded. Maria was wonderful. She took us on her bus and dropped us at the first stop and then the second lady who was our tour guide started with E excellent so caring so nice did everything for us she been doing it for a long time. It might have been Eyco. The tours were long and entertaining. The bamboo forest was beautiful and a good lunch. The only downside was them losing their reservation for us and not trying to help us if it wasn’t for Maria We never would’ve gotten on this tour. Her bus was completely booked where the other lady had 6 seats open. Going to the second stop you had to sit in a stoplight on the bus for like a half an hour to get into our second stop, the temple. Not the tour issue but the entire process. I don’t understand why they have such an issue. I would just park the buses outside and make the people walk in. Other than that it was a good excursion

Kyoto.

Jigee_S, Apr 2024

Kyoto is a captivating blend of ancient tradition and modern vitality. Famous for its well-preserved temples, traditional teahouses, and vibrant geisha district, the city offers a unique glimpse into Japan's rich history. Highlights include the golden Kinkaku-ji and the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Each season transforms the city into a new picturesque landscape, making Kyoto a must-visit for its cultural depth and natural beauty.

Great tour

Amy_R, Apr 2024

Our guide Toshi was great and so was the driver. Great way to see everything in one afternoon. Everything was punctual, organized, and they stuck to the schedule.

Kyoto day trip

David_B, Apr 2024

Haru was friendly and did the best she could with our large group. She provided clear instructions on what we needed to do at our stops and when to meet for departures. The tour took us to places without the hassle of public transportation.

Best way to see Kyoto

AHSANZAHIR_R, Apr 2024

Our tour guide was very polite, efficient and informative. The bus was comfortable and the itinerary was relaxed. We were not being rushed from venue to venue.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear AHSANZAHIR_R, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for your positive review of our Kyoto tour. We’re glad to hear that you appreciated our guide's politeness and efficiency, the comfortable bus, and the relaxed pace of the tour. It's great to know that you enjoyed the experience without feeling rushed. We strive to make every tour enjoyable and informative, and your feedback helps us keep improving. Thank you for choosing us to explore Kyoto, and we look forward to hosting you again.

Kyoto highlights

Samina_H, Apr 2024

Lots of things to do in one day. The Fushimi mari shrine was an exceptional place to visit. Wish we had more time. Best to go on a week day as these places get very crowded.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Samina_H, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for your review. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the variety of activities and found the Fushimi Inari Shrine to be an exceptional highlight. It indeed is a breathtaking place, rich with culture and beauty. We understand your wish for more time at these locations, especially given how much there is to see and do. Your suggestion to visit on a weekday is excellent advice for future travelers, as it can help avoid the larger crowds and enhance the experience. We appreciate your feedback and will take it into consideration as we continually work to improve our tour timings and itinerary to better suit our guests' desires. Thank you for choosing us for your visit to Kyoto, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another tour, perhaps with more time to explore each site.

Fantastic

MY_N, Apr 2024

all of the stops. The temples and the bamboo forest. the tour lady , Hana been very helpful. I have a lot if amazing picture's

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear MY_N, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for your fantastic review of our Kyoto Top Highlights Full-Day Trip from Osaka/Kyoto. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the temples and bamboo forest, and that Hana provided helpful guidance throughout your journey. It sounds like you captured some wonderful memories with your photos, and we're glad that the beauty of Kyoto provided the perfect backdrop. Hana, like all our guides, is dedicated to enhancing our guests' experiences, and your positive feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure, and we hope to welcome you on another tour soon to create even more amazing memories.

The places that we...

Anthony_M, Apr 2024

The places that we visited was amazing however the rain was not our friend on this day. The tour guide provided minimal information about the places we visited which was disappointing and we were left to explore most of the locations by ourselves which lacked the history component.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Anthony_M, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. We appreciate you sharing your experience. It's great to hear you found the places we visited amazing, even though the weather didn't cooperate on your tour day. Unfortunately, the weather is beyond our control, but we always strive to ensure a memorable experience regardless. We're sorry to hear the tour guide's insights didn't fully meet your expectations. Our goal is to provide a rich historical context at each site. We’ll take your feedback into account to improve our tours, aiming for the right balance between guided exploration and independent discovery. Thank you for choosing us for your Kyoto exploration. We hope to have the opportunity to host you again under clearer skies.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen

Ben_F, Apr 2024

Marie the guide was fantastic the places we seen were amazing and well worth seeing just wish we had more time to see all of the sites but that was more on some selfish people not coming back and being late that we had time cut of other places but it was amazing lot and lots of people though as we when during cherry blossom season also

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Ben_F, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. We're thrilled to hear that your visit to Kyoto, especially during the cherry blossom season, was one of the most beautiful experiences you've had. Marie, like all our guides, aims to make every tour special, and it’s great to know she was fantastic in guiding you through the amazing sights. We understand the desire for more time at each location and share your frustration when delays occur due to the tardiness of others. We're continually seeking ways to manage time effectively to ensure all guests enjoy the full experience. Thank you for your understanding and for highlighting the beauty of the tour despite the crowds. We hope to welcome you back for more incredible sights and experiences.

Kyoto highlights

Imran_M, Apr 2024

Mr. Taka, our guide from Limon Tours, was incredibly kind and patient throughout our tour. The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to visit four different sites in a single day, which was quite impressive. This tour is particularly suitable for those with limited time. However, there are areas that could be improved upon. The deluxe lunch provided wasn't great, mainly consisting of cold dishes, and many of the items were unfamiliar to us, making it challenging to enjoy. Additionally, while the tour was advertised as guided, it mostly involved being dropped off at the sites and exploring on our own. While this was fine for most of the tour, it posed challenges at crowded locations like the torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. The time allotted wasn't sufficient to navigate the crowds and reach the top, resulting in a somewhat rushed experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Imran_M, Thanks for your review. Glad Mr. Taka made your Kyoto trip memorable and the day well-organized. We hear your thoughts on the lunch and the self-guided parts of the tour, especially at crowded places like Fushimi Inari. We're looking into improving these aspects. Appreciate your feedback and hope to serve you even better next time.

Excellent tour to visit Kyoto

junia_p, Apr 2024

We had Eiko as our guide, she was wonderful and gave very informative background of each place we visit. Very well organized tour, we truly enjoyed a full day visit in Kyoto.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear junia_p, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for your excellent review. We're delighted to hear that Eiko made your tour memorable with her informative guidance. Our team prides itself on organizing tours that are both educational and enjoyable, so it’s wonderful to know we achieved this for your visit to Kyoto. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you on another tour soon.

Well organized tour!

Santanu_S, Apr 2024

Tour Guide Maria was great, lunch was very good. Itinerary was well planned. Overall we had a great experience…

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Santanu_S, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for your positive review. We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience and found the tour well-organized. Maria, like all our guides, is dedicated to providing informative and enjoyable tours, so it’s wonderful to know she made a great impression. We're also pleased to hear that you enjoyed the lunch and found the itinerary well-planned. Our team works hard to ensure that every aspect of the tour contributes to a memorable and satisfying day for our guests. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to the opportunity to host you on another tour in the future.

A perfect day trip on a perfect day with the most perfect tour leader

Anita_B, Apr 2024

The weather was on our side and we were lucky to have Jewel as our tour leader. She is nice, knowledgeable and very helpful, all the way from Osaka to Kyoto and exploring Kyoto. Itinerary is perfect for a one day tour. The tour is well organized. Very satisfied with Limon tour and the operators, our driver Tom and our tour guide Jewel. Don't miss the opportunity to go on this tour and see Kyoto if you can. Thank you

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Anita_B, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. We’re overjoyed to receive such a glowing review of your experience. It’s fantastic to hear that the weather contributed to a perfect day out and that Jewel, along with our driver Tom, went above and beyond to ensure your tour was memorable, informative, and seamless from start to finish. Jewel's knowledge and helpfulness, paired with Tom's safe driving, embody the high standards we set for our team members. We're thrilled to know you found the itinerary well-suited for a day tour and that you were very satisfied with your experience with us. Thank you for choosing LIMON Tour and for recommending the tour to others. It's feedback like yours that inspires us to continue providing exceptional experiences. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on another tour soon.

Kyoto Highlights

Antonella_E, Apr 2024

Got to see Kyoto highlights. Tour guide gave a rundown of each sight and then left it to us to explore. Had more time in some places and less in others. All in all the tour was good.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Antonella_E, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour.Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed exploring the highlights of Kyoto and found the structure of the tour, allowing for personal exploration at each site, to your liking. We aim to balance the time across various sights to cater to the diverse interests of our guests, though we understand preferences can vary. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continually seek to refine our tours for the enjoyment of all our guests. We're glad you found the tour overall to be good, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another adventure, perhaps exploring more of what Kyoto or other destinations have to offer.

Really great tour

William_J, Apr 2024

Was a great family day trip and highly recommended. Went to many of the sites to see and the bus ride was really nice. The guide was wonderful and did a great job showing us around.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear William_J, Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour.Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review of our Kyoto tour. We're delighted to hear that you and your family had a great day exploring Kyoto with us. It's our goal to make each trip memorable by visiting must-see sites and ensuring a comfortable journey, so it's wonderful to know the bus ride and the tour met your expectations. Our guides take pride in their work, and hearing that yours did a wonderful job makes us incredibly proud. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments. We appreciate your high recommendation and look forward to welcoming you and your family on another tour soon.

Fantastic tour!

Ann_S, Mar 2024

This tour was the most enjoyable part of our trip! I felt we visited the “must see” spots in Kyoto and they were beautiful! Our guide, Jewell, shared information and interesting stories as she took us under her wing at each stop when the rest of the group ventured out. Kyoto was crowded, but that’s to be expected. We had lunch on our own at a lovely place with delicious food. I highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Ann_S! Hello! I’m Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for your wonderful review! Your insights and experiences are invaluable to us, and hearing that Jewell made your tour through Kyoto's must-see spots memorable is truly rewarding. Despite the crowds, it sounds like you had a fantastic time exploring and enjoying the local cuisine. We’re so glad you chose to share this experience with us and highly recommend it to others. Looking forward to the opportunity to guide you again on your next adventure!

Great experience

lauraherbert7, Mar 2024

Winnie was lovely. We went during peak tourism periods so for the sites of Kyoto, maybe research in advance for times of the year

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Dear lauraherbert7, Hello! I'm Ari from LIMON Tour. Thank you for sharing your great experience. It's wonderful to hear that Winnie made your tour memorable. We understand that visiting during peak tourism periods can be challenging, and we appreciate your suggestion to research the best times of the year for future travelers. Your feedback is very helpful, and we're always looking for ways to improve our guests' experiences, even during the busiest seasons. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure, perhaps at a quieter time to fully enjoy the serene beauty of Kyoto.

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