Osaka & Kyoto & Nara Popular Spots Day Tour | Katsuoji Temple Daruma Wall + Arashiyama Bamboo Forest + Nara Park | English & Chinese Speaking Guide | (Departing from Osaka)
- Exclusive map, don't miss any major highlights
- Professional English & Chinese speaking guide, enjoy a relaxing and worry-free trip in Kansai
- Popular Katsuoji Temple: Explore the temple with a stamp rally route and receive a unique commemorative postcard
- Visit Arashiyama for 2 hours and 30 minutes, with plenty of time to see all the sights
- Important Notice!!! Deer crackers will no longer be provided during the tour effective immediately
Package Options
Product Info
ーKansai Popular Spots Day Tourー
Explore the must-visit spots in Kansai in just one day. Visit the trendy photo spot Katsuoji Temple, the romantic Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and interact with deer in Nara for a fulfilling and wonderful journey.
Itinerary: Depart from Osaka → Katsuoji Temple → Arashiyama → Togetsukyo Bridge → Nara Park → Return
Stop 1 | Katsuoji Temple: Come and find the Daruma that will bring you good luck. 【Admission fee to be paid on-site】Adults (High school students and above): 500 JPY / Elementary & Middle school students: 400 JPY / Preschoolers (3 years and older): 100 JPY / Under 2 years old: Free
A famous temple in Osaka for blessings, known as the 'Temple of Victory.' The temple is filled with Daruma dolls symbolizing good luck and is a popular spot for blessings and autumn foliage in Kansai. Photo spot recommendation: Don't forget to stamp a beautiful postcard and bring home your own Daruma doll.
Stop 2 | Arashiyama: Experience the charm of nature even without the scenic train. Famous for the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest Path. The bamboo trail stretches for about 400 meters, feeling like entering a fairyland—peaceful and healing. Photo spot recommendation: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Path, Togetsukyo Bridge
Stop 3 | Nara: In these historic streets, you will find hundreds of free-roaming deer, as well as the World Heritage sites Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, all of which are must-visit photo spots. Photo spot recommendation: Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Katsuo-ji Temple is famous for its auspicious feng shui practices, and its grounds are dotted with Daruma dolls symbolizing good fortune and success.
The gate of Katsuo-ji Temple, shrouded in mist, is photogenic from every angle.
Don't forget to collect postcards using the exclusive YOUTOURBUS map while you're at Katsuoji Temple!
Choose your own Bodhidharma
The Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama is a representative bridge located on the Katsura River in Arashiyama. The name of the bridge means "the bridge over which the moon crosses".
The towering bamboo groves on both sides form a lush green trail, an absolute must-see photo spot.
Arashiyama Kimono Forest is famous for its colorful kimono-patterned colonnades, blending tradition and art, and is one of Arashiyama's most popular photo spots.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara Park is also a World Heritage Site.
At Nara Park, you can see hundreds of Nara deer (it is recommended not to get too close to the deer!)
Purchase Notice
[Tourism Conditions]
Travel departure point & destination: Osaka & Kyoto
Trip duration: Day trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Meals included: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum group size: 8 people
Tour Leaders: 0 Tour Guides: 1
【Travel Planning/Implementation】
Operating Company Name: YOUTOUR Co., Ltd.
Address: No. 8-20, Hakata Station 3-chome, Hakata Station, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
License Number: Tourism Authority of Taiwan Registered Travel Agent No. 2099
Travel Association Name: Japan Travel Industry Association (JATA) - Full Member
Reminders
A minimum of 8 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 5 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 17:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Please arrive at the meeting point by 7:55 AM. The tour guide will leave the meeting point and return to the bus after 7:55 AM. If you are late for the meeting time, as other passengers are waiting, we regret that we will not contact you to ensure on-time departure. No refunds or changes will be made for late arrivals or absences at the meeting time. Please understand that guests arriving/departing on the same day cannot join the tour.
Each passenger may bring a maximum of one piece of luggage free of charge, and please be sure to note it in the "Special Requests" section when placing your order. If you bring extra luggage at the last minute, due to limited space in the vehicle, it may not be possible to arrange for its placement, and this may affect driving safety and the rights of other passengers. We cannot guarantee that we can assist in handling such cases.
Each adult can bring one child under 3 years old free of charge, without a seat. Please indicate this when booking. Child seats are not provided for this tour.
For your safety while traveling, please purchase personal overseas traveler insurance.
As Japanese law stipulates that vehicles cannot be used for more than 10 hours, the tour guide will adjust the itinerary time for each attraction based on the actual situation of the day. Thank you for your understanding!
The specific itinerary schedule may be adjusted depending on the weather, traffic, and flower conditions on the day. The tour guide's arrangements will prevail. Please understand that this is a group tour; early departure or leaving the group midway is not permitted. If a traveler chooses to leave the group midway, it will be considered a voluntary abandonment of the unfinished itinerary, and no refund will be given. Furthermore, any accidents or losses incurred after a traveler leaves the group will be the sole responsibility of the traveler. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
To provide higher quality service, a dedicated tour guide will be assigned to each bus, regardless of its size.
Please keep your valuables safe. At the end of the trip, please double-check that you have not forgotten anything. Smoking is prohibited on the bus. Please clean up all your trash after the trip.
Once your itinerary is confirmed, the system will send your tour voucher via email. Please check your inbox. If you haven't received it, please check your spam/junk mail folder first. If you still cannot find it, please contact customer service as soon as possible to avoid affecting your trip. We will be happy to assist you.
Depending on the number of passengers booked on the day, different sizes and types of buses may be available. This tour offers unreserved seating; seats are not assigned. To avoid disputes during the journey, please ensure you have a reserved seat from the start of the trip and remain in that seat until the end. Passengers who wish to select front-row seats should board the bus early to choose their seats. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
FAQ
1. What is the primary spiritual purpose or significance of Katsuoji Temple?
Katsuoji Temple is renowned as a "temple of winning luck" (勝尾寺, Katsuō-ji), dedicated to helping people achieve victory in various aspects of life, from academics and business to sports and personal goals. Visitors come to pray for success and overcome challenges. The temple is especially famous for its countless Daruma dolls, which are offered by devotees who have achieved their goals, symbolizing their victories and hopes for continued success.
2. Does Katsuoji Temple require an admission fee for entry?
Yes, Katsuoji Temple does require an admission fee to enter its grounds. This fee contributes to the maintenance of the temple's beautiful gardens, historic structures, and numerous Daruma doll offerings, ensuring that visitors can continue to enjoy its unique spiritual atmosphere and scenic beauty.
3. How long should visitors plan to spend exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove?
Visitors typically spend about 30 to 60 minutes walking through the main path of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. However, if you wish to take your time for photography, soak in the tranquil atmosphere, or explore nearby temples like Tenryu-ji Temple or Okochi Sanso Villa, you might want to allocate 1 to 2 hours for the entire Arashiyama area to fully appreciate its charm.
4. What unique experiences can visitors have within the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove?
In the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, visitors can immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere created by towering bamboo stalks, which form a natural canopy. The rustling sound of the bamboo in the wind is a particularly unique and soothing experience. It's a popular spot for photography, capturing the interplay of light and shadow among the dense bamboo. Many also enjoy the traditional Japanese experience of strolling through the grove while wearing a rented kimono.
5. Is there an admission fee to enter the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove?
No, there is generally no admission fee required to walk through the main path of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove itself, as it is a public pathway accessible to everyone. However, some nearby attractions within the wider Arashiyama area, such as Tenryu-ji Temple or Okochi Sanso Villa, do have separate admission fees if you choose to enter them.
6. How can visitors best access the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and explore the surrounding area?
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is easily accessible by foot, located just a short walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station or Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railroad. Once you arrive, the best way to explore the grove and its immediate surroundings is by walking along the designated paths. For a more comprehensive experience of the wider Arashiyama area, visitors can also consider a scenic boat ride on the Hozugawa River or a rickshaw tour, which provides guided insights into the local culture and landmarks.
7. Do visitors need to pay an admission fee to enter Nara Park?
No, Nara Park is publicly owned and is free to enter, allowing visitors to explore its vast green spaces and interact with the famous wild deer without any admission cost. However, specific attractions located within or adjacent to the park, such as Todai-ji Temple or Kofuku-ji Temple, do have separate entrance fees if you wish to visit their interior halls or grounds.
8. What is the approximate scale of Nara Park and what can visitors expect to see there?
Nara Park is quite expansive, covering approximately 502 hectares (about 1,240 acres), making it significantly larger than many well-known theme parks. Visitors can expect to encounter hundreds of free-roaming wild sika deer, which are considered messengers of the gods. Besides interacting with the deer, the park is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple. The vast natural setting also offers beautiful scenery, especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
