Excursion Kyoto arashiyama bamboo forest & rickshaw ride tour at Osaka

Explore the revered landmarks of Kyoto in a unique new way during this bespoke, full-day sightseeing excursion with lunch.

Osaka, Tenryu-ji Temple

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to Arashiyama. Upon arrival, your first stop is at Tenryu-ji, the head temple of the Tenryu branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha, and its first chief priest was Muso Soseki. Construction was completed in 1345. Due to its connection to both the Ashikaga family and Emperor Go-Daigo, the Tenryu-ji Temple is held in extremely high esteem, and ranked number one among Kyoto's so-called ‘Five Mountains’. In 1994, it was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the ‘Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto’. Leaving the temple, re-board your coach and head to the Bamboo Forest.

Arashiyama, Rickshaw Ride, Bamboo Forest, Free Time, Shopping, Moon Crossing Bridge, Lunch

Despite being one of the city's top attractions, the mystical bamboo path at Arashiyama is a great change-of-pace for your day in Kyoto. Upon arrival, take a leisurely, approximately 30-minute rickshaw ride through the Bamboo Forest. Some free time is made available to browse for souvenirs of your visit amongst the local vendors and explore the Arishiyama area at your leisure. See the Togetsukyo Bridge (Moon Crossing Bridge), Arashiyama’s most iconic landmark. Originally built during the Heian Period (794 -1185), the bridge was most-recently reconstructed in the 1930s and looks particularly attractive in the foreground of the forested mountainside. Next, re-board your coach and proceed for a Japanese lunch at a local restaurant.

Golden Pavilion

After lunch, re-board your coach and head for an exterior visit at the Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion). Built as a villa during the Muromachi Period in 1397, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was later converted into a temple. The temple burned down in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955. It is approximately 41 feet (about 12.5 metres) in height, and the second-and-third storeys are covered with approximately two tons (about 1.8 metric tons) of pure gold foil. The mirror reflection on the still pond in the garden is a marvellous site to behold. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately two-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Osaka, Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama, Rickshaw Ride, Bamboo Forest, Free Time, Shopping, Moon Crossing Bridge, Local Restaurant, Lunch, Golden Pavilion

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1.86 miles (about three kilometres), at times over uneven, cobblestone, and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and rickshaw, and at the sites visited. Walking at the Arashiyama area is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a sweater or light jacket, bottled water, and Japanese Yen or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Although credit cards are mostly accepted, Japanese Yen is required for any purchases; guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior to the cruise. Proper attire is required to enter temples and shrines; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Guests must be at least 12 years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Guests must be at least 20 years old to participate in tastings of alcoholic beverages. Infrastructure in Osaka may be basic, and local conditions may be challenging; coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other ports. Therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique, less-touristic destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in this area is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring regions, as vehicles and guides are brought in from the whole region. This may be reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The driving time between the pier and sites visited is approximately 1.5-two hours in each direction. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.