Kyoto, where the charm of an ancient capital harmonizes with modern vibrancy. Explore historic buildings while leisurely enjoying the city's distinctive cuisine and culture.
"Kyoto's Kitchen"—a 400-meter arcade where over 130 vendors offer everything from pristine seafood to artisanal delicacies and traditional cooking ingredients. This vibrant market serves Kyoto's finest ryotei restaurants and discerning locals from dawn to dusk, maintaining its authentic role as the city's culinary heart. *Please refrain from eating while walking in the shopping arcade.
[Access]
2-minute walk from the hotel.
An aromatic oasis of incense and tranquility nestled within the business district. Formally known as Shiun-zan Choho-ji, this beloved hexagonal temple—built by Prince Shotoku in 587—stands as one of Kyoto's most ancient sanctuaries and the celebrated birthplace of ikebana flower arrangement.
[Access]
4-minute walk from the hotel.
At the eastern terminus of Kyoto's main Shijo-dori stands Yasaka Shrine, the revered head shrine of over 2,300 Susanoo-no-Mikoto temples nationwide. Home to the legendary Gion Festival—a millennium-old prayer for protection from disease—this sacred place remains the spiritual heart of Kyoto. The Utsukushi-Gozen-sha sub-shrine, blessed with beauty-enhancing spring water, draws visitors seeking Kyoto's most potent "beauty power spot."
[Access]
20-minute walk via Nishiki Market and Gion district.
For over 1,000 years until the Meiji Restoration, this magnificent 650,000-square-meter estate served as the Emperor's residence. Its vast grounds offer breathtaking seasonal viewing—cherry blossoms and autumn maples enjoyed in tranquil splendor, away from Kyoto's bustling crowds.
[Access]
15-minute walk to Sakaimachi Gate, 5 minutes by car. One subway stop from Karasuma-Oike to Marutamachi Station.
The main head temple of the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism, in its newly opened museum (2023) displays national treasure paintings by the Hasegawa Tohaku school. The serene temple grounds, adorned with symbolic bellflowers, and the nationally designated garden—known as "Rikyu's favored style"—offer intimate encounters with Kyoto's refined cultural heritage through every season.
[Access]
Bus: Shijo-Takakura (nearest to hotel) → Higashiyama-Shichijo
Short walk from bus stop
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
The grand head shrine of Japan's 30,000 Inari shrines. The breathtaking tunnel of vermillion torii gates—known as Senbon Torii—winds 4 kilometers to the mountain summit. Devoted to prosperity and abundant harvests, each gate represents a fulfilled prayer, creating today's magnificent landscape. Open 24 hours, dawn and twilight visits reveal the shrine's most mystical essence.
[Access]
Keihan Line: Sanjo Station → Fushimi-Inari Station
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
Kyoto's life-giving waterway flows through the city's heart, offering riverside paths where local rhythms blend with timeless Kyoto moments. From spring's cherry blossom viewing to summer's elevated dining platforms (kawadoko) and twilight strolls, each visit reveals the river's ever-changing sublime beauty—an essential thread in Kyoto's cultural tapestry.
[Access]
15-minute walk from the hotel.
A mystical power spot where ancient cedar roots, blocked by unyielding bedrock, spiral across the forest floor in otherworldly patterns. This legendary training ground of Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune) and the tengu offers a 1-kilometer trek from Kurama-dera to Kifune Shrine. Comfortable walking shoes recommended for this enchanting journey.
[Access]
Keihan Line: Sanjo Station → Demachiyanagi Station
Eizan Railway: Demachiyanagi Station → Kurama Station
Explore Kurama-dera Temple grounds (approx. 30 min)
Duration: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
Cycling is the ideal way to explore Kyoto. Enjoy the breeze as you navigate the ancient city's streets, with the flexibility to discover appealing shops and hidden attractions. Slip into the everyday flow of local life and discover Kyoto's signature unhurried moments. Please ask at the front desk for information about bicycle rental shops.
Experience this nostalgic "Showa-era sento" bathhouse, nestled along the Takase River, where colorful neon lights beckon at night and naturally soft water—sourced from underground springs and wood-fired—washes away your cares. Step into Kyoto's local culture at this fully equipped bathhouse, offering jet baths, herbal medicinal baths, saunas, and various other facilities.
[Access]
Bus: Kawaramachi-Sanjo → Kawaramachi-Shomen
1-minute walk from bus stop
Duration: approx. 25 minutes
