City break - Kyoto tour
Kyoto, the former imperial capital, is Japan's must-see city.
With 17 UNESCO heritage sites, 2,000 temples and sanctuaries, and plenty of gardens, this city never ceases to fascinate those who explore it. Visiting Kyoto is an opportunity to discover the soul of Japan in every way!
This one-week city break tour includes a transport pass and a guided tour.
1 week itinerary in Kyoto and its region (8 days)
- Departure city/airport : Osaka (Kansai international airport : KIX)
- Kyoto (7 nights)
- End Return airport : Osaka (Kansai international airport : KIX)
Please find below the itinerary details.
Tour length : 7 nights / 8 days (+ 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe)
Indeed, the tour departure and end dates presented on this page relate to your stay in Japan. On departure, you will have to leave Europe on the day before. The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference.
Example :
- Departure from Europe : January 1st
- Arrival Osaka (date to be selected in the tour calendar while booking) : January 2nd
- Return flight from Kansai international airport : January 9th
Why this trip to Japan?
- Welcomed at the airport by our team, you will be taken to your hotel in Kyoto by shuttle bus
- Settle in the heart of Kyoto in your 3* hotel chosen for its comfort and location
- Take advantage of 5 days of transport to visit Kyoto and its region
- At nightfall, a guided tour of the traditional geisha quarter awaits you
- Recommendations available in your travel diary
- Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
- If necessary, contact our assistance from 8am to 10pm Japanese time, 7 days a week, in English or Japanese.
- A number of guided days or other optional activities are available (tea ceremony, etc.)
- Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, European leading travel agency in Japan.
Your trip to Kyoto and Kansai in detail
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Day 1 : Wake up in Kyoto 京都
Arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ !Our airport assistant will welcome you at the exit of the customs and will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.
Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to your hotel in Kyoto (see details).Check-in at Hotel RAKURO 京都 by THE SHARE HOTELS or same category hotel 3* (rooms available from 3:00pm).
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Day 2 : First steps in the old capital
What is there to do in Kyoto in 4 days?
We advise you to start your visit to Kyoto slowly by visiting the city centre and the Gion district:
- The Nijo castle, former shogun's residence
- Nishiki, Kyoto's culinary market
- Kiyomizu-Dera, the great water temple
- The historical streets of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka
- Kodai-ji, the maple and bamboo temple of KyotoFinish off seeing the sunset in Gion.
Meet your guide at 19:00 to start your late stroll around Gion, Kyoto's historic district.
More details on the exact time and location in your travel diary.At the end of this 1 hour 30 walk, your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to eat out!
Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take photographs in the historic district of Gion. -
Day 3 : Gold and Silver Treasures
We recommend the following itinerary for this second day's visit to Kyoto:
- Ryoan-ji Zen Garden
- The Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- The bewitching path of philosophy
- The Nanzen-ji templeOne of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these symbolic sites (optional, from 9:00 to 17:00).
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Day 4 : Between tradition and modernity...
For this fifth day, there are still many places to discover according to your taste: the Arashiyama bamboo grove district, the Shimogamo sanctuary or the Daitoku-ji temple complex... or Kyoto station and its tower for the futuristic side!
Don't hesitate to follow the many suggestions in your travel diary.
Or better still, book an English-speaking guide for the day (optional) to visit Kyoto off the beaten path!
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Day 5 : Now for some activity...
This is your last full day to visit Kyoto, so make the most of our many optional activities:
- Want to enjoy nature? Check out our cycling activities along the Kamogawa River or hiking in the Takao Gorge!
- Prefer Japanese arts? tea ceremonies, meditation activities or private visits to secret gardens will seduce you.
- Looking for Japanese countryside? Let yourself be tempted by a trip to Ohara, or try our flagship activity: on the Tea Road!If you wish to visit at your own pace, continue exploring Kyoto's 2000 unique temples, shrines and gardens!
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Day 6 : Between temples and deer
For that first day out of Kyoto, we recommend taking the 50 minute journey to Nara, which is included in your package.
Visit to Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century.
Discover:
- The Shinto shrine Kasuga Taisha and its thousands of lanterns
- The Todaiji, its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate
- Kofukuji temple and its beautiful pagodaReturn to Kyoto and stop for sunset at Fushimi Inari, the huge 10,000 torii sanctuary in Kyoto. If you wish to be accompanied on this day, one of our English-speaking guides will unveil all the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional, return trip from Kyoto).
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Day 7 : On the trail of the Samurai
On this last day before the day of your departure, we recommend a visit to Himeji Castle and a memorable evening in Osaka.
Himeji, 2 hours 15 by train from Kyoto (a journey with 2 small changes included in your offer) presents the best preserved castle in Japan: the White Heron Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the afternoon, head to Osaka (train and metro included) and its lively Dotonbori district for an unforgettable dinner and evening. Take your time, return trains to Kyoto leave every 10 minutes until 23:30 (50 minute ride).Don't hesitate to ask one of our English speaking guides to visit Osaka for a full day, half day or evening culinary activity.
Also :
- Uji, the city of tea, and Byodo-in, its temple of the phoenix (30 min by train)
- Hikone, its castle and its garden full of cherry blossoms (30 min by train)
- Miyama, and its traditional thatched village (1 hour 30 by bus)
- Lake Biwa and its beaches in summer (20 min by train) -
Day 8 : Sayonara, and see you next time!
Direct transfer to Kansai International Airport (included but not accompanied).
Return flight to Europe, North America, Australia.
Do not hesitate to extend your trip by one or more days to Kansai or elsewhere... We will be able to advise you!








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Accommodation
- 7 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of the city, close to public transport
The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.
Included in your self-guided tour
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Transport
- Airport transfers <> hotel in Kyoto
- Pre-paid public transport prepayment card
- 3-day unlimited transport pass (Kansai Thru Pass)
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Experiences
- Airport welcome
- Guided night tour of Gion (1h30)
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Additional services
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access with pocket wifi
- Complete e-travel diary sent before your departure
- The helpline is available from 8am to 10pm Japanese time, 7 days a week, in English and Japanese. The number will be given to you in your travel pack. It is valid for telephone calls and Whatsapp.
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Not included in the price of your trip
- Flights Europe <> Japan
- Optional insurance policies
- Personal expenses including meals (breakfasts optional)
- Public transport when all 3 cards are exhausted (see details)
- Anything not included in the "included in your tour" section
When you buy, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:
Japan Experience Flex :
Cancellation insurance before departure under conditions.
Japan Experience Protect :
Pre-departure cancellation insurance under conditions and on-site assistance under conditions. COVID protection included.
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