Kyoto & Nara, slow, 7 days
A week that builds a real picture of Kyoto, Nara, and the northern lakes, paced so you can stay for tea and not rush the next temple.
Highlights
What this trip is about
- Early entry at two major temples before crowds
- A private tea ceremony in a Higashiyama townhouse
- A day walk on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail
- Stay in a ryokan with onsen on Lake Biwa
Day by day
The itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kyoto
Check in to the hotel in central Kyoto, then an evening walk through Gion with the guide.
- Day 2
Eastern temples, early
We are at Kiyomizu-dera at 07:00. Slow morning, lunch in a machiya, afternoon at Kennin-ji.
- Day 3
Arashiyama & the western hills
Bamboo grove at dawn, a private boat on the Hozu, then Tenryu-ji gardens.
- Day 4
Tea ceremony, then Nara
Tea in a Higashiyama townhouse, train to Nara, an afternoon with the deer and Todai-ji.
- Day 5
Kumano Kodo day walk
Transfer to the Kumano trailhead for a guided day on the pilgrimage route, ending at a hot-spring inn.
- Day 6
Lake Biwa ryokan
Train to Lake Biwa, a slow afternoon at the ryokan, onsen, kaiseki dinner.
- Day 7
Return to Kyoto & departure
Morning at leisure, transfer to Kansai airport after 13:00.
- 1Kyoto
- 2Higashiyama
- 3Arashiyama
- 4Nara
- 5Hongu
- 6Lake Biwa
The fine print
What's included
Included
- English-speaking cultural guide throughout
- 6 nights: 4 hotels, 1 ryokan, 1 minshuku
- All breakfasts, 3 dinners, 1 tea ceremony
- JR Kansai rail pass and private transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches
- Personal shopping
- Optional onsen fees