Kyoto & Uji Full-Day Food & Sightseeing Tour

3.9 / 5
12 reviews
200+ booked
Departing from Osaka, Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji
  • Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple to admire traditional Japanese architecture and seasonal scenery
  • Stroll along Ninenzaka Slope and capture beautiful Japanese-style photos
  • Enjoy a Japanese-style coffee experience at the Starbucks concept store
  • Make a wish at Koshindo Temple and experience unique prayer culture
  • Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) to admire the dazzling gold-leaf-covered pavilion and its reflection on the lake
  • Sample fresh treats on Matcha Street and savor the flavor of Uji matcha

What to expect

This one-day trip to Kyoto and Uji, two ancient capitals, was amazing!

Our first stop was Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). This temple, adorned with gold leaf, is reflected in the Mirror Lake, shimmering and shining, making one marvel at the magnificence of "Ikkyu-san's" residence.

Next, we arrived at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where you can admire the ancient architecture and enjoy the unique charm of each season. It’s a great place for taking beautiful photos. Strolling along Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, you’ll feel like you’re in a painting, easily capturing stunning Japanese-style photos. Step into Kyoto’s unique Starbucks concept store and experience the special Japanese-style coffee atmosphere. Make a wish at Kongo-ji Yasaka Koshin-do Temple with its colorful balls and experience a special prayer culture.

Finally, we arrived in Uji, a famous matcha region and a well-known historical capital. You can stroll along Matcha Street and taste authentic matcha delicacies, or visit the Tale of Genji Museum to learn about Japan's historical classic.

In Uji, we recommend the following itineraries (we suggest you choose one of the following to visit):

Recommendation 1: Byodo-in Omotesando Matcha Street

Recommendation 2: The Tale of Genji Museum

[Kiyomizu-dera Temple] The head temple of the Hosso sect (Northern branch) of Japanese Buddhism, and the oldest temple in Kyoto.
[Kiyomizu-dera Temple] The head temple of the Hosso sect (Northern branch) of Japanese Buddhism, and the oldest temple in Kyoto.
The three streams of Otowa Waterfall symbolize health, academics, and matchmaking. Many people line up to collect the water and pray for good fortune.
The three streams of Otowa Waterfall symbolize health, academics, and matchmaking. Many people line up to collect the water and pray for good fortune.
[Kyoto & Uji Two Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka & Fushimi Inari Shrine Senbon Torii & Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto)
The Kiyomizu-dera Stage is built suspended in the air without using a single nail, surrounded by lush greenery, where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and admire the autumn leaves in fall.
The Kiyomizu-dera Stage is built suspended in the air without using a single nail, surrounded by lush greenery, where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and admire the autumn leaves in fall.
【Nijo-zaka Slope】 Connects Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine, with many traditional Japanese-style buildings and unique shops along the way.
【Nijo-zaka Slope】 Connects Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine, with many traditional Japanese-style buildings and unique shops along the way.
[Kongo-ji Yasaka Koshin-do Temple—Wishing with Colorful Balls] This temple features many vibrant, colorful balls that hang throughout the grounds, creating a visually stunning display.
[Kongo-ji Yasaka Koshin-do Temple—Wishing with Colorful Balls] This temple features many vibrant, colorful balls that hang throughout the grounds, creating a visually stunning display.
Legend says that if you make a wish at the Gengshen Hall and hang an ema (votive tablet) with your wish written on it under a colored ball, your wish may come true.
Legend says that if you make a wish at the Gengshen Hall and hang an ema (votive tablet) with your wish written on it under a colored ball, your wish may come true.
[Kyoto Starbucks Unique Concept Store] Integrating the traditional architectural style of Kyoto, it features Japanese-style tatami seating, allowing customers to experience a unique Japanese coffee culture.
[Kyoto Starbucks Unique Concept Store] Integrating the traditional architectural style of Kyoto, it features Japanese-style tatami seating, allowing customers to experience a unique Japanese coffee culture.
【Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine】The head shrine of more than 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan, and also the oldest shrine in Kyoto.
[Kinkaku-ji Temple] Also known as Rokuon-ji, it is world-renowned for its dazzling, three-story golden pavilion.
Senbon Torii: This is a filming location for "Memoirs of a Geisha."
This national treasure-level building is wrapped in gold leaf, shimmering in the sunlight, and its reflection in Mirror Lake is dreamlike.
[Kyoto & Uji Two Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka & Fushimi Inari Shrine Senbon Torii & Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto)
It is one of Japan's most iconic architectural landmarks and a stunning must-see destination in Kyoto.
[Kyoto & Uji Twin Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Senbon Torii Gates, Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (Osaka/Kyoto Departure)
[Kyoto & Uji Twin Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Senbon Torii Gates, Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (Osaka/Kyoto Departure)
[Kyoto & Uji Twin Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Senbon Torii Gates, Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (Osaka/Kyoto Departure)
[Byodo-in Temple] A representative of Heian period pond-spring boating garden temples, it houses a seated statue of "Amitabha Tathagata," which is a designated national treasure and depicted on the 10-yen coin.
[Byodo-in Temple] A representative of Heian period pond-spring boating garden temples, it houses a seated statue of "Amitabha Tathagata," which is a designated national treasure and depicted on the 10-yen coin.
[Kyoto & Uji Two Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka & Fushimi Inari Shrine Senbon Torii & Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto)
Uji Saho River
[Kyoto & Uji Two Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka & Fushimi Inari Shrine Senbon Torii & Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto)
Byodo-in Temple is engraved on the 10-yen coin. The vermilion building presents a magnificent appearance under the blue sky, and the reflection on the water is stunning!
[Kyoto & Uji Twin Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Senbon Torii Gates, Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (Osaka/Kyoto Departure)
[Kyoto & Uji Twin Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Senbon Torii Gates, Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (Osaka/Kyoto Departure)
【Matcha Street】This street is lined with shops selling matcha products, where you can enjoy a variety of matcha delicacies to your heart's content.
【Matcha Street】This street is lined with shops selling matcha products, where you can enjoy a variety of matcha delicacies to your heart's content.
[Kyoto & Uji Two Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka & Fushimi Inari Shrine Senbon Torii & Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto)
Nakamura Tokichi Main Store
[Kyoto & Uji Twin Ancient Capitals] Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Senbon Torii Gates, Uji Byodo-in Temple Matcha Gourmet Tour (Osaka/Kyoto Departure)
【The Tale of Genji Museum】This museum is themed around "The Tale of Genji," a renowned Japanese classical literary work, allowing visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of this masterpiece and the social context of the time.
【The Tale of Genji Museum】This museum is themed around "The Tale of Genji," a renowned Japanese classical literary work, allowing visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of this masterpiece and the social context of the time.

Reviews

3.9 / 5
Good
12 reviews
Guide
3.8
Itinerary
4.2
Quality of transfer
3.9
Value for money
3.9
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All With photos English only
Review for: Limited Daily Specials

Great, great. Some minor incidents were well resolved. The guide and driver's service and knowledge are great. Their temper and personality are great. I hope to have the opportunity to recommend it to others. There are not many people in this group, so go for it!

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

Many thanks to Nick Lee for his guidance!

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

I heard it was a new route and not many people knew about it, so our family of five got to take a chartered tour. We were so lucky! The driver and guide, Li Xiang, is very reliable: he explains in detail, shares a lot of historical anecdotes, and the recommended internet-famous dessert shop is also super delicious! The only drawback was that the trip ended at 4 o'clock and we returned from Uji. The price is around 300 yuan, which is still highly recommended.

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

Today's temple tour was great, the environment was beautiful, and it was cool and comfortable to walk.

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

Great way to see the main spots of Kyoto and uji if you're limited on time and want to get the best of the city. We only had a day to visit Kyoto so the tour was perfect for us. Wished we got to spend more time at Kinkaku ji though but we still enjoyed ! Nicklee was very professionnal and super friendly. We were a small group so it made the experience better :) I Definitely recommend the tour !

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

last june 20, we my wife with 2 daughters joined this tour. The tour guide was Chris. 1st, pick-up point in Kyoto should be infront of Avanti. But, we walked around 200meters going to the bus. 2nd, in Kiyomizudera, we were not dropped in the parking area instead we walked around 900 meters on a very hot sunny day (you can tell from the photo), also in the photo bus number 28-23 on the drop off area. 3rd, the guide “Chris” started a shouting incident in the bus with a guest because his companions were late. My daughters were traumatized with the incident.

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

Tour guide Li Xiang was very friendly, and the car was spacious and clean. He introduced us a lot of background and stories about the attractions along the way, saving us the energy and time to plan the journey. Our family had a great time, and I highly recommend Tour Guide Li Xiang!

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

Good Service n ontime n Good driver

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Review for: Limited Daily Specials

I would like to express my disappointment with this tour. Were it not for the company of my family, I would have considered this trip a waste of time. Several issues impacted the overall quality and enjoyment of the tour. These included a delayed pickup, confusion about the correct pickup location, and an inconvenient drop-off arrangement at Kiyomizu-dera. Furthermore, the conduct of the tour guide, Chris, during the delay was particularly troubling. She appeared to lack the professionalism and experience necessary to handle such situations appropriately. I do admit that I was eight minutes late at one point. But, I had informed the tour guide in advance that I was on my way to the bus. Despite this, I was informed by my cousin that the guide intended to leave with my belongings still on board. This raised serious concerns about the safety and security of personal items. If my cousin hadn’t intervened, I’m certain she left without me. I was also shame called by her publicly.

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Review for: Pick-up and drop-off in Osaka or Kyoto

Plenty of time, so you can take your time browsing and buying. Recommended itinerary.

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Good to know

  • 【Regarding License Plate and Guide Information】The supplier will inform you of the next day's meeting time, guide information, and license plate number via email between 16:00 and 22:00 (Japan Time) the day before departure. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder first. If you still haven't received it, please contact the supplier promptly! If you receive multiple emails, the latest one received shall prevail.
  • 【Regarding Luggage Allowance】Each person is allowed one free piece of luggage. For extra luggage, you can pay JPY 2000/piece to the driver-guide on-site. Please be sure to indicate this when placing your order. If you do not inform us in advance, the driver-guide has the right to refuse you to board the vehicle, and the tour fee will not be refunded.
  • 【Regarding Guide Service】Driver-guide service: Small, intimate groups of 4-13 people; Driver + tour guide service: Bus tours of 14-45 people. The actual arrangement will be adjusted according to the number of people on the tour that day. The driver-guide will primarily focus on driving, with explanations as a supplement.
  • 【Regarding Force Majeure】Arrival times for each itinerary may vary depending on the traffic conditions, weather, holidays, and crowds on the day. In the event of the aforementioned or other force majeure factors, the tour guide has the right to adjust and reduce the itinerary on-site. We ask for your understanding, and refunds will not be granted for these reasons.
  • 【Regarding Lateness and Refunds】As day trips are shared car services, if you are late at the meeting point or at an attraction, you will not be waited for, and no refund will be given. Please be aware of this.
  • 【Regarding Language Services】Depending on the situation on the day, travelers who have chosen different guiding languages may be arranged in the same vehicle. Please be aware of this.
  • 【Regarding Attractions】If some attractions are closed on the day, the driver-guide will adjust the itinerary based on the situation on the day.

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