Kyoto and Nara 1-Day Bus Tour from Osaka or Kyoto
Osaka, Japan
- 9 to 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Sightsee through Kansai’s most scenic areas, seeing iconic landmarks in Nara and Kyoto in one day, without the hassle of changing trains or getting lost. With pickup times in either Osaka or Kyoto, board a convenient tour bus to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kinkaku-ji and Todaiji Temple as well as 1000 vermilion gates of Fushimi-Inari Shrine and scenic Nara Park.
- Visit Kyoto and Nara’s most famous sights in 1 day
- See two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Todaiji and Kinkaku-ji temples
- Enjoy live commentary in English or Chinese
- Round-trip bus fare from Kyoto or Namba
What's Included
- Entrance fee to Kinkakuji temple
- English or Chinese Speaking Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Fees and Taxes
- Lunch (if the option is selected)
- Hotel Pick up / Drop off
- Entrance fee to Todaiji temple (Optional)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
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End points
This activity ends in a different location. See details below:
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Itinerary
1
Nara Park
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Todai-ji Temple
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Arashiyama
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Togetsukyo Bridge
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Arashiyama Kimono Forest
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Kinkakuji Temple
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
8
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- 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 in the same bus.
- Infants under 3 years old are free of charge without seat. If a seat is required, please book with children's price
- Please arrive 10 minutes before 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 miss the tour, & refund won't be issued. If you'd like to change your meeting point or unsure about the meeting point, pls notify us at least 2 days before departure for assistance.
- The bus will be departing on time (no exception).
- 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 may not be granted.
- 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.
- Upon arrival, please confirm your name with the guide or staff on the participant list.
- Contact number may be unavailable outside business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:30AM–6:30PM 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
3.7
based on 155 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Stephanie_B, Jun 2026
We had a great trip in Kyoto! It would be very hard to get all of what we did in one day on your own. This was very efficient. The right amount of time in every location. Lots of walking! Great with teens. Very comfortable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for sharing your experience!
We're so glad you enjoyed your day exploring Kyoto and found the tour to be an efficient way to visit so many wonderful places. It's great to hear that the pacing worked well for your group and that your teens had a good time too. We appreciate your note about the walking, as it's helpful for future travelers.
We hope to welcome you on another adventure in Japan soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Melissa_F, Jun 2026
A great tour. So many lovely things to see and experience. It was hot but manageable.
Lunch was amazing!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the many beautiful sights and experiences throughout Kyoto and Nara. We're also glad that the weather didn't stop you from having a great time and that you enjoyed the lunch provided during the tour.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on another memorable journey in the future!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Midori_M, Apr 2026
This tour was the highlight of my trip! It’s the perfect way to see all the iconic spots in Kyoto and Nara efficiently.
・Amazing Guide: KOJI-san was so energetic and fun—he kept everyone smiling the whole day!
・Perfect Pace: I loved that we had enough free time at each stop to explore and shop at our own pace. It never felt rushed.
・Unique Experience: Even with the crowds, this tour offered a fresh and interesting perspective on Japan’s beauty.
A must-do if you want a fun, stress-free, and fulfilling day. Thanks for the memories, KOJI!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
We’re thrilled to hear that the tour was a highlight of your trip and that you enjoyed exploring Kyoto and Nara at a comfortable pace. Our guide Koji will be especially happy to know he helped make your day fun and memorable!
We truly appreciate your recommendation and your thoughtful feedback. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Kelli_L, Apr 2026
This was the worst excursion I have ever taken. Our tour guide gave us very little information about the history and culture of Japan, that is why I book excursions. For me the worst part was that he would walk us to activity, many times with confusing turns in the path and would leave us , completely on our own to explore and make it back to the bus. On three occasions today, I found myself lost and stressed that I wouldn’t make it back in time. I have never booked an excursion where you’re expected to know what to do and where to go without guidance. This was a definite zero for me
Yvonne_T, Apr 2026
Good but there’s room for improvement. Example the itinerary should have contingency plans for alteration when facing lousy weather; the waiting /meeting spots were all unsheltered, and last stop in Kyoto (after the shrine) guests who did not wish to continue the attraction-visit due to the rain and bad traffic, could not wait in the bus nor in any comfortable sheltered cafes. We were put in a no choice spot with no eatery or seats for an hour plus. Other than the rigid program/schedule which Eric our guide closely adhered to, Eric was knowledgeable with the history of Japan, he was jovial and made the bus ride less boring. Thumbs up to him.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
We’re glad to hear you found the tour enjoyable overall and that our guide Eric made the journey engaging with his knowledge and cheerful attitude—we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
We also sincerely appreciate your suggestions regarding weather contingencies and waiting arrangements. We’re sorry for the inconvenience you experienced and will take your comments into account as we work to improve the comfort and flexibility of our tours.
We hope to welcome you on another tour in the future under even better weather conditions!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Glenn_S, Mar 2026
It was a long day but worth it. Hary our tour guide was fun , entertaining and very knowledgeable about the history of Kyoto and Nara.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience on us!
We’re glad to hear that, even though it was a long day, you found the tour worthwhile. Kyoto and Nara are full of incredible history and sights, and we’re happy you were able to experience so much in one trip.
It’s especially nice to hear your kind words about our guide. He’ll be delighted to know you enjoyed his fun and knowledgeable guidance.
We truly appreciate your review and hope to welcome you again on another memorable journey in Japan!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Jane_O, Mar 2026
Exhausting! Too much for one day and probably too long in some of the stops.
Great guide tho who was very helpful.
Paula_D, Feb 2026
A great way to see some key sights of Kyoto & Nara in a day. Our guide Eric was great, very friendly and knowledgeable. Would recommend.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the highlights of Kyoto and Nara with us. Visiting iconic sights in Kyoto and Nara in just one day can be a big adventure, so we’re glad the tour helped you make the most of your time.
We’re especially happy to hear your wonderful feedback about our guide Eric. He truly enjoys sharing his knowledge and helping guests feel welcome, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
Thank you again for recommending us. We hope to welcome you back to Japan for another memorable experience in the future!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Matthew_M, Feb 2026
Our guide Gary was excellent. Very knowledgeable and accommodating of all the guests. The sites are worth visiting
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day exploring Kyoto and Nara, and that our guide Gary made such a positive impression. It’s wonderful to know that his knowledge and attentiveness helped make your trip memorable.
We’re also glad you found the sites worth visiting and we’re happy you were able to experience them with us.
We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in Japan soon!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Chan_P, Jan 2026
This is a good way to hit all the main attractions in Kyoto. We spent 1-1.5 hours at each spot. This was perfect for my family. We are fairly young so we had no problem keeping up. We just wanted to see the spots, take some pics and not necessarily want to learn the attractions in depth…so it was perfect for us.
Our guide Mike was friendly and accommodating.
The pace may be a little fast for older folks (i.e. late 60s and over), but perfect for us.
The Kobe beef lunch was very good.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear valued customer,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us!
We’re glad to hear that the tour pace worked well for your family and that it was an easy and enjoyable way to see Kyoto and Nara’s main highlights. It’s great to know you had enough time to take photos and enjoy each spot just the way you wanted.
We’re especially happy to hear your kind words about our guide Mike. Thank you as well for your helpful note about the pace and for sharing your thoughts on the Kobe beef lunch.
We truly appreciate your review and hope to welcome you and your family again on another tour in Japan!
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tours
Anna_T, Jan 2026
Fantastic tour. Nick was our guide and he was wonderful, so knowledgable, funny, and attentive. We got to see the highlights of Osak with the convenience of being driven around everywhere. Nara Park was a personal highlight. A great way to spend a day! Loved!
Laurence_E, Dec 2025
It was a very informative tour with an excellent tour guide , Eric, who not only explained everything carefully, but also had a good sense of humour.
We just felt the tour was a bit long for the winter season.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear valued customer,
Thank you very much for your kind review and for joining our Kyoto and Nara 1-Day Bus Tour.
We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour very informative and that our guide, Eric made the experience enjoyable with his clear explanations and great sense of humour.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding the tour length during the winter season. Your comment is very helpful, and we will certainly take it into consideration as we continue to refine our itineraries to ensure they are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for our guests.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another tour in the future.
Best regards,
VIP Japan Tour
Adesuwa_I, Jul 2025
The driver was extremely discriminating and rude to my husband. Ignored him when he asked for how to store his luggage until the tour guide had to come and do it for him. When we arrived back at the drop off the driver refused to get down and bring out our luggage from the truck. The tour guide had to yell at him and other passengers also did the same before he reluctantly came to bring it out from the truck. The tour guide was very professional but driver was extremely unprofessional and disengaged. And unwilling to even speak to us maybe because we are Africans. It was a big let down for a tour that would have been a nice one
JuanEnrique_O, Jul 2025
I couldn't do the tour, they never contacted nor replied me, i asked for a refund but both it was refuses, what a scam.
Phala_C, Jul 2025
It was a nicely paced tour with four stops. The guide was great! With brief information and directions, we were able to go off on our own.
James_B, Jul 2025
Tour guide Garry is an absolute legend. He isn’t worth his weight in gold, he is worth 10x it!! The guy knows everything and is always willing to go well above good customer service. He truly made the tour a very memorable and lovely day. Cannot express my gratitude to tour guide Garry enough!
All the best,
James
Matias_V, Jul 2025
Very nice tour, visiting multiple places in one day. The kobe beef lunch experience is a must from those departing from Osaka.
Nancy_W, Jun 2025
This is a good tour that covers great spots. The Kobe beef lunch is outstanding! This tour is on a large bus; there is some explanation about the sites before you arrive at each destination. But when you get to the locations, you are left to wander on your own. If you like that, this is a good tour for you. If you prefer to learn more about the places you choose to visit, choose a privately-guided small tour. Also, if you are on a cruise, be aware that the return time may not be accurate. Based on the schedule listed, we thought we would be back in plenty of time to get back to our ship before “all aboard” time. As we prepared to go to the last site, we asked the guide when he anticipated we would get back to Osaka. It would be more than an hour later than the latest estimate on the website. We ended up having to leave the tour there and take a taxi back to Osaka from Kyoto…an expensive turn of events to get us back to the ship on time.
natashamclaurin, May 2025
Met expectations. We hit Nara park, Fushimi inrai, Arashiyama and the golden temple in one day. It was a fast paced tour but doable.
Randall_B, May 2025
Good but extremely busy sites/stops. Everyone was respectful of time although some stops required a little more time. Probably perfect for younger/athletic types
Merryl_K, Apr 2025
Went to all the right spots but timing wasn’t great and information shared was minimal. Tour should be longer to capture all sites.
Leif_H, Mar 2025
We had a very full day - despite quite heavy rain at Miyajima. The history of Hiroshima was very interesting and painful .Our guide Masa was perfect and gave us a lot of insights in Japanese culture.
Joshua_P, Feb 2025
Sorry to say but our guide was not a very good guide. We could barely hear her and she constantly repeated herself about very random things. Such a how to make instant noodles, how much water costs at pharmacy, where she banks. And the most bizarre instance was when she was explaining something and an ambulance passed by and she stopped to tell us that was an ambulance. Where does she think we come from, of course we know what an ambulance is!!!
Furthermore, very poor explanation of the places we visited and time at each place was very limited. Long walks from the bus with just enough time to take a couple pictures and had to head back.
Sabara_L, Feb 2025
Friendly and professional guides - English and Chinese speaking.
Good value for money but be prepared for bus loads of tourists at each destination and a long day out.
Hong_L, Nov 2024
Golden Pavilion and Nara park, one breathtaking and another close to wild animals. No worries about traveling and scheduling.
TERRA_J, Nov 2024
Harry was wonderful - so friendly & helpful. Knowledgeable & great about answering questions. He even offered extra help with a show for the evening. Four amazing locations in one day with enough time at each one to see a lot.
Definitely recommend this tour & most of all - Harry!
Rhoderika_M, Oct 2024
It was a great experience seeing the Nara deer! The bamboo forest was beautiful! The shops of Kyoto were special. Wish w had more time there.
It was a very rainy day so pack umbrella!
Mike - your guide was wonderful!
cloclo, Sep 2024
Program, tour guide, lunch all excellent except meeting point. We could not find it without help from a English speaking Japanese gentleman.
Eric_S, Jul 2024
One of the places they advertised was going to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. So I booked and paid for it. Unfortunately it did not go there. I asked the tour guide she said if I want to go I need to go down in Kyoto and find myself a way to get there since they said they stopped going there due to something to do about their drivers work hours. We wre not informed ahead of this and its very disappointing. Better ask before paying if its still part of the tour.
Rosa_H, Jun 2024
It’s a whole day tour a lot of driving, it was ok, only thing we didn’t like was in the restaurant we were supposed to have traditional dinner, however, there wasn’t enough space for everyone in our group so our family and another family sat on the side room in regular tables (not traditional on the floor like rest of groups) so we didn’t get to have that experience, little disappointed. Other than that tour was ok.
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Kyoto and Nara 1-Day Bus Tour from Osaka or Kyoto
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