Kyoto Sightseeing by Bus

You'll meet your guide at Avanti's Sunrise Tours Desk (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit). Please arrive 10 minutes before the departure with your confirmation, after you'll transfer to your tour bus. Transportation may change depending on the number of participants.

Start the day with a visit to the World Heritage recognized site and one of the most beautiful examples of the Momoyama architecture, Nijo Castle. Originally built in 1603 as the residence of the first Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616), it was completed by his descendant, the third Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, in 1626.

You'll continue on to Kinkaku-ji Temple, also called the Golden Pavilion and another World Heritage site. This is one of the three most visited temples in Kyoto and is surrounded by a peaceful garden and pond that reflects the temple's glittering gold beauty.

The last visit of the morning is to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Emperor's residence, until about 150 years ago. 

On Mondays, or Tuesdays if Monday is a national holiday, you'll visit the lush foliage-flanked Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, known for housing the God of scholarship. The main hall is a designated national treasure.

You'll head to Kyoto Station, where you'll have an hour to eat or buy lunch independently.

After lunch, you'll head to the south of Kyoto, to Fushimi Inari Shrine, the head of Japan's 40,000 inari-jinja shrines. The place is known for the famous bright vermillion-red Senbon Torii gates, a major symbol of Kyoto.

The tour continues with a visit to Sanjusangen-do Temple, Japan's longest wooden structure. Inside the building, you will discover 1,001 life-size statues of Buddhist Kannon deities dating back to the 13th century.

Then finish the day with the visit to Kiyomizu-dera temple, a World Heritage site that boasts amazing views of Kyoto city from its wooden stage 13 meters above the ground.

The bus drops you at Kyoto Station, then various hotels (check the list of the hotels to find your most convenient drop off destination).