Best of Kyoto
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Port
Kobe, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$340
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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 included
Take a narrated drive through Osaka and travel 100-120 minutes northeast to Kyoto. Originally the seat of Japan's imperial court from 794 to 1868, Kyoto today remains the cultural capital of Japan. As you make your way through the countryside, you'll pass such notable landmarks as Toji Temple -- the tallest pagoda in Japan; and the Kyoto Tower, Kyoto's tallest modern structure.
Your first stop is at UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle, completed in 1626 as the Kyoto residence for Tokugawa Ieyasu. The donjon (keep) was destroyed by fire, but the Ninomaru (second inner palace) remains intact. It was built entirely out of cypress to impress visitors with the shogun's power and wealth. The extravagant interiors are lavished with gold leaf and elaborate wood carvings. It features "nightingale" floors -- designed to squeak if an intruder enters. Some of the rooms in the castle also feature special doors and secret rooms where bodyguards would hide. The gorgeous carvings and screen paintings are the most elaborate. You will also visit the Japanese Shoin-zukuri-style garden, representing the world of Chinese mythological immortals.
Nearby Kinkaku-Ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Special Historic Site. It is one of the most popular attractions in Japan. Built in 1397 as a shogun's retirement villa and converted to a Zen temple upon his death, it sits in the center of a magnificent garden with a wooden pavilion that extends over a reflecting pond. But the most notable feature is its glimmering exterior -- gold leaf gilds the upper two stories.
Enjoy a lunch at a local hotel.
Your tour concludes with a drive via the same scenic route back to the ship in Kobe.
Please note:
This tour is available only to guests whose cruise does not begin or end in Kobe. Travel time to Kyoto is approximately 100 minutes each way. Traffic can be unpredictable; your patience is greatly appreciated if a delay extends the tour duration. Photography and video are not permitted inside Nijo Castle. You must remove your shoes at one or more location(s). Tour requires around 40 minutes of walking at Kinkaku-ji Temple. Terrain includes many steps, uneven surfaces, gravel, grass and inclines. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Bring local currency, as some vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars. Tour sequence may vary.