Tempozan Cruise Terminal → Osakako Subway Station (C11)
Exit the terminal building, pass the Kaiyukan Aquarium plaza, and continue straight along the main road to Exit 1 or 2 of Osakako Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
Cruise port in Japan
Kyoto
Allow about 1 hr 15 min each way from the terminal to Kyoto. Average time in port: 12 hours. 28 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 2 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 11 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 12 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 1,079
Photo: Image by Pexels from Pixabay
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Tempozan Passenger Terminal. Allow about 1 hr 15 min each way from the terminal to Kyoto.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Tempozan Passenger Terminal.
- Be Sure to Confirm the Call Terminal (Osaka Tempozan vs. Kyoto Maizuru)
Even if the cruise line itinerary says 'Kyoto' or 'Osaka/Kyoto', the location and transport are completely different depending on whether the ship berths at Osaka Tempozan on the southern Seto Inland Sea or at Maizuru Port's Maizuru Wharf No. 2 in Kyoto Prefecture on the northern East Sea (Sea of Japan) coast. Confirm the exact port of call in advance.
- Use the JR Special Rapid Train from Osaka to Kyoto
For a call at Osaka Tempozan Terminal, take the subway from Osakako Station to JR Osaka Station, then board the JR Special Rapid, which runs every 15 minutes during the day. It reaches Kyoto Station in 29 minutes for the base fare of 580 yen, with no additional limited express fare.
About 12 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Osakako Station → Osaka / Umeda Station
At Osakako Station, take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line toward Hommachi, then transfer at Hommachi to the Midosuji Line toward Umeda, or transfer at Bentencho to the JR Osaka Loop Line, to reach Osaka / Umeda downtown stations.
JR Osaka Station → JR Kyoto Station
At platforms 5 or 6 of JR Osaka Station, take a JR Special Rapid train toward Kyoto or Maibara for a direct 29-minute ride to JR Kyoto Station. IC cards such as ICOCA and Suica can be tapped.
Maizuru West Port Cruise Terminal (Wharf No. 2) → JR Nishi-Maizuru Station
If your ship calls at Maizuru West Port Umitobira terminal, take the free port shuttle operating on the port-call day to Nishi-Maizuru Station. Connect there to the JR Limited Express Maizuru toward Kyoto or the Kyoto Tango Railway toward Amanohashidate.
Kyoto places to explore
About 1 hr 15 min each way from the terminal. Explore 28 checked places with the map.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
This is one of Kyoto's signature World Heritage temples. Highlights include the Kiyomizu Stage of the main hall and views of Kyoto City from there.
- Admission
- JPY 500
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–18:00
Kinkaku-ji Temple
This temple ranked among the top attractions in a September 2026 list of popular Kyoto destinations.
- Admission
- JPY 500
- Hours
- Daily 09:00–17:00
The route at Kinkaku-ji has gravel paths, slopes, and uneven steps, so wear comfortable shoes.
Ginkaku-ji Temple
This temple is at the foot of the mountains in eastern Kyoto. Its grounds have a sand garden and a walking path offering views of the buildings from several vantage points.
- Hours
- Daily 08:30–17:00
There is an uphill walk to the entrance of Ginkaku-ji, and the grounds route also climbs hills, so account for the walking time.
Nijo Castle
This castle was completed in 1603 by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate.
- Admission
- JPY 800
- Hours
- Daily 08:45–17:00
Consider buying an online ticket for Nijo Castle to reduce the on-site ticket queue.
Yasaka Shrine
This shrine in the heart of Gion is known as the center of warding-off-evil beliefs and the Gion Matsuri festival.
- Hours
- Daily 24 hours
Tenryu-ji Temple
The main highlight is a Zen garden created in the 14th century. The large pond reflects the surrounding maple trees and rocks.
- Hours
- Daily 08:30–17:00
A visit around 9 a.m. at Tenryu-ji can help avoid crowds because fewer tour groups arrive then.
Cruises calling at Kyoto
11 sailings are grouped into 9 cruises by ship and route.
Norwegian Cruise Line3 departure dates2 sailings available to book
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2028.03Asia cruises · 9 nights · Mid-length cruise
Asia: Osaka, Kochi, Jeju & Nagoya
Incheon → Yokohama
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,270
Norwegian Cruise LineBook now
Sailing 2026.11Asia cruises · 9 nights · Mid-length cruise
Asia: Taipei, Osaka, Kochi & Okinawa
Yokohama → Hong Kong
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 1,079
Emerald CruisesSailing 2027.04Asia cruises · 7 nights
Wonders of Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia
Osaka → Siem Reap
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 13,576
Norwegian Cruise LineBook now
Sailing 2027.10Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Asia: Osaka, Nagoya, Sakaiminato & Hakodate
Incheon → Tokyo
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 2,246
Norwegian Cruise LineBook now
Sailing 2027.11Asia cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
Japan: Osaka, Kochi, Nagoya & Busan
Tokyo departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 3,498
Norwegian Cruise LineBook now
Sailing 2027.11Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Asia: Kochi, Osaka, Jeju & Nagoya
Tokyo departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 2,376
Norwegian Cruise LineBook now
Sailing 2027.11Asia cruises · 10 nights · Mid-length cruise
Asia: Taipei, Osaka, Kochi & Okinawa
Tokyo → Hong Kong
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 3,578
Norwegian Cruise LineBook now
Sailing 2028.02Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Asia: Taipei, Osaka, Kochi & Okinawa
Hong Kong → Tokyo
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 2,121
Norwegian Cruise LineBook now
Sailing 2028.04Asia cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
Japan: Kochi, Nagoya & Sakaminato
Yokohama departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 3,855
9 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Kyoto
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
About Kyoto
Emerald Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line call at Kyoto Port, with an average port stay of about 11 hours. It is included as one segment of a route linking Japanese coastal ports such as Nagoya and Tokyo, on an itinerary connected with other coastal ports.
Cruise lines calling here: 2 places
Emerald CruisesNorwegian Cruise Line
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