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Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

Kyoto

Intriguing geishas & awe-inspiring temples

Kyoto tailor-made holidays

Introduction

Once the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, Kyoto is filled with a wealth of cultural treasures – among them 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. The city's religious landmarks, majestic palaces and Zen gardens, together with geishas in brightly coloured kimonos, are classic images of Japan and part of the city's lasting allure for tourists.

Discover Geisha culture

Kyoto is the best place in Japan to experience the shrinking world of the geisha. Meaning ‘practitioner of the arts', geishas spend many years training to sing, dance, play traditional instruments and provide stimulating conversation for affluent men who consider them the epitome of refined beauty. Before the Second World War there were as many as 80,000 geishas in Japan, but today this number is down to a few thousand - identified by their distinctive white make-up and expensive kimonos - the majority of whom live and work in Kyoto, the bastion of the tradition.


Geishas, Kyoto

Explore the Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji, or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is an extravagant building with two tiers covered in gold leaf - hence its name. It was originally built as a retirement villa for a shogun, but he requested that it become a temple in his will. It's a peaceful place, with the reflection of Kinkaku-ji shimmering in the waters of a calm pond that forms part of a classic Japanese garden around the temple.


 Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) in Kyoto, Japan

Uncover Kyoto's famed temples

The wooded hills to the east of Kyoto form the backdrop to the celebrated Kiyomizudera Temple, a Buddhist temple that was founded beside a waterfall that divides into three separate streams. Drinking water directly from the stream is said to have different benefits depending on which stream is chosen: long life, success at school and success in love. Japan's most famous rock garden is housed within the Ryoanji Temple, a Zen temple that was formerly an aristocrat's villa during the Heian period. Fifteen stones laid out in small patches of moss are the focal points, although only 14 are visible at any one time, wherever you view the garden from. 


Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto, Japan

 

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Top itineraries in Kyoto

Sensoji, Tokyo, Japan

Essential Japan

10-day tailor-made holiday from £4,390 pp incl. flights

Get a taste of all that this spectacular and multi-faceted country has to offer, with private tours of Tokyo, traditional ryokan stays, trips on Japan's 200mph bullet train and visits to world famous temples.

Mt Fuji, Japan

Best of Japan

14-day tailor-made holiday from £7,760 pp incl. flights

With a rail pass and a host of included tours and traditional ryokan stays, this is your chance to experience the best Japan has to offer as you explore the country's hi-tech cities, ancient temples and spectacular national parks.

Okinawa, Japan

Highlights of Japan & Okinawa

16-day tailor-made holiday from £8,165 pp incl. flights

Experience the best of Japan's culture and coast, with private tours, traditional ryokan stays, bullet train trips and even a stay on a pair of tropical island idylls.

Cherry Blossom, Mt Fuji

Japan's Blossom Season

11-day tailor-made rail holiday from £5,440 pp incl. flights

Between private, tailor-made tours, bullet-train trips and stays in historic hot-spring inns, see the best of Japan and its world-famous cherry blossom season.

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Top places to stay in Kyoto

Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Contemporary hotel

Despite being the first luxury international hotel in Kyoto, fine Japanese dining and clean lines complemented by bonsai trees and tatami mats give this deluxe hotel a real sense of place.

Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto, Kyoto

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

Contemporary hotel

This modern hotel has an excellent restaurant, a popular bar and a location that’s perfect for exploring the sights of Japan’s cultural capital, Kyoto.

Hoshinnoya Kyoto

Hoshinoya, Kyoto

Designer resort

In each of this renovated ryokan’s 25 rooms, you’ll be able to enjoy the same luxury that greeted Kyoto’s nobility some 100 years ago.

Hyatt Regency, Kyoto

Hyatt Regency, Kyoto

Contemporary hotel

Stay in among Kyoto’s storied past in the contemporary luxury of granite bathrooms and kimono tapestries.

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When to go to Kyoto

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Much of southern Honshu enjoys a subtropical climate with hot, sticky summers and cool winters that almost never reach freezing. Outside of cherry blossom April – Kyoto and Nara are particularly pretty – the best times to go are the more temperate shoulder seasons. If you're looking to cool off from city microclimates, seaside Hagi and lakeside Matsue are good choices.

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Meet our Kyoto experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0689

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0689 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

Visit us in our London office

Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
  • Tailor a holiday to your precise requirements
  • Personalised quotes and documentation

Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ATOL & ABTOT protected