Osaka/Kyoto Secret Day Tour: Katsuo-ji Temple, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple/Jojakko-ji Temple, Arashiyama (Departure from Osaka)
- Visit Katsuo-ji Temple to pray for victory, where the mountains are filled with positive energy from red Daruma dolls.
- Visit Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple and see the thousands of stone statues of Buddha's disciples, each with a unique and mysterious appearance.
- Stroll along the ancient street of Sagatoriimoto, where the centuries-old charm feels like stepping back in time.
- Walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to Togetsukyo Bridge and experience the picturesque beauty of Kyoto's four seasons.
What to expect
From the prayer rituals at Katsuoji Temple to the mysterious Arhats at Atago Nenbutsu-ji Temple, and then to the ancient streets and bamboo groves of Arashiyama, this day brings together a perfect journey of spiritual wishes, exploration of hidden gems, and natural scenery.
- Katsuoji Temple, located near Osaka, with its vermilion mountain gate and purification bridge, creates an atmosphere brimming with positive energy. The mountain full of Daruma dolls carries the wishes and indomitable spirit of every pilgrim. Choose a Daruma doll, write down your goal, and draw its right eye to experience a unique prayer ritual. After passing the offering stand to reach the main hall, listen to the continuous chanting that takes place 365 days a year, bringing peace to the mind. Benzaiten and the Tahoto Pagoda add cultural and ritualistic significance to the journey.
- Afterwards, head to Atago Nenbutsu-ji Temple in Sagano, Kyoto, where thousands of stone Arhats with diverse expressions and lively forms make you feel as if you’ve stepped into the fantastical world of “Spirited Away.” Note: Starting from November 2025, Atago Nenbutsu-ji Temple will be closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If it is a closed day, the visit will be changed to Jojakko-ji Temple. As Jojakko-ji Temple does not have parking, visitors will need to walk approximately 20 minutes from a large parking lot to the temple. Stroll along the temple’s paths, where sunlight filters through onto moss-covered stone steps. The scenery changes with each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant reds in autumn, and snow in winter. Every step allows you to feel the fusion of nature and spirit.
- A self-guided tour of Arashiyama (You can book the Arashiyama Scenic Railway experience yourself. Suggested train times: 14:02~14:25 for the outbound journey, 14:30~14:56 for the return journey) allows for leisurely wandering. The bamboo grove path offers gentle breezes, and the old streets of Saga-Toriimoto are quaint and ancient. Cafes and handicraft shops blend into the traditional machiya style, and the unique prayers at Mikami Shrine add an interesting touch. Tenryu-ji Temple’s garden changes with the seasons, and Togetsukyo Bridge spans the Katsura River. Each scene is like a Kyoto painting, perfectly concluding a dreamlike day.
- This day, from spiritual prayers to exploring hidden gems, and then to strolling through ancient streets, every step is suitable for photography, checking in, and slow travel, making the journey not just about sightseeing, but also a deeply immersive spiritual experience.


























Reviews
Abigail is a very pleasant and informative guide. She is approachable and communicates effectively. I was impressed that she could speak English, Chinese and possibly Japanese also. She considered the tour groups optional location choices and offered helpful suggestions as well. We were the first tour group to make Katsuo-jii temple so we did get some amazing photos with fewer background crowds and it was easy to navigate. Meeting point times were made clear and strictly adhered to and thankfully, our group respected that. The travel tour group consisted of 12 including the driver and Abi herself. The van was comfortably air conditioned, clean and tidy and suitable for the group size.
tour was well organized. our tour guide yang, was very informative, accomodating, and helpful. not to forget, also goodlooking and fashionable. this tour is highly recommended
Had a great trip to Katsouji and Arashiyama. The guide explained things really well, gave clear directions, and even helped us take nice photos. Made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable!
I'm so grateful to have met the handsome tour guide Ziyang, who led us through a perfect day. If you're in Ziyang's group, you're as lucky as we were today! He's not only considerate but also extremely dedicated to explaining the historical and cultural aspects of the attractions throughout the trip ❤️. He also carefully oversees our travel precautions and safety and can quickly resolve any problems that arise. I've been on many trips through Klook, but Ziyang is the first guide I've met who I want to write a positive review for ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Highly recommended! I hope Klook can bring in more energetic and spirited guides like him 👍. And Ziyang's ability to switch between Chinese, English, and Japanese is really impressive 😊. We also want to thank the driver for personally folding origami Santa Clauses for us as Christmas🧑🎄 approaches ❤️.
Highly recommended. Our driver was on time, efficient and friendly. Woukd gladly do it again when I am back in Osaka
The tour guide was notably quiet and functioned less as an informational resource and more as a facilitator for transfers and a translator for the driver. The experience was more about destination transport—getting us comfortably to various locations—than a guided tour. Once we arrived at each spot, we were largely on our own to use our personal research to follow our itinerary. The driver was polite and actually provided more guidance, offering snippets of information and clearly communicating the required meeting times. Overall, it was an average experience, but kudos to the driver and the beautiful locations!
A very nice tour! You can easily get to the three places, which are very well-visited - a bit too well-visited! But all in all, it was really worthwhile, I had a great day 🙂
Katsuo-ji Temple is beautiful. If you go on your own, the transportation isn't very convenient, but it's great with a tour group. I was also happy to successfully print a postcard. Arashiyama is also beautiful and well worth a visit. I'm grateful for the beautiful weather; it was sunny when we were sightseeing, and it started raining heavily after we got on the tour bus.
Love it. It is really worth it. The meet up point was clear and Casper (our tour guide) contact me to me one day a head to give a very clear detail to meet up. Casper is very attentive and give us a really good advice even for the photo spot. So we can manage perfect timing for each location. Not too long and not too little. Just perfect time for each location. She always explain every place before we reach and when at location she help everyone. Also offer to help us and other to take a beautiful photo. Casper really make the trip so enjoyable and knowledable. Truely apprecialte Casper for making a memorial trip.
Simple tour group. Basically, you'll see the tour guide right outside the station. No problem with bilingualism (Cantonese/Mandarin) and English. Mr. Cave was our guide. The two-hour itinerary at Katsuo-ji Temple was great, with walking, taking pictures, and having fun. You can hop off the bus anytime. The temple has I Ching divination slips.
Good to know
- [Notice for Elderly and Pregnant Tourists] If the applicant is over 70 years old or a pregnant woman, a waiver must be signed to protect your safety and rights. Please note this in the "Special Needs" column when placing your order, and we will send the agreement file by email after receiving the order. Please sign and return the photo in advance to complete the registration process.
- [Baggage Carrying Regulations] Each tourist can carry 1 piece of luggage for free (it is recommended to be within the size of a boarding case). Please indicate this in the "Special Needs" column when booking. If you bring it temporarily and do not inform us one day in advance, it may cause congestion in the carriage and affect safety. The tour guide has the right to refuse boarding, and the fee will not be refunded.
- [Notes for Traveling with Infants] If there are infants under 3 years old who do not occupy seats among the passengers, please be sure to note this when booking. Even if they do not occupy a seat, they must be included in the number of passengers in the vehicle. If you do not inform us in advance, the tour guide has the right to refuse boarding.
- [Notification Time and Method] We will send an email between 20:00 and 21:00 the day before departure to inform you of the tour guide and vehicle information. The email may be misjudged as spam, so please pay attention to check it. In case of peak season or special circumstances, the email sending time may be delayed, subject to the last email.
- [Meeting and Lateness Instructions] This activity is a group tour, so please be sure to arrive at the meeting point on time. Late arrivals will not be waited for or refunded, and you will be responsible for any resulting responsibilities and expenses. Thank you for your understanding.
- [Vehicle Type and Accompanying Language Instructions] We will arrange the vehicle type according to the number of people on the day, and we cannot specify the vehicle type. You may be traveling in the same car with guests who use other languages during the trip, please be aware of this.
- [Meeting Location Confirmation] Please be sure to confirm the meeting location before departure. Once the meeting location is confirmed, please do not change it temporarily. If you are unable to board the bus due to personal reasons for changing the meeting location, you will not be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.
- [Seasonal Activity Instructions] Seasonal limited activities such as cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, special flower seasons, snow scenes, lantern festivals, and festive activities are susceptible to weather or other force majeure factors. If you do not receive an official cancellation notice, the itinerary will proceed as usual. If the flowering period or landscape is not as expected, no refund will be given. Please be aware of this.
- [Departure Time May Be Adjusted] During peak tourist season or in special circumstances, the departure time of the itinerary may be advanced or delayed. The specific time will be subject to the email notification the day before. Please be prepared in advance.
- [Seat Arrangement Instructions] In principle, group tours adopt a first-come, first-served seat arrangement. If you have special needs, please note this when booking, and we will do our best to coordinate, but the final arrangement is subject to the tour guide's on-site scheduling.
- [Itinerary Sequence Adjustment Instructions] Due to Japan's strict control over the operating vehicle's usage time, the attractions, transportation, and stay time included in the itinerary will be flexibly arranged according to the situation on the day. In case of traffic jams, weather changes, or other special circumstances, the tour guide will solicit the opinions of the majority and reasonably adjust the order or reduce some attractions. Please cooperate.
- [No Leaving the Group Midway] The itinerary is a group activity and cannot be left midway or left without authorization. If you choose to leave the group midway, the remaining itinerary will be regarded as a voluntary abandonment, and the fee will not be refunded. The individual shall bear the risks or responsibilities arising after leaving the group.
- [End Time is for Reference Only] As the itinerary has a long car ride, the return arrival time may be affected by traffic or weather. It is recommended that you avoid arranging other activities on the day the itinerary ends. Our company will not be liable for compensation for losses caused by delays.
- [Small Group Description] If there are fewer guests traveling, we will arrange a small car. Please note that due to the long car journey, the small vehicles used may not be as comfortable as large buses, and the space inside the car is limited. To ensure the riding experience of all passengers, please do not bring large luggage (such as large suitcases). In addition, small group drivers will prioritize safe driving, and the content of explanations along the way may be simpler than large groups. Thank you for your understanding. It is recommended that you fully evaluate whether the itinerary format meets your personal needs before signing up. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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