The cultural capital of Japan offers much more than its famous bamboo forests and geishas

 

It’s hard to imagine another place so steeped in the history and charms of old-world Japan as Kyoto. As the country’s former capital, Kyoto plays home to about 1.5 million inhabitants and houses multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. Every facet of Kyoto, from the shimmering gold that emits from Kinkakuji Temple and zen encapsulated at Ryoanji Temple to demure geishas that stroll across the streets of Gion, evokes an allure so magnetic that it draws millions of visitors to its grounds every year.

 

Here, we recommend unique activities for you to partake in Kyoto to get the most out of your next visit to Japan.

 

Rent a kimono and walk down Pontocho alley

 

 

There isn’t a more quintessential traditional Japanese experience than renting a kimono and walking down what may be the most atmospheric street in Kyoto. Pontocho Alley is situated near the banks of the Kamogawa River in the Higashiyama region of Kyoto. It’s dotted with restaurants in its quarters that serve up inexpensive yakitori skewers or elegant Kyoto cuisine. During the summer months, many restaurants practice kawayuka, where they extend their restaurant with platforms built over flowing streams of water, allowing customers to dine next to its tranquil sounds as a way to beat the summer heat.

 

Cycle around the Arashiyama region

 

 

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore a new region while travelling: it saves time, you feel the wind in your hair and it makes for good exercise. The extensive Arashiyama region in Kyoto has multiple points of interest for the first-time traveler ー the awe-inspiring bamboo forests and the bird’s eye view of Kyoto at the Arashimaya Monkey Park Iwatayama are just a couple of many. Pick up a coffee at Arabica Kyoto near Togetsukyo Bridge along the way or indulge in a couple of local gourmet delights for lunch.

 

Enjoy Japanese desserts

 

 

There is a Japanese term to express always having room for dessert: betsubara; it literally means ‘another stomach’. You’ll probably need a couple of stomachs for the region’s exquisite dessert offerings. One sweet treat you shouldn’t miss out on is the warabimochi, a soft chewy snack made with bracken starch, dusted with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and drizzled with a brown sugar syrup, and a warabimochi parfait. Warabimochi is often paired with vanilla and green tea ice cream, a luscious mix of Eastern and Western dessert traditions. One of the places you can get a taste of this from is Gion Komori, which has the charms of a  Japanese teahouse and the sounds of flowing waters of the nearby Shirakawa River.

 

Learn about the history of matcha at Uji

 

©宇治市教育委員会

 

Situated between two of the country’s most historically rich prefectures, Kyoto and Nara, is the city of Uji which is famous for green tea. The tea grown in Uji City is covered and cultivated, and is characterized by its low astringency and high umami flavor. Head to Byodoin Omotesando, which stretches for 300 meters and contains many tea shops, selling tea, tea-related souvenirs and tasty treats perfect for an afternoon snack. One recommended shop here is Taihoan with its tranquil settings. Partake in a session of sadō or a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where you’ll get to learn the intricacies of tea culture and indulge in a delicious cup of tea and a wagashi snack.

 

Get a good view of the river at Kibune in the summer

 

 

If you’re looking to cool off from the extreme heat that occurs in Japan every summer, a trip up north to the beautiful Kibune region is in order. Imagine sitting right on top of a river, having a meal while listening to the calming streams of water flowing ー the kind of thing that soothes your soul. You can also enjoy the nagashi soumen at Hirobun, where noodles flow down streams of water running on bamboo poles and guests catch the noodles with chopsticks.

 

Enjoy a drink at a bar located inside a zen-Buddhist temple, Kanga-an

 

 

It is in no way sacrilegious for visitors to enjoy a drink or two inside Kanga-an, an Obaku sect Zen temple. This temple once held significant importance; it enshrined Chintakurefujin, the Holy Spirit of Residential Protection, for more than 300 years. By day, Kanga-an looks lovely on the outside and it also houses a superb vegan restaurant. When night comes, a 10-seater bar opens for customers to enjoy a tipple or two. A cover charge of 1000 yen applies, and drinks are upwards of 1000 yen per person. The house-made umeshu, or plum liqueur, comes highly recommended.