Sights and sounds of Kyoto

See Kyoto's highlights

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning for a great day touring Kyoto. Begin with a visit to Nijo-jo Castle, which was completed in 1626 and built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace. Then stop at Kinkaku-ji Temple, visit the Golden Pavillion, which has two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold and detailed architecture incorporating three distinct styles.

When you arrive at Kyoto Imperial Palace you will be given exclusive access to the former residence of the Emperor of Japan, which oversaw many important functions until the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869. Later view the city of Kyoto from a beautiful hilltop temple and take a sip from the Otowa waterfall flowing from beneath the main hall, known to grant wishes to those who drink its waters.

fr £125pp

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Walking wonders

The Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts, and a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto. The streets are lined by small shops, cafes and restaurants which have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries. These businesses retain their traditional design and sell local specialties such as Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets, pickles, crafts and souvenirs.

Start the day with a visit to Kodaiji Temple with its halls, gravel and landscape gardens, teahouses and a bamboo grove. Yasaka Pagoda, the last remnant of Hokanji Temple, is one of the most visible and recognizable landmarks in the area and you can climb up inside the five story pagoda. Then visit the Yasaka Shrine and the temple at Chionin whose entrance gate is the largest wooden gate in Japan and was featured in the movie Last Samurai.

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Go for a ride

With your local guide, cycle through the Miyagawacho and Gion geisha districts, hoping to see a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha) as they dash between appointments. Then continue along the Shirakawa canal which is lined with weeping willow trees, past traditional Kyoto style tea houses for your next stop at the Imperial Palace Park with its beautiful gardens.

Cycle back to Kyoto station along the Kamogawa River, whose banks are popular with locals for strolling. Cherry blossoms bloom along the banks of the river in spring, and in summer restaurants have open balconies with lovely views. If you wish to carry on sightseeing in Kyoto on your bike after the tour has finished, you can arrange to keep the bike until 19:00 at no extra charge.

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Take a cook's tour

Together with a local guide you take a walk along 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 and after visiting the markets, you'll travel through the back streets and lanes of Kyoto, and visit a former sake brewery for a tour and sake tasting.

Finish the walk at a traditional wooden townhouse for your Japanese cooking class. Here you will learn how to make rolled sushi, miso soup and cooked salad with seasonal fruit for dessert, and then enjoy the results of your labour by sitting down to a memorable dinner. This fun tour will give you a great insight into the mysterious and exotic world of Japanese cuisine.

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