The Kyoto Morning Tour is a great way to see the city’s most famous places in just one morning. It's perfect for people visiting Kyoto for the first time. A friendly English-speaking guide will take you to Nijo Castle, where you can walk through old wooden halls and see beautiful rooms with detailed decorations.

After that, you’ll visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, shining beside a calm pond and garden. The last stop is the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where Japan’s emperors used to live. This short and easy tour lets you enjoy Kyoto’s history and beauty without taking up your whole day.

What’s Covered

Admission fee
English guide
Round-trip transportation

What’s Extra

Food and drinks
Shopping costs

Good to Know

Temperature checks will be conducted before boarding; entry may be denied if over 37.5°C or if feeling unwell
Tour locations follow health guidelines set by the Japanese government
An e-voucher will be emailed; please present it on your phone at check-in
Tour may be canceled if the minimum number of guests is not met 4 days before departure
Schedule and destinations may change due to health conditions or special closures
On days when Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Nishi Hongan-ji Temple instead
If Nijo Castle is closed, Ryoan-ji Temple will be visited as an alternative
Visitors to the Kyoto Imperial Palace must complete a short form with personal details on the day of the tour
The bus will make a stop at the lunch venue for full-day tour participants before heading to Kyoto Station

Reviews

Kyoto Morning Tour

14 reviews

1/1

Excellent tour, highly recommend!

Great tour, covered the major sites with excellent explanations and history points throughout. Given the location and popularity of the sites, an organised tour was definitely the most efficient way to get around, so very glad I chose to do so. Thanks again, Momo!

Henri M

February 25, 2025

Nice morning tour

Really organized tour, with a very experienced guide. We saw 3 major Kyoto’s sites in the morning in close time. The guide was really helpful and very forthcoming, she had funny little stories and knew much about history and the cultural/historical architecture. So thank you for a very good time with her.

Daniele S

April 17, 2025

Excellent tour, highly recommend!

Henri M

February 25, 2025

Nice morning tour

Daniele S

April 17, 2025

Itinerary

Sunrise Tours Desk (AVANTI B1F) (Scheduled at 08:00)

31 B1F AVANTI, Higashikujo Nishisannocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto

For guests using the pick-up service, transportation will be arranged from select hotels to the main meeting location. All participants will gather at the Sunrise Tours Desk inside AVANTI, located on the B1 floor across from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit. Please arrive early to check in and prepare for departure.

Nijo Castle

Duration: 50 minutes

Visit Nijo Castle, a designated World Heritage Site known for its impressive wooden architecture and historical significance. Explore the Ninomaru Palace with its famous creaking floors and intricate sliding doors.

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

Duration: 45 minutes

Take in the beauty of Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto’s iconic Golden Pavilion. The top floors of this Zen temple are covered in real gold leaf, shining beside a scenic pond and tranquil garden.

Kyoto Imperial Palace or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Duration: 40 minutes

On regular days, the tour visits the Kyoto Imperial Palace, once the residence of Japan’s emperors. If closed (on Mondays or substitute holidays), the tour will go to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, known for its academic blessings and seasonal flowers.

Kyoto Station (Est. 13:00)

Higashishiokōji Kamadonochō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto

The tour concludes at Kyoto Station. No return transfer to hotels is provided. Guests are free to explore more of the city or continue their journey from this central location.