Kyoto
Ancient temples, zen gardens, and refined kaiseki dining. Traditional Japan at its finest.
About Kyoto
Kyoto preserved the soul of Japan through centuries of change. Once the imperial capital, this city of 2,000 temples and shrines offers geisha districts, bamboo forests, zen gardens, and kaiseki cuisine elevated to art. Experience tea ceremonies, stay in traditional ryokans, and witness cherry blossoms or autumn foliage in settings unchanged for generations.
What to See & Do
Fushimi Inari Shrine - thousands of vermillion torii gates
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - towering bamboo forest walk
Kinkaku-ji - Golden Pavilion reflecting in pond
Gion District - historic geisha quarter
Philosopher's Path - canal-side cherry blossom walk
Nishiki Market - traditional food market with local specialties
Where to Stay
Hoshinoya Kyoto
luxuryLuxury ryokan accessible only by boat. Traditional tatami rooms with modern comfort.
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
luxuryContemporary luxury on Kamogawa River. Combines Western comfort with Japanese aesthetics.
Traditional Ryokan
boutiqueFamily-run inn with kaiseki dinners, onsen baths, and futon beds. Authentic experience.
Activities & Experiences
Tea Ceremony
Traditional matcha ceremony in historic tea house
Geisha District Walking Tour
Evening walk through Gion with local guide
Zen Meditation
Morning meditation session at temple
Kaiseki Cooking Class
Learn multi-course Japanese haute cuisine
Where to Eat
Kikunoi
Kaiseki
3-Michelin-star traditional kaiseki in 400-year-old villa
Nishiki Warai
Okonomiyaki
Casual savory pancakes near the market
Gion Nanba
Kaiseki
Intimate 8-seat counter with seasonal menu
Sample Itineraries
Traditional Kyoto
Arrival & Gion
- Check into ryokan
- Nishiki Market visit
- Gion evening walk
Eastern Temples
- Fushimi Inari morning hike
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Philosopher's Path
- Ginkaku-ji Silver Pavilion
Arashiyama
- Bamboo Grove walk
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- River boat ride
- Monkey park
Culture & Cuisine
- Tea ceremony
- Golden Pavilion
- Kaiseki cooking class
- Pontocho dining
Zen & Departure
- Morning meditation
- Ryoan-ji rock garden
- Final temple visit
- Afternoon departure
Quick Facts
Region
Asia
Best Time to Visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
When to Go
March-May (cherry blossoms) and October-November (autumn colors). Spring and fall offer perfect weather and stunning natural beauty.
Avoid: July-August is hot, humid, and crowded. January-February can be quite cold.
Getting There
Fly into Osaka's Kansai Airport (KIX), then take direct train to Kyoto (75 min). Tokyo's Narita is further but accessible via shinkansen bullet train (2.5 hours).
Local Tips
- Book popular temples and restaurants well in advance
- Use buses rather than limited subway system
- Respect temple etiquette - remove shoes, no photos where prohibited
- Cherry blossom (late March-April) and autumn foliage (November) are magical but crowded
Ready to Experience Kyoto?
Our concierge team will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your preferences, handling every detail from flights to hidden gems.