Sagano is located northwest of the Kyoto Basin and covers an area of 16 acres. Start with a walk through Sagano Bamboo Grove which sits in a basin surrounded by mountains in the greater area of Arashiyama

Then onto Jojakkoji Temple located halfway up a mountain, this temple has a 12-meter-high pagoda in its precinct and is graced with many Japanese maples. Jojakkoji was the final home of Empress Dowager Kenrei-mon-in, a principal character in the "Tale of the Heike" one of the most important works of classical Japanese literature. It is said to be built as a nunnery and has a history streching back to the 6th century. The temple?s principal treasure is a statue of the Jizo, which has been desiganted an important cultural property.

Later visit Tenryuji Temple which is one of the head temples of the Rinzai Zen School and was established in 1339 by Takauji the first shogun of Ashikaga shogunate, in memory of the Emperor Godaigo. It is famous for its landscape garden, which unlike the temple buildings has survived in its original form.

Finally walk through Togetsukyo Bridge, literally meaning "Crossing Moon Bridge". The present bridge was rebuilt in 1934 using steel but faithfully copying the structure of the original bridge.

Enjoy a morning tour of Kyoto together with the experience of making your own woodblock print or cloisonne at the Kyoto Handicraft Center.

Tour Highlights Include:

• Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
• Kyoto Imperial Palace
• Buffet Lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Center

Enjoy an afternoon out in Kyoto!

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face.

Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was not chosen as a target of air raids during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.

Heian Shrine
The brightly colored shrine with its vermilion pillars and green roof, and its enchanting inner gardens and ponds, reflects the elegance of life in the ancient Japanese court.

Sanjusangendo Hall
A renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues of Kannon, Bodhisattva, that date back to the 13th century.

Kiyomizu Temple
A quaint old lane lined with pottery shops lead up to this famous temple. Enjoy a sweeping view of the entire city of Kyoto from its lofty terrace.

Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784.

Nara is located in the Kinai plain, less than one hour from Kyoto. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples.

Tour Highlights include:

Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple, constructed in the 8th century, is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples. In it's huge precincts are various national treasures of Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Once of Japan's best-known temples, it enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha. A wonder of religious architecture.

Deer Park
Over 1,000 tame deer roam freely in the verdant 1,250 acres peaceful park. If you wish to feed the deer, they will gladly eat from your hand. Special food is sold in the park grounds (not included).

Kasuga Shrine
The most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara, it features some 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. Click here for more information and Booking Details

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face. Enjoy this morning tour to see some of the main highlights of this wonderful city, steeped in culture.

Tour Highlights Include:

• Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
• Kyoto Imperial Palace
• Buffet Lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Center
• Heian Shrine
• Sanjusangendo Hall
• Kiyomizu Temple

Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji Saito/Jodoin - Enryaku-ji Kaikan (Experience Zen Meditation)

Experience seated Zen Meditation practices at one of the first Buddhist temples in Japan before visiting Hieizan Enryaku-ji This temple on Mt. Hiei is one of the Three Great Temples of Japan, and is the principal seat of the Tendai School of Buddhism. The temple was founded by the great Buddhist monk, Dengyo Daishi Saicho. The temple is divided into three areas, the Todo (Eastern Pagoda), the Saito (Western Pagoda) and Yokawa.

See both Kyoto and Nara in this great one day tour.

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face. Enjoy this morning tour to see some of the main highlights of this wonderful city, steeped in culture.

Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784.

Nara is located in the Kinai plain, less than one hour from Kyoto. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples.

Tour Highlights Include:

• Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
• Kyoto Imperial Palace
• Buffet Lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Center
• Todaiji Temple
• Deer Park
• Kasuga Shrine

Start with a bullet train ride to Himeji to visit the Himeji Castle, one of the most famous castles in Japan and designated a World Cultural Heritage site. Its sublime form and white walls have earned it the nickname of "White Heron Castle". The castle grounds are divided into inner and outer-walled zones, with gates built around maze-like spaces to confuse enemies, and a double moat for extra protection.

Lunch on your own at Koko-en Garden, which is a short distance from Himeji Castle. The gardens where opened in 1992 on the former site of of the feudal lords' west residence (Nishi-Oyashiki). They consist of nine separate gardens designed in various garden styles of the Edo period.

Following lunch it's off to the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery. Hakutsuru was founded in 1743 and has come to establish its present "sake" brewing techniques by maintaining old traditions combined with the latest development in new techniques. The museum exhibits the actual process of sake making and its history, then experience a taste test.

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face. Enjoy this morning tour to see some of the main highlights of this wonderful city, steeped in culture.

Tour Highlights Include:

• Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
• Kyoto Imperial Palace
• Kyoto Handicraft Center

Please see the information in 'Itinerary' for details about visiting each place.