Welcome to enchanting Japan – a truly timeless place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. From the splendor of a Kyoto geisha dance to the spare beauty of a Zen rock garden, Japan has the power to enthrall even the most jaded traveler.

Arrive in Osaka, Japan's 3^rd largest city where people are a bit brasher & interactions are peppered with playful jabs. If Kyoto was the city of the courtly nobility & Tokyo the city of the samurai, then Osaka was the city of the merchant class.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Osaka Kansai International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in and also discuss the program for the next few days.

*If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel, unless advised. Transfer can be via Train or Airport Limousine Bus (to be advised prior to arrival in Osaka) but you would be accompanied by the Rep.

Reach the hotel in Kyoto & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the morning or afternoon is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Japan's spiritual heart, Kyoto is old Japan writ large: quiet temples, sublime gardens, colourful shrines & geisha scurrying to secret liaisons.

Japan's Spiritual Heart | Tastebuds | City of Artisans | Cultural Buzz

Kyoto is the storehouse of Japan’s traditional culture & the stage on which much of Japanese history was played out. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than 1600 Buddhist temples & over 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto is also one of the world’s most culturally rich cities.

You will find true masterpieces of religious architecture, such as the retina-burning splendour of Kinkaku-ji (the famed Golden Pavilion) & the cavernous expanse of Higashi Hongan-ji. Within the temple precincts are some of the world’s most sublime gardens, from the Zen masterpiece at Ryoan-ji to the riotous paradise of moss & blossoms at Saiho-ji. And then there are the Shinto shrines, monuments to Japan’s indigenous faith. The mother of all shrines, Fushimi Inari-Taisha, has mesmerising arcades of vermilion torii (entrance gate to a Shinto shrine) spread across a mountainside. It is where robed monks shuffle between temple buildings, prayer chants resonate through stunning Zen gardens & the faithful meditate on tatami-mat floors.

Even as the modern city buzzes & shifts all around, a waft of burning incense, or the sight of a bright vermillion torii gate marking a shrine entrance, are regular reminders that Kyoto remains the spiritual heart of Japan. Indeed, it is fair to say that Kyoto ranks with Paris, London & Rome as one of those cities that everyone should see at least once in their lives. And, needless to say, it should rank near the top of any Japan itinerary.

While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways are still clinging on in Kyoto. With its roots as the cultural capital of the country, it is no surprise that many traditional arts & crafts are kept alive by artisans from generation to generation.

That is not to say there is nothing modern about Kyoto - arriving into futuristic Kyoto Station is a stark sign of that. And throughout the city, young Kyotoites don the hottest new fashions, while craft beer & single-origin coffee is taking over.

For many, just the name of Kyoto conjures up the classic images of Japan: streets of traditional wooden houses, the click-clack of geta (wooden sandals) on the paving stones, geisha in a flourish of brightly colored silks, and a tea master deliberately warming water & making tea. Steeped in history & tradition, Kyoto has in many ways been the cradle of Japanese culture. A stroll through Kyoto today is a walk through 11 centuries of Japanese history.

If you don't know your matcha (powdered green tea) from your manga (Japanese comic), have never slept on a futon or had a bath with naked strangers, then it doesn't matter as this is the place to immerse yourself in the intricacies of Japanese culture. Whether you watch matcha being whisked in a traditional tea ceremony, spend the night in a ryokan, get your gear off & soak in an onsen, join a raucous hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) party or discover the art of Japanese cooking - you will come away one step closer to understanding the unique Japanese way of life.

Few cities of this size pack such a punch when it comes to their culinary cred & at its heart is Nishiki Market ('Kyoto's kitchen'). Kyoto is crammed with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants, chic cocktail bars, cool cafes & sushi spots to food halls, izakaya (Japanese pub-eateries), craft-beer bars & old-school noodle joints. Splurge on the impossibly refined cuisine known as kaiseki while gazing over your private garden, taste the most delicate tempura in a traditional building, slurp down steaming bowls of ramen elbow-to-elbow with locals, then slip into a sugar coma from a towering matcha sundae.

Work your way through the entire spectrum of Japanese food, from impossibly refined cuisine known as kaiseki to hearty plebeian fare like ramen. There is also a wide range of French, Italian & Chinese restaurants, where the famed Japanese attention to detail is paired with local ingredients to yield fantastic results. Best of all, many of Kyoto’s restaurants are in traditional wooden buildings, where you can gaze over intimate private gardens while you eat.

No educated Kyotoite would dare send a letter without making a reference to the season. The city’s geisha change their hair ornaments 12 times a year to celebrate the natural world. And Kyoto’s confectioners create seasonal sweets that reflect whatever is in bloom. Starting in February & lasting through the summer, a series of blossoms burst open like a string of firecrackers: plums, daphnes, cherries, camellias, azaleas & wisteria, among many others. And don’t forget the shinryoku (the new green of April) and the brilliant autumn foliage of November.

Visit an old shotengai (market street) and admire the ancient speciality shops: tofu sellers, washi (Japanese handmade paper) stores & tea merchants. Then, wander through the old streets of Nishijin & Gion past machiya (traditional Japanese townhouses).

Later in the evening, you will visit the home of a Tea Master. The Tea Master also owns a business making custom kimonos, & she will demonstrate how kimonos are dyed & made. And finally, for those who are interested, we will have kimonos for women & hakama for men to experience wearing traditional Japanese clothing.

Tea has been drunk in Japan for over 1,000 years, but it was only around the 16^th century that the practice took on the highly ritualized form by which it is know today. Warlords, wealthy merchants & literati all competed to lay on the most lavish & sophisticated tea ceremonies.

Originating as a habit of Chinese Buddhist monks to aid their meditation, tea-drinking in Japan & other parts of East Asia became such a refined activity that, from the 13^th century CE, aristocrats adopted it as a means to display one's culture.

This unadorned & rustic aesthetic is commonly known as “wabi-sabi” and one of its leading proponents was the tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), who was the favored Tea Master of many a powerful man of his day.

Rooted in Chinese Zen philosophy, the Ceremony is a spiritual process, in which the participants remove themselves from the mundane world, seeking harmony & inner peace. It is unique as every process from the tea equipment preparation until the tea is drunk. It has a distinctive technique & represents harmony, respect, purity & tranquillity which we must embrace in order to achieve the main purpose of the tea ceremony. A lot of preparation goes into this important event.

The stylized Tea Ceremony has been performed the same way for over 400 years & was once considered standard training for Samurai.

While some enthusiasts favored showy & highly refined tea ware & tea rooms, the prevailing sensibility gradually started to favor an understated, plain, even rough aesthetic, by which much of Japanese art is now known.

Kyoto remains the center of the Japanese Tea Ceremony world (& tea growing world, for that matter, since much of it is grown in the southern suburb of Uji). The 3 main schools are all located here & it is a fantastic place to sample an actual tea ceremony. If you want to try this most calming of cup of tea, Kyoto is the place to try.

The engaging Master gives a thorough & insightful introduction to the history & meaning of this practice while the guests are drawn into the moment in order to experience what lies at the heart of this ancient cultural practice.

The Ceremony consists of the host first bringing the mizusashi (a lidded container generally made of ceramic, but it can also be wooden, glass & metal) filled with fresh cold water which is mainly used to replenish the water in the kama at the end of certain ceremonies, offering the guests special sweets & then preparing & serving the tea made of the highest quality, organic matcha pulverized tea leaf stirred in hot water, in a yunomi (a tall form of  Japanese teacup, typically made from ceramic material & having no handle).

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There are countless types; a full-length formal event that includes a meal & two servings of tea. The Ceremony can last up to 4 hours, depending on the type of occasion performed, the number of guests & the types of tea served.

Cha-kaiseki, based on the healthy low calorie food that consumed by Zen monks, is the typical Japanese cuisine that is served before a Tea Ceremony. It includes rice, soup & boiled dishes along with Sake (Japanese rice wine).

In addition to proper formal Tea Ceremonies, many temples offer simple stripped-down versions in which they will serve you a Japanese-style sweet with a bowl of matcha (powdered green tea), usually served overlooking a lovely garden.

Return to the hotel.

Overnight. 

Today, find your zen at one of the world’s famous meditative rock gardens - serenity seeking tourists tested, UNESCO approved. Learn about Japanese garden landscaping on a Kyoto walking tour.

With its high ratio of well-preserved temples, Kyoto is a perfect environment for exploring the landscapes that have become a staple of Japan since the time of emperors and nobles.

Morning at 09.00 am, meet the Tour-guide & proceed on a short bus ride to visit one of the most famous landmarks -  Zen Buddhist Ryoan-ji, a temple with its famous zen rock garden, nestled down a wooded path that crosses over a beautiful pond with several walking trails.

Originally a private residence for aristocrats, the site was converted to a Buddhist temple in 1450 by Daimyo Hosokawa Katsumoto. The temple belonging to the Rinzai school, features traditional Japanese paintings on sliding doors, a refurbished zen kitchen & tatami, or straw mat, floors. The luscious setting is as attractive as the temple itself.

You have probably seen a picture of the rock garden here. Ryoan-ji Temple’s main attraction has always been its mysterious rock garden, the most celebrated in Japan, which defies attempts at explanation, known as much for its meditative qualities as well as a desire to find meaning in its minimalistic attributes. So what does the rock garden signify? You can only find out by seeing it for yourself.

It is one of the symbols of Kyoto & one of Japan’s most famous "hiraniwa" (flat garden void of hills or ponds), revealing the stunning simplicity & harmony of the principles of Zen meditation. A serene space shrouded in mystery that holds the promise of spiritual nirvana. The garden is an example of karesansui (dry landscape) garden in its purest form.

Enclosed on three sides by a blank clay wall & on a fourth side by a veranda, the dry-style garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles with three groupings of 15 carefully placed larger stones on moss swaths interspersed seemingly adrift in a sea of raked white gravel.

There is considerable debate concerning the origins & evolution of the garden. The designer, who remains unknown to this day, provided no explanation. Although many historians believe the garden was arranged by Soami during the Muromachi period (1333 - 1568), some contend that it is a much later product of the Edo period.

A viewing platform right above the garden gives visitors an unimpeded view, although from whatever angle you view the garden, you can never see all 15 stones. From the viewing point on the veranda, only 14 rocks can be seen at one time in the garden, notable for its waterless representations of flowing rivers and sea waves through a philosophical arrangement of granite & stone. Those able to spot the fifteenth stone are said to have reached the ultimate stage of enlightenment. Move slightly & another rock appears at the same time that one of the original 14 rocks disappears

The number “15” is mythical in Buddhist numerology as it’s the exact number it takes for the moon to become full - a reflection of perfection. And yet, the garden’s abstract design thwarts any effort to view all 15 stones at the same time from any angle (hinting at the inevitable state of human imperfection?)

Reflection upon the rocks is open to interpretation - whatever the meaning. For some the rock garden & raked gravel represent islands in the sea, for others mountains rising above clouds, some even see animals. Ryoanji is a place where you can come to discover zen and what it means to you.

After sitting & pondering the garden's "sermon in stone," you can stretch your legs by touring the extensive grounds of the Temple, which includes larger gardens with trees & moss, and the Kyoyo-chi pond, which is particularly striking in autumn.

After spending a couple of hours, accompanied by the Tour-guide, hop on to another public bus & proceed to the nearby Kinkaku-ji. Known as the Golden Pavilion, it was originally built in 1393 as a retirement villa by Yoshimitsu Ashikage, the 5^th Ashikage Shogun.

After his death, his son converted the villa to a Buddhist temple.

The gleaming building covered in gold leaf seems to float on the aptly named Mirror Pond. In the Shinden style of the Heian Period, the pavilion sits on the edge of the pond, surrounded by a Chinese-influenced garden whose focus is the pond studded with rocks & pine-covered islands.

Each floor of the 3 story structure has a different architectural style, with a golden-colored phoenix standing on the roof. The original building was destroyed by a fire in 1950 set by a mentally-ill monk with metaphysical aspirations. The copy, as seen today, was quickly rebuilt in five years. The exterior of the building was regilded in 1987 at great expense.

Yoshimitsu lived his retirement years here in seamless luxury while the rest of the country & Kyoto suffered from a series of famines, earthquakes and plagues. It is thought, the local Kyoto death toll alone reached 1,000 people per day during this time. It is unknown, however, if he told his aides to "Let them eat cake". Yoshimitsu designed the garden on the basis of earlier Heian Period gardens, with the pond as the focus of the garden. Though there is a path around the pond, the garden was designed to be viewed from a boat or from the Golden Pavilion itself. The banks of the pond are planted with bushes & pruned trees, whose size in the foreground, near the pavilion, is small. Taller trees & bushes on the further bank lie in front of even larger trees to create the illusion of considerable space, augmented by the borrowed mountain scenery in the distance.

Before continuing, we will take a short walk to a nearby noodle shop for lunch.

After lunch, hop on to another bus to Nijo Castle.

Built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, its ostentatious style of construction was intended as a demonstration of the Shogun's prestige & to signal the demise of the Emperor's power. The garden next to the Nijo Castle is a perfect example of a Warrior's Garden, meaning it was designed by a Samurai.

After finishing the tour of the Nijo Castle garden, walk to the nearby Shinsen-en Garden. Shinsen-en is the remnant of a garden that was exclusively used by the Imperial family during the Heian Period (8^th - 12^th centuries).

Return to the hotel / ryokan by afternoon.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B L     

Early morning, you will be met by the Tour-guide at 06.00 am & embark on a 6 hour excursion to the nearby rural town of Ohara.

Ohara seems to come straight out of a timeless bubble, at the foot of the Mount Heie. The agrarian town enjoys a reputation in the area mainly because of its tsukemono. - a vegetable preserved in various preparations, that accompany most meals. Meant to "clean the palate" between the various dishes that make up Japanese meals

You will visit a Koi farm learn how Koi are raised. Walk the walk in the forest surrounding the village that will lead you to the waterfall Otonashi no taki, literally "the waterfall without noise." It is said that the sound of the waterfall merged with the chants of the monks of the nearby temples, making it almost silent.

Located here is the famous Sanzen-in Temple founded in the late 8^th century by Saicho, the priest who introduced Tendai Buddhism to Japan. Along the main street leading to Sanzen-in temple, there are numerous souvenir shops & restaurants catering to temple visitors, offering a taste of these vinegared or salty specialties. Among the local specialties offered at the shops, are various pickles, including "Ice Kyuri" (Japanese cucumbers mildly pickled in seaweed flavored ice water and served whole on skewers). Culinary adventurers will tempted by tasty experiences at any time of the day!

Sanzen-in Temple has sprawling grounds and a variety of buildings, gardens & walking paths. There are a number of smaller temples in the vicinity.

Historically, members of the Imperial family served for many generations as the heads of the temple.

After entering the temple through the front gate, you will pass through a series of connected temple buildings. The first major building is the Kyakuden (guest hall), which displays works of Japanese calligraphy & paintings on sliding doors (fusuma). Connected to the Kyakuden by a corridor, the Shinden (main hall) displays statues of three Buddhist deities, the central figure of Amida Buddha being flanked by the attendants Kannon and Fudo Myoo.

The building opens up onto the Shuheki-en Garden ("Garden that Gathers Green"), a traditional Japanese garden that has a small pond & a hill. As the name indicates, it features a dense display of carefully shaped shrubs leading the eye toward a small stone pagoda located at the southwest angle of the garden.

After admiring the view from the Shinden, walk through the moss garden. A tranquil atmosphere permeates the garden & there are a number of amusing stone statues that peek out from the moss. Along with the rest of the temple, the garden is particularly impressive during the autumn colors, which usually take place in mid-November, about a week earlier than in central Kyoto.

The Yusei-en ("Garden of Pure Presence") flanks one of the other sub temples to which Sanzen-in was joined - Ojo Gokuraku-in ("Temple of Rebirth in Paradise"), a well preserved Amida hall constructed in 985 & rebuilt in 1148. The Amida-Nyorai Sanzon Buddhist statue with 2 attendant deities, Kannon on one side & Seishi on the other, .housed here has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. Its pond is called Kudoku-ike ("Charity Pond"). The large expanse of moss-covered ground to the east of the pond is famous for its cedars & red maples, the latter providing striking color accents in late autumn. The temple is also known for its lovely display of hydrangeas in early summer.

After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, continue by bus & train to Shisen-do. Shisen-do, located in northwest Kyoto, combines a dry-landscape garden with perfectly manicured azalea bushes. When viewed from the veranda, the bushes form the garden's principal subject. But the main beauty of the garden is how the interior of the temple & the exterior garden merge to form a fluid space, with the veranda acting as an intermediary zone. Just where the inside and the outside space begin is difficult to establish.

Return to the hotel / ryokan by afternoon.

 Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B L   

Meet the Tour-guide around 08.30 am & travel by public bus to Ginkaku-ji - a Zen temple along Kyoto's eastern mountains (Higashiyama). It is one of the constructions that represent the Higashiyama Culture of the Muromachi period.

Originally built in 1482, as his retirement villa by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa who modelled it after the

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), his grandfather's retirement villa at the base of Kyoto's northern mountains (Kitayama).

As the retirement villa of an art obsessed shogun, Ginkakuji became a center of contemporary culture, known as the Higashiyama Culture in contrast to the Kitayama Culture of his grandfather's times. Unlike the Kitayama Culture, which remained limited to the aristocratic circles of Kyoto, the Higashiyama Culture had a broad impact on the entire country. The arts developed & refined during the time include the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, noh theater, poetry, garden design & architecture.

The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa's death in 1490.

Today, Ginkakuji consists of the Silver Pavilion, half a dozen other temple buildings, a beautiful moss garden & a unique dry sand garden.

The older part, consisting of a Zen-style stroll garden organized around a pond, features rock compositions, bridges, moss & plants arranged into scenes inspired by famous places described in classical Japanese & Chinese literature.

Directly adjacent, departing from common practice is a dry, landscape garden added during the Edo period. The long furrows of raked sand resemble waves on the ocean in the moonlight - giving rise to its name, Sea of Silver Sand. But this part of the garden is dominated by a perfectly shaped sand cone which is said to resemble Mount Fuji, known as the Moon Viewing Hill. The upper part of the garden is organized around a path that winds along a steep slope with views of Kyoto.

Formally named Kannonden (Kannon Hall), the pavilion's two stories are constructed in two different architecture styles & contain a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. However, the interior of the building is not open to the public.

Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver. Instead, it is believed that the name arose as a nickname more than a century after the building's construction to contrast it with the Golden Pavilion. Alternatively, it is explained that moon light reflecting on the building's dark exterior (which used to be covered in black lacquer in the past) gave it a silvery appearance.

The pavilion is one of only two buildings on the grounds of Ginkakuji which have survived intact the many fires & earthquakes of the past centuries, although it has been undergoing periodical renovation works to keep it well preserved. Most recently the building's roof was redone & its earthquake resistance was improved.

Hop on to a bus again & travel to Nanzen-ji - one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan.

The history of Nanzenji dates back to the mid-13^th century, when Emperor Kameyama built his retirement villa on the site of his previous detached palace Kameyama at the base of Kyoto's forested Higashiyama mountain & later converted it into a Zen temple.

After its founding, Nanzenji grew steadily, but its buildings were all destroyed during the civil wars of the late Muromachi Period (1333 - 1573). The oldest of the current buildings was built after that period.

It is the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism & includes multiple sub-temples, that make the already large complex of temple buildings even larger.

Visitors first come across Nanzenji's massive Sanmon entrance gate, which extends over the treetops. The gate was constructed in 1628 by the ruling Tokugawa clan for soldiers who died in the siege of Osaka Castle in 1615. It is possible to climb up to the gate's balcony, from where the view extends across the city. Behind the gate is the Hatto (Dharma Hall), a large lecture hall which cannot be entered by the public.

Past the Hatto is the Nanzen-ji Hojo - the former head priest's residence & Nanzenji's main hall. The Hojo is most famous for its rock garden, constructed in the 17^th century by Kobori Enshu, a samurai general & master of the tea ceremony who also demonstrated his versatility in architecture & gardening.

The garden includes an arrangement of rocks called "The crossing of tiger cubs," depicting a scene where the mother tiger leads its cubs across the river. Also highly regarded are the paintings on sliding doors (fusuma), which include a more realistic depiction of tigers on gold leaf. Visitors enter the Hojo building complex through the former temple kitchen (kuri), where they can also find a small tea room to their right with a view of a miniature waterfall.

We will continue on to Konchi-in, another sub-temple on the outskirts of the Nanzenji temple complex. The temple was founded in 1400, but moved to its present location in the early 1600s. Within Konchi-in there are a variety of buildings, fusuma (sliding door) paintings, rock gardens, a tea house & a small subsidiary of the Toshogu Shrine. Konchi-in also features a dry garden created by Kobori Enshu. The garden has been designated a national scenic beauty site, and is one of the most celebrated gardens in Kyoto.

From here, continue by subway & train to Tofuku-ji.- a Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku, one of the so-called Kyoto Gozan or "five great Zen temples of Kyoto".

Tofuku-ji, once one of the most important religious complexes in Kyoto, has historically been one of the principal Zen temples in Kyoto & is a head temple of one of the schools of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.

The large temple that is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colors was founded in 1236 at the behest of the powerful Fujiwara clan. Its name is a combination of the names of two great temples in Nara that were also associated with the Fujiwara, Todai-ji Temple & Kofuku-ji Temple.

The most popular view is of the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees. The view from the bridge is spectacular, and the 100 meter long, covered walkway becomes extremely crowded when the colors reach their peak, usually around mid to late November.

The 22 meter tall Sanmon Gate is the oldest Zen gate of its kind, dating back to 1425. Behind the gate is the Hondo (main hall), which is even larger but is a recent reconstruction from 1934. Surrounding those two massive structures are a number of temple buildings that date back to the early Muromachi Period (1333 - 1573) and are rare examples of surviving Zen architecture from that era, including the meditation hall (zendo), belfry (shoro), bath (yokushitsu) & lavatory (tosu).

The Hojo, the former head priest's living quarters, is another interesting area. Rock gardens were often built alongside hojo buildings, but the gardens at Tofuku-ji's Hojo are unique for surrounding the building on all sides.

Arranged around the main buildings, there are 4 gardens including a dry-landscape garden depicting islands & an ocean. Each garden has a different character, employing pebbles & large rocks set into a carpet of moss, neatly arranged into a checkerboard pattern.

You might also see Kaisando Hall, reconstructed during the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), which serves as the mausoleum of the temple's first head priest. The stone path in front of the Kaisando is flanked by contrasting gardens on both sides, a dry rock garden on the left & a lush pond garden on the right.

Return to the ryokan by bus.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & on a full day excursion to the nearby town of Arashiyama once a favorite relaxation spot of the Emperors. Travel by local train on the 30 minute ride,

Arashiyama & Sagano, 2 adjoining neighbourhoods at the base of Kyoto’s western mountains, bordering the banks of the Katsura River, form the city’s 2^nd most-popular sightseeing district after Southern Higashiyama and is a nationally designated Historic Site & Place of Scenic Beauty drawing foreign & domestic tourists. It also refers to the mountain across the Oi River, which forms a backdrop to the district.

The main street of Arashiyama, along with the famed Togetsu-kyo Bridge, which form the heart of Arashiyama is nothing but a tourist circus. But, don’t despair. It is filled with smaller temples & shrines scattered around.

A classic symbol of the Arashiyama area, the Bridge is often the first sight that visitors head to see when they arrive.  Spanning the Katsura River (also called the Oi River or Hozu River depending on the area) the Bridge offers a splendid view up & down the river which varies dramatically from season to season.  With Mt. Arashi serving as a backdrop, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms, vibrant summer greens & colorful autumn leaves on the mountain slope.  On the Oi River side you can watch people in small rental boats paddle about, or take part yourself.  The Togetsukyo (Moon Crossing Bridge) takes its name from the romantic notions of Emperor Kameyama in the 14^th century, who noted that throughout the night it seemed like the moon was making its way across the bridge.

On any given day in Arashiyama, you are likely to see people in kimono or yukata enjoying local food, shopping & pilgrimages to the local temples.  Rickshaw drivers wait to carry you to your destination, whether it be the natural beauty of the bamboo forest or the man-made temples that have stood in Arashiyama for hundreds of years.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji, a true treasure of Kyoto district. Founded in 1339, the Temple originally built on the former site of Emperor Go-Daigo's villa, presently serves as one of the headquarters of the Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism. The name “Tenryu-ji” was suggested by Ashikaga Tadayoshi (brother of the shogun Ashikaga Takauji) following a dream he had of a golden dragon flying into the heavens from the river just south of the temple. Tenryu-ji’s beautiful landscaped garden & Sogen Pond, famous for its use of shakkei (borrowed scenery), was laid out by Muso Soseki, an eminent Zen master.

The garden represents a transition between earlier pond gardens and the karesansui (dry landscape) gardens that later became popular in Zen temples. The focus of the garden is a pond that lies at the base of the hills rising to Mount Arashi, which is incorporated in to the design of the garden in the earliest known example of borrowed scenery (shakkei). At the far end of the pond are two rock groupings. These rock groupings are orientated on a vertical alignment, which was a departure from the horizontal alignments in earlier gardens. Tenryu-ji is also known for the Cloud Dragon painting in its Dharma Hall & for the opportunities it offers visitors to participate in traditional Buddhist practices such as meditation & sutra copying

After finishing the tour of the Temple & Garden, enjoy a Shojin-ryori lunch (Buddhist vegetarian diet with no garlic or onions) at the Temple.

The star attraction here is the famed Sagano Bamboo Forest (Chikurin), located just outside the north gate of Tenryu-ji.

Walk to the dense bamboo grove, with its rows upon rows of long, ringed, smooth stems, provide a feeling of composure & tranquility. The sound of the wind blowing through the bamboo, the stems knocking against each other & the rustling of the leaves is revered in Japan. One of the most photographed sights in Kyoto, the bamboo forest in Sagano Arashiyama is a natural gem. 

Walking under the shade of the towering bamboo, you can feel somewhat lost in nature despite having been in a bustling open area moments before. The bamboo forest has entrances accessible from the main shopping street, Nonomiya Shrine, or Tenryu-ji’s gardens & leads you up a slope until you arrive at the Okochi Sanso Villa. 

Depending on the season it can be rather crowded on the path, but the wonder of peering off to the side into stalk after stalk of old bamboo growth isn’t diminished no matter the surrounding people.  Some choose to take a rickshaw ride through the forest for an added experience.

Next point will be the historic Okochi Sanso Villa, the former lavish estate of Japanese period film star Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) famous for his samurai films.   

A beautiful destination often overlooked due to its location at the end of the winding bamboo forests of Arashiyama, the former residence located in the foothills of Mt. Ogura, includes a traditional home, tea house & Buddhist halls on the property amidst carefully planned & cultivated Japanese-style gardens designed to showcase the best of each of the 4 seasons.  The sprawling gardens may well be the most lovely in all of Kyoto, particularly when you consider the brilliant views eastwards across the city spread out below it. Be sure to follow all the trails around the gardens. Despite being constructed relatively recently, the villa employs classic architecture & traditional techniques, appearing far statelier than its age would imply.

Hold onto the tea ticket you were given upon entry to enjoy a cup of matcha green tea & a Japanese sweet served in the teahouse where you can relax & rest your feet while enjoying the picturesque view.  Fans of the samurai film genre can also enjoy an open air museum dedicated to the villa’s original owner.

Then, enjoy a rickshaw ride to Daikaku-ji, originally the villa of Emperor Saga (786 - 842).   

Intrinsically connected to the history of Imperial rule in Japan, it became a temple after his death on orders from his daughter Empress Masako & later served as a retirement palace.  Though the original buildings inhabited by emperors were destroyed over time, they were replaced by structures transplanted from various locations.  The man made Osawa Pond on the grounds is one of the oldest surviving Heian Period garden ponds & was designed to look best when seen from a boat, which the temple sometimes provides for guests during festival periods. 

Because of its history as a villa, the layout of Daikaku-ji is slightly different than what you may expect from the average temple.  The principle images at Daikaku-ji are the Five Wisdom Kings (Godai Myo’o), particularly Fudo Myo’o & the most valuable treasure at the temple is a copy of the Heart Sutra written by Emperor Saga himself.  The Ikebana School Saga Goryu also calls this temple its headquarters & you can usually see a beautiful display of floral arrangements on your trip.

Final stop will be the Saiho-ji (commonly known as Kokedera, or "Moss Temple").

Saiho-ji is considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best garden in Japan. Created in 1339, the garden uses over 100 different types of moss creating waves of varying green colors. The moss is contrasted with trees, rocks and a small pond only. The garden is large (about 4 1/2 acres), & moss covers every ground surface and even some of the vegetation, creating a serene environment.

The designer of the garden believed firmly in the value of gardens as a meditation aid, writing that the garden could be a means of reaching enlightenment. In addition to exploring the garden, the monks at the temple ask visitors to copy a sutra (Buddhist scripture), giving you an opportunity to practice your calligraphy skills.

Walk back to the Station to catch the train to the city.

Reach your hotel / ryokan by late afternoon.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B L 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & travel by subway & taxi to Daitoku-ji. - a large walled temple complex, one of 14 autonomous branches of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen, is located in Kita-ku area of Kyoto.

While not nearly as well-known as the nearby Ryoan-ji, Daitoku-ji, is an extensive complex of 24 sub temples and is one of the best places in Japan to see a wide variety of Zen gardens & to experience Zen culture & architecture.

The original temple was established in 1319, but fires during the Onin Civil War destroyed all of the buildings. Most of the buildings you see today were built under the patronage of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16^th century. After its reconstruction, the temple grew into a center of the tea ceremony & became associated with tea master Sen no Rikyu, as well as the warlords Oda Nobunaga & Toyotomi Hideyoshi, both of whom were fond tea ceremony practitioners. Oda Nobunaga's grave is located at Sokenin, one of Daitokuji's sub temples that is not regularly open to the public.

Daitokuji's main buildings - the Sanmon Gate, Butsuden Hall, Hatto Hall & Hojo Residence,  are lined up on the east side of the temple grounds according to the classical layout of a Zen monastery. They are not usually open to the public, however visitors may view into the interior of the Butsuden.

The main buildings are surrounded by nearly two dozen sub temples, many of which were added to the complex by feudal lords from across Japan. Four of the sub temples are regularly open to the public, while some of the others have temporary special openings.

Here, we will participate in a Zazen Meditation lesson at one of the sub-temples given by one of the monks from the temple. You will be given the opportunity to practice your newly-learned skills.

After the lesson, view two of the sub-temples of Daitoku-ji.

The most celebrated among the sub temples is Daisen-in, the head of the North School of Daitokuji. Founded in 1509, it incorporates the oldest surviving example of an alcove (tokonoma), an important architectural feature still found in contemporary tatami rooms today, as well as some highly valued sliding doors (fusuma). Also known for its landscape paintings by the renowned painter Soami (1465 - 1523).

Daisen-in also features the famed Muromachi-period beautiful dry landscape rock gardens designed by Soko (1465 - 1548), which wrap around the temple building & are considered among the best examples of their kind.

Circling the building, one of the rock & gravel garden is designed to resemble a Chinese landscape painting with vertical stones representing towering mountains & islands divided by white sand waterfalls & streams which appear to flow through to the temple's other gardens to finally run into the ocean of nothingness, depicting the flow of life in the movement of a raked river swirling around the rocks.

Ryogen-in has five small gardens of gravel, stone & moss. The A-Un garden has a stone with ripples emanating from it & is said to represent the union of duality (the "a" sound is said at birth and the "un" sound is said at death), encompassing everything in between.

Koto-in is another interesting and popular sub temple that is open year around. It was built in 1601 by Hosokawa Tadaoki, a successful commander who fought for all three unifiers of Japan, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi & Tokugawa Ieyasu, and took part in many of the famous battles & campaigns of the era. He & his wife are buried at Kotoin, along with Izumo no Okuni, the founder of kabuki.

Koto-in is famous for its long, vaulted canopy of maple-tree-lined temple approach and the single stone lantern central to the main garden. The maples are also found extensively throughout Koto-in's tea garden & are used with sparse simplicity in the temple's tranquil moss garden. The leaves are particularly spectacular around the second half of November when they usually reach the peak of their autumnal beauty.

Return to the hotel / ryokan.

Later in the afternoon, the Tour-guide will accompany you to attend a bonsai lesson at a small nursery near the Kyoto train station. At the class, you will be reporting plants, training plants or trimming the plants depending on the time of the year.

Come back to the hotel / ryokan.

Today is a free day to explore independently or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).  

Walk along the Philosopher's Path and enjoy one of the many tea shops along the way.

Or visit the Kyoto Train Station which has won numerous design awards.

Or visit the city of Fushimi, a famous sake producing area. Fushimi is also home to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, which contains the long tunnels of vermillion-colored Torii.

Finally, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say "sayonara" (goodbye) to the Land of the Rising Sun. But, we are sure you may want to visit this enchanting destination again & discover some more.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the use of the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk if you have the time to walk out). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep who will transfer to Kyoto Station - Japan's 2^nd largest station building & one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall.

The building's futuristic design & atmosphere, in perfect contrast to many foreign tourists' image of Kyoto as the capital of traditional Japan, was conceived by the Japanese architect Hara Hiroshi. Hara's design attempts to convey historical Kyoto through a modern aesthetic. The station's large main hall with its exposed steel beamed roof, called the Matrix, is meant to reflect both the structure of the station & the grid like layout of Kyoto's street network.

From there, you will board the JR Limited Airport Express Train in a ‘reserved’ compartment for the 70 minute ride (on your own) to Kansai International Airport, just outside Osaka.

Arrive at Osaka Kansai Airport Station & proceed (on your own) to Check-in for your onward journey. B

*Our Services end with Departure Transfer to Kyoto Station.

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