In a world racing toward the future, Kyoto stands still—gracefully. Once the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, Kyoto is where the soul of traditional Japan continues to breathe.
Begin your journey in Higashiyama, the eastern district of Kyoto where some of the city’s most revered temples rest in the embrace of wooded hills.
Day 1: The Temples and Tranquility of Eastern Kyoto
Start early at Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples. Built without a single nail, the temple’s wooden terrace juts out over a hillside offering sweeping views
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The second day takes you to the northern and western parts of the city, where mountains, rivers, and moss gardens add a mystical air to your journey.
Day 2: Northern Kyoto – Arashiyama, Bamboo, and Zen
Start early in Arashiyama, before the crowds. Walk through the bamboo grove, where towering stalks sway and creak in the breeze, casting moving shadows that feel like a meditation in motion.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Use your final day to dive into Kyoto’s intangible heritage—its art of living, its rituals, and the gentle philosophy that underpins daily life.
Day 3: Tea, Tradition, and Hidden Corners
Begin your day with a tea ceremony in a local teahouse. Kyoto is the birthplace of the Urasenke School of tea, and you can join a session that guides you through every precise, deliberate movement: bowing, cleansing, whisking.
Morning Tea Ceremony