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

The Most Popular Place to Visit in Japan 2018, Kyoto

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  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. 

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  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. 

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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 :(

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  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!

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  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.

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  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!!

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  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.