Kyoto and Nara Day Trip from Kyoto including Nijo Castle

Explore the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara on a full-day tour from Kyoto. Escorted by a local guide, you'll tour Kyoto in the morning, enjoy a buffet lunch at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, then take an afternoon tour of Nara's temples and shrines.

Known as the cradle of Japan's cultural heritage, Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. On your morning tour of the city you'll see the main highlights of wonderful, culture-rich Kyoto, including Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. The castle was built in 1603 and is noted for the contrast of its solemn appearance and gorgeous interiors.

You'll also visit Kyoto's most popular temple, Kinkakuji Temple, the home of perhaps the world's most authentic and exquisite Japanese garden, as well as the celebrated Golden Pavilion. At the ancient Kyoto Imperial Palace you'll visit the former residence of the Imperial family, which clearly shows the Japanese taste for purity, simplicity and calmness. Here you'll also visit the Shishinden Imperial state chamber where enthronement ceremonies took place.

After lunch (free soft drinks included) and shopping at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, you'll see demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts before traveling to Nara, in Japan's Kansai region. Nara was the country's first permanent capital city, and has an abundance of Unesco World Heritage sites, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. You'll visit the Todaiji Temple housing a great image of Buddha, colorful Kasuga Shrine with 3,000 lanterns, and the Deer Park, where tame deer freely roam and can be hand-fed.