Private Car Tour of Osaka's Hidden Gems: Exploring Kyoto and Nara's Most Atmospheric Temples
5.0
7 Ratings
Mino
Embark on a private car tour of Osaka's hidden gems, exploring the most atmospheric temples in Kyoto and Nara. Discover magical temples, unique shrines, and immerse yourself in the spiritual world with a local expert. Book now for an unforgettable day in Japan!
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Katsuo-ji Temple - This temple located in the mountain area between Osaka and Kyoto is often picked up on the instagram with its unrivaled scenaries made by thousands of Japanese Daruma dolls placed everywhere in the temple!
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Mitsushima Shrine - Experience the spirit of Shintoism which worships nature itself and contributed to Japan maintaining beautiful Japanese nature primitive since the ancient ages.
Mitsushima Shrine is a very small local shrine located in a suburb city of urban Osaka, called Kadoma City. Although it’s not even well-known by the local Osaka people out of small Kadoma City, you’ll be amazed by the enormous lord of this shrine, one of the biggest camphor trees in Japan, worshipped for more than a thousand years.
Its thickness is around 13 meters with a height of 25 meters.
It’s selected as a National Natural monument of Japan. - Hozan-ji Temple - About halfway up the slopes of Mount Ikoma in Nara prefecture lies the beautiful temple complex of Hozan-ji, shrouded in incense smoke and intrigue. Dedicated to Kangiten, a Buddhist god of joy and prosperity, it’s particularly popular with those praying for success and luck in business. Despite the ease of access from Osaka and Nara cities, Hozanji Temple remains firmly off the tourist track. This means it retains an air of tranquility even during the holiday season, giving visitors the time and space to fully explore all the small nooks and interesting features of the complex.
- Shingisan Chogosonshiji Temple - Our finale of the tour is an area of Mt.Shigi’s mount top. These isolated temples and shrines become absolutely dreamy and nostalgic at night time. The complex ways are nostalgically lit by stony lanterns of shrines. Don’t miss the beautiful garden fully colored in autumn. You can even climb up to the sacred mount-top in 15-20 min by walking through the countless gates of shrines in the dark, like the old monks or ninjas in training.
- Mizunomi Jizo - The last small hidden gem on the way back, but this small temple has the best observatory for the panorama view of the whole big Osaka prefecture from the mountain! You’ll be amazed by how big and bright the city is! From the southern tip, Kansai Aiport, the high rises of Osaka City and to the border of Kyoto, of 9.5 mil people living!
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Parking fees included
- Complimentary local restaurant guide
What's Not Included
- Entry fees
Additional Information
The most off-the-beaten and atmospheric temples of the Kyoto/Osaka area are here!!
This private guided car tour takes you to magical temples and super-unique shrines in a comfortable car
A great temple with thousands of Japanese traditional dolls sitting literally everywhere, a shrine worshiping an enormous 1000-year-old camphor tree in an industrial area, and nostalgic paths of temples lit by countless lanterns at night
The local expert drives you to the spiritual world with his wide and deep knowledge of Buddhism and Japanese culture
Book this tour and you are promised to have an unforgettable day in Japan!
- There are walks and some stairs to some temples
Location
Katsuo-ji Temple
Aomadani,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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Feliciacucuta
Jan 11, 2024
Beautiful trip exploring temples and shrines - This tour was absolutely fabulous! Breathtaking views, beautiful temples and shrines that sometimes, in the evening, you get to explore almost on your own, without the masses of other tourists. Daiki is a brilliant tour guide: very kind and generous, funny and knowledgeable, he did a wonderful job explaining the background of the spots we visited and so much more. I loved his passion for the places we visited, his patience and easygoing attitude. Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Kafe2021
Nov 24, 2023
Unique Shrines/Temples of Osaka & Kyoto Tour. - Great experience my husband and son loved the tour. The host was great, and conveniently dropped them at train station after tour for the bullet train back to Toyko. Awesome time had in Osaka & Kyoto.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristin_n
Nov 7, 2023
Wonderful Tour - This was a wonderful tour! So great seeing places without mass tourists/crowds---and the places were beautiful! Daiki was a great guide with lots of information on each location. I would definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Quintin_y
Jul 30, 2023
The places we went to not... - The places we went to not that busy, which was nice as I wanted to avoid some of the touristy places.
Most of the questions I had surrounding the places we went to or the religious aspects of them, were answered right away. A few Daiki had to search up as they were a bit more obscure. No matter what he gave clear answers and if I didn't fully understand the answer he tried to explain it using metaphors.
Apart from that I was able to have a nice conversation in general with Daiki. He's knowledgeable about quite a bit and has a friendly personality.
Overall it's a good tour to go on alone or with a group. The surrounding areas are nice, views great and the locations have interesting stories behind them.
Review provided by Viator
Marioarnulfo_d
Apr 18, 2023
"Spirited Away" Feels! Best tour ever! - The highlight of our Osaka trip! Daiki organized a fantastic tour off the beaten path, which meant less crowds and none of the "touristy" stuff. The temples and shrines we visited provided the best views, the most appropriate atmosphere and Daiki provided a great background to all of it. Definitely a must next time you visit Osaka. Thanks Daiki! Don't forget that ninja tour!
Review provided by Viator
Vijaya_j
Mar 8, 2023
Secret shrines with beautiful lanterns - One of the best tours I have taken. It was so beautiful and best part hardly any tourists.
The guide Daiki is a wonderful person and well informed. Would definitely recommend it.
Thank you Daiki for the wonderful tour.
Review provided by Viator
