Day 155 Sat June 17, 2021 Kyoto (Kobe) Japan 9:00 to OVERNIGHT

 Day 155 Sat June 17, 2021 Kyoto (Kobe) Japan 9 to OVERNIGHT

Kobe is located by the base of Mount Rokko.

Highlights of Kyoto (KBE-005) June 17, 2023 10:00-6:00 Port: Kyoto (Kobe)

Tour Length: Full-Day (Approximately 8 hours) 

Tour Description

View the 14th-century Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple covered in gold leaf.

See how the temple reflects in the adjacent pond, a feature of Shinden architecture.

Explore Nijo Castle, a World Heritage site that was once the home of a powerful clan.

Be amazed by the castle’s defensive systems, including floors that chirp as a warning.

Explore two of Kyoto’s marquee attractions: the impressive Golden Pavilion and formidable Nijo Castle, a quintessential example of Momoyama architecture, which flourished 400 years ago. Originally built as a three-story home in 1397, the pavilion follows the Shinden style by being positioned at the edge of a tranquil pond. While viewing the pavilion’s exterior, you will notice that the second and third stories are covered in shimmering gold leaf. The mirror reflection of the temple on the glassy pond is another highlight. 

More history awaits you at Nijo Castle, a wooden fortification built in 1603 as the residence of the Tokugawa clan. An esteemed UNESCO World Heritage site, the castle is protected by a moat, stone walls and ingenious nightingale floors, which chirp like a bird when walked upon to alert the guards of potential intruders. Despite its defensive elements, the castle was primarily a home.

Golden Pavilion

HELPFUL HINTS Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.  Bring local currency for shopping.

PLEASE NOTE This tour includes about 2½ hours of moderate walking and a significant number of steps to negotiate. It is not recommended for wheelchair guests or those with mobility concerns who should evaluate their stamina and ability before joining the tour. Guests must remove their shoes to enter Ninomaru Palace in Nijo Castle. Photography or shooting video is not permitted inside the palace. The drive between Kyoto and Osaka is about 1½ hours and subject to traffic delays. The order of the sites viewed or visited may vary.