From Osaka/Kyoto: Kyoto & Nara Day Trip with Optional Lunch
Badge of Excellence
Osaka Prefecture, Japan
- 9 to 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- English or Chinese Speaking Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Fees and Taxes
- Entrance fee to Todaiji temple (Optional)
- Hotel Pick up / Drop off
- Lunch (Optional)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End points
This activity ends in a different location. See details below:
Itinerary
1
Arashiyama
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tenryu-ji Temple (Pass By)
Bamboo Forest Street (Pass By)
Jojakkoji Temple (Pass By)
Okochi Sanso Garden (Pass By)
Yusai Kimono Gallery (Pass By)
Arashiyama Kimono Forest (Pass By)
Togetsukyo Bridge (Pass By)
Monkey Park Iwatayama (Pass By)
Nonomiya Shrine (Pass By)
Arashiyama Kimono Forest (Pass By)
2
Kyoto
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Fukuda Art Museum (Pass By)
3
Nara Park
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Manyo Botanical Garden (Pass By)
Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine (Pass By)
4
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Ohashi Family Garden (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infants must sit on laps
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- 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.) 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.
- Infants under 3 years old are free of charge without seat. If a seat is required, please book under the children's price
- Please arrive 10 minutes before departure at your selected meeting point, as your assigned bus & guide will be based on that specific location. The guide has a list of participants for each bus & may not be able to accommodate guests who arrive at a different meeting point. Late arrival or arrival at the wrong location will result in missing the tour, & refunds won't be issued. If you'd like to change your meeting point or are unsure about the meeting point, please notify us at least 2 days before departure for assistance.
- The bus will be departing on time (no exceptions).
- Please adhere to the scheduled time. We are unable to accommodate delays or wait for any reason. The tour will depart promptly as scheduled to respect all customers' time.
- In case of late arrival or arrival at wrong location, regardless of contact prior to the departure time, refunds will not be granted.
- Please check the photo in the product page & scan the QR code for the meeting point reference.
- Upon arrival, please confirm your name with the guide or staff on the participant list.
- Please refrain from booking any time-sensitive activities such as restaurant reservations, cruise ship departures, or other scheduled commitments immediately following your tour.
- Regarding luggage, we allow one piece of luggage per person during the excursion. Please also ensure that the luggage is manageable and fits comfortably within our vehicle. Please also be aware that any items stored in the trunk will not be accessible in between stops on the tour, so keep all valuables with you.
- In general, we do not send out confirmation emails prior to departure. If you would like more information or need to clarify something, please contact us and we will send you the relevant details.
- Our contact number may be unavailable outside business hours (Mon–Fri, 9:30AM–6:00 PM JST).
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.4
based on 111 reviews
Gwenevere_N, May 2026
My guide person Koji was very knowledgeable timely and hilarious he assured everyone’s safety and accounted for and kept everyone on the itternary
Julia_S, May 2026
Had the best day on our Kyoto & Nara Day Trip! 🦌⛩️
Nara was absolutely hilarious, the deer were so cheeky and kept biting when we didn’t feed them fast enough 😂 Such a funny and unique experience. Kyoto was beautiful as always, with so much history and stunning scenery everywhere you look.
Today was also 32 degrees and incredibly hot, and unfortunately the air con on our bus stopped working. But a huge shoutout to our guide who handled it so well and quickly swapped our bus over for one with working air conditioning. Great service and much appreciated in the heat!
Such a fun day filled with laughs, beautiful sights, and unforgettable memories. Highly recommend this tour if you’re visiting Japan! 🇯🇵✨
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for your lovely review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fun day exploring Kyoto and Nara — the cheeky deer definitely know how to keep things entertaining.
We also really appreciate your understanding regarding the air conditioning issue, especially in the summer heat. We’re glad our guide was able to resolve it quickly and keep the day comfortable for everyone.
Thank you again for recommending the tour, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan in the future!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Wai_E, May 2026
The tour provided a good overview of the places we visited. The use of a bus/coach was comfortable, and the optional individual hot pot lunch. We had the Kobe Beef Shabu-shabu and it was very good. The meeting point was a bit chaotic due to overcrowding on a small street and lack of clear signs or personnel giving instructions. This location is used by multiple tour operators, so arrive at least 15 minutes earlier.
The tour guide was knowledgeable and provided a description of the places we visited while on the bus. This is not a tour where the tour guide travel with the group around the difference places. This tour provided enough time at each tourist attraction to have an independent good overview.
Hugh_M, Apr 2026
I realized soon on that I had booked the wrong trip for what I wanted. Nara only took up a little over an hour of the trip. The lunch is worth signing up for. The two Kyoto stops later in the day are must sees although I had already been there. I wish I had paid closer attention when booking and found one that went direct to Nara from Osaka.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
We’re sorry to hear the itinerary didn’t quite match what you were hoping for, especially regarding the time in Nara.
We’re glad you enjoyed the lunch and the Kyoto highlights. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to see you on another tour in the future!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Alison_E, Apr 2026
Our guide spoke very fast and English as a second language so hard to understand at times - showed photos but only to the first few rows in the bus so couldn’t see what he talked about. Kept talking about being on time and how Japanese people are always super earlier and make sure you’re on time otherwise the whole day will be ruined - we’re not preschoolers having to remind us over and over again. Probably my worst trip booked through Viator - wouldn’t recommend
Vitali_F, Apr 2026
Get ready to walk, lots of places to explore. Nice experience if you got the lunch package. Don't miss the Bamboo forest, the Monkey forest and the Kimono Garden in Arashiyama.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We’re glad to hear you enjoyed exploring Kyoto and Nara, and that the lunch package added to your day. You’re absolutely right—there’s so much to see, and it does involve quite a bit of walking, but it’s wonderful to know you found it worthwhile. Arashiyama is truly special, and we’re happy you highlighted the Bamboo Forest, Monkey Park, and Kimono Garden as memorable spots.
Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to see you again on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Nirav_C, Apr 2026
Overall trip was satisfactory but more information about travelling spots would have helped more. So ok.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
We’re glad to hear that your overall experience was satisfactory, but we also appreciate your comments about wanting more information at the travel spots.
Your input is very valuable, and we’ll work on improving the level of detail and guidance provided during the tour to make the experience more engaging and informative for our guests.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with an even better experience in the future.
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Mark_R, Apr 2026
Excellent overview of the Kyoto highlights. We went as a family ... myself, my parents, my grandmother, and uncle. Nick-san was our guide and he was fantastic. Funny, charming, and incredibly knowledgable about the area. The included lunch was delicious, and even better that it was in an authentic setting. Would highly, highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review!
We’re delighted to hear that you and your family had a memorable experience exploring Kyoto and Nara together. It’s especially wonderful to know that our guide Nick made such a positive impression—he’ll be very happy to hear your kind words.
We’re also glad you enjoyed the lunch and the authentic atmosphere—it’s something we love sharing with our guests. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate you choosing to spend your time with us.
We hope to welcome you and your family again on another adventure in Japan!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Saptaji_B, Mar 2026
Our Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara day trip with Gary was absolutely outstanding. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, and every place we visited was beautiful, memorable, and truly worth the trip. From Osaka to the cultural richness of Kyoto and the charm of Nara, each stop offered something unique and unforgettable.
Gary is a fantastic tour guide—friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly well-organized. He shared insightful stories and helpful information throughout the day, making the experience not only enjoyable but also enriching. His warm personality made everyone feel comfortable and well taken care of.
The bus was another highlight: clean, comfortable, and very smooth, which made traveling between destinations relaxing and stress-free.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone planning to explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. And if you have the chance, definitely go with Gary—you’ll be in great hands!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for your fantastic review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such an outstanding day exploring Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. It’s wonderful to know the itinerary, comfortable transport, and memorable stops all made for a special experience.
Our guide Gary will be especially happy to hear your kind words—he truly loves what he does, and it shows!
Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another amazing trip soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
jahangir_K, Mar 2026
I had an amazing experience in Kyoto thanks to Gary, my tour guide. He is incredibly friendly and welcoming, making everyone feel comfortable from the very start. What really stood out was how respectful he is toward everyone, which created such a positive and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the tour.
Gary is also very knowledgeable about Kyoto—he shared fascinating insights and stories that made each place come alive. It’s clear he is well-prepared and truly passionate about what he does. Whenever we had questions or needed help, he was always ready to assist with a smile.
I highly recommend Gary to anyone visiting Kyoto. He will make your trip more meaningful, smooth, and memorable!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience in Kyoto and that our guide Gary made your tour so enjoyable and memorable. His friendliness, knowledge, and care for guests truly make a difference, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with him.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Despina_H, Mar 2026
We were happy to take this tour because we were able to go from Osaka with our luggage and visit Nara and other sites and were able to get dropped off in Kyoto. The tour was great!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for your kind review!
We’re really glad to hear that you found the tour convenient and enjoyable, especially being able to travel from Osaka with your luggage while exploring Nara and other beautiful sites along the way. It’s great to know the drop-off in Kyoto made your journey even smoother.
We truly appreciate you choosing to travel with us and hope to welcome you again on another adventure in Japan!
Best Regards,
VIP JAPAN TOURS
Amber_T, Mar 2026
Was such a great day. Four of us went, the places were great, was fast paced and the lunch spot was delicious. Harry was brilliant, informative, funny and friendly.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for your kind review!
We’re thrilled to hear that all four of you had such a great day exploring Kyoto and Nara with us. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the itinerary, the delicious lunch, and the overall pace of the tour.
Our guide Harry will be especially happy to hear your kind words—he’ll be delighted that you found him informative, friendly, and fun throughout the day!
Thank you again for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another amazing experience in the future!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Carey_H, Mar 2026
Tour was well thought out and organized. Had about an hour to 1 1/2 hour at each location to explore and do your own thing.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review!
We're really glad to hear that you found the tour well organized and enjoyed having free time at each stop to explore at your own pace.
We truly appreciate your feedback, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Marica_c, Feb 2026
We enjoyed feeding the deers, make sure you do not run as the deer will chase you for the food. The temples are garden are beautiful, even in the rain
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience on us!
We’re so glad you enjoyed your time exploring Kyoto and Nara. Feeding the deer is always a memorable experience.
It’s wonderful to hear that the temples and gardens were beautiful, even in the rain. Sometimes the rain makes them feel even more peaceful and atmospheric.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another adventure in Japan soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
FranciscoJr_M, Feb 2026
The Trip was set forth by a morning walk in a Park. The Guide was very approachable and straight forward, and we visited some of the scenic spots in Japan.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience on us!
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the peaceful morning walk in the park and had the chance to visit some of Japan’s beautiful scenic spots. It’s also wonderful to know that you found your guide approachable and straightforward — we truly value guides who create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for our guests.
Your feedback helps us improve and ensure future guests have an even more memorable experience.
We hope to welcome you on another adventure in Japan soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Stephen_P, Jan 2026
Great way to see the major sights.
Bus trip was very comfortable and the guide was very knowledgeable.
Candice_C, Dec 2025
Very bad service received from VIP Japan Tours. Our tour guide was very unprofessional and unwilling to assist us. He had not contacted us to find out how far we were from the pick up point and had left us behind. There was also no way of reaching out to him for assistance as he had not left a contact number to reach him. When we finally got a hold off him he did not answer our call. Could also not get a hold of anyone at VIP Japan Tours for assistance as well. When we requested a refund for the tour they had refused our request. Please avoid booking with this terrible company. They leave you stranded in a foreign country and are not even apologetic.
Shanna_B, Nov 2025
This tour checked all the boxes for what we wanted to see in Kyoto. The best part was that all these places are so crowded with tourists that the tour group bus is able to park close and get you to the exact places you want to see. Eric our guide was amazing and fun. He explained everything well and we loved the Kobe beef lunch. We loved the deer experience at Nara park and the Bright orange Tori Gate walk was amazing as well. The Bamboo forest was beautiful and it was in the coolest old town neighborhood.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear that the tour delivered everything you were hoping to experience in Kyoto — from the serene bamboo forest to the vibrant torii gates and the unforgettable deer encounter in Nara. It sounds like you made the most of every moment!
We’re especially happy to know that our guide Eric helped make your day fun and informative. He’ll be delighted to hear your kind words. And we’re glad you enjoyed the Kobe beef lunch — it’s one of our favorite parts of the tour as well.
We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in Japan soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tour
Vivian_K, Nov 2025
A good way to see several diverse locations and not having to handle transportation. A lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes. Shabu- Shabu Kobe beef lunch was a delicious and fun experience. Pay attention to the exact times to return to the bus. Tour guide was nice and got us to our start locations.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear valued customer,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience!
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting the diverse locations in Kyoto and Nara without the hassle of arranging transportation. Your tip about wearing comfortable shoes is very helpful, and we’re delighted that the Kobe beef shabu-shabu lunch was both delicious and fun for you.
Thank you as well for your kind words about our tour guide and the smooth organization of the tour.
We hope to welcome you again on another memorable trip in Japan!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tour
Ronald_S, Nov 2025
Nick-san was an excellent guide. It was a long day, but we saw lots of sites and the lunch was excellent. You have to go feed the deer. The family thanks Nick for all his help.
David_N, Nov 2025
Amazing experience good the lunch is good delicious the tour bus comfortable all the attraction are amazing
Penny_W, Nov 2025
Day was too long as each location was too far apart. Spent more time on bus than exploring. Each stop was an about an hour so not much time to explore each area. We chose to take a Uber back from last stop as it would have been an 11 hr day if we didn't. This day needs to be better put together for locations and much more efficient.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
We’re sorry to hear that the long travel times affected your enjoyment of the tour. The distance between Kyoto and Nara can indeed make for a full day, and we understand how that can feel tiring.
We truly appreciate your comments about the schedule and efficiency — they help us continue refining our itinerary to make the experience more balanced and enjoyable. We’re glad you were still able to experience some of the beautiful highlights of both cities, and we hope to welcome you again on a future tour that better fits your preferences.
Best Regards,
VIP JAPAN TOUR
Denisa_D, Oct 2025
The Kyoto and Nara tour was an absolute delight, thanks in large part to exceptional tour guide, Nick worked diligently to cater to our needs, maintain a lively atmosphere and create a lasting memories, his dedication and expertise truly made the tour special, and for that, we are extremely grateful. Bravo Nick!👏👏👏👏👏
Carmelita_R, Oct 2025
Tour guide cancelled without any explanation. Very unreliable and unprofessional. It is so frustrating and disappointing because we then have to plan a new tour last minute and they were all sold out.
John_F, Oct 2025
Amanda was an excellent guide. Very informative and answered everyone’s questions.
Lunch was delicious and also traditional.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Kyoto & Nara Day Trip and that our guide Amanda made the experience so informative and enjoyable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our guide Amanda — she’ll be delighted.
It’s great to know you also loved the traditional lunch!
We hope to welcome you on another adventure in Japan soon!
Best Regards,
VIP JAPAN TOUR
Rebecca_B, Oct 2025
This was a fun experience. VIP Tours did a good job keeping us on track with all of the activities. We were given ideas of where to go & what to see after we were escorted to where we were going.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear valued customer,
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We’re happy to hear that you had a fun experience and that our team helped make the day smooth and enjoyable. It’s great to know you appreciated the guidance and suggestions throughout the tour.
We truly value your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another exciting journey in Japan.
Best Regards,
VIP JAPAN TOUR
Julie_B, Oct 2025
Tour guide smoked and his smelled like cigarettes. Tour was rushed and we missed many of our stops. Was nothing like itinerary
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear value customer,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We sincerely apologize that your experience did not meet expectations and that the tour did not reflect the quality or itinerary we strive to deliver. We are especially sorry to hear about your experience with the guide—this is certainly not the level of professionalism we expect from our team. Your comments have been shared with our management to ensure appropriate follow-up and improvements.
We truly appreciate you bringing this to our attention and hope we might have the opportunity to provide you with a much better experience in the future.
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tour
Elsa_D, Oct 2025
Nara was not necessary and out of the way. It should have been replaced with Gion which we were all disappointed bec that’s what Kyoto is about. Our tour guide was good , knowledgeable, and friendly. He went out of his way for everyone’s needs and requests
Sophia_L, Sept 2025
Great tour guide. Very knowledgeable. Loved the lunch option. Great choices for areas to visit with good time at each location.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Dear valued customer,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Kyoto & Nara Day Trip—from the well-paced visits and delicious lunch to the insights shared by our knowledgeable guide. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re so glad the experience left such a positive impression.
We’d love to welcome you back on another adventure in Japan soon!
Best Regards,
VIP JAPAN TOUR
mike_o, Sept 2025
Nicksan is a great guide with a good sense of humor. The weather was and the sites a little crowded but he kept spirits high with his great attitude!
From
-15%
$56.26
per personWas $66.19
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
From Osaka/Kyoto: Kyoto & Nara Day Trip with Optional Lunch
110
10 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$66.19
$56.26
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Namba, Japan
More attractions near Namba, Japan
More Tours in Namba