Kyoto 1 Day Tour from Osaka

Saw all of the major sights in Kyoto after train journey from Osaka. Guide very knowledgeable but gave too much detailed information and talked while we walked and so it was difficult to hear everything as we were a group of around 40. could have done with 2 groups of 20 to make things easier.

<p>The tour was very full and the tour guide comments could not have been heard as she had a very low voice.We left the tour early to visit Kyoto on our own.</p>

It takes time to go through the all parts of the castle but the weather is nice one can enjoy the castle in side and out side. But the you have to be in by 3.30pm.

The guide rushes through the monuments (doesn't wait for everyone to explain sites). She gives poor or irrelevant information ("There was no electricity in the 16th Century" - Really?). Also she is constantly nagging people without reason (repeating the same things over and over again). Her English is difficult to understand. Lunch is awful!

<p>This was a perfect excursion for a short trip to Kyoto. Guide was friendly and helpful. I did not feel rushed.</p>

<p>Great tour of Kyoto, we went with the group and returned on our own because we wanted to see more of the Gion district in Kyoto. We loved the fact that the tour was so flexible to let us do that. We enjoyed the tour with visits to beautiful castles and temples and shrines. We especially loved wandering off in Kyoto old districts and we'll definitely come back next time to spend more time in Kyoto than just one day!</p>

<p>I've been a loyal customer with Viator for a long time. But this time I wasn't that impressive on the other hand, I wasn't quite satisfied. The tour did cover pretty much most of the important must see attractions. However, it was too rush most of the time. We didn't have enough time to take photo around. My mom and I had to run sometime in order to take photo and catch up with the rest of the group. <br/> Lunch place wasn't that great. It was too crowded because somehow they managed to have all the tour groups with different destination to have lunch there at the same time. It was too small to accommodate these many people. They should have scattered tour groups to other restaurants nearby not just dumped all in one place during lunch hour. We had to wait for our turn for an hour. But so far, the service is promising and great in terms of pickup and dropoff at the specified location.</p>

<p>The tour started well enough as we were staying in the hotel where the trip started from in Osaka. After a quick train ride to Kyoto we were ushered to the bus pick up area. Ended up waiting there abut 30 mins while the tour company seemed to be trying to organize which buses people were going on. They kept saying it was extra busy due to time of the year. </p> <p>Our guide for the morning tour was pleasant enough but tried to fill the time between sights with small talk, which is fine if it's interesting and good. But she kept complaining how busy it was and that as a tour guide she didn't get weekends off. </p> <p>At the sights we were rushed through in order to keep the schedule. So there wasn't really any time to enjoy what we were paying to see. </p> <p>The lunch stop was a fiasco as they tour company had multiple buses 5 we kept being told and so they had to split us into groups to dine at the restaurant. So some got shopping time while others got about 30 mins to eat, as they were headed to Nara for the afternoon. </p> <p>The restaurant they use was clearly overwhelmed, and is buffet style. We got the second seating and there was not much to choose from as it had all been cleaned out. As quickly as the restaurant staff filled the trays they were empty. One of the downsides of buffets. </p> <p>Our afternoon guide was much better at keeping the guests engaged, but again everything seemed rushed in order to stick to time schedules. </p> <p>Overall I was very unimpressed with this trip. You're a tour company and so should be well aware of fluctuations of guest numbers and react accordingly. It seemed as though the agents onsite were making things up as they went. Save your money and see the sights yourself. You'll be able to take your time and enjoy them more.</p>

<p>Wonderful experience, from service at pick up point, to train ride from Osaka to Kyoto, to beginning of tour at bus terminal to the beautiful sights of Kyoto. Our guide had a good knowledge of the history of the temples and castle visited plus her sense of humor made her presentations less dry and more interesting.</p>

<p>This is second time using Kyoto tour. First time my wife and I enjoyed the tour 13 years ago. This time bringing our children along. Lunch break was held at same location which was all familiar. It's worth it and no complains.</p>