The Best of Kyoto
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Port
Maizuru, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$350
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 9 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Relax on a scenic two-hour motorcoach ride to Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan.
Your full-day adventure begins with an exterior visit to the gilded Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku-ji Temple. A National Special Historic Site and one of the most popular attractions in Japan the temple was built in 1397 as a shogun's retirement villa and later converted into a Zen temple. It sits in the center of a magnificent garden, with a wooden pavilion extending over a reflecting pond. However, its most notable feature is the glimmering gold leaf that gilds the two upper stories.
Refresh with a Japanese lunch.
In Kyoto itself, you'll visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle — the finest surviving example of Japan's feudal-era castle architecture. Completed in 1603, the castle includes the Ninomaru Palace, whose "nightingale" floors were deliberately built to squeak, alerting guards to an intruder. Its extravagant interiors, built almost entirely out of cypress wood, are ornamented with gold leaf and elaborate woodcarvings.
After lunch at a local hotel, you're off to the Kyoto Handicrafts Center. Take some time to browse and shop here before returning to the ship in Osaka.
Please note:
Travel time between Maizura and Kyoto is approximately 120 minutes each way. Traffic can be unpredictable; your patience is greatly appreciated if a delay extends the tour duration. Expect crowding at the sites. Photography and video are not permitted inside Nijo Castle. You must remove your shoes at one or more location(s). This tour does not enter the Honmaru Palace. Tour requires 2½ hours of walking and standing. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, flagstones, inclines, gravel, grass, and many steps. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc) cannot be accommodated on the transportation. Bring your passport for duty-free shopping. Bring local currency or credit cards, as most vendors do not accept US dollars. Tour sequence may vary.