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Kyoto tours and excursions

Kyoto tours

Taxi Tours

Several taxi companies offer private sightseeing tours that can be tailored to interests and time constraints. The company Kyoto MK suggests day long, chauffeur-guided outings that take in temples and mountain scenery and provides English-speaking guides.

Tel: +81 75 778 4145
Website: http://www.mktaxi-japan.com

Bus tours

Kyoto Sky Bus is a hop-on-hop-off bus service that takes sightseers to different areas of the city. Stops include Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo-jo Castle, as well as the Gion geisha district. GPS-based voice guidance in English is available.

Tel: +81 75 744 0973
Website: https://skyhopbus.com/kyoto/en/

Kyoto excursions

Osaka

Step aboard a futuristic Shinkansen (high-speed train), and in the space of half an hour, Kyoto’s history-drenched streets can be exchanged for the ultramodern skyscrapers of Osaka. This neon-lit port city is famous for its dining scene, with hundreds of restaurants cramming streets around the Dōtonbori Bridge. Vibrant nightlife and some interesting sights, including the impressive Osaka Castle, add to the city’s appeal.

Website: http://www.osaka-info.jp/en

Nara

Less than an hour south of Kyoto is the ancient city of Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan and one that remains adorned in cultural riches. Day-trippers should head straight for Todaiji Temple, one of the city’s three UNESCO sites and home to a bronze Buddha of epic proportions. Those staying longer can visit the celebrated Kasuga Shrine and Kofuku-ji Temple, full of treasured Buddhist artefacts.

Website: http://www.narashikanko.or.jp

Takahama

Japan is the first Asian country to obtain the Blue Flag award for its beaches, one of which is Wakasa Wada Beach in Takahama town, just a short two-hour train ride away from Kyoto. The surrounding translucent waters are best explored on a kayak or a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP).

Website: http://www.wakasa-takahama.jp

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Featured Hotels

Capsule Ryokan Kyoto

A seven-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, these ryokan-style capsules offer traditional tatami beds inside compact rooms to create something both unique and quintessentially Japanese. Space is cleverly used in the private rooms, which have air-conditioning, televisions and en-suite shower facilities, while free Wi-Fi and refreshments are available in a communal lounge area.

Iori Kyoto Townhouse Stays

A machiya (a traditional merchant townhouse) is an excellent hotel alternative, especially for group rental. Try one of the eleven Iori residences found dotted across central Kyoto, each one luxuriously restored and decked in Asian art. Varying in size, the houses combine traditional architecture, such as beam-work and tokonoma alcoves, with modern conveniences, to give a taste of traditional Japanese living in lavish style.

Nishiyama Ryokan

Adding a modern twist to the traditional ryokan (Japanese inn), Nishiyama offers affordability, comfort and welcoming staff. The Japanese and Western-style rooms are spacious and relaxing and there are shared baths (separate men and women), a dining room and a comfortable lounge with laptop ports. The ryokan is conveniently located downtown close to shopping, sightseeing and nightlife.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

A leader for luxury in Kyoto, the Hyatt Regency is superbly located next to the Sanjūsangen-dō Temple, with the Kyoto National Museum across the road and the Gion district within walking distance. The 178 rooms and suites are tastefully decorated with natural tones and traditional Kyoto fabrics. There are various in-house restaurants and bars, a Japanese garden, a relaxing spa and yoga studio.

Hiiragiya Ryokan

The Hiiragiya is one of the most exclusive ryokans in Kyoto. Since the mid-19th century it has hosted the rich and famous in its exquisitely decorated rooms. There are two wings – the oldest is full of traditional aesthetic charm and the more modern (completed in 2006) is a compliment of modern Japanese design. The service is impeccable and truly an experience in itself.

Shunkoin Temple Guest House

For a sacred night's sleep, Shunkion is located within the Myoshin-ji temple complex in the northwest of the city. Its eight simple and serene rooms are decked out with tatami mats and offer shared kitchen facilities; some have en suite bathrooms. The real draw is that guests can enjoy morning meditation classes and strolls in the temple by night. There's also free bicycle rental on offer.

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