Kyoto Travel Guide

Yadoya Nishijinso

2012-08-07T06:13:32Z

We provide quality service that allows you to enjoy the atmosphere of traditional Kyoto to the fullest and make yourself at home. Yadoya Nishijinso is located at the center of Kyoto, which makes it ideal for sightseeing, shopping, business, and other opportunities. We also serve Obanzai ryori, a traditional Kyoto cuisine that has been passed down through generations. We welcome you with our hospitality.

* Address: 458 Nishimachi horikawa-higashiiru, motoseiganji-dori, kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, 602-0956

* Access: 15-minute by taxi from JR Kyoto Station

2-minute walk from City Bus Stop Ichijomodoribashi or Horikawaimadegawa

8-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Subway Karasuma Line

* Tel.: +81-(0)75-441-6860

* Fax.: +81-(0)75-441-6881

* Room Rates: [Dinner and breakfast included] Out of service

[Breakfast included] From 10,280 yen

　 [Without meals] From 8,900 yen

　 *All prices are Per Guest (subject to change). (Including service charges and tax)

* Number of rooms: 8 rooms (Including 2 western-style twins)

* Check in 4:00 p.m. Check out 10:00 a.m.

* E-mail: nishijinso@dolphin.ocn.ne.jp

Reservations

http://www.nishijinso.com

Mikihan Ryokan

2012-08-07T06:00:54Z

The history of Mikihan Ryokan dates back to the Edo Tempo period from 1830 to 1844. It is located at the center of Kyoto City, which makes it convenient for you to visit various tourist spots such as Kinkaku-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo-jo. You can also walk to Gion and Ponto-cho and enjoy sightseeing there at night. For shopping, Shinkyogoku and Nishikikoji are the best locations. Our grand chef, who was commended by the Minister of Health and Japan Authorized Cooks Association, and also certified as "Modern Master Craftsman" of Kyoto, is well known for serving sophisticated Kyo-ryori, Kyoto cuisine, made from seasonal ingredients. Japanese beef Sukiyaki and Shabushabu have been also popular for our guests. You can relax and refresh yourself in the newly renovated big bath, enjoying a scenic waterfall. We also offer optional plans that enable you to attend a ceremonial knife, called shiki-bocho, performance and experience tea ceremony in a tea-ceremony room. The entire facility has a sprinkler system and AED.

* Address: 96, 97 Yaoya-cho, Rokkaku-dori Fuyacho Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, 604-8072

* Access: 10--minute by taxi from JR Kyoto station

7-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line, Kyoto Shiyakushomae Station on the Subway Tozai Line, or Karasumaoike Station on the Subway Karasuma Line

10-minute walk from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Line

30-minute by car from Kyoto Minami/Kyoto Higashi JCT

* Tel.: +81-(0)75-221-5189

* Fax.: +81-(0)75-241-3382

* Room Rates: [Dinner and breakfast included] From 10,500 yen

[Breakfast included] From 7,350 yen

[Without meals] From 6,300 yen

*All prices are Per Guest when there are 2 adult guests (subject to change).(Including service charges and tax)

* Number of rooms: 40 rooms

* Check in 4:00 p.m. Check out 10:00 a.m.

Reservations

http://www.mikihan.com

Momijiya (Main Takaosanso, Annex Kawanoiori)

2012-08-07T05:41:23Z

Takaosanso is located at the northwest of Kyoto and offers a high standard of hospitality, just as they did it a century or more ago. It can boast spectacular scenery of fresh greenery in spring and snowy landscape in winter and across all four seasons. When you cross a suspension bridge over the Kiyotake river at the foot of a historical temple, Jingo-ji, you will find a gassho-style main house surrounded by trees and two annexes, among which the best rooms have open air baths. In summer, you can savor authentic Japanese cuisine on Kawadoko and also observe traditional geisha entertainment as well as Kyomai, Kyoto style dance from June to September. If you stay at another hotel in the city, you can also enjoy having dinner made from seasonal ingredients here.

* Address: 2-banchi Nishinohata-cho, Umegahata Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, 616-8289

* Access: 30-minute by taxi from JR Kyoto Station

Courtesy bus from JR Hanazono Station

* Tel.: +81-(0)75-871-1005

* Fax.: +81-(0)75-881-3111

* Room Rates: [Dinner and breakfast included] From 14,700 yen (per night)

From 14,700 yen (per two night)*To March 31, 2013

*All prices are Per Guest when there are 2 adult guests (subject to change). (Including service charges and tax)

* Number of rooms: Main Takaosanso, 14 rooms

Annex Kawano-iori, 8 rooms

* Check in 3:00 p.m. Check out 10:00 a.m.

Reservations

http://www.momijiya.jp/

Haru Cooking Class -Kyoto-

2011-12-29T02:48:47Z

Haru Cooking Class -Kyoto- offers Japanese home cooking in both regular menu and vegetarian menu. The class is run by a young friendly Japanese family living in Kyoto. You will be invited to their home to cook a meal together, which gives you a great insight to a normal Japanese life.

Fee: starting 5,900yen per person
Duration: approximately 3-4 hours (cooking and eating)

Haru Cooking Class -Kyoto-
Address: 166-32 Shimogamo Miyazaki-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City 606-0802
Website: http://www.kyoto-cooking-class.com/

HOSHINOYA Kyoto

2011-10-18T09:30:06Z

"Experience Authentic Japan with Modern Comfort"
HOSHINOYA offers the ultimate in relaxation and comfort, blending the ancient Japanese cultural tradition of the ryokan with the latest in modern architecture. A picturesque nobles' retreat in the millennial city of Kyoto. HOSHINOYA Kyoto offers a truly private retreat in Arashiyama, the most beautiful hideaway in Kyoto, Japan's most culture rich city.

* Address: 11-2 Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto City, 616-0007

* Access: 7-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line

10-minute walk from Arasiyama Station on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line

* Tel.: +81-(0)50-3786-0066

* Fax.: +81-(0)75-871-0003

* Room Rates: [Without meals] From 24,000 yen (per night) *To April 30,2014

* Check in 3:00 p.m. Check out 12:00 p.m.
* Number of rooms: 25 rooms

Reservations

http://www.hoshinoyakyoto.jp/en

Exclusive Kyoto Tour

2011-08-16T12:31:51Z

The Deepest Kyoto Tour
Local machiya owners present the "Kiyomizu Machiya Walking Tour"

With a local Kyoto resident as your guide, explore the fascination of mysterious and historical side of Kyoto! You can have a glimpse of a Maiko's daily life as well as inside of a machiya townhouse.
This is a walking event for foreign tourists who are visiting Kyoto and foreigners who take up residency in Kyoto.

Date: Every second and fourth Wednesdays
Note: Tours other than the designated dates can be organized upon request conditional on the guide's schedule. Please contact us 7 days prior to anticipation.

Schedule : 1:00pm ‒ 3:00pm : Walking tour
Guide services will be provided in Japanese and interpreted in English.

For more details, please contact us here.
Facebook address : https://www.facebook.com/thedeepestkyoto
Mail address : deepestkyototour@gmail.com

Reservations: Required in advance
Please send ❶ the date, ❷ the representative's name, ❸ number of people, ❹ ZIP code and address, ❺ daytime phone numbers, ❻ email addresses
You will be contacted regarding your reservation confirmation within 2 to 3 days after submission of your reservation application. The reservation limit is 21:00 on the day before the tour date.

Aoi Matsuri

2011-05-13T12:13:20Z

The Aoi Festival is a festival of both the Shimogamo Shrine and the Kamigamo Shrine held in Kyoto City on May 15th. The official name of the festival is Kamo Festival. In the mid-6th century, a serious famine occurred. Emperor Kinmei asked a fortune teller for guidance to handle the problem. The fortune teller told the emperor that the famine was caused by the gods' anger. Therefore the emperor ordered a ceremonial festival to soften their anger. The festival today is known for its elegant parade with people dressed in classic costumes of the Heian Period.

Aoi Festival's highlight is its parade with people dressed in classic costumes of the Heian-period. Special carriages called 'Gosho Guruma' and oxcarts, which were common 1,000 years ago, can be seen. The name of the festival was derived from the fact that starting in 1694, everything in the procession, such as the people, carts and the oxcarts, became to be decorated with hollyhock leaves, which are called "aoi" in Japanese. The parade starts from the Kyoto Imperial Palace and proceeds through town to the Shimogamo Shrine, and then on to the Kamigamo Shrine. It seems like a reproduction of a historical scene from an ancient scroll.

The Course of the Parade :
Starting from Kyoto Imperial Palace at 10:30 → Arriving at Shimogamo Shrine at 11:40 → Leaving from Shimogamo Shrine at 14:20 → Arriving at Kamigamo Shrine at 15:30

The pre-festivals of the Aoi Festival are held in May. Especially the famous is 'Yabusame Shinto Ritual' , in which people shoot arrows while wearing kimonos and riding horses. (Shimogamo Shrine on 3rd May). Another pre-festival is the 'Kamo Kurabeuma', in which horses compete for speed at the riding grounds. It begins after the ceremony. (Kamigamo Shrine on 5th May)

Yabusame Shinto Ritual

Kamo Kurabeuma

©Yuka Hoshino

Gion Matsuri

2011-05-13T11:40:16Z

"Gion Matsuri" is a large festival held by Yasaka-jinja Shrine with over 30 events in the month of July. The origin of this festival was a religious ritual to calm the plague that spread all over the country in 869.

The highlight of this festival is "Yamahoko Junko" held on the 17. In this event, over 30 decorated wagons called "Hoko" and "Yama" are pulled by people and paraded around town. It is registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Children and adults ride on Yamahoko and play the festival music with whistles and bells to boost the festival mood. In the evening after the Yamahoko Junko is over, Shinkosai is held at Yasaka Shrine. Watching over a thousand men wearing Happi (loose informal Japanese coat) and carrying Mikoshi (portable shrines) is sheer excitement.

Also, we recommend event packed Yoiyama, which is the pre-festival of "Yamahoko Junko". From the 14 through 16, Yamahoko are built on the street for 3 days, and you can see inside of the Yamahoko during that time. "Byobu Matsuri" is held where old families and long established stores present their treasured byobu (decorative screens), kimono, and paintings and calligraphic works. There will be roadside stands that sell snacks and sweets unique to Japan.

Main events
July 14th through 16th Yoiyama at Shijo Karasuma Area
17th 9:00~ Yamahoko at Junko Shijo Dori, Kawaramachi Dori, Oike Dori
17th 16:00~ Shinkosai at Yasaka-jinja Shrine

Kyoto Regular Tour Bus

2011-05-10T02:33:39Z

Our Tour Bus is one of the most efficient ways for tourists, whose time is limited, to visit historical temples and shrines dotted around Kyoto.
The tickets usually include other fees and admission fees, etc, so tourists can just go directly to the tourism sites.
If you are visiting Kyoto for the first time, why not visit the main historical heritage sites, and if you have visited many times, why don't you try to look deeper into the essence of Kyoto?
The "Kyoto Regular Tour Bus", which is jointly operated by the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau and Keihan Bus Co., Ltd., leaves from in front of the JR Kyoto Station everyday. Since we have our English, Korean and Chinese websites, it is easy to book the tour. (The booking will start from the middle of May). Please pay the fee when you get on the bus.

"Sample Course"
The "Kyoto Half-day Tour" is a course for visiting the most famous historical heritage sites in Kyoto, such as Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Ginkaku-ji (the silver Pavilion) and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Tour Time: 4 ½ - 5 hours. Fee: Adults 4,950 yen, Children 2,780 yen.
The "Quick Look around Kyoto" tour is also available.

Keihan Bus Official Website
http://www.kyoto-regulartourbus.com/
Enquiry: +81-75-672-2100 (Keihan Bus Co., Ltd, Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau.)

Another bus tour company: JTB Sunrise Tour
http://www.jtb.co.jp/shop/itdw/info/e/

IYEMON SALON KYOTO

2011-02-01T02:15:01Z

The varying types and production methods of Japanese tea give it a rich variety of characteristics and flavors. Iyemon Salon Kyoto brings you 'scenery with tea' , a new way to enjoy tea, savoring it together with a meal or snack, or as a luxury item.

The café features seating designed to allow customers to enjoy their tea with meals or desserts, as well as a tea counter, where you can savor tea carefully prepared by a Japanese tea instructor. New ways of enjoying tea are brought to you by the Chakai event, which is held regularly.

IYEMON SALON KYOTO

Address: Chiso Building 1st Floor, 80 Mikura-cho, Sanjo-dori Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City 604-8166

Business hours: 8:00 - 24:00 (tea counter from 11:00)

Tel: 075-222-1500

Access: 2 minutes on foot from Karasuma Oike Station exit 6, on the Karasuma and Tozai subway lines

Okakita

2011-02-01T02:12:47Z

Kyo-udon, or Kyoto-style udon noodles, are one of the traditional flavors of Kyoto. With a history that stretches back over the 70 years since its establishment, the time-honored udon restaurant 'Okakita' allows diners to enjoy traditional flavors that are meticulous in their use of dashi fish stock and ingredients.

This steaming hot udon served in a pot is the perfect dish for the cold winter days to come!

In addition to udon, 'Okakita' offers an extensive menu featuring dishes made from carefully selected ingredients unique to Kyoto, including don-mono (rice-bowl dishes), ankake (a thick starchy sauce), tamago toji (egg drop soup), nama-yuba (a dish made by boiling soy milk) and Kyoto vegetables.

'Okakita' Kyoto Udon and Soba

Address: 34 Okazaki Minamigoshocho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Tel: 075-771-4831

Business hours: 11:00 - 20:00 (last order)

Closed: Tuesdays

Website: http://www.kyoto-okakita.com/

Discover Kyoto's New Autumn in Kimono!

2011-01-27T05:33:03Z

On a relaxing day of autumn, put on a kimono and feel your spirit rise as you enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto. While wandering through the small city streets, temples, shrines, historical buildings, and the famous Geisha district, try stopping for a green tea parfait.

(About 7 hours)

1. Kimono Shop Kitamura → 10:00 - 18:00

Choose from a variety of appropriate seasonal kimono designs and try on a complete rental set. Without any difficulty, you can soon begin enjoying Kyoto sightseeing on foot. A small Japanese present is also included!

Details

* Address: 470 Shimogawara-cho, Kodai-ji Monzen, Shimogawara-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City

* Access: 5-minute walk from City Bus Stop Higashiyama-Yasui

* Tel.: 075-531-3981, 050-5805-0974, 0120-979-817

* Website: http://www.sensho-kitamura.jp/info/english.html

* Fees: 5,250 yen (*Reservations required)

<10-minute walk>

2. Stone Wall Streets → 13:20 - 13:50

Built from the Meiji through the Taisho periods, these stone walls lead to gourmet restaurants and traditional Japanese inns. At designated important traditional building preservation area, the traditional elegance of Japanese architecture remains firmly in place. Pedestrian traffic is scarce and one can sense the good old days of Japan.

Details

* Address: Shimogawaracho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City

* Access: 7-minute walk from City Bus Stop Higashiyama-Yasui

<5-minute walk>

3. Gion Tsujiri Kodai-ji Branch → 14:00 - 15:00

Gion Tsujiri is the finest tea store in Kyoto! High class tea ceremony maccha is used lavishly in specially selected Tsujiri parfaits which start from 871 yen. Many other types of maccha sweets are also on the menu. In comparison to the long lines at the main store in Gion, this location is relatively quiet but highly recommended.

Details

* Hours: 11:00 - 17:00 Last Order (Varies according to the season)

* Address: Nene no michi, Kodai-ji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City

* Access: 15-minute walk from Gion-shijo Station on the Keihan Railway

* A short walk from City Bus Stop Gion

* Tel.: 075-541-1228

<15-minute walk>

4. Shoren-in Temple → 15:30 - 17:00

The teachings of this temple originate from a humble Buddhist monk who lived on Mt. Hiei. After the son of a retired emperor entered this temple at the end of the Heian Period (794-1185), it flourished in its role as an imperial household temple. Gazing over Kirishima Garden (built in the Muromachi Period) while drinking tea is the highlight of any visit.

Details

* Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (No admission after 16.30)

* In spring and autumn, special night visits available.

* Address: 69-1 Sanjobo-cho, Awataguchi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City

* Access: 5-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Subway Line

* 3-minute walk from City Bus Stop Jinju-machi

* Tel: 075-561-2345

* Entrance fees: Adults: 500 yen, Junior High and High School Students: 400 yen, Elementary School Students: 200 yen

* Website: http://www.shorenin.com/english/

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

2011-01-25T06:32:56Z

Though Japanese rice wine is often referred to as sake in English, sake in Japanese refers to alcohol in general. In Japan, the preferred word for rice wine is "Nihonshu."

Nihonshu has a very distinctive aroma and fruity sweet taste. It is usually 14 to 19 percent alcohol. Drinking chilled nihonshu in summer helps you feel refreshed after working and increases your appetite. In winter hot nihonshu makes you feel warm and relaxed.

There are approximately 2,000 nihonshu breweries in Japan producing more than 10,000 products. Every brand of nihonshu has a unique aroma and taste of its own. If you would like to find out more about nihonshu and brewing, the museum below may interest you.

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

Website: http://www.gekkeikan.co.jp/english/index.html

Marukyu-Koyamaen Makishima Factory　

Website: http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/eng/index.htm

Horino Memorial Hall

Address: 172 Kameya-cho Nijo-agaru-sakaimachi Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Tel: 075-212-9993

Fax: 075-212-9994

Entrance Fees: 300 yen

Experience Fees: 5,250 yen including tax/person

Reservations Necessary

Nijo-jo Castle

2011-01-24T05:48:23Z

The gorgeous style of this castle was intended as a demonstration of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616)'s prestige.

Nijo-jo Castle was the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns in Kyoto, who had been ruling Japan for over 260 years from 1603 to 1868, and it remains an eloquent testimony to their power. The wide moat, massive stone walls, and heavy yet elaborate gates are still impressive, and were the only fortifications the inhabitants felt necessary, so firm was their grip on power. The grounds are large and contain several lovely gardens as well as groves of plum and cherry trees. The palace building itself is imposing, yet upon closer examination, is rich in decorative detail.

Inside the palace are several masterpieces of Japanese art, most notably the painted screens of the main chamber. In this room the shoguns met the daimyo (high-ranking warlord-administrators) who sought an audience. The screens were painted by artists of the Kano school and employ rich colors and large amounts of gilt to depict flowers, trees, birds and tigers. They were meant to impress. Also in the palace are the famous "nightingale floors," which were designed to squeak when steped on and thus alert guards to any intruders.

Address: 541 Nijo-jo-cho, Horikawa-nishi-iru, Nijo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City

Tel.:075-841-0096 Fax: 075-802-6181

Access: A short walk from City Bus Stop Nijo-jo-mae (from JR Kyoto Station/Hankyu Railway Karasuma Station), or Nijo-jo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line

Parking: 30 buses: 2500 yen/ 2 hours, 216 cars: 600 yen / 2 hours

Hours: 8:45-16:00 closing at 17:00

Closed: 12/26-1/4 and Tuesdays (Jul. Aug. Dec. Jan.) (If the Tuesday is a holiday, the castle closes the following day.)

Entrance Fees: Adults: 600 yen/ Junior High and High School Students: 350 yen / Elementary School Students: 200 yen

Kyo no Tanabata

2011-01-19T04:39:31Z

In the annual Tanabata Festival (Star Festival), people write their wishes on strips of paper and hang the strips on bamboo branches in the hope that the stars will make their wishes come true. This festival began around the year 700 and originates in a Chinese legend where the lovers "Hikoboshi (the star Altair in the constellation Aquila)" and "Orihime (the star Vega in the constellation Lyra)", separated by the "Milky Way", are able to meet only once a year on the night of July 7.

In the "Kyo no Tanabata" (Kyoto Tanabata) event, Kyoto's unique atmosphere adds to the regular Tanabata Festival. If you write your wishes on a special postcard, your postcard will be used to decorate one of the traditional temples or shrines in Kyoto. You can also rent a "yukata" (casual summer kimono) and receive some help with putting it on. Meanwhile, in areas neighboring the Horikawa River and Kamogawa River sites of the "Kyo no Tanabata" event, a wide variety of events including bamboo and light motif art work exhibitions and concerts are held.

In the Horikawa River area, a "Milky Way of Light" illumination event is held where you can feel as if you are actually walking along the Milky Way. Taking part in the release of the glittering "Inori boshi (prayer stars)" along the Horikawa River is also an activity you should not miss. In the Kamogawa River site, you can stroll along the river beneath the beautiful decorative lights and bamboo, and enjoy some traditional events unique to Kyoto including "Yuzen-Nagashi" (rinsing dye from "Yuzen" silk in the river water) and dining on the "Noryo-Yuka" terrace perched above the river.

Kyo no Tanabata

Dates:1st to 2nd week of August (Dates subject to change every year.)

Place: Horikawa site, Kamogawa site, several shrines and temples in Kyoto

Contact: Kyoto Star Festival Executive Committee (Tourism Promotion Division, Tourism Department of the Kyoto City Industry and Tourism Bureau)
Tel (Japanese) : +81-(0)75-222-4133 (Mon-Fri 9:00-17:30)