3-Day Kyoto Nara and Osaka Tour with Kansai Cultural Highlights

Meet your tour guide and visit Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine. Founded in 711 A.D., it is the No. 1 most popular site in Japan among foreign tourists.

Head to Nijō Castle, built by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603.

Learn about the Ninomaru Palace of Nijō Castle, a historic site known as the stage of the "Last Samurai," where the last shogun declared the return of his power to the imperial family.

Witness the pavilions covered in gold leaf at Kinkaku-ji Temple, built by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397.

Stroll through Gion Street. Located on Shijō Street in the central part of Kyoto City, this area is well known as the town of Maiko-san and Geiko-san, female traditional Japanese dancers in kimono.

Start at Tōdai-ji Temple. Built in the early 8th century, the temple houses the Great Statue of Buddha.

Visit Kasuga Grand Shrine, built in 768 and famous for its deer, which are considered messengers of this great shrine.

Proceed to Kōfuku-ji Temple. Built in 669 by the wife, empress of Emperor Tenchi, it now includes several fascinating temples within the same compound.

Explore the traditional residential buildings and warehouses of Naramachi, or Nara Town, a former merchant district.

Visit Osaka Castle. It was originally built in the late 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, once a national ruler of Japan.

Witness the whole of Osaka City from the top of the Umeda Sky Building. Completed in 1993, it stands 173 metres high.

Stroll through the gourmet town of Dōtonbori. An artificial river also runs through the centre of this district.