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Kyoto Sightseeing Bus to Arashiyama → Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) → Fushimi Inari-taisha → Kiyomizudera

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Going to Top Kyoto Sightseeing Spots with 🚌WOW BUS!🚌

The Most Popular Place to Visit in Japan 2018, Kyoto

Recently Kyoto has been the #1 place to visit in Japan,
and it's easy to see why…
it's the formal Imperial capital of Japan (its name even means "capital city"),
famous for green tea,
geisha/maiko/oiran, gardens, old tea houses,
small "old Japan" style building, 
making it the heart of the remaining traditional side of Japan.
Despite all of those great factors,
it isn't as easy to get around and visit places in Kyoto as it is in say Tokyo.
Which makes things even more stressful when traveling.
That's why we wanted to recommend a sightseeing bus service we took this last trip to Kyoto.

🚌3 Reasons to Recommend WOW BUS🚌



① Transportation 

Kyoto's transportation isn't as developed as Tokyo or even Osaka, the only means of transportation is bus, car, or bike. Which means there is a lot of walking here and there. It's almost inevitable when sightseeing, no matter how hard you try to pack light, you'll have stuff to lug around which is just exhausting



② English Speaking Guide

Our tour guide spoke English, but there are also Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and Thai available as well.
Once you off the bus, the tour guide took us to the main entrances and had a map of some surrounding sites to check out. Before heading out on your own the guide will always tell you what time to be back at the bus by and which lane the bus is parked at so you don't have to worry about getting lost. 



③ Luggage Storing Place

Even if you bring just roller suitcases or a big backpack, you get weighed down and it gets in the way, especially if you're at a really crowded place. But since we too the Hankyu travel bus (Wow! Bus), we just shoved the stuff we really didn't need at the luggage storing place below the bus until the tour was over. It wasn't until we started the tour that we realized HOW NICE it was to not have to carry our luggage everywhere. A lot of streets and shops in Kyoto are particularly narrow, so it worked out really well.

Take a Tour Bus to Kyoto from Osaka
via WOW BUS



You can get on from either these 2 places:
Osaka (West Umeda Parking)  or  Namba Parks (1F)
3-2-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Map
Visit Kyoto's 4 Best Spots from Osaka!

Arashiyama 
Golden Pavilion
Fushimi Inari Shrine 
Kiyomizu-dera Temple

So just sit back and relax
while they take you to the 4 most popular tourist sites in Kyoto.

3 Things to Check✔



① Hankyu Travel Wow!Bus Sticker

Once you check in before boarding the bus, the tour guide will give you a "Hankyu Travel Wow! Bus" sticker. There are a lot of different tour groups in Kyoto. So to help you find your group and you from getting on the wrong bus, you get a sticker.



② Remember Bus Outline

Before boarding or leaving the bus, it's recommended that you write down your bus design and car number or take a picture of it.



③ Time Punctuality

You of course get free time on the tour, but before heading out on your own the guide will always tell you what time to be back. Be sure not to be late though because they will leave 🙁

Kyoto Sightseeing Bus to
 Arashiyama → Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) → Fushimi Inari-taisha → Kiyomizudera 
Going to Top Kyoto Sightseeing Spots!



Arashiyama (嵐山)

The bamboo groves or bamboo forest that is a part of Arashiyama is becoming more and more popular among foreign tourists. The subtle wind blowing through the bamboo branches makes a nice short video. It's said many of the bamboo from Arashiyama is chopped down and used to manufacture tatami mats, boxes, and other bamboo goods. So when you're shopping, keep an eye out for some Arashiyama bamboo products!



Kinkakuji (金閣寺)

The Golden Pavilion is a World Heritage Site that Kyoto is known for. When it was constructed in 1397 it was originally a villa to a lord, but after his death it became a temple. We overhead a funny and unique story about the temple, and that is that it was burned down in the 50's by an angry monk who was apparently "jealous of its beauty". Unfortunately you can't go inside, but just looking at the beautiful gold leaf structure surrounded by Japanese nature is just as nice.



Fushimi Inari-taisha (伏見稲荷大社)

If you've seen the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, then you've seen Fushimi Inari-taisha. It is a bit out of the way, further from many of the "main" Kyoto attractions, which makes this bus tour SUPER convenient!!



Kiyomizudera (清水寺)

If you go to Kyoto and don't stop by Kiyomizudera, it's like you didn't really go to Kyoto. This temple is one of the most known and photographed temples in all of Japan, partly because it is associated with one of Japan's oldest forms of Buddhism. Another is because it is just a beautiful sight that incorporates Japan's tradition and four seasons.

Stay in Kyoto or Head Back to Osaka
It's Your Choice!

A majority of the tour just went back to Osaka, us however,
we said goodbye there and went on to our hotel in Kyoto.
The guide said it is also a possibility to leave in the middle of the tour.
So like if you want to get off at Kinkakuji, just tell the guide!
Just be aware that they won't drop you off at any other place besides whats decided on the tour.

🚌 💺 🚌 💺 🚌 💺 🚌 💺 🚌 💺 🚌 💺 🚌​

Online Reservations
Make a Reservation for WOW BUS at Home







Making reservations is super easy whether you live in Japan or not! Just pick the tour (in this case 1 day Kyoto tour from Osaka in English) and it will take you to the calendar with the prices shown for each day. Once you select a date you'll be taken to a page to register for the tour!
⇩Get more info and make reservations here⇩
Hankyu Travel Kyoto Sightseeing Tour Bus (ENG)

There is a possibility that the order of places will be changed depending on weather and traffic,
however the places are a definite so no worries.

Check out our short clip of some of the fun things and places to go while in Kyoto!

For more information on things to do at Arashiyama (嵐山)Kinkakuji (金閣寺)Fushimi Inari-taisha (伏見稲荷大社), and Kiyomizudera (清水寺) during the tour, check our blog that has all sorts of recommended shops and traditional Kyoto sites ➡ JAPANKURU Kyoto Bus Tour Guide

Have you ever been to Kyoto before or want to go?
We wanna hear about it in the comment box below!
˖°Share your stories with us°˖

For more interesting topics,
Be sure to look at JAPANKURU🐶 for more exciting articles every day!!

Or add us on PinterestGoogle+Instagram to share your Japanese pictures💖🗾​

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See Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses
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Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄

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      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

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      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

    • FUKUSHIMA

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      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

    • YAMAGATA

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      Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.

    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

    • TOCHIGI

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      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

    • NIIGATA

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

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      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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