Kyoto
Japan
Discover Kyoto.
A place of wooden temples and bamboo groves, where every day offers a new way to explore.
Best time to visit
March – May, October – November
Ideal duration
4–6 days
Travel style
Culture
Overview
For more than a thousand years Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital. Today it holds 17 UNESCO-listed sites, around 1,600 temples and a living craft culture that rewards anyone willing to slow down and look closely.
What Makes It Special
Kyoto is a city of small rituals: the sweep of a temple courtyard at dawn, the pour of matcha, the careful wrapping of a gift. Forested hills surround the city, so a walk can begin at a shrine and end on a mountain trail.
Places to Explore
Arashiyama bamboo grove and Okochi Sanso garden
Fushimi Inari’s thousand torii gates
The Philosopher’s Path in cherry blossom season
Gion and the lanes of Higashiyama
The mountain village of Kurama
Things to Do
Join a tea ceremony led by a local practitioner
Hike from Kurama to Kibune through cedar forest
Visit Nishiki Market for seasonal food
Stay a night in a traditional ryokan
When to Visit
Spring blossom (late March to early April) and autumn colour (mid-November) are spectacular but busy. Late May and early December are quieter and still beautiful.
Local Tips
Visit Fushimi Inari before 7:00 for quiet paths
Buy an IC card for buses and trains
Respect photography rules in Gion’s private lanes
Many temples close by 17:00, so plan mornings well
Plan your Kyoto escape.
Tell us when you’d like to travel and how you love to explore. We’ll shape a journey with the right pace, places and local guides.
Reply within one business day
SUGGESTED JOURNEYS
Ways to experience it.
Small-group journeys designed around this destination.
