Kinkakuji Temple & Arashiyama District On Your Own
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Port
Maizuru, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$149
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
An approximately two-hour panoramic drive takes you through a landscape of lively city streets and quiet country roads.
You're headed to Kyoto and the shimmering beauty of the Golden Pavilion, with the top two floors completely covered in gold leaf. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinkaku-ji Temple, is one of Japan's most visited attractions. Built in 1397 as a shogun's retirement villa and converted to a Zen temple after his death, it sits in a magnificent garden, with a wooden pavilion extending over a reflecting pond. View the exterior only, and walk through the peaceful gardens to marvel at its mirror-like reflection gleaming in the still pond.
In the Arashiyama district, you'll have two hours of free time to explore. This dynamic and time-honored destination has been popular since AD 794. It's known for its breathtaking views of Mt Arashiyama, its Moon-Crossing Bridge, temples, shrines and a Bamboo Grove where plants reach up to 90 feet tall (27m).
Notes:
Travel time to Kyoto is approximately two hours. Traffic can be unpredictable; your patience is greatly appreciated if a delay extends the tour duration; free time in the Arashiyama district may be shortened. Lunch is not included. You will have time to purchase lunch at your own expense during the tour. Tour sequence may vary. Tour requires approximately 40 minutes of walking at Kinkaku-ji Temple. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, flagstones, inclines, gravel, grass, and 30 steps at the Kinkaku-ji Temple. Unfamiliar accents can be challenging; feel free to ask your guide to repeat or elaborate on information, and to speak more slowly so you can fully comprehend and converse. Bring plenty of local currency, as most vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars.