4 DAYS GRACEFUL RETREAT IN KYOTO

After airport transfer to your hotel, enjoy an afternoon Kyoto orientation tour. Walk through Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), the meditative canal pathway of Philosopher’s Walk, Heian Shrine and Nijo Castle which served as the seat of Japanese medieval power for several centuries.

Explore historical Western Kyoto, including the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Romantic Train to Kameoka station, followed by Hozugawa River rafting (2h). This afternoon, you have two options to choose from:

Option 1: Kiyomizu Temple & Pottery Street with its old houses

Option 2: Fushimi Inari Taisha’s 10,000 tori gates & Gekkeikan Sake Brewery

This evening, we will visit the Gion district known as home to many geisha houses for a traditional dinner with performance of maiko (geisha’s apprentice).

Choose from the following two options for the day:

Option 1: Ancient Nara is Japan’s oldest capital. Let us show you the Deer Park, Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) with its 15m Great buddha image, a 30m walk to Kasuga Grand Shrine with its bronze stone lanterns, Edo-era Naramachi old town and the ancient Gangoji Temple (UNESCO).

Option 2: Hidden Eastern Kyoto is suitable for discerning travellers. Let us show you the 400-year-old Hikone Castle, Genkyuen Landscape Garden, then drive 1.5h towards Otsu for Lake Biwa cruise and conclude at the Miidera temple complex (one of Japan’s 4 largest temples).

Today is free at leisure for you to do some last minute shopping before we transfer to the airport for your flight home.