cultural 5 days
Kyoto Temples & Gardens 5 Days
Kyoto, Japan · Difficulty: easy
About This Tour
Walk beneath vermilion gates, drink matcha with a tea master, and sleep in a 120-year-old machiya townhouse. This small-group journey covers Kyoto in depth: sunrise zazen meditation with Zen monks, a private geiko performance in Gion, the bamboo groves of Arashiyama before the crowds, and a day trip to Nara to feed the sacred deer. Led by licensed local guides, maximum 12 travelers.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival & Gion Evening Walk
Meet at Kyoto Station, transfer to your machiya townhouse. Evening stroll through Gion and Pontocho with a local guide, ending with an optional kaiseki dinner.
Day 2 — Arashiyama Before the Crowds
Early entry to Tenryu-ji Temple and the bamboo grove, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji moss temple, Saga-Toriimoto preserved street. Afternoon matcha ceremony with a tea master.
Day 3 — Zen Kyoto
Sunrise zazen meditation at a working Zen monastery, Ryoan-ji rock garden, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Market food walk with tastings.
Day 4 — Fushimi Inari & Nara
Dawn hike through the thousand torii gates of Fushimi Inari. Afternoon in Nara: Todai-ji Great Buddha, Kasuga Shrine, sacred deer park.
Day 5 — Tea Fields & Departure
Morning in Uji, birthplace of Japanese green tea: Byodo-in Temple and tea tasting. Shinkansen assistance and farewell.
Included
- 4 nights machiya townhouse stay
- Daily breakfast + 2 dinners
- All entrance fees
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Tea ceremony + zazen session
- IC transport card preloaded
Not Included
- International flights
- Lunches and 2 dinners
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Traveler Reviews
***** — Alice
Best tea ceremony ever
I have done tea ceremonies before but this master explained the philosophy behind every movement. Small group meant we could ask everything.
***** — John
Kyoto done right
The dawn visit to Fushimi Inari with nobody around was worth the whole trip. Our guide Yuki knew every back street in Gion. The machiya stay was magical.
Choose Departure
Full departures offer a waitlist — contact support to join.
Add-ons available at checkout
- Tea House Dinner with Geiko (+$120.00)
- Bullet Train Upgrade (+$45.00)
- Travel Insurance 5 Days (+$19.00)