The technical visits have a limited capacity and will be organised on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upon registration please sign up to the preferred technical visit.
Date
Tour Name
Capacity
13 December
Option A:“Five Senses World Heritage Tour”
35 people
Option B:“Hidden Gems of Kyoto Tour” in Fushimi area
40 people
Option C:“Hidden Gems of Kyoto Tour” in Ohara area
Option D: “Uji Unique Cultural Heritage Tour”
Maximum 25 people, minimum 15 people
13-14 December
Option E:“Nature Exploration 2-day Tour”
Maximum 14 people, minimum 10 people
Option A: “Five Senses World Heritage Tour”
Experience Kyoto’s unique sense of beauty with your five senses!
Nijo-jo Castle and Kyoto’s washoku
At one of the city’s iconic restaurants, participants will taste Japan’s traditional washoku (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) and then, visit the Nijo-jo Castle, a World Heritage Site.
This castle has witnessed some of the most important events in Japanese history in the 400 years since it was built. Inside the complex, the Ninomaru-goten Palace, the Kara-mon Gate and the Ninomaru Garden are unique survivals from one of the golden ages of Japanese architecture and design, the early Edo period, known for its ornate architecture and magnificent interiors.
*Nijo Castle website: nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/?lang=en
*UNESCO: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto: whc.unesco.org/en/list/688/
*NOTICE: Should you have any special dietary requirements, please ask us beforehand, but take note that dishes in this tour may contain one or more of the seven most common allergens (shrimp, crab, wheat, buckwheat, eggs, milk, peanuts) as well as meat including pork.
The tour will be conducted by City of Kyoto Visitors Hosts certified by the City of Kyoto. Fuelled by passion and deep knowledge, the guides will introduce the hidden gems and charms of the city.
Option B: “Hidden Gems of Kyoto Tour” in Fushimi
Take a stroll in Kyoto City’s Fushimi area (designated as one of the Hidden Gems of Kyoto Project sites) and find out more about Shinto and sake!
Fushimi Inari-shrine and traditional sake brewery
Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.
Fushimi is also renowned as one of Japan’s sake production districts. Participants will be able to discover the history of the Japanese sake and its production methods.
Option C: “Hidden Gems of Kyoto Tour” in Ohara
Retreat to the mountain-foot Ohara area (designated as one of the Hidden Gems of Kyoto Project sites) and feel wabi-sabi, an important part of Japanese aesthetics.
Sanzen-in and Kyoto’s washoku
The participants will taste traditional Japanese food, washoku (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage), at one of the city’s iconic restaurants, and then visit the Sanzen-in Temple in Ohara that lies northeast of the city’s outskirts.
The temple’s garden is solemn, refined and has been described as the “Jewel Box of the Orient” with its beautiful green moss and colourful foliage, where visitors can feel wabi-sabi.
Visit Uji City in the southern part of Kyoto City to explore the unique cultural heritage.
Uji Byodoin Temple and Sumiyama Pottery Village
The Uji City is located in the southern part of Kyoto city where participants will be able to visit the Uji Byodoin Temple, a World Heritage site. Initially built as a lavish retreat for a famous politician, FUJIWARA Michinaga, whose son converted it into the unique temple.
The excursion also includes a visit to the Sumiyama Pottery Village and a workshop to create some pottery.
*Byodoin Temple website: www.byodoin.or.jp/en/
Option E: “Nature Exploration 2-day Tour”
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and indulge in Kyoto Prefecture’s rich nature by the sea and in the forest!
NOTICE: Participants of this tour will return to Kyoto City at 17:00hrs on 14 December.
Amanohashidate, meaning “bridge to heaven”, is a unique sandbar featuring 8,000 pine trees and is one of three most scenic views in Japan.
* Participants will stay and take dinner in an accommodation in Miyazu City.
Day 2: Gorogatake Park
Admire the magnificent view over the entire Maizuru Bay with its highly indented coastline, one of top 100 famous landscapes in the Kansai Region.
* Participants will take lunch in the tranquil Miyama thatched village.
Day 2: Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride
Located in Arashiyama, Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride has a long tradition since 1606. Participants can indulge in this historic ride and enjoy the dynamic river float without feeling cold as the boat has a heater.