City of Culture Kyoto
From:
£40.25
Duration: 3.5 hours
Categories: Culture & History, Food, Drink & Markets, Cruises & Sailing, Outdoors
Group size: 1 - 12
Packed with cultural sights and must-see locations, discover the best of Kyoto with this tour of the city’s highlights. Stroll through the snaking red corridors of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, discover the Zen gardens surrounding the Tofukuji Temple and end the day among the lights of Gion, the heart of Japan’s Geisha district. This day out is sure to unlock the many secrets of the city and give you a unique local perspective of Japan’s cultural capital.
Highlights
- Walk through corridors of bright-red torii gates
- Spot the thousands of fox statues in the Fushimi Inari Shrine.
- Experience the peace of Zen gardens
- Discover the modern and traditional aspects of Tofukuji Temple.
- Take a tour of Gion, Discover the culture of Japan’s Geisha district.
Tour Itinerary
Experience the temples, shrines and gardens that make Kyoto Japan’s cultural capital on this unique tour of the city. Founded as a capital more than 1,200 years ago, Kyoto developed as a centre of aristocratic culture, famous for its Zen gardens and geisha traditions.
Discover some of this magic by exploring the Fushimi Inari Shrine on the outskirts of the city. Home to a seemingly endless stretch of red torii gates spread across a thickly wooded mountain, this shrine is a world unto itself. Walk through snaking corridors of red gates, made famous in the film "Memoirs of Geisha", stopping to admire the shrines and many fox statues.
After a morning spent on the mountain, head to another of Kyoto’s must-see sights, the Tofukuji Temple. Originally built in the 13th century, and famous for its traditional and at the same time modern Zen style garden, this is a great place to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the city. Learn about the origin and inspiration for the garden, and what it means to the Monks who continue to live and study here.
As the sun begins to set, leave the tranquil gardens behind and head to Gion, famously known as Kyoto’s Geisha district. This area was the model for Memoirs of Geisha, and it comes alive with people and lights in the evening. Stroll past the 17th-century traditional restaurants and teahouses, many of which are still exclusive establishments for geisha entertainment, see the theatres and traditional shops, and soak up the atmosphere of this historic quarter.
This is the ideal end to the tour in Kyoto and is sure to leave you completely enthralled with this dynamic city.