Arashiyama - Maizuru - Kyoto Grand Discovery

General Information

Duration: 10 hours
Start/End: Maizuru port/Maizuru port
Highlights: Arashiyama, Kinkakuji Temple, Nijojo Castle
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Full Itinerary

Picked up by your guide and driver at the arrival port, you will be transferred to the first destination – Arashiyama area. An attractive place that captivates many tourists for its unspoiled natural setting, it is filled with temples and shrines, but the star attraction is the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. You will take a nice walk or bicycle ride through walking paths that cut through the bamboo groves. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products including baskets, boxes, cups, and mats for centuries. After that, set your foot on the nearby Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. It is a great spot for you to view the beauty of cherry blossoms as they are planted adjacent to the bridge.

Your shore excursion continues on to Kinkakuji Temple whose name stands for “Golden Pavilion”. As its name has to offer, the top floors have its exterior completely covered in gold leaf that really left visitors a strong impression. Although you don’t have the permission of entering the pavilion, the architecture inside each floor can be viewed from across the pond. Outside the temple, there are some statues sited in the garden that people throw coins for luck.

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of how advanced medieval Japan was, let’s go to Nijo-jo Castle, one of Kyoto’s most popular and impressive sights. Nijo Castle is divided into three areas the Honmaru (main circle of defense), the Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense) and some surrounding gardens. The entire grounds are surrounded by stone walls, the architecture is well-maintained. So you can soak up some gorgeous interiors and learn more about Japanese culture. Finally, your driver drops you off at the port. Trip ends.