Top Kyoto Holidays - page 3

Discover the Zen gardens, colourful temples, and ancient shrines of Kyoto on this small-group walking tour designed for a more immersive and culturally rich experience. Experience the elegant architecture and religious monuments of this historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital, as you join a local guide on visits to the Gion Geisha district, Tofukuji Temple, and more —while uncovering deeper cultural insights and hidden details often missed.

• Explore a historic Kyoto sake brewery • Taste 4 carefully selected Japanese sakes • Learn the sake-making process • Experience authentic Japanese sake culture Learn how sake is brewed from rice to bottle, and understand the role of the toji (master brewer) in preserving centuries of craftsmanship. Feel the aroma of steamed rice and fermentation as you explore the brewery. After the tour, enjoy a guided tasting of four carefully selected sake varieties. From crisp and dry to smooth and aromatic, you’ll learn how to taste sake properly and how it pairs beautifully with food. This immersive cultural experience offers a deeper understanding of Kyoto’s sake heritage — perfect for travelers who want more than sightseeing. Please note that start times may be subject to change depending on the brewery’s schedule. We will inform you in advance and offer the closest possible alternative.

【Comments from the planner】 I’m a professional guide — not a bartender — but I love whisky so much that I ended up creating this tour anyway. I’ve tasted whiskies from all over the world, yet Japanese whisky is still my favorite. I’m not big on heavily peated, smoky whiskies, so the smooth, delicate, and beautifully aromatic style of many Japanese whiskies really speaks to me. Of course, Japan also produces wonderfully smoky expressions, which shows just how wide and fascinating the range truly is. In recent years, micro-distilleries have been popping up all across Japan, adding even more depth to the whisky scene. Japanese whisky is now famous worldwide, but I believe there are still plenty of incredible bottles that can only be enjoyed here in Japan. The more you learn, the deeper and more fun the world of Japanese whisky becomes — and I’d love to explore it with you. This tour is basically my personal passion project, and I’m the only one on the team who guides it. Kenji