Days 1-3 Kyoto-Nara Itinerary Schedule
Upon your arrival at the Kansai International airport, our Professional English-speaking guide + Professional chauffeur + Private Van will transfer you to the Hotel in Kyoto or /and start a half day Kyoto Tour (Dependent the arrival time schedule Times).
You will visit the top attractive sites in Kyoto and our guides will accompany you to explain the cultural stories embedded in each historic heritage.
1. Kiyomizudera and Higashiyama
2. Arashiyama -Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji,
3. Fushimi Inari Shrine,
4. Kinkakuji
5. Nishiki Market
6. Nijo Castle
7. Gion
8. Sanjiusangendo
9. Nara Park
10. Todaiji Temple
–Arashiyama (Nature/View): Beautiful nature with Bamboo Grove, Cross Month Bridge and great shopping streets for crafts and street food;
Kiyomizudera and Higashiyama
Kiyomizudera (清水寺, literally “Pure Water Temple”) is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall’s pure waters. The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism, but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
The Higashiyama District (東山) along the lower slopes of Kyoto‘s eastern mountains is one of the city’s best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke a feeling of the old capital city in which you can buy all kind of souveines and tasty Japanese food;
-Kinkaku Temple (History/Architecture): The golden pavilion in the heavenly garden.
Fushimi Inari Shrine (History/View): The most popular shrines with 10000 bright red Torii Gates.
-Kiyomizu Temple (History/Architecture/View): The most popular temples with the panoramic veranda.
–Gion (Culture): Fascinating and mysterious stories of Geisha.
Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.
Sanjiusangendo
Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂, Sanjūsangendō) is the popular name for Rengeo-in, a temple in eastern Kyoto which is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
-Nijo Castle (History/Architecture): One of the most important sites in Japanese history. Witness the prime and the end of the Samurai period.
Day 3 : Nara
Recommended side Trip Sites Visit
Our Professional English-speaking guide + Professional chauffeur + Private Van for 1 day Kyoto & Nara Tour (Timescale: 08:00-17:00).
Morning: you will visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todaiji Temple (included Todaiji Museum and the Great Buddha Hall / if time is permitted).
Afternoon: you will visit Nara Nagomikan, Nara Park as well as Mt. Wakakusa Mummit. After the tour, you will go ahead to be privately transferred to the hotel in Osaka for the overnight.
2 recommended sites should visit
- Todaiji-
odaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, “Great Eastern Temple”) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved away from Nara in 784 in order to lower the temple’s influence on government affairs.
Until recently, Todaiji’s main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
- Nara Park-Nara Park (奈良公園, Nara Kōen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara’s main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.
Osaka - Days 4-5
Planning 2 Days to visit the second largest City in Japan-Osaka.
Professional English-speaking guide + Professional chauffeur + Private Van for 2 days Osaka Tour (Timescale: 08:00-17:00).
We recommend the top attractive sites as following:
- Osaka Castle- The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with lots of green space, sport facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The park is one of Osaka’s most popular hanami spots during the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place in early April.
- Namba –Located around Namba Station, Minami (ミナミ, “South”) is one of Osaka‘s two major city centers. It is the city’s most famous entertainment district and offers abundant dining and shopping choices. One of Osaka‘s most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal. It is a popular shopping and entertainment district and also known as a food destination. At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanized signs, including the famous Glico Running Man and Kani Doraku crab.
- Umeda Sky Building
- shitennoji Temple-Shitennoji (四天王寺, Shitennōji) is one of Japan’s oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. It was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Although the temple’s buildings burned down several times throughout the centuries, they were always carefully reconstructed to reflect the original 6th century design.
- Shinsekai- Shinsekai (新世界, lit. “New World”) is a district in Osaka that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district’s center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia-evoking symbol of Shinsekai.
- Tennoji and Abeno Hanukas
- Bay Area-
The Osaka Bay Area is a collection of young city districts on man-made waterfront islands and peninsulas, built to accommodate Osaka‘s sprawling growth. The districts host a variety of tourist attractions, such as museums, theme parks, observatories and shopping centers. Osaka’s domestic and international port facilities are also found in the area.
- Universal Park
- Osaka Aquarium
- Minoo Park – Minoo Park (箕面公園, Minō Kōen, also spelled Mino or Minoh) is a forested valley on the outskirts of Osaka, just north of the urban sprawl. During the fall, it is one of the best places in the Kansai Region to see the autumn colors in a natural setting, as opposed to the attractive fall foliage found at temples and gardens. The colors are usually best in the second half of November.
Kobe- Day 6 Itinerary
Kobe (神戸, Kōbe) is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan’s ten largest cities. Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is also considered one of Japan’s most attractive cities.
Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries. There are many beautiful and historic scenes which worthwhile to experience such as
1. Kobeharborland
2.Nunobiki Ropeway-Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway (神戸布引ロープウェイ) is one of three services that lifts tourists up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain chain. The ropeway departs from next to Shin-Kobe Station, Kobe’s shinkansen station. As it ascends, it passes by the Nunobiki Waterfall and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, giving a nice aerial view of both. The highlight of the ride lies in the observation deck located just beside the top station, which offers spectacular views of Kobe and is a popular night view spot.
3, Kitano
4. Aima Onsen-Arima Onsen is considered one of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts and has often stood at or near the top of onsen rankings for Western Japan. The town has two types of hot spring waters which spring up at various sources around town: the Kinsen (“gold water”) is colored brown with iron deposits and is said to be good for skin ailments and muscle pain, while the clear Ginsen (“silver water”) contains radium and carbonate and is said to cure various muscle and joint ailments.
5. China Town-Nankinmachi (南京町) is a compact Chinatown in central Kobe and a center of the Chinese community in the Kansai Region. The area was developed by Chinese merchants who settled near Kobe Port after the port was opened to foreign trade in 1868.
6. Mount Rokko
7. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
8. Earthquick Museum
10. Kobe Beef-Kobe Beef is a prized Japanese delicacy and probably the most widely-known regional specialty food in Japan. It is one of several breeds of Wagyu, or Japanese cattle, which are bred throughout the country and often associated with the area where they are raised.
Himeji Castle Side Trip
On the way to Hiroshima or back to Tokyo, If time is enough, you may choose to visit Himeji (姫路) which is most famous for its magnificent castle, Himeji Castle, widely considered to be Japan’s best and most beautiful surviving feudal castle. The castle is designated both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site.
Hiroshima - Day 7 itinerary schedule
Last Day of our trip is Hiroshima – A city becomes a icon landmark of world peace memorial. The most prominent site which one must not miss is the Hiroshima’s Peace Park.
Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park (平和記念公園, Heiwa Kinen Kōen)
Before the bomb, the area of what is now the Peace Park was the political and commercial heart of the city. For this reason, it was chosen as the pilot’s target. Four years to the day after the bomb was dropped, it was decided that the area would not be redeveloped but instead devoted to peace memorial facilities.
The park’s main facility is the Peace Memorial Museum. Consisting of two buildings, the museum surveys the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the nuclear bomb. Its main focus though is on the events of August 6: the dropping of the bomb and its outcome in human suffering. The personal details displayed are quite upsetting and serve to remind that we should not take peace for granted.
The A-Bomb Dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is what remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. When the bomb exploded, it was one of the few buildings to remain standing, and remains so today. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the A-Bomb Dome is a tangible link to Hiroshima’s unique past.
Between the Museum and the A-Bomb Dome is the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims. The Cenotaph is an arched tomb for those who died because of the bomb, either because of the initial blast or exposure to radiation. Below the arch is a stone chest holding a register of these names, of which there are over 220,000. Every year on the anniversary of the bomb, a ceremony is held at the park.
Miyajima (宮島)
After visiting Peace memorial Park, we will go on a cruise to Miyajima.
Miyajima (宮島) is a small island less than an hour outside the city of Hiroshima. It is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views.
While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for “shrine island”. This is because the island is so closely related to its key shrine, Itsukushima Shrine. Like the torii gate, the shrine’s main buildings are built over water. Top attractive spots include
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Mount Misen
- Daisho-in Temple
- Senjokaku
- Walking trail
- Museum of History
- Oyster- Hiroshima Oyster is tasty and famous in Japan, You can taste some on the island.
Our Clients Comments
Simon- 2 Oct./2023,
Highly recommended
Lee-san, our tour guide is really impressive and gives a lot of details when it comes to Kyoto’s history. He bonds well with the guests and is well loved. Overall a great experience and would highly recommend this
Neha-23 Oct/2023
Highly recommended
This was an amazing tour – Tom, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, kind and very funny. It was great to hear about Osaka and Kobe from someone native to the area. The traditional Japanese Food lunch was also incredible.
Janny-27 Aug/2023
Highly recommended
This tour was so fun, I loved their tour guide! we were a small group so it made the tour even smoother and enjoyable as we got to talk with everyone. hopefully, the tour can be just a little bit longer with an early start so we can have 2 hours inside the museum ; lunch was so good, too!
Mary- 12/sept.2023
Highly recommended
The guide was just gorgeous and so lovely! I cried my eyes out at Kent. The museum is a must. Go next door to the cafe on the left of the entrance for some nice origami cranes in the cafe to purchase. We had an elderly Australian couple who were 45 minutes late returning to the bus but we made up the time. Miyajima island was our favourite place in all of Japan, just stunning! Highly recommend
Kerry–12 May/2023
We had a great time at Arashiyama and Kiyomizudera even if it were raining. But it was so easy to communicate with the agents and they gave direction where we can join the group. Our tour guide Sam Ng speaks English well and is very funny which makes our tour more fun. Thank you.
Mandy 18 May/2023
Highly recommended
Hiroshima is a place will never forget, we learned more about what happened and got to try the Okonomiyaki… delicious!! Our group leader was the best, she explained history in detail. Very nice and humble person 🙂
1 found this helpful
Jacky-7 Nov/2023
Fantastic
Some stops seemed like a bit rush but overall I enjoyed so much. I liked how that the tour guide was informative.
Johnny –20 Jun/2023
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. It was well-organized and our guide, Azusa, was really helpful, friendly and shared a lot of information on the sights we visited. Hakone, Fuji Five Lakes and Kyoto are so beautiful and historic