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)
5 stars
Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Hilda_d, 10/29/2025 12:15:55 AM
Very good half day tour of 3 major sites. Excellent and knowledgeable guide made our experience a learning and enjoyable one.
monicat284, 10/28/2025 11:24:09 PM
The tour was terrific. A little rushed at times because of the limited time and so much to see. However, our guide (Tomoko/“Momo”) was amazing. So full of spunk and humour. She really made the morning memorable!
P9175BBcarries, 10/28/2025 11:18:31 PM
Momo was an excellent tour guide! She kept us on schedule and gave some interesting background about the sites we visited. We hit a few highlights of Kyoto that I would have not seen traveling by myself. I'm only in Kyoto two days, but I'd still recommend this if you were staying longer because you can see where you might want to come back for a longer time (I spent about 3 more hours at the kyoto gardens to see sites in addition to the palace). The coach was comfortable and clean.
Expedition93647, 10/28/2025 11:16:17 PM
Wonderful experience made all the better by our tour guides local knowledge abd insights into Japanese culture. The golden temple was spectacular in the full morning sun.
Journey04003365812, 10/28/2025 11:15:05 PM
Our tour guide was very charming, very knowledgeable and friendly! Momo, thank you for making our time in Kyoto an enjoyable experience and hope to have you as our guide again on our next adventure!
berenicem860, 10/26/2025 11:08:31 PM
The tour was great. The guide was really nice, it was very educational. Guide explained everything really good. I would definitely come back.
josesJ9119OO, 10/26/2025 11:04:43 PM
Momo is a great guide she was really helpful and funny. The places we saw are so pretty I would like to come back and visit those places again
ravenm999, 10/21/2025 4:43:55 AM
Had an excellent time seeing more sights of Kyoto! It was good to go in the off season, as the crowds were not thick, and we were able to take our time with the golden pagoda, the imperial palace, and the shogunate castle. Our tour guide Keicy, was very helpful, kind, and energetic! He taught us so much about the context and history, and was very funny and gave recommendations for other things to do and see!
Boholano1, 10/21/2025 4:40:07 AM
Our guide Momo-san was excellent As a Japanese local, Momo-san provided a lot of insight at all the sites we visited in the morning. She was always mindful of how everyone was keeping up and made sure to provide alternate walking options. A lot of history and background information of our sites visited was shared with us.
joshhA6367NF, 10/19/2025 9:58:12 PM
We had a wonderful time, the guide was helpful and knowledgeable. The sights and photos we took on this trip and for this tour will stay with us for a life time.
- 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
- At reception, please show your reservation confirmation sheet, a printout of the reservation confirmation e-mail, or show the e-mail on your mobile device screen to staff.
- 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. (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.
- 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.
- 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
Depart from the Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1F, across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit. Meet at 8:20am.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