Kyoto Afternoon Tour from Kyoto or Osaka
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Kyoto, Japan
- 4 hours 40 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore the intricate temples and serene gardens of Kyoto on this 5-hour guided tour visiting some of the imperial city’s most important religious and cultural sites. Check out Sanjusangendo Temple, the longest wooden structure in Japan and home more than 1000 Kannon statues, Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of the god Inari and the supreme views afforded from Kiyomizu Temple high above Kyoto. This excursion to Kyoto’s top temples also includes all entrance fees.
- Walk through Sanjusangendo Temple, Japan's longest wooden structure
- Sweeping views of Kyoto city from Kiyomizu Temple
- Plenty of photo opportunities
- Informative and friendly guide
What's Included
- National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter fee
- Admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
- Food and drinks
- Hotel PickUp/Dropoff
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End points
This activity ends in a different location. See details below:
Itinerary
See the most picturesque temples and beautiful gardens that Kyoto has to offer on this 5-hour afternoon tour, with guide, stopping at some of the city’s most significant religious monuments. Gain new insight into the traditions of ancient Japan and get plenty of photo-taking opportunities as you visit a selection of its beautiful temples and shrines.
Begin your tour by meeting your guide at Avanti Tour Desk near Kyoto Station in the afternoon. The city of Kyoto today is home to more than 1.4 million residents, and as it has evolved, it has seamlessly blended its modern architecture with a wealth of religious and cultural structures that date back to the city’s days as Japan’s capital from 794 through 1868. Although the city has been ravaged by many years of war and fire, it was not significantly damaged by bombing raids during World War II, meaning many important ancient structures still survive to this day.
Head over to the visually-striking Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine, a wildly colorful building bearing bright-red columns and a green roof. The interior of this beautiful structure is perhaps even more impressive, harboring a series of immaculate gardens and placid ponds. Please note the tour will not enter the site’s Shin-en garden.
Next move on to Sanjusangendo Temple on the eastern edge of Kyoto for your day’s first stop. This beautiful religious site, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon, Bodhisattva and was built in the 13th century, is famous for being the longest wooden building in the entire country, spanning more than 394 feet (120m) in length.
Proceed next to the famous Kiyomizu Temple, stopping to browse the rows of pottery stores that line the streets leading up to the site. This elegant UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as Kiyomizu-dera, offers panoramic views of Kyoto and the surrounding area from its spacious terrace and many walkways lining the nearby foothills of Higashiwama mountain.
Begin your tour by meeting your guide at Avanti Tour Desk near Kyoto Station in the afternoon. The city of Kyoto today is home to more than 1.4 million residents, and as it has evolved, it has seamlessly blended its modern architecture with a wealth of religious and cultural structures that date back to the city’s days as Japan’s capital from 794 through 1868. Although the city has been ravaged by many years of war and fire, it was not significantly damaged by bombing raids during World War II, meaning many important ancient structures still survive to this day.
Head over to the visually-striking Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine, a wildly colorful building bearing bright-red columns and a green roof. The interior of this beautiful structure is perhaps even more impressive, harboring a series of immaculate gardens and placid ponds. Please note the tour will not enter the site’s Shin-en garden.
Next move on to Sanjusangendo Temple on the eastern edge of Kyoto for your day’s first stop. This beautiful religious site, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon, Bodhisattva and was built in the 13th century, is famous for being the longest wooden building in the entire country, spanning more than 394 feet (120m) in length.
Proceed next to the famous Kiyomizu Temple, stopping to browse the rows of pottery stores that line the streets leading up to the site. This elegant UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as Kiyomizu-dera, offers panoramic views of Kyoto and the surrounding area from its spacious terrace and many walkways lining the nearby foothills of Higashiwama mountain.
1
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Sanjusangendo Temple
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not wheelchair accessible
- The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
- Participants will walk from the parking lot to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (about 15 min one-way)
- Seats may not be designated
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 136 reviews
Christine_G, Dec 2025
Momo was excellent as our guide.
Unfortunately the timing of the tour meant that we got to Kiyomizu-dera at 4.30pm (dusk) and it was dark by the time we left. The autumn foliage could not be seen. The view of Kyoto was a night time shot. A rush up & down the hill from the car park despite a stop of 70 minutes.
Fushimi-inari was excellent though a long walk from the car park. Sanjusangen-do was fascinating.
Jack_F, Nov 2025
Worth every penny. Great tour. The guide very funny and entreating. Definently a must do in Kyoto. Highly recommended.
Laura_M, Nov 2025
Excellent information from guide. Well worth the reasonable cost. Learn things about Kyoto you just wouldn't get from a gyidebook.
Arlene_R, Oct 2025
Very informative! Our tour guide was exceptional.
I forgot her name, but she was extremely professional, polite and caring.
Sharon_W, Apr 2024
Yoshi our guide was fabulous! Friendly, funny and informative for the entire tour. Loved the entire itinerary, could've stayed longer at each place but the ability to get around in an afternoon and se lots was appreciated
Thank you Yoshi ( and our lovely driver)!
cathy_m, Mar 2024
Good tour. The guide was very nice and kept us informed and organized. The places we visited were very crowded I would recommend this tour
Isabel_C, Oct 2023
Wonderful experience ! Must do ! Yoshi the tour guide and the bus driver so pleasant and well informative!
Pearl_C, May 2023
Lots of walking and not enough time to see each spot. 40 min each stop, we seemed very rush, not by the guid but by the short time. Not much time to shop around or view temples thoroughly. The guide was great, but not much history of each stop, just more like the transport to each stop and ticket provider. For someone with a short amount of time it is good.
Sara_M, Apr 2023
Your leader gave good explanation on each temple and shrine but we were only given 30 minutes at each location and it felt very rushed. If I had to do it over again, I would have just gone on my own.
RogerJ_B, Apr 2023
Our guide was great good personality and lots of information the office was a little hard to find because it was in the basement of a big building
From $79.75
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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