I recently got a chance to join a Kyoto 1-Day Tour by Sunrise Tours! In addition to visiting six popular Kyoto sightseeing spots, I also took advantage of the hotel pickup service and included lunch, which made me feel like I got a great bargain for only JPY 11,600!

I spent the night at the Kyoto Hotel Okura and woke up bright and early to head down to the lobby and wait for my pickup at 8:15 a.m. I was greeted by Sunrise Tours' English speaking staff, and all I had to give was my name and tour name, and I was ready to go!
*Pickup for the Kyoto & Nara 1-Day Tour is along with the Kyoto 1-Day Tour, so make sure you tell the staff the correct tour name!

The picture on the left is of the pickup counter at the New Miyako Hotel. It's directly in front of Kyoto Station, and the last pickup point before tours begin, so it's possible to step directly off of the train to Kyoto and join a Sunrise Tour! To see the full list of hotels with pickup service, click here.

First we visited Nijo-jo Castle, built over 400 years ago and former Imperial residence. Kyoto is most famous for its religious sites, like the many World Heritage temples and shrines, but Nijo-jo Castle is unique in presenting a chance to experience the history of the Tokugawa Shogunate. On Tuesdays in January, July, August, and December (or the following day should they be national holidays) the castle is closed, and the tour visits Ryoanji Temple instead. If you're interested in visiting the heart of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, try a tour that visits Ryoanji!

Popular among Japanese and visitors to Japan alike, Kinkakuji Temple, or the Golden Pavillion, is perhaps Kyoto's most famous temple, and with good reason! On a clear day, the temple's sparkling reflection in the nearby Kyoko Pond is simply a breathtaking sight. Everyone that comes to Kyoto should see this!

The last stop of the morning was Kyoto's Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to publish any photographs from the inside! In order to pass through the earthen walls surrounding the Imperial Palace, usually it's necessary to submit an application by mail or complete a reservation form online in Japanese. Luckily, when joining a tour visiting the palace, all you have to do is fill out a short form given to you on the bus by your tour guide! (*Name, sex, age, and nationality are required fields on the form) Easy access to the normally secluded palace is another great reason to join the Kyoto 1-Day Tour! The palace is closed on Saturdays, and the tour visits Nishi-Honganji Temple instead.

Lunch was a buffet-style affair at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, home to many traditional Japanese workshops. The center is a great place to pick up daily Japanese goods, traditional items like kimonos, and other Japanese souvenirs. Plus, you can try your hand at making some items yourself!

Our first stop after lunch was Heian Jingu Shrine. Built in 1895 to commemorate 1,100 years since the beginning of Kyoto's tenure as Japan's capital, Heian Jingu's goal was to show that Kyoto truly is the heart of Japan.

Although the temple's official name is Rengejyo-in, this temple is more popularly known as Sanjyusangendo for the thirty-three (sanjyusan in Japanese) openings between the pillars of the long main hall. The temple's highlight is the 1,000 Kanon statues arranged in ten rows. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the main hallway, but this temple is definitely worth seeing with your own eyes!

The last stop of the tour never fails to amaze. Kiyomizudera Temple features my favorite view in all of Kyoto: from its main deck you can take in a sweeping unbroken view of the city laid out before you. In spring the temple's cherry blossoms are beautiful, in summer the verdant greenery refreshing, in fall the trees are ablaze in color, and in winter the snow covered grounds silent and serene. Kiyomizudera Temple only gets more beautiful with each visit.

After visiting Kiyomizudera, our tour was over. We all parted ways and took advantage of the dropoff service to hotels around Kyoto. Following the Kyoto 1-Day Tour, it's possible to join the Kyoto Maiko Night and Kyoto Special Night tours, for those who would like to explore Kyoto further.

The chance to see six popular Kyoto spots in one day makes this tour a great choice for Kyoto first-timers. Give it a shot!

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    Click here for a first-hand report of this tour, "Kyoto by Bullet Train!"