Kyoto: The City of a Thousand Temples – RY Marketplace
– Day Trip to Kyoto
– Visit a UNESCO world heritage site
– Eat at one the most famous udon noodle restaurants in Kyoto
– Explore Gion, the area known for the mysterious Geisha
Experience Description
Full of mysterious back alleys and more temples than you can possibly visit in a life time (it’s actually 1600), Kyoto remains one of the top travel destinations in the world, with 17 UNESCO world heritage within the city. In this day trip, you will be exploring Higashiyama, the historically preserved side of the city by the foothills of the eastern mountains, starting at Sanjisangendo, a temple known for its 1001 statues, before heading up to Ginkaku-ji, the famous silver pavilion and home to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Many famous cultural practises such as Ikebana (flower arranging), Tea Ceremony, and much of what is part of the Japanese Zen aesthetic was developed at Ginkaku-ji during the 15th century. Eat a traditional Udon and Tempura lunch at Omen (one of the few places that can offer vegan tempura), before heading down to Gion, where if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the mysterious Geisha. End the day exploring the many tastes and smells of Nishiki Market, also known as Kyoto’s Kitchen.
Who This Experience Is Good For
This experience is great for anyone who wants to explore Kyoto, is interested in history and traditions, and would like to try some delicious udon and tempura.
Meet Our Local Host
Born in Japan to an American father, Matt is one of the best guides in Kyoto today, having guided over 500 clients since 2009, including the US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and various famous musicians. Matt lives by the phrase 一期一会 (Ichigo Ichie) which is a Japanese saying that translates as “one encounter of one opportunity”, meaning that each meeting, everything we experience, is a unique moment never to be repeated again. His goal is to cherish Ichio Ichie with everyone he crosses paths with!
Itinerary
-Meet at 8:40 in front of accommodations
-Walk to Tanimachi 9-chome Station-Take the Tanimachi line to Temmabashi, change to the Keihan line-Keihan line to Shichijo Station, where our guide will meet us-Walk to Sanjusangendo Temple-Taxi to Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion)-Walk down the Philosophers Path to Honen-In-Tempura Udon lunch at Omen, a traditional udon noodle restaurant (pre-ordered, able to accommodate vegan options)-Taxi down to Gion, the famous geisha distric-Walk through Gion to Kenninji Temple
-Walk through Nishiki Market, also known as the Kitchen of Kyoto
What’s Included
– Entrance fees to temples
– Lunch
– Taxi
– Professional Tour Guide
Know Before You Go
– Minimum Needed: 10
– Maximum Capacity: 12 people
– Booking Deadline: 1 week in advance
– Weather Dependent: No – the trip will happen rain or shine. If it’s raining, please be prepared with an umbrella.
– Bring your own water to save plastic
– Difficulty Level: Medium (There will be walking, but none of it strenuous)
– Special Clothing Required: Yes – Comfortable walking shoes
– Special Dietary Restrictions: Yes – We will be eating at a udon restaurant, the broth will have soy sauce. If you are vegan, we can make special arrangements for the tempura batter, which normally has egg in it.
– Extra Cash: Needed for subway and Keihan line to Shichijo Station and back ¥1,200, also for any snacks at Nishiki market!
– Transportation: You will be taking the Tanimachi Line subway to Temmabashi, before changing got the Keihan line to Shichijo. The rest of the day is either walking or taxis.
What is the refund policy?
If you need to cancel your booking, no problem! Just send us an email at [email protected] with your Order # and let us know. If you cancel within 24 hours, you’ll receive a full refund. If it’s outside of the 24 hour window, don’t worry – our Local City Team will take a look and do their best to issue a refund if possible. Keep in mind, some financial commitments may have already been made, but if the minimum number of participants for the event is still met, we’ll do our best to give you your money back. If something unexpected comes up – like extreme weather or last-minute cancellations from our suppliers, don’t worry! In those cases, we’ll automatically process a refund for you. Just allow us 7-10 days to complete the process.
What happens if my booking is changed/cancelled due to weather?
Let’s be real – no one can control the weather, and sometimes things just don’t go as planned. But don’t worry, your City Manager is here to help and will do their best to come up with a solution if an event is affected. We understand that everyone’s schedule is different, so while we can’t guarantee a make-up option will work for everyone, we promise to try our hardest. If you’re unable to attend the make-up date, no problem – we’ll give you a full refund for your booking.
I have a discount or gift code, can I use it to complete my purchase?
Yes, once you add your item to your cart and check out, you will be able to input the code before completing the purchase. If you need help finding your code, please double check your inbox. You received an email from Marketplace with the code.
Can I book for a friend / family member?
Sure! We welcome your friends and family coming to visit you while you travel the world. We do, however, reserve the right to deny access to Friends / Family who are over using RY Services.
I haven’t received a booking confirmation email, can you help?
Please reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll help. In some cases, you may have multiple emails associated on the Marketplace and this is causing some confusion. Reach out and we’ll do our best to sort it out!
If I cannot attend, can I transfer my ticket to someone else?
Yes, you may transfer your booking to another Nation Member or Family/Friend. Please notify the City Manager as soon as possible to confirm the change. Please note, in the case of special dietary requirements, we might not be able to accommodate special requests on last minute changes. Any bookings that require advanced ticketing linked to an individual’s ID might not be approved.
Will I be able to work on this experience?
If you have to check in with work at any point during the scheduled time, we recommend confirming with the City Manager before booking.
I’m a Nation Member but not on an active program, can I still book?
We will always prioritize Remotes who are traveling with an active program on experiences. You may be able to book but there is a chance the City Manager will reach out to let you know we have to release your spot for an active Remote. If you’re in a city but not traveling with a program, we recommend reaching out to the City Manager on the Hub to confirm before booking.