Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 24 travelers
Overview
Visit three significant Kyoto temples: Honganji, Sanju Sangendo, and Chishaku-in to see impeccable views of the city, beautiful historic gardens, iconic statues, and traditionally painted national treasures with a nationally-certified tour guide-interpreter.
Highlights of the tour include:
◆ View Kyoto from above at Kyoto Station’s rooftop garden
◆ Walk the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a head temple of the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism
◆ Walk along Takase River with its historic townhouses to see the daily lives of the Kyoto locals
◆ Visit Higashi Honganji Temple’s Goeido, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world
◆ Be among 1,001 Buddhist statues at Sanjusangen-do Temple
◆ See Chishaku-in Temple’s gorgeous painted screens, designated as National Treasures of Japan
What's included
Entrance to Chishakuin Temple
Nationally accredited tour guide-interpreter
Entrance to Sanjusangendo Temple
Any food or beverages
Transportation to the meeting place
What to expect
Kyoto Station Building
15m
You will first meet your guide at JR Kyoto Station, a futuristic marvel made of steel and plate glass. From there, you will head to the 15th floor, where you can enjoy excellent views of the city from a peaceful rooftop garden.
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
45m
After the station, you will then head down one of Kyoto’s quieter alleys to Higashi Honganji Temple, one of two head temples of the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism, the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. At Higashi Honganji, you will visit, among other buildings, the impressive Goeido hall, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. Consisting of towering high ceilings and gold fittings, it is a sight to be seen.
1h
Next, you will arrive at Sanjusangen-do Temple (officially called “Rengo-in Temple”). Here, you can see a large gold statue of the “thousand-armed” Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of Mercy, flanked by 1,000 human-sized replicas — a breathtaking scene, unlike anywhere else in the world.
Chishaku-in
50m
At Chishaku-in Temple, the last destination on this tour, you can see artworks painted by Hasegawa Tohaku and his pupils. Tohaku was one of the greatest Japanese painters of the 16th century, and the beautiful gold-leaf screens displayed here showcase the very best of his skills (three of them are even designated National Treasures). The temple is also known for its lush strolling garden, where visitors can appreciate a beautiful green landscape atop a man-made hill. The garden is centered around a pond and some highlights include its striking azalea area, which is vibrantly colorful in mid-spring.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
Please meet us at Kyoto Station's Open Air Plaza ("Ozora Hiroba").
End point
Please meet us at Kyoto Station's Open Air Plaza ("Ozora Hiroba").
Additional information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
