Fernwayer’s Experiences in Kyoto

Kyoto represents to the world the quintessential idea of traditional Japan, a bastion preserving the architecture, culture, and heritage of the Japan of the past. This ideal draws immense crowds to the city year-round, making it difficult to truly discover Kyoto authentically. At Fernwayer, we believe the real Kyoto can be found in small details: filling a crack in a tea bowl with lacquer and gold powder, taking a portrait of a Maiko posing in a historical house, learning how to enjoy different types of sake with seasonal Kyoto cuisine.

These rare-access experiences are brought to you by our Fernwayer Experience Makers: chefs, artisans, historians and other experts who weave Kyoto’s heritage into engaging tales, captivating you with their passion for their city and their omotenashi spirit of hospitality.

Whether you are a first time visitor wanting to see the attractions of the city from a distinctive perspective or a repeat visitor yearning for a deeper connection to Kyoto’s heritage, Fernwayer’s Experience Makers have designed something unique for you.

Our Kyoto experiences touch on all the things that make the city unique in the world: its refined cuisine that changes with the microseasons, the ethereal beauty of a kimono and the women who wear them, the state of mindfulness needed to practice tea ceremony or calligraphy. We’ll open doors to places the crowds cannot enter and show you a Kyoto beyond the social media streams. Explore our essential Kyoto experiences below or see all Kyoto experiences here.

We Can Help

Prefer expert guidance? In a one-hour session, we'll design a tailored itinerary anchored in Fernwayer’s exclusive experiences, self-explore spots, and handpicked dining and hotel recommendations. While we don’t handle bookings, we’ll help you craft an unforgettable journey. Book a consult at info@fernwayer.com. Share where you want to go, how many days, interests, and group size.

Craft Experiences

Many of Fernwayer’s craft experiences are hands-on; create a work of art that is uniquely yours for a lasting memory of your visit to Kyoto. Learn about the craftsmanship behind the gorgeous Japanese obi before upcycling one into a one-of-a-kind bag. Step into an aroma atelier to design your very own incense that reflects your favorite scents. Learn to mend broken ceramics using the traditional materials of kintsugi: urushi lacquer and pure gold powder. 

Food and Drink Experiences

Food and drink are two of the top reasons people are attracted to Japan, but Fernwayer’s food and drink experiences go beyond enjoying a fine meal. Visit a chef in her kitchen and work with her to learn how to prepare a multi-course Kyoto-style meal at home. Discover the world of tachinomi, Kyoto’s standing bars where a room full of strangers can become fast friends.

Culture Experiences

Fernwayer’s culture tours are designed for those who want to dive deeply into a subject and discover Kyoto — and Japanese culture — beyond the shallow surface. Discover the secrets behind the design of Zen gardens and gain access to a temple off-limits to the public. Explore the connections between Zen Buddhism and Japanese tea ceremony before taking part in an exclusive tea ceremony held in a private machiya. Find a hidden bamboo forest in a little-known temple and browse traditional craft shops in an area of Kyoto beyond the crowds.

Kyoto's Neighborhood Guide

Gion

Kyoto’s famous neighborhood of preserved wooden machiya, which function mainly as restaurants, tea houses, and accommodations. Most visitors come to catch a glimpse of geisha hurrying to their appointments through its narrow alleys in the evenings. Recommended experience: Watercolor Memories of Kyoto.

Higashiyama

Kyoto’s eastern foothills are home to countless beautiful temples and is one of the most picture-perfect areas in the city. Stroll the Philosopher’s Path or take in the view of the city from Kiyomizudera Temple. Recommended experience: The Soul of Kyoto

Pontocho

Running parallel to the Kamogawa River in the Kawaramachi area, this narrow alley of restaurants is packed full of dining options of all types of cuisine and price points. The east side restaurants usually overlook the Kamogawa River and have temporary outdoor dining during the summer months.

Fushimi

Best known for the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine with its thousands of red torii gates lining the path up the mountain, this history packed district of Kyoto also contains Fushimi Momoyama Castle and the Fushimi Sake Brewing district. 

Kawaramachi

Also known as Downtown Kyoto, this lively district is full of shopping streets, reasonably priced hotels, and the bustling Nishiki Market. Recommended experience: Tasting the Seasons of Kyoto

Arashiyama

Tourist flock to the northwestern outskirts of Kyoto for the famous bamboo forest, but often overlook its peaceful temples and quiet traditional neighborhoods. Recommended experience: Tales of Kyoto

Where should I stay in Kyoto?

Both accommodations and top attractions are widely spread throughout Kyoto, so basing yourself in a specific area may not be particularly advantageous to being close to the action. The possible exception is the Kyoto Station area which is the transportation hub of the city, but even then, be prepared for fairly lengthy train or bus rides to reach many of the attractions. It’s better to determine the best location for you based on your travel preferences.

Only the best will do. Many, but not all of Kyoto’s luxury hotels and resorts are situated in the southern Higashiyama area, some sharing the same streets and breathtaking views as Kiyomizudera Temple. You’ll also find a scattering of other five-star properties along the bank of the Kamogawa River and in the more remote Arashiyama area if peace and quiet top your wish list.

Family time is your priority. There’s no reason to cramp your entire family into a hotel room in Kyoto when you can have an entire property to yourself. Several companies rent machiya, the traditional Kyoto townhomes, which have been renovated to luxurious standards. Separate sleeping areas and common kitchen and family space will keep everyone from getting on each other’s nerves over a long stay.

You value a good value. A north-south corridor stretching from the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden to south of Kyoto Station has a high concentration of value priced 3 and 4 star hotels. You might wish to stay in the Kawaramachi area for access to shopping and restaurants or closer to Kyoto Station for access to transportation.

What’s the best way to get around Kyoto?

The ancient city of Kyoto was never designed to handle the number of annual visitors currently visiting the city which has put a strain on the public transportation system. Trains and subway lines are sparse compared to Tokyo, so the city relies much more on buses to get people around. In recent years, Kyoto has attempted to bolster its public transportation system to its top tourism areas, but it remains a work in progress.

Whenever possible, walking is the best way to enjoy Kyoto, a great way to discover hidden gems on side streets where buses don’t go (or fit).

For longer distances on limited time, booking a tour with private transportation is a great way to make the most of your day. Fernwayer offers tours providing private transportation between locations to make your experience smoother and more convenient.

What’s the best way to get to Kyoto? 

The majority of Kyoto’s visitors come to the city via Kyoto Station, the main transportation hub for trains, subways and buses, including the lightning fast and dependable Shinkansen bullet train. The ride to Kyoto is only about 2 hours from Tokyo with trains leaving every few minutes during peak hours. Although you can also take the bullet train from Osaka to Kyoto in mere minutes, most people use regular express trains from Osaka Station which are cheaper and more convenient and still reach Kyoto in about 30 minutes.

Limited Express trains direct from Kansai International Airport are also available which arrive at Kyoto Station in about an hour and 20 minutes, but for airport-to-hotel convenience, there are many private transportation services you can book in advance that will take you and your luggage directly to your Kyoto hotel without a hitch.

When is the best time to visit Kyoto?

Let’s get this out of the way first: if you hope to avoid the tourist crowds by visiting Kyoto in the off-season, your choices are few. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Kyoto’s off-season has been reduced to the dead of winter (mid-January to late February) and perhaps June, when the threat of Japan’s rainy season makes the city less desirable to visit. So when you plan your visit to Kyoto, set your expectations that you’ll be enjoying the beauty of the city surrounded by a lot of other visitors.

Cherry blossom season (varies from late March to early April) and autumn foliage (mid-November to mid December) are the periods when Kyoto is at its stunning best, and not coincidentally, the peak of tourist season. But Spring and Autumn offer the best weather for exploring Kyoto so even if you can’t see these periods at their peak, visiting the city around these periods can also be very satisfying. Winter in Kyoto is chilly, but if you’re lucky enough to get a dusting of snow during your visit, the scenery can transform instantly from dull grey to magical.

The times you want to avoid visiting Kyoto are around the major national holiday periods when you have to contend with huge numbers of domestic travelers as well as ones from abroad. These are New Years holidays (Dec 29-Jan 3), Golden Week (dates vary in early May) and Obon Week (around the second week of August). As Kyoto is in a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, summers can be sweltering, particularly in July and August when temperatures can regularly exceed 32 degrees C (90 degrees F) with high humidity.

What attractions should I book in advance?

The sheer number of visitors to Kyoto makes spontaneity a challenge. If you have your heart set on a specific meal, tour, or experience in Kyoto, it’s a good idea to reserve it in advance whenever possible. This is especially true for those visiting Kyoto for a short period or do not have flexibility in their schedules.

Fernwayer experiences can be booked up to a year in advance, so when you find something you love being offered on our platform, you don’t need to worry if it will be available during your stay in Kyoto. So book that photoshoot with a maiko or exclusive dashi making experience early to give yourself some peace of mind.

What are Kyoto’s best day trip destinations?

The Kansai area of Japan is rich with heritage and natural beauty and the area is surprisingly easy to get around using public transportation. The cities of Osaka, with its vast choices for drinking and dining, and Nara, home of the adorable but slightly annoying deer, are well within an hour by train. Even Kobe, with its renowned beef and Nada Gogo sake brewing district is only a little over an hour away.

The tea growing area of Uji is a great destination for matcha lovers, also home to one of the area’s most impressive temples, Byodo-in, built over a millennium ago. Beyond Kyoto’s northern mountains, the Miyama area is an area of stunning natural beauty where traditional villages of thatched roof kayabuki houses are preserved by local residents.

What are the best ways to avoid Kyoto’s tourist crowds?

There is simply no way to completely avoid tourists in Kyoto apart from completely avoiding the city’s top attractions altogether. The best strategy is to manage your expectations and have a good mix of experiences that include both popular and off-the-beaten path locations and experiences.

For example, Fernwayer offers The Tales of Kyoto tour around the popular Arashiyama area of the city, but largely avoids the crowds by visiting little-known temples and areas that aren’t featured prominently in social media or guidebooks. We also offer an in-depth tour about washi, that visits off-the-beaten-path locations related to this elegant handmade paper. Our watercolor drawing workshop takes you through one of Kyoto’s popular areas but allows you to experience it in a unique way. Browse Fernwayer’s Kyoto experiences for more ideas of experiences and tours that will separate you from the average Kyoto tourist.

What are the best under-the-radar activities in Kyoto?

While everyone else is out battling the crowds for selfie opportunities, relax with a private experience making something with a expert artisan or chef. There are dozens of traditional crafts that are local Kyoto traditions as well as a few workshops that riff on tradition in favor of something new.

Fernwayer offers both traditional maker experiences: think shodo caliigraphy in a Buddhist temple or kintsugi ceramic repair with authentic Japanese lacquer and gold powder, as well as non-traditional: upcycling a gorgeous Japanese obi into a cherished handbag or learning to make and use dashi broth in Western-style cuisine.