Best of Kyoto: Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle & Heian Shrine
Moderate Activity
Includes meal
Shopping Opportunities
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
Your tour begins as you board your motorcoach for a narrated drive through Osaka. Once you're out of the city, you'll travel 100-120 minutes to Kyoto. Originally the seat of Japan's imperial court from 794 to 1868, Kyoto today remains the cultural capital of Japan. As you make your way through the countryside, you'll pass such notable landmarks as Toji Temple, which at 180 feet, is the tallest pagoda in Japan; and the Kyoto Tower, Kyoto's tallest modern structure.
Your first stop is Nijo Castle which was completed in 1626 as the Kyoto residence for Tokugawa Ieyasu, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle was built for his residence and not as a fortress. The Donjon of the Caslte was destroyed by fire. But the Ninomaru (Second inner Palace) remains. The Ninomaru Palace was built to impress visitors with the shogun's power and wealth. Built almost entirely out of cypress, the extravagant interiors are lavished with gold leaf and elaborate wood-carvings. For the shogun's protection, the builders constructed what's known as "nightingale" floors; if an intruder entered the corridors, the floors would squeak like birds. Some of the rooms in the castle also feature special doors and secret rooms where bodyguards would hide. The gorgeous carvings and screen paintings are most elaborate. In the large hall "Ohiroma" for the Shogun to greet warriors and visitors in superb and colorful.
Your next destination is a Kinkaku-Ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Special Historic Site, the Pavilion is one of the most popular attractions in Japan. Built in 1397 as a shogun's retirement villa and converted to a Zen temple upon his death, it sits in the center of a magnificent garden with a wooden pavilion that extends over a reflecting pond. But the most notable feature is its glimmering exterior - gold leaf gilds the upper two stories.
Next, enjoy a buffet lunch at a local hotel or restaurant.
After lunch, you will visit the Heian Shrine. It boasts one of the largest Torii gates in Japan. Known as the Shrine of Peace, the torii gate was built in 1895 to mark the 1,100st anniversary of the founding of Kyoto.
You're off to the Kyoto Handicraft Center where you're free to shop for traditional crafts, clothing, souvenirs and more.
Your tour concludes with a drive along the same scenic route back to your ship.
Points of interest
Golden Pavilion (Kyoto)
Nijo Castle
Schedule
Special Notes
The drive between Osaka and Kyoto is approximately 90-minutes each way. Passengers should expect traffic and delays.
Photography and video are not permitted inside Nijo Castle (Ninomaru Palace) and the Heian Shrine (Shinto Altar). Shoes must be removed to enter Nijo Castle (Ninomaru Palace).
In Nijo castle, we will visit Ninomaru palace only. We will not enter Honmaru Palace.
There are around 40 minutes walking at Kinkaku-ji Temple and Heian-jingu Shrine. There are 30 steps through the path in the Kinkakuji Temple. We will have more than 2.5hours walking in total with some steps or taking off the shoes. Not recommended for guests using wheelchair.
Long term restoration work is carried out at Haian Shrine until 2030.
At Kyoto Handycraft Center, passport needs to be presented for duty free shopping. This tour is not recommended for passengers with walking difficulties. Japanese Yen is required for additional purchases.
Exceptional Value
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Moderate Activity
Includes meal
Shopping Opportunities
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
Your tour begins as you board your motorcoach for a narrated drive through Osaka. Once you're out of the city, you'll travel 100-120 minutes to Kyoto. Originally the seat of Japan's imperial court from 794 to 1868, Kyoto today remains the cultural capital of Japan. As you make your way through the countryside, you'll pass such notable landmarks as Toji Temple, which at 180 feet, is the tallest pagoda in Japan; and the Kyoto Tower, Kyoto's tallest modern structure.
Your first stop is Nijo Castle which was completed in 1626 as the Kyoto residence for Tokugawa Ieyasu, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle was built for his residence and not as a fortress. The Donjon of the Caslte was destroyed by fire. But the Ninomaru (Second inner Palace) remains. The Ninomaru Palace was built to impress visitors with the shogun's power and wealth. Built almost entirely out of cypress, the extravagant interiors are lavished with gold leaf and elaborate wood-carvings. For the shogun's protection, the builders constructed what's known as "nightingale" floors; if an intruder entered the corridors, the floors would squeak like birds. Some of the rooms in the castle also feature special doors and secret rooms where bodyguards would hide. The gorgeous carvings and screen paintings are most elaborate. In the large hall "Ohiroma" for the Shogun to greet warriors and visitors in superb and colorful.
Your next destination is a Kinkaku-Ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Special Historic Site, the Pavilion is one of the most popular attractions in Japan. Built in 1397 as a shogun's retirement villa and converted to a Zen temple upon his death, it sits in the center of a magnificent garden with a wooden pavilion that extends over a reflecting pond. But the most notable feature is its glimmering exterior - gold leaf gilds the upper two stories.
Next, enjoy a buffet lunch at a local hotel or restaurant.
After lunch, you will visit the Heian Shrine. It boasts one of the largest Torii gates in Japan. Known as the Shrine of Peace, the torii gate was built in 1895 to mark the 1,100st anniversary of the founding of Kyoto.
You're off to the Kyoto Handicraft Center where you're free to shop for traditional crafts, clothing, souvenirs and more.
Your tour concludes with a drive along the same scenic route back to your ship.
Points of interest
Golden Pavilion (Kyoto)
Nijo Castle
Schedule
Special Notes
The drive between Osaka and Kyoto is approximately 90-minutes each way. Passengers should expect traffic and delays.
Photography and video are not permitted inside Nijo Castle (Ninomaru Palace) and the Heian Shrine (Shinto Altar). Shoes must be removed to enter Nijo Castle (Ninomaru Palace).
In Nijo castle, we will visit Ninomaru palace only. We will not enter Honmaru Palace.
There are around 40 minutes walking at Kinkaku-ji Temple and Heian-jingu Shrine. There are 30 steps through the path in the Kinkakuji Temple. We will have more than 2.5hours walking in total with some steps or taking off the shoes. Not recommended for guests using wheelchair.
Long term restoration work is carried out at Haian Shrine until 2030.
At Kyoto Handycraft Center, passport needs to be presented for duty free shopping. This tour is not recommended for passengers with walking difficulties. Japanese Yen is required for additional purchases.