Top 10 Bus Tours in Osaka, Kinki

May 21, 2021 Esmeralda Fenner

Home to nearly nine million and powering an economy that exceeds both Hong Kong's and Thailand's, Osaka packs quite a punch. The confident, stylish city is a shopping hub, with fabulous restaurants and nightlife. It's an ideal base for exploring the Kansai region; Kyoto's World Heritage Sites, Nara's temple and Koya-san's eerie graves are within 90 minutes by train. Top city attractions include the aquarium, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and the futuristic Floating Garden Observatory.
Restaurants in Osaka

1. Bus Trip from Osaka/Kyoto to Kyoto Meet Maiko in Gion and Kyoto Tour

Hearton Hotel Nishiumeda, 3-chōme-3-55 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan LIMON Tour
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Take this rare opportunity to see an authentic Maiko performance! After that, Maiko will serve you tea in Japanese Traditional Tea Ceremony. You will also have the chance to take a commemorative photo with 'Maiko'. (Maiko is a Geisha apprentice, a younger woman training in the arts of dancing and playing instruments). The tour also stops at the UNESCO world heritage sites, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Gion, and Arashiyama. There are convenient pickup locations from Kyoto, Osaka Umeda (Hearton Hotel Nishi-Umeda), Osaka Namba (OCAT) or Nippombashi.

Inclusions: Local taxes, All-you-can-eat Chanko Nabe, Maiko / Geiko experience, Leaflet of detailed Itinerary and tour point description, Round-trip bus fare (Osaka departure only), Pickup at designated meeting points, Drop-off near designated meeting points, Accompanied by English speaking tour guide, JR train tickets (Kyoto departure only), Taxi or train fare from Fushimi Inari to Arashiyama via Gion

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By adarosle

It was a pleasant experience (: Tour guide was very friendly and helpful in taking photos and explaining about the history of each place in detail. Would definitely recommend! However, i felt that it was a bit rushing perhaps the interval for each site could be extended a bit longer.

2. Kyoto private tour from Osaka(Shore excurtion available from Osaka or Kobe port)

Osaka, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Kinki All Star Osaka Walk
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

Visit Japanese beautiful traditional town, Kyoto with a private guide! It's the gem in Japan. As it's a private tour, you can relax and visit sights with your own pace. This tour covers most popular sites like Fushimi Inari shrine, Geisha area, Golden pavilion and Arashiyama bamboo forest.  Tour guide will meet you at your accommodation / Osaka port / Kobe port and start the tour hassle-free. You can choose transportation method depending on your needs. (To be paid separately) Use subways, local trains and taxis like locals riding public transportation or hire a van for door to door convenience or if you are JR Rail Pass holder, maximize the use it. Estimate transportation cost is listed in the exclusion section. Please clarify choice of transportation when booking this tour.

Inclusions: Lunch and 1 soft drink, National licensed guide, Guide meets you at your hotel / port

Exclusions: Transportation fee to be paid on the day: Around 5,000 yen/person using public transportation. , Transportation fee to be paid on the day: Around 65,000 yen/party chartering a private van, Transportation fee to be paid on the day: Around 3,000 yen / person if JR Rail Pass holder, Please clarify type of transportation method at the time of booking, Gratuities

Reviewed By Cheryl S

We loved our Kyoto tour! Our guides Aki and Minako made it so special, the whole tour guide team even came on the call to sing Happy Birthday for my daughter. They also made a lovely personalised video for her birthday. The entire experience was so interesting and enjoyable. Definitely recommend!

3. Private Custom : Osaka Full Day Tour

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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Explore some of the most famous spots in Osaka and visit a historical temple. Learn about the Osakans’ passion for their business at buzzing markets and feel the heart and soul of Osaka. Visit some must-go spots including Dotonbori and Shinsekai areas. You will also have a chance to learn about Japanese religions from your guide at Shitennoji Temple. You also be taken deep into the local scene later. Have a fantastic day trip with your fun and friendly guide. It will be your unforgettable memory of Osaka. You will start and finish the tour at your hotel.

Inclusions: All transportation costs, Activities indicated in the itinerary, Professional English speaking guide, Lunch, Snacks

Exclusions: Your own expenses, Tips for the guides

Reviewed By sarahcM8539YQ

The session with Noriko was great and I recommend it even if you are worried about virtual experience. I have done several virtual tours but this was the best one full of excellent information. Noriko answered all my questions had great food and sake information to deliver.

4. Kyoto from Osaka: Immersive Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari by Private Vehicle

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4.9 based on 8 reviews

Explore the sights of Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari on this full-day, private minivan tour based out of Osaka. In Arashiyama, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tenryuji, known for its beautiful architecture, gorgeous classic gardens, and lovely vistas. Then it's on to the world famous bamboo grove. Picture time! Afterwards, we slip away to the quiet, rarefied environs of the Okochi Sanso estate for gardens, architecture, and a matcha tea break too. Much more to see and stroll about in Arashimaya before we head to the awe-inspiring, ever-popular Fushimi Inari, where thousands of red gates ("torii") snake up the mountain. We'll talk about the significance and sites as we make our way up the holy pathway, but it's a private tour, so we only go as high as you want! While not included, we are happy to suggest a lunch stop along the way. This tour can be customized, so do feel free to consult with us if you've something special in mind that we don't cover on the standard tour.

Inclusions: Hotel/port pickup and drop-off in Osaka (drop off can be in Kyoto), Native (or equivalent) English-speaking driver-guide, Transport by private vehicle (6 or 9 passenger vehicle, depending on your group size/choice)

Exclusions: We've got some good recommendations for you!, Admissions (figure 1,500 per adult), Child seat: 1,000 yen payable on day of tour.

Reviewed By forcet2020

Kevin was awesome. Professional, knowledgeable, and gave us the perfect experience. Easily would’ve taken us 3 days to visit the sites on our own... and we certainly would not have had the context provided from the tour. With COVID a continuing concern, having a vehicle to transport us around instead of hopping on and off a dozen+ trains and busses, was a comforting benefit. Will use this service again when other family comes out to visit Japan in the future.

5. Osaka's Best and Brightest by Private Vehicle

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4.9 based on 27 reviews

Looking for a full-day, private vehicle tour that covers top spots with a fun, knowledgeable, and truly fluent English speaker? You've found it. We show you Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Shin-sekai, a view from high above, and more! Plus, get some local insight and interesting commentary at some of our other recommended stops. All of this at your pace, with your own personal driver/guide, and high quality vehicle service. Your guide is *guaranteed* to be a native English speaker or honest equivalent.

Inclusions: Private vehicle with all related fees., A likable guide that speaks English superbly.

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Admissions (which will range from zero to a few hundred yen or so, depending on if you change the plan), Pickup if you are outside of central Osaka (defined as within or along the JR Loop Line). Other locations will incur a surcharge for both pickup and drop off as follows: Port of Osaka pickups, 2,500 yen each way. Universal Studios area, 2,000 yen each way. Shin-Osaka Station area, 1,000 yen each way., Child seat: 1,000 yen payable on day of tour.

Reviewed By DaveLDelano

My wife and I booked a tour with Liran Levy on our first day in Osaka and couldn't have had a better experience. Not only was Liran extremely knowledgeable about the city's history, sites, food, and culture, he was genuinely enthusiastic about sharing it. He went out of his way to get to know us - where we were from, our interests, our plans for the rest of the trip - and from that point on treated us as he would friends or family whom he was taking around town. If you view travel as a learning experience and prefer a glimpse of real, daily life to a "canned" tour, I strongly recommend booking a tour with Liran. And tell him Dave and Laura said hi!

6. Kyoto Cultural Forest, Shrine and Temple Tour with Options

Kyoto Avanti, 31 Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8003, Japan Japan Panoramic Tours
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4.7 based on 408 reviews

Discover the World Heritage-listed Kyoto and visit the must-see sights in a day!  Travel on an air-conditioned coach on this 9 to 11-hour tour and get the chance to visit, Kiyomizu-Dera temple, Sanju-san-gen-do Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine -Senbon Torii-, Arashiyama and more.

Inclusions: English-speaking guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Tax, Fees, and Handling charges, Lunch ( If selected), Audio Guides are covered in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless Specified, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By MarvieC

JAPAN LAND SERVICES did a great job assisting us for the whole duration of trip in Japan. Thanks Yukio-San!

7. Mt Koya 1 Day Trip - Okunoin Temple & Danjo Garan Temples from Osaka

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, 5 chome-1-60 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan JTB Sunrise Tours
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4.0 based on 4 reviews

In ancient times, a journey to Mount Koya, long considered one of the world’s most sacred mountains, could take several days on foot. These days, you can see the UNESCO World Heritage site on a day trip with provided transport (by rail, bus and cable car) from Osaka. This famed Buddhist retreat on the Kii Peninsula is home to more than 100 Buddhist temples. After an authentic Japanese lunch, your guide leads you to Okunoin and Danjo Garan, two of its most beautiful temples surrounded by stunning pagodas, Buddha statues, gates and mandalas.

Inclusions: Lunch, Pickup from Swissotel Nankai Osaka, Professional English-speaking guide, Public transportation fee

Exclusions: Hotel drop-off, Gratuities

Reviewed By mm0711

The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!

8. Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion & Kyoto Imperial Palace from Osaka

Hotel Granvia Osaka, 3-chōme-1-番1号 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan JTB Sunrise Tours
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3.9 based on 39 reviews

See Kyoto highlights on this 7-hour tour from Osaka! Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites — Ninjo Castle and Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) — as you tour Japan’s former capital with an experienced local guide. You’ll also visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace and the Kyoto Handicraft Center, traveling round-trip by train from Osaka. Enjoy impressive displays of the seasons at these landmarks, including cherry trees in full blossom in spring!

Inclusions: English-speaking guide, Admission

Exclusions: Food and beverage, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, Gratuities

Reviewed By mm0711

The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!

9. Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour

VIP Lounge Kyoto, Japan, 〒601-8417 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Nishikujō Toriiguchichō, 6−番地 1F VIP Japan Tours
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3.5 based on 27 reviews

This tour will take you to see the famous 1000 vermilion gates at Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, Arashiyama, UNESCO world heritage site Kinkaku-ji temple and Todaiji & Nara park. Enjoy an easy and relaxing bus ride, see famous sites in 2 cities in 1 day without the hassle of changing trains and getting lost. The best time to see the Autumn colors in Arashiyama starts from Nov 20th.

Inclusions: Live commentary in English or Chinese, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Roundtrip bus fare

Exclusions: Lunch (There are many restaurants in the area to choose from, including Halal and vegan), Entrance fee to Todaiji temple 500yen (optional)

Reviewed By flighty3

So much fun!!! Our guide had so much trivia to share with us each place we went. A perfect tour to see Fuji and some wonderful spots in the region.

10. Day Trip by Bus from Osaka/Kyoto to Kyoto and Nara

Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan LIMON Tour
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3.3 based on 8 reviews

This is an affordable yet culturally-enriching bus trip to Kyoto and Nara. The tour stops at Kyoto Arashiyama and Nara park. Scenic ride aboard the Randen tram to see local life. With several convenient pickup points at Kyoto Station or in Umeda, Nippombashi, Namba, this 9 hour tour will be a great addition to your trip to Japan.

Inclusions: Local taxes, Beef Shabu-Shabu or Buffet lunch (if meal is selected), Leaflet of detailed Itinerary and tour point description, Round-trip bus fare, Pickup at designated meeting points, Accompanied by English speaking tour guide, Randen Train Ticket, JR and Kintetsu Train tickets (Kyoto departure only), Drop-Off near Namba Station (Umeda, Nippombashi, Namba Ocat departures)

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Infant meals

Reviewed By adarosle

It was a pleasant experience (: Tour guide was very friendly and helpful in taking photos and explaining about the history of each place in detail. Would definitely recommend! However, i felt that it was a bit rushing perhaps the interval for each site could be extended a bit longer.

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