Heian Shrine

971 Tour Reviews

Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine (平安神宮, Heian Jingu) has a relatively short history, dating back just over a hundred years to 1895. The shrine was built on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto and is dedicated to the spirits of the first and last emperors who reigned from the city, Emperor Kammu (737-806) and Emperor Komei (1831-1867). Heian is the former name of Kyoto. A giant torii gate marks the approach to the shrine, around which there are a couple of museums. The actual shrine grounds themselves are very spacious, with a wide open court at the center. The shrine's main buildings are a partial replica of the original Imperial Palace from the Heian Period, built on a somewhat smaller scale than the original. Behind the main buildings there is an attractive, paid garden with a variety of plants, ponds and traditional buildings. The garden's most striking feature is its many weeping cherry trees, which bloom a few days later than most other cherry trees.

Attraction Included Tours

Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus

Tour#: GTA3187727

Japan Garden & Art Tour: Cherry Blossoms

Himeji / Yasugi / Matsue / Kurashiki / Seto Ohashi Bridge / Takamatsu / Naoshima / Bizen / Osaka / Nara / Kyoto / Mt Fuji / Hakone / Tokyo

12 reviews

The Garden and Art Cherry Blossoms Tour offers you the most magnificent of Japan's gardens in one of the loveliest seasons, guided by our garden-knowledgeable guide, including a trip to Naoshima Art Island.

Start Date	End Date	Twin/Triple	Start City	End City	Style	Save	Status
Sun. Mar 28, 2027	Sat. Apr 10, 2027	US $8598.00 Small Group Limited to 12 passengers	Osaka	Tokyo	Deluxe-Plus		Guarantee / Book Now
Sun. Mar 26, 2028	Sat. Apr 8, 2028	US $8598.00 Small Group Limited to 12 passengers	Osaka	Tokyo	Deluxe-Plus		Guarantee / Book Now

Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus

Tour#: GTX39927

Japan Pottery, Garden & Art Tour

Toho Village / Sasebo / Hasami / Arita / Karatsu / Bizen / Kurashiki / Yasugi / Naoshima / Takamatsu / Kobe / Osaka / Nara / Kyoto

13 reviews

Find inspiration during a 14-day Japan Pottery, Garden, and Art Tour stopping in small pottery villages, breathtaking Japanese landscape gardens, and captivating art exhibits.

Start Date	End Date	Twin/Triple	Start City	End City	Style	Save	Status
Wed. May 12, 2027	Tue. May 25, 2027	US $8598.00 Small Group Limited to 12 passengers	Fukuoka	Osaka	Deluxe-Plus		Guarantee / Book Now
Wed. May 10, 2028	Tue. May 23, 2028	US $8598.00 Small Group Limited to 12 passengers	Fukuoka	Osaka	Deluxe-Plus		Minimum / Book Now

Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus

Tour#: GTO4009643

Japan Pottery, Garden & Art Tour with Tokyo Extension

Toho Village / Sasebo / Hasami / Arita / Karatsu / Bizen / Kurashiki / Yasugi / Naoshima / Takamatsu / Kobe / Osaka / Nara / Kyoto / Mt. Fuji / Tokyo

13 reviews

For travelers looking for a longer Japan Pottery, Garden, and Art Tour, join this 17-day tour that features immersive Japan ceramics experiences, art, architecture, and gardens, with an exciting extension to Mount Fuji and Tokyo!

Start Date	End Date	Twin/Triple	Start City	End City	Style	Save	Status
Wed. May 12, 2027	Fri. May 28, 2027	US $9998.00 Small Group Limited to 12 passengers	Fukuoka	Tokyo	Deluxe-Plus		Minimum / Book Now
Wed. May 10, 2028	Fri. May 26, 2028	US $9998.00 Small Group Limited to 12 passengers	Fukuoka	Tokyo	Deluxe-Plus		Minimum / Book Now

Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Heian Shrine

Attraction Included Tours

Japan Garden & Art Tour: Cherry Blossoms

Japan Pottery, Garden & Art Tour

Japan Pottery, Garden & Art Tour with Tokyo Extension

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