Kyoto Imperial Palace tour

Hi,

We tried to book the English tour online but it was full. So, we decided to book the 60 minutes Japanese tour instead, even though we don't understand Japanese.

Would that be OK with the guide? Is there any English audio or pamphlets that we can use?

If we call up to make the booking, would that improved our chances of getting on the English tour?

Thanks.

If you don't understand Japanese, I strongly recommend to join an English tour. You can make reservations at the agency office in Kyoto Imperial Park:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3917.html

Only a small number of openings are made available for online bookings. So, even if the tours are booked out online, it does not mean they are fully booked out.

Thanks, Uji.

We're coming from Tokyo to Kyoto on Saturday, and there's only one English tour in the afternoon and none for the next few days, while we're in Kyoto.

Would they accept registration by phone?

No, phone applications are not accepted.

Did you already get confirmation that you are in the Japanese language tour?

If so, they do have English language pamphlets that you may want to stop in and ask for prior to your tour so that you can at least follow along a little (they also have books which you can buy. Although they are not so practical to read as you tour, they are good afterwords as souvenirs).

If you did not, then depending on when you arrive in Kyoto and how you've planned your day out, as Uji said, you can still go to the Imperial Household Agency office directly and ask if there are openings.

Thank you very much for the responses.

We'll try to sign-up for the English tour and if there's no spot, we'll join the Japanese one.

You've all been a great help.