Kyoto's Golden Legacy: Imperial Palace & Kinkaku-ji Morning
Price From $60.17 per person
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This tour is recommended for those traveling to Kyoto for the first time. Visit popular sightseeing spots efficiently, all before noon! This tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter. Visit the World Heritage Site of Nijo Castle. The impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see. Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, with its beautiful golden Shariden (a building in which Buddha's ashes are enshrined), and see its elegantly beautiful garden. See the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was used as the Emperor's residence until about 150 years ago.
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
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Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Ambassador748493, 12/12/2025 3:23:40 AM
As always very gud experience with sunrise tours . It was great travelling with u guys ... tour guide is very informative and polite
W8029ONmichelleb, 12/5/2025 3:39:35 AM
Yuki was an amazing tour guide. She had a ast knowledge of each historical site we visited and showed us the best photo places.
shehrazb2025, 12/4/2025 10:12:50 PM
It was really fun, the atmosphere was calm, I learnt a lot about the castles, palaces and other places. And yuki is super nice.
117ashad, 11/28/2025 4:47:03 AM
Great experience with Momo! Wonderful information and friendly service. Very kind and patient with our little ones. We couldn't have asked for a better tour guide.
Christine_G, 11/28/2025 3:03:16 AM
Lots of walking and the golden temple has a one way system that includes a climb over uneven rocky steps. Nijo Castle was on the flat as was the imperial Palace. There was no use of the microphone system that is wirelessly transmitted to group participant headphones.
debmW1778NP, 11/21/2025 4:39:21 AM
Momo is an excellent host!!! Great tour, we learnt a lot! Thank you 😊 🙏 Great locations and just enough time to see everything.
sharondH474ND, 11/20/2025 10:20:58 PM
Momo was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable. She also had a great sense of humor!! The sites were amazing, the history was interesting and the foliage of the gardens was breathtaking!! Time well spent!! Tour company very organized and committed to customer experience.
Relax37827604324, 11/20/2025 3:43:35 AM
KC was very considerate and knowledgeable. He told us many facts and tid bits about each place. He made sure we knew where to be, how to get there etc. The tour was well timed and spacious enough that you don’t burn out
yurikos426, 11/18/2025 3:17:36 AM
KC was an amazing tour guide! He was really knowledgeable and the tour was informative. I really enjoyed this tour and KC made our tour special. Thank you!
Marg C, 11/11/2025 10:20:11 PM
Momo has been an excellent tour guide this morning. She is extremely knowledgeable and is a very warm and personable lady. Our bus driver also ensured our experience was a very enjoyable experience. Thank you both very much. Marg Chapman (Australia)
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations. Seats may not be designated
- As the Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) and on days when there is an Imperial Household Agency event, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead. If the closed day falls on the 25th, the tour will visit Nishi Hongan-ji Temple
- Nijo Castle is closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December, and from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. (Closed on the following day if Tuesday is a holiday.) If closed, Ryoan-ji Temple will be visited instead
- After sightseeing at Kyoto Imperial Palace, the bus will stop by the lunch venue for the 1-day tour. After that, participants will be dropped off at Kyoto Station
- Refunds will not be issued in case the tour visits aforementioned alternative destinations
- Seats may not be designated
- This tour ends in front of Kyoto Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit), and does not include return trip transportation expenses from Kyoto to Osaka and assistant service
- Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with bus seats. If bus seats are required, please make a booking under the child rate
- The tour will be accompanied by an English-speaking assistant (not a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter) on the outbound trip from Hotel Granvia Osaka to the Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1F
- Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour
Departure point
Meet at Hotel Granvia Osaka, 1st Floor (in front of the elevator). Not the 19th-floor front desk. We will then walk to JR Osaka Station. An assistant will guide you to the Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1F, where you will meet other tour participants.Return details
This tour is recommended for those traveling to Kyoto for the first time. Visit popular sightseeing spots efficiently, all before noon! This tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter. Visit the World Heritage Site of Nijo Castle. The impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see. Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, with its beautiful golden Shariden (a building in which Buddha's ashes are enshrined), and see its elegantly beautiful garden. See the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was used as the Emperor's residence until about 150 years ago.Redemption
・If you have arrived at the pickup location but have trouble finding the meeting point, you can call the local operator JTB Sunrise Tours on +81 3 5796 5454 (7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Japan time) for assistance. ・You can refer to below link for specific directions: https://www.sunrise-tours.jp/en/access/avanti24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund