4D3N Kyoto

Arrive at Kansai International Airport, built on a man-made island in Japan’s Inland Sea. You will be welcomed by our airport representative who will assist you with transferring by either train or shuttle bus to your hotel (1.5 hour). The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Explore the former imperial capital with a knowledgeable local guide, utilizing the comprehensive bus system to visit some of Kyoto’s World Heritage Sites. You will start your day with a visit to Nijo Castle. This ornamental castle was built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence and is surrounded by stunning surrounding gardens. The main building was completed in 1603, and is famous for its Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors.Continue on to Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. Originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun, after his death it became a Buddhist Temple at his request, and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. The final stop of the morning is Daitoku-ji Zen temple complex, which consists of a main temple and 22 sub-temples. You will visit Daisen-in sub temple, which was founded in 1464 and has one of Japan’s best Zen rock gardens, perfect for a spot of Zazen meditation after a busy morning.After lunch, we have arranged a very special cooking experience for you.
You will walk the mile-long Nishiki covered food markets, where there are many interesting food stores to explore as you help your guide buy the ingredients for your Japanese cooking class. This is a great opportunity to learn about local Japanese produce.After visiting the markets, you'll travel through the back streets and lanes of Kyoto, visit to former sake brewery for the tour of the house with sake tasting, and then finally to a traditional wooden townhouse for your Japanese cooking class. Cooking your own Japanese evening meal, you'll learn how to make rolled sushi, miso soup and cooked salad with seasonal fruit for dessert. After the meal, the evening is free for you to explore Kyoto, or your local guide can assist you in returning to your hotel.
Overnight in Kyoto.

This morning you will make the short 45 minutes trip by train to Nara with your local guide.For 74 years during the 8th century Nara was Japan’s capital and many of the temples and shrines built at that time still remain.First stop is Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building and home to Japan’s largest Buddha, followed by Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most celebrated shrine. You will also have time to wander through Nara Park, called Deer Park by locals due to the large population of tame deer living there.After lunch, return to Kyoto and visit Kiyomizu (Pure Water) Temple. From the 13m high veranda jutting out from the Main Hall you can enjoy amazing views of the whole of Kyoto, whilst pondering the fact that both the Main Hall and Veranda were built without the use of nails or any kind of joiners.Finish off the day with a stroll through the atmospheric Higashiyama district, whose busy lanes lead up to Kiyomizu and are filled with quaint shops selling souvenirs including Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets and pickles.

• Optional:
  
  • Tonight you can choose to stay in Japanese-style ryokan accommodation, complete with tatami mats, shoji rice paper sliding doors and onsen baths.

This evening, relax in your yukata, or lightweight kimono, and dine on a sumptuous kaiseki multi course included meal, utilizing the freshest season ingredients. A soak in the onsen hot spring bath after dinner is highly recommended before you bed down on your futon. Overnight in Kyoto.

Today is free until your included transfer to the airport by either train or shuttle bus.