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Luxury Travel to Kyoto made for you

Experience the beauty of Japan’s cultural capital on a private trip designed by our travel experts

A city of ancient culture and exquisite scenery

When you think of Japan, it’s Kyoto you’re picturing. Multi-tired pagodas rising above the skyline. Elegant landscape gardens with minimalist rock features and stone bridges over serene ponds. Kimono-clad geisha shuffling along narrow, lamp-lit streets lined with wooden machiya townhouses.

Previously the capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto remains Japan’s cultural heart. We’ll arrange for you to take private workshops in activities such as calligraphy, origami, ikebana (flower arranging), karate and samurai swordsmanship.

And Kyoto has a modern side too. It boasts world-class museums, contemporary art galleries and upmarket department stores alongside its traditional markets, craft workshops and sake breweries.

The city is perhaps most famous for its temples and shrines, and we’ll create a bespoke itinerary that takes you to the most mesmerising sights. The seemingly endless tunnels of vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha. The gilded hall of Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) shining above its reflection in the surrounding lake. And the meticulously raked sand garden at Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion).

You’ll also join private chefs and gastronomic experts to explore Kyoto’s culinary scene. You can go on a food tour of Gion or Nishiki Market, enjoy multi-course kaiseki ryori cuisine, learn how to make mochi (rice cakes), and take part in an authentic tea ceremony.

One of our favourite things to do in Kyoto is explore its natural beauty, and there are plenty of walks to choose from. These include short strolls through Arashiyama’s ethereal bamboo grove and along the riverside Philosopher’s Path, plus longer hikes in the surrounding mountains.

We also recommend taking a day trip to the nearby city of Nara. In addition to picturesque temples and shrines, it’s home to hundreds of friendly free-roaming deer who are fed special shika senbei crackers. Speak to our expert team and start planning your luxury trip to Kyoto today.

  • Low angle view looking up at tall green bamboo stalks towering toward a dense leafy canopy in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
  • A woman in a blue kimono and umbrella walks away along a stone path framed by red torii gates.
  • Stone staircase street lined with traditional wooden buildings and blooming pink cherry blossoms.
  • Hands in white kimono sleeves holding a red cloth above a ceramic bowl and bamboo whisk on a dark surface.
  • Two delicate pink flower-shaped sweets with small yellow centers placed on a textured dark ceramic plate.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Kyoto specialists

Dine with geisha

Enjoy an evening of traditional songs, dances and games as you have dinner with geisha (geiko in the local dialect) at one of Kyoto’s most exclusive restaurants.

Get hands-on at a kintsugi workshop

Try your hand at the Japanese art of kintsugi, mending broken ceramics with lacquer and gold powder to turn cracks into a beautiful part of an object’s history.

Learn to make sushi

Have a private lesson in making hand-rolled sushi with an expert instructor at a traditional wooden machiya townhouse.

Quiet your mind

Get an authentic introduction to zazen (Zen meditation) from a Buddhist monk in one of the city’s tranquil temples for a moment of inner peace.

Dive into the world of sake

Visit the sake-producing Fushimi district to tour traditional breweries, learn about the drink’s history and how it’s made, and sample an array of local varieties.

A word from one of our experts

Rachel shares how Japan captivates through its farm-to-table cuisine, vibrant cities, traditional temples and diverse landscapes. It’s a place where deep-rooted customs and modern life exist side by side, making it an experience she believes everyone should have.

Rachel O Leary Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Kyoto

There are many incredible places to stay in Kyoto. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our Kyoto example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Kyoto adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Where to go in Japan

Meet your Asia team

When to visit Kyoto

The best time to visit Kyoto is in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). Pleasant temperatures and low humidity make these months ideal for exploring the city. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, with June and July seeing the most rain. The city’s biggest festival, Gion Matsuri, takes place in July. Winter is the quietest time to visit Kyoto. Lots of shops, restaurants and attractions close around the New Year holiday, and the weather is dry but chilly. Cherry blossom season is usually from late March to early April. This is arguably when Kyoto is at its most beautiful, with otherworldly pink and white blossoms bursting into life around its landmarks. Another mesmerising time of year to visit is from late October to early December. This is the fall foliage season, when the mountains and temple gardens are festooned in vibrant shades of crimson and gold.

Cherry blossoms

March–April

Autumn leaves

November

Gion Matsuri festival

July

When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan?

Japan travel guides

Plan your trip to Kyoto

Whatever you want from your adventure in Kyoto, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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