Kyoto Shore Excursion from Osaka Port or Osaka Hotel
WhY OUR EXCURSION IS UNIQUE
The Unique and the Best Cherry Blossom Excursion to Explore Kyoto
Kyoto was founded in 794 AD, and the Japanese called it "the hometown of the soul", and it is also a cultural symbol of Japan. The original design of this thousand-year-old capital was to imitate Chang'an (Xian) and Luoyang during the Sui and Tang Dynasties of China.
In Japan, there is no other city that provides so many secluded shrines and such wonderful views of the four seasons as Kyoto. In the spring, Arashiyama is pink with cherry blossoms; in the summer, yukata-clad women gather on the corner of Gion at night; in the autumn, maple trees are red at Tofuku-ji Temple; and in winter, Kinkaku-ji Temple is cloudless after a snowfall. On the streets of Kyoto, you can blend in with the crowd, feel the pulse, and experience the secular customs. We will take you to this wonderful old Japanese capital.
Our Japan shore excursions are designed by Western destination experts who live in Japan along with local Japanese tour specialists to showcase all the best attractions in Japan and provide a unique understanding of Japan from a Western perspective. In particular, we know where to find cherry blossoms and autumn leaves in Kyoto that most cruise lines do not emphasize in their shore excursion programs.
Kyoto Excursion Routes
- In-cruise excursion: We will pick you up from Osaka Port for Kyoto Sightseeing and drop you off at Osaka Port after the excursion.
- In-cruise excursion: We will pick you up from Port of Kobe for Kyoto Sightseeing and drop you off at Port of Kobe after the excursion.
- Pre-cruise excursion: We will pick you up from your hotel in Osaka for one-day sightseeing in Kyoto and drop you off at Osaka Port or Kobe Port.
- Post-cruise excursion: We will pick you up from Osaka Port for Kyoto sightseeing and drop you off at your Osaka hotel.
- If your ship docks at Osaka Port or Port of Kobe overnight, we may add a night cherry blossom festival for you.
- Custom excursion on your request.
Highlights of the Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Places
- Discover the most famous Kyoto Golden Pavilion surrounded by cherry blossoms.
- Explore Heian Jingu Shrine to enjoy the feast of cherry blossoms reflected in the water.
- Enjoy the cherry blossom blast in Arashiyama Gorge.
- For overnight passengers, enjoy the Osaka Mint night cherry blossom festival for extended flower exploration. Or, visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple to see more flowers if Osaka Mint is closed for that night.
- Pivate English-speaking tour guide.
- Private transportation.
Tour Brief
Join our one-day guided Kyoto tour from Osaka Port. Explore the former capital city of Japan and its magnificent temples in private transportation. Visit Kyoto's iconic cherry blossom destinations such as Kinkakuji Temple, the Heian Jingu Shrine, Arashiyama Gorge, and Osaka Mint to see the most flowers and enjoy the bustling festival. Our Kyoto shore excursion will bring you to some of the best city sites to discover the core of Japanese culture. Enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch in a famous restaurant.
Cruise passengers: You may get this excursion for FREE if you book the cruise through us or transferring your existing reservation to us (meaning we are your travel agent who booked the cruise for you with nothing changed). Please contact us to learn how.
Kyoto Shore Excursion from Osaka Port
An itinerary by the Clock
Discover the beauty of Kyoto and its historical, cultural, and gastronomic background in private transportation with an English-speaking guide.
*Departure times may vary.
08:00 Depart from Osaka Port heading to Kyoto.
09:15 Arrive at Kinkakuji Temple ( 金閣寺 ), also known as the Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple with its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf. The Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan is a national treasure of Japan and one of the World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO. The layers of cherry blossoms made people feel a little visual shock, and the cherry blossoms burst out like a blast.
11:00 Head to Heian Jingu Shrine (平安神宮) to enjoy the feast of cherry blossoms reflected in the water. Heian Shrine was established in AD 1895 and Meiji 28, which coincided with the 1100th year of Heian's capital relocation. There are many cherry blossoms in shrine, and most of them belong to the weeping cherry blossoms that bloom earlier. The beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms borrowed from the pond water can be said to be one of the famous cherry blossom scenes in Kyoto.
12:00: Lunch in a traditional luxury restaurant. We'll make a reservation ahead of time. 京都𠮷兆 and 下鴨茶寮 are the two most known dining places we recommend.
14:15 Arashiyama Gorge (嵐山峽) is a vast area in the westernmost part of Kyoto City. It is a scene in the classic Japanese literature "The Tale of Genji" and "The Tale of Heike", and it is also a well-known tourist attraction in Kyoto. Arashiyama is named after the cherry blossoms and red leaves flying like a storm. During the cherry blossom season, about 1,500 cherry blossoms in the Arashiyama area, centered on the Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms, can be seen everywhere.
15:00 Start heading back to Osaka Port.
16:10 Arrive at Osaka Port.
If your sailing time is in late evening, we'll be happy to add another famous night cherry blossom festival into the itinerary - Osaka Mint as the final chapter of cherry blossoms. The Mint is usually open for the public to visit museums and factories. It is one of the famous free attractions in Osaka. During the cherry blossom season, the public will be allowed to enter the cherry blossom road (桜の通り抜け) during the one-week period. More than 300 cherry trees are planted on the 560-meter-long cherry blossom road. In addition to enjoying the cherry blossoms, there will also be many festivals on the cherry blossom road. You'll return to your ship at about 20:00.
If Osaka Mint is closed for that night, we'll take you to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The temple is one of the World Heritage Sites. There are 1,500 cherry trees planted in the temple, and the "Shimizu Stage" where the cherry blossoms in the inner courtyard are reflected is picturesque. After sunset, it is also very enjoyable to look at the triple-storied pagoda or the Shimizu Stage illuminated by the lights, and enjoy the cherry blossoms at night
Included
Starting Point
Not Included
- English-speaking guide
- Private transportation
- Admission fees
Not Included
Starting Point
Not Included
- Local lunch or dinner, but your guide will take you to one of the best restaurants in Kyoto for a nice experience.
- Park entrance fees when necessary
- Any personal expenses incurred
Starting Point
Starting Point
Starting Point
Osaka Port
11-8, 3-Chome, Chikko, Minato-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 552-0021
BOOK THE KYOTO EXCURSION
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