KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDEA SPECIAL EXPERIENCE IN A SPECIAL PLACEKYOTO EXCURSION PROGRAMS FORMEETINGS & EVENTSThe historic city of Kyoto offers organizers of meetings and events not only unique venues, suchas World Heritage shrines and temples, historic buildings, and museums, but also a wide varietyof special excursion programs.
These programs offer team-building cultural or culinary experiences that take place outdoors innature or in historic buildings such as shrines, temples, or machiya (traditional wooden
townhouses), which are sure to leave a deep impression on participants and lead to higher
satisfaction with the overall event.
These excursions also present a valuable opportunity to interact with the local community
through Zen priests, artisans, chefs, businesspeople, and guides, leading to new discoveries anddeeper knowledge.
Furthermore, the programs offered here are designed to contribute to the preservation of Kyoto’s
cultural heritage and natural environment, giving back to the communities that make these uniqueexperiences possible.
We hope that in addition to more standard excursions, you will consider these unique Kyoto
excursion programs that seek to both build lasting memories for participants and contribute tosociety at the same time.

1

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDEFor Event Organizers
This guide offers specific examples of possible excursions, but we can alsosuggest shrines, temples, facilities, and more to match each organizer’s
needs. Please contact the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau for moredetails.

CO NTE NT S

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Zen Experience at a Buddhist Temple

P.5

Learn about and experience Zen as a team at a historic Buddhist
temple, while contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage.

Miniature Potted Japanese Garden-Making
with a Landscape Gardener
Learn about Japanese aesthetics and the history and appreciation ofJapanese gardens from a landscape gardener before making a
miniature potted Japanese garden as a team, which can be donatedto help enhance the local landscape.

P.6

Cooking Experience in a Kyo-Machiya
Traditional Wooden Townhouse

P.7

Experience traditional Kyoto cooking inside a Kyo-machiya (traditional Kyoto
wooden townhouse). Learn about the lifestyles and food culture of thepeople of Kyoto while supporting the preservation of the buildings.

Sake Brewery Tour in Sake Hotspot Fushimi
Learn about sake brewing and enjoy sake tasting in a historic
sake-brewing area. Support the development of local industry while
strolling through town and admiring the picturesque view created byrows of sake breweries.

P.8

Hands-On Traditional Handicraft Workshop Experience
Visit a traditional workshop for a hands-on experience with traditional
handicrafts. Be inspired by interaction with local artisans and learning
about traditional culture and techniques, while contributing to thepreservation of traditional industry.

Cultural Manga Experience in
the Birthplace of Japanese Manga
Learn about the history and production of Japanese manga(comic books), and create a short story as a team in a unique venue.

P.9

P.10

Woodworking Experience with
Sustainably-Grown Kitayama Cedar
Try your hand at woodworking with sustainably-grown Kitayama cedar,
commonly used in the wooden buildings of Kyoto, and contribute to
the development of the forests.

Knowledge Exchange with
Leading Kyoto Companies
Experience Kyoto’s leading corporate technology and be inspired by
Kyoto’s spirit of enterprise.

P.11
P.12

Walking Trails in the Higashiyama Mountains
Savor the rich nature of Kyoto and help promote nature conservation
by walking the trails of the Higashiyama Mountains overlooking
central Kyoto as a team.

P.13

Evening Excursions and Receptions at
A Cultural Property
Hold team-building activities in a cultural property available
exclusively for you in the evening. Boost satisfaction with the eventby continuing with a reception in the same venue.

P.14

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

2

Access to Kyoto

By Shinkansen (Bullet Train)Tokyo

Approx. 140 min. by JR Tokaido Shinkansen

NagoyaApprox. 35 min. by JR Tokaido Shinkansen

HakataApprox. 170 min. by JR Tokaido or JR Sanyo Shinkansen

By PlaneFukuoka Airport (FUK)New Chitose Airport (CTS)Tokyo International(Haneda) Airport (HND)
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)New Chitose Airport (CTS)

Approx. 70 min.
Approx. 75 min.
by JR Limited Express Haruka
Approx. 60 min.

KansaiInternational
Airport (KIX)

Approx. 105 min. by airport bus

KYOTO

Tokyo International(Haneda) Airport (HND)

Approx. 130 min.

Approx. 60 min.

Approx. 70 min.

Osaka (Itami)International
Airport (ITM)

Approx. 55 min. by airport bus

Approx. 120 min.

【Icon Types】
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Traditional Industry

Networking【Total Duration】
Time required for each program is approximate, and may change depending on the number ofparticipants, program content, etc.

【Estimated Cost】

Estimated cost includes participation and entrance fees. Transportation fees, etc. are not included.

3

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDEFOR EXCURSIONS,RELY ON THE CITY OF KYOTO VISITORS HOSTS,
SPECIALIST INTERPRETER GUIDES CERTIFIED BY THE CITY OF KYOTO!
City of Kyoto Visitor Hosts are specialist interpreter guides who are certified by the Cityof Kyoto. Candidates are selected from a large pool of applicants for their exceptional
language skills and hospitality, and roughly 50 new guides are appointed each year after
completing 6 months of special training.
City of Kyoto Visitors Hosts are eager to use their love for Kyoto to help make eachparticipant’s experience in Kyoto extraordinary.

Registered guides: 153 (as of October 2018)
Languages: English, Chinese, French, Spanish, JapaneseSpecialization: Cultural heritage, traditional industries, traditional culture, food culture
Suggested roles:- A guide for a 1-day excursion visiting famous destinations in Kyoto- A guide for an excursion visiting various workshops of traditional industry- A personal guide to accompany a VIP
Fee: Please inquire
How to find a guide:
1) To find a guide on your own:
Search for the right guide using the City of Kyoto Visitors Host search engine, Clematis
https://www.kyotovisitorshost.com/
2) To ask for a consultation:
Contact the City of Kyoto Visitors Host Secretariat (within the Kyoto City Tourism Association)
TEL: +81-(0)75-213-0070 (Available 9:00 – 17:00 on weekdays)

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

4

1Zen Experience at a Buddhist Temple
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Learn about and experience Zen as a team at ahistoric Buddhist temple, while contributing to thepreservation of cultural heritage.
The ancient former capital of Japan, Kyoto has over 1,200 years of history
and is home to numerous cultural treasures, including World Heritage Sites.
Kyoto’s many Buddhist temples serve as the setting for the pursuit ofCentral Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)↓Zen Experience (90 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)knowledge, with a spiritual atmosphere characterized by historic woodenarchitecture, Buddhist sculptures with high artistic value, and exquisite

Zazen meditation, hand-copying ofJapanese gardens.

sutras, special tour, etc. : Approx. 90 min.

This excursion includes a lecture from a Buddhist monk about Zen
Buddhism, followed by a zazen meditation experience as a team. A variety ofother programs are also available upon request, such as tasting shojin-ryori

Total Duration: 120 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults(traditional Japanese Buddhist cuisine), hand-copying Buddhist sutras, orparticipating in the daily cleaning of the temple, which is a part of ascetic
practice. These excursions can also be scheduled for the early morning.
The fees for these programs contribute to the preservation andEstimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 5,000

maintenance of temples in Kyoto.
*Estimated cost is not an official quotation

5

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

2© UEYAKATO LANDSCAPE Co., LTD.

Miniature Potted Japanese GardenMaking with a Landscape Gardener
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Learn about Japanese aesthetics and the history andappreciation of Japanese gardens from a landscapegardener before making a miniature potted Japanesegarden as a team, which can be donated to help
enhance the local landscape.
One of the highlights of visiting Kyoto’s shrines and temples is the chance toCentral Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)↓Cultural Experience (90 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)appreciate the beauty of the Japanese gardens within them. This excursion
offers the chance to make a miniature potted Japanese garden under the
instruction of a landscape gardener with experience managing beautiful
scenic gardens in Kyoto.
Under the guidance of a landscape gardener, participants will tour a famous

・Explanation of Japanese Garden-Making:Approx. 30 min.

・Miniature Potted Japanese Garden-Making:Approx. 60 min.

Japanese garden and learn how to appreciate their beauty from theperspective of a creator, while also gaining a deeper understanding ofJapanese culture through explanations of Japanese aesthetics and the

Total Duration: 120 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults

history of Japanese gardens. Participants will work together as a team tocreate their own miniature Japanese garden in a pot, creating a sense of unity
by discussing the garden’s image and concept, designing a layout, andEstimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 20,000

assigning roles together. For participants living in Japan, the finished garden
can be taken home as a souvenir. Otherwise, the garden can be returned tothe earth, thereby taking consideration of the environment.

*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

6

3

Cooking Experience in a Kyo-Machiya
Traditional Wooden Townhouse
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Experience traditional Kyoto cooking inside a Kyomachiya (traditional Kyoto wooden townhouse).
Learn about the lifestyles and food culture of the peopleof Kyoto while supporting the preservation of the buildings.
The Kyo-machiya of Kyoto are traditional wooden townhouses that offer a
glimpse into the lifestyles of the people of Kyoto, seen through the furnishingsand equipment, which have their own artistic value, and the layout of thebuilding, which reflects knowledge of how design can affect daily life.
In this excursion, participants will learn about washoku (Japanese traditional
cuisine), which has been designated a UNESCO Intangible World Cultural
Heritage, right inside of a Kyo-machiya. A professional chef will teachparticipants about various aspects of Kyoto’s food culture, including the use ofingredients and cooking techniques that take the seasons into account,sophisticated Kyo-ryori dishes with exquisite plating arrangements, obanzai
dishes that take advantage of seasonal local vegetables, and more.
This program presents an opportunity to understand the Japanese people’s
respect for nature and life, as well as the meaning behind the phrases“itadakimasu” and “gochisousama”, which are said at the beginning and endof meals to show gratitude to those involved in the process of growing andpreparing food. Participants will split into teams and cook dishes under the
direction of an instructor. It is also possible to accommodate special requests,
for example how to make dashi, the soup stock that forms the basis ofJapanese cooking; how to clean and prepare a fish; or how to select the best
vegetables.
The program fee includes the cost of preserving the decreasing number of
Kyo-machiya, allowing participants to give back to the community.

7

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (10 min.)↓Tour of Kyo-machiya (60 min.)↓Cooking Experience (60 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)・Tour of Kyo-machiya with Guide:
Approx. 60 min.

・Cooking Experience:
Approx. 60 min.
Total Duration: 140 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults
Estimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 5,000*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

4

Sake Brewery Tour in Sake Hotspot Fushimi
Cultural Experience

Community Development

Traditional Industry

Learn about sake brewing and enjoy sake tasting ina historic sake-brewing area. Support the developmentof local industry while strolling through town and admiring
the picturesque view created by rows of sake breweries.
Since washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) was designated as a
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, worldwide interest in Japanesesake has only continued to increase. Sake brewing has flourished in
Kyoto since ancient times, and the Fushimi area is home to many famoussake breweries.
In this excursion, participants will take a walk around sake breweries inFushimi, a valuable chance to interact with traditional Japanese foodCentral Kyoto:
Shijo Karasuma Area (30 min.)↓Fushimi-Momoyama Station↓
Tour of Fushimi Area andSake Breweries (75 min.)↓Fushimi-Momoyama Station↓
Central Kyoto:
Shijo Karasuma Area (30 min.)culture. The area is well-equipped with walking paths, making it ideal for aleisurely stroll, and the white walls of traditional sake breweries, visible
behind the willow trees lining the Horikawa River, create an atmospherethat feels as if one has stepped centuries into the past. During thebrewery tour, participants will learn about sake production from a guideand enjoy sake tasting.

Total Duration: Approx. 135 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults

Estimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 5,000

The program fees contribute to the preservation of the historic buildingsthat help create the scenic atmosphere.

*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

8

5

Hands-On Traditional Handicraft
Workshop Experience
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Visit a traditional workshop for a hands-on experience withtraditional handicrafts. Be inspired by interaction with local artisans
and learning about traditional culture and techniques, while
contributing to the preservation of traditional industry.
Kyoto is a creative city with a thriving manufacturing industry, whose
history goes back to making furnishings for the imperial court in the Heianperiod (794 – 1185), and continues up to today with the production ofhigh-quality Buddhist items, wooden and bamboo handicrafts, lanterns,
textiles, pottery, and more, created with techniques perfected over hundredsof years.
This excursion program includes a tour of a traditional workshop and ahands-on activity with local artisans who are carrying on the tradition. In
addition to learning about traditional culture and techniques that have been
passed down through the ages, by creating their own works of art,
participants can also support the next generation of artisans.
One example is a visit to a bamboo workshop. As a location surrounded by
mountains, Kyoto is also known as a leading producer of bamboo, and its
bamboo products for tea ceremony and flower arranging have beenwell-loved for centuries. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about
bamboo handicrafts and also create their own works of art that can be used
as interior decoration and more.
A variety of workshop activities can be arranged upon request. An
experience with one-of-a-kind traditional Kyoto industries, complete with acreation that participants can take home with them, is sure to serve as asource of future inspiration.

9

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

Traditional Industry

Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)↓Hands-On Traditional Handicraft Workshop Experience↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)・Buddhist Prayer Bead Bracelet-Making:Approx. 60 min.
・Raku Pottery Sake Cup-Making:Approx. 60 min.
・Nishiki-ori Brocade Weaving Loom Experience:
Approx. 90 min.
・Japanese Candle-Painting Experience:
Approx. 120 min.
Total Duration:
Varies depending on the selected activity
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults
Estimated Cost (Per Person) :Starting at JPY 4,000*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

6

Cultural Manga Experience in the
Birthplace of Japanese Manga
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Learn about the history and production ofJapanese manga (comic books), and create ashort story as a team in a unique venue.
Now a representative example of Japanese pop culture, Japanesemanga has its origins in the Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga (Scrolls of Frolicking
Animals and Humans) of Kosan-ji Temple, said to be the oldest manga inJapan and created in the 12th – 13th centuries. The scrolls aredesignated as a National Treasure of Japan, and two of the four scrolls
have been entrusted to the Kyoto National Museum.
During a visit to the Kyoto International Manga Museum, whose
collections include approximately 300,000 volumes of manga ranging
from the mid-Edo period (1603 – 1868) to the present, participants of thisexcursion will be able to freely peruse 50,000 volumes of manga
published between the 1970s and the present, in addition to viewing
exhibitions on the findings of manga-related research.
After a tour of the museum, a manga-drawing workshop can be held ata unique venue, where participants will hear a lecture from an
up-and-coming Kyoto-based manga artist before separating into teams tocreate their own 4-panel manga strips, to be presented at the end of theworkshop. Requiring original ideas, an easily-understood narrative, and acentral theme or concept, 4-panel manga strips have many parallels tomodern presentations, making this workshop valuable practice.
Additionally, participating in this program helps support current and future
manga artists.

Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (10 min.)↓
Kyoto International Manga Museum↓
Workshop at Unique Venue (60 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (10 min.)・Tour of Kyoto International Manga Museum:Approx. 45 min.
・Manga Workshop: Approx. 60 min.
Total Duration: Approx. 125 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults
Estimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 5,000*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE 10

7

Woodworking Experience with
Sustainably-Grown Kitayama Cedar
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Try your hand at woodworking with sustainably-grown
Kitayama cedar, commonly used in the wooden buildings of
Kyoto, and contribute to the development of the forests.
Kyoto City is blessed with lush greenery, with forests covering over 70%of the city’s area. The Kitayama cedar, which is grown with pure mountainwater on the cool slopes of the Kitayama Mountains, has played an
important part in supporting the wooden architecture and lifestyles ofCentral Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (50 min.)↓Tour of Kitayama Cedar Forest andWoodworking Experience (130 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (50 min.)chopstick-making experience provided by this excursion program makes

・Observation of Kitayama Cedar Pruning:
Approx. 20 min.
・Kitayama Cedar Log Bark Peeling:
Approx. 30 min.
・Tour of Kitayama Cedar Log Production Plant:
Approx. 20 min.
・Lecture about Kitayama Cedars:
Approx. 30 min.
・Chopstick-Making Experience:
Approx. 30 min.

use of materials produced by tree thinning, and a portion of the program

Total Duration: Approx. 230 min.

fees are donated to help develop the forests.

Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults

Kyoto. It serves as an indispensable building material for tea rooms andtea houses, and has also been planted in famous Japanese gardens suchas those of Shugakuin Imperial Villa and Katsura Imperial Villa.
Recently, sustainable forestation has been gaining attention as a
strategy to combat global warming. The environmentally-friendly

Estimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 2,000*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

11 KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

8

Knowledge Exchange with
Leading Kyoto Companies
Team-Building

Networking

Experience Kyoto’s leading corporate technology
and be inspired by Kyoto’s spirit of enterprise.
Kyoto is headquarters for many prominent global companies who areworld leaders in state-of-the-art technology. Through our independent
network with such companies, we can help arrange visits and networking

Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)↓Company Visit and Information Session (60 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (15 min.)opportunities for your company or organization.
During a visit to the requested company, participants will not only beable to see the latest technological developments and products
first-hand, but also participate in team-building exchange such as
interviews, discussions, and networking events. We can help you get in・Introduction of Company Products andTechnology: Approx. 30 min.
・Opinion Exchange/Networking:Approx. 30 min.

touch with Japan’s cutting-edge technology by introducing you to thecompany of your choice, from innovative companies that have introduced
products to revolutionize everyday life, such as automatic ticket gates andTotal Duration: Approx. 90 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adultsATMs, to electronic parts manufacturers who are leading the industry
through research and development, production, and sales of new andoriginal electronic devices.

Estimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 1,500*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE 12

9Walking Trails in the Higashiyama Mountains
Team-Building

Community Development

Savor the rich nature of Kyoto and help promote nature
conservation by walking the trails of the Higashiyama
Mountains overlooking central Kyoto as a team.
Although Kyoto is a metropolis with a population of 1.47 million, it also has adiverse natural environment, with the Kamogawa River running throughcentral Kyoto and mountains bordering the city on three sides.
The mountains surrounding Kyoto are equipped with a total 132km ofwalking and hiking trails. With the help of a guide, your team can enjoy a walkCentral Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (30 min.)↓Walking Trails in
the Higashiyama Mountains (60 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (30 min.)
Kyoto Loop Trail Higashiyama Coursein the woods and see historical sites such as Daimonji, where the mountains

Fushimi-Inari Station → Mt. Daimonji →light up with burning kanji characters once a year, and the Shogunzuka

Ginkakujimichi → Eizan Cable Hiei Station

Mound, said to be built when the capital of Japan moved to Kyoto. A portion*Courses can be arranged depending onof the program fee is used for trail maintenance, thus contributing to theconservation of Kyoto’s lush natural environment.
It is also possible to arrange other walking or hiking courses.

desired time and total duration
Total Duration: Approx. 120 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults
Estimated Cost (Per Person):Starting at JPY 5,000*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

13 KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE

レセプションイメージ

10

Evening Excursions and Receptions
at A Cultural Property
Team-Building

Community Development

Cultural Experience

Hold team-building activities in a cultural property available
exclusively for you in the evening. Boost satisfaction with theevent by continuing with a reception in the same venue.
The Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa is one of Kyoto’s many culturalproperties, and one of a select few that are available for exclusive use in
the evening.
Strengthen the solidarity of your team by hosting group events, forinstance yoga workshops or cultural experiences such as tea ceremony orCentral Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (10 min.)↓Cultural Experience or Evening Meal at the
Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa (120 min.)↓Central Kyoto: Shijo Karasuma Area (10 min.)・Evening Cultural Experience,

flower arranging, within a magical atmosphere created by the evening

Evening meal (Social Event):

illumination.

Approx. 120 min.

It is also possible to follow the activity with a reception or dinner hosted
in the same venue, making this an attractive option for an excursion.

Total Duration: Approx. 140 min.
Minimum Participants: 2 or more adults

Take advantage of the uniquely Kyoto experience of building teamwork
in a venue steeped in history, while also contributing to the maintenanceand preservation of cultural properties.

Estimated Cost (Per Person):
Please inquire*Estimated cost is not an oﬃcial quotation

KYOTO EXCURSION GUIDE 14

Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau

Editing・Publishing・Inquiries

Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau
78 Kankoboko-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8009, Japan
TEL: +81-(0)75-353-3053

FAX: +81-(0)75-353-3055 E-mail: kyoto@hellokcb.or.jp
URL: meetkyoto.jp

We support the promotion of initiatives to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This program is made possible using the Kyoto City Accommodation Tax.
Published March 2019