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Otsu-e Folk Art Workshop & Local Culture Walk Near Kyoto
Join a unique cultural experience led by Misato Takahashi, an Otsu native and daughter of Wado Takahashi, an Otsu-e artist originally from the Otsu-e master family, Takahashi Shozan. Misato is fervently committed to preserving the important local tradition of Otsu-e painting, a form of traditional folk art that originated in this area about 400 years ago. This unique cultural experience provides an excellent opportunity to delve into Japan's artistic heritage, immersing yourself in the creativity and artistic expression that has enriched Otsu's local culture for centuries. And with only a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, you can relax in the cozy lakeside town of Otsu while exploring the city's rich history and treasures.
Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto
Just a 20 minute shinkansen ride from Kyoto to our starting point, we offer an easy way to explore small town rural life in Japan on this leisurely beginner-friendly ride, with a local resident guide, fluent in English, to help you enjoy our area’s unique geographical and historical points of interest. During the morning cycling tour, you will witness the beauty of local satoyama nature, wildlife, and rural communities. In the afternoon, take a leisurely walking tour to explore the historic brewery town of Kinomoto and interact with the friendly locals. After lunch at a local restaurant of your choice, we visit sake and soy sauce breweries that have been operating for many generations here as local family businesses. Sake tastings are available.
Buddhist Temple Cooking and Brewery Town Walk Near Kyoto
Immerse yourself in traditional Buddhist cuisine at a 600-year-old temple, just an hour from Kyoto by train. This unique, family-friendly experience in a quaint town known for its breweries combines cultural immersion with culinary exploration. Learn temple cooking, adaptable for all dietary needs and skill levels, at this national heritage site. Enhance your visit with tastings at local breweries, sampling sake and soy sauce. Our local guides, deeply rooted in the community, will introduce you to the town's warmth and charm. This day trip offers a perfect blend of relaxation, cultural insights, and authentic local interactions, providing a rare glimpse into Japan's small-town life. It's more than just a culinary journey; it's a deep dive into the heart of rural Japan, offering a memorable escape from the everyday.
Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu
Your host Hisako learned to cook from her mother and sister and is passionate about sharing Japanese home cooking with travelers using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her other passion is music - Hisako studied classical music at the Guild Hall School of Music in London for two years. Her husband Atsuo has a tech consulting office in Kyoto and is a match maker between high tech companies in USA and Japan. Your cooking class will begin with a short introduction to miso, a fundamental element of Japanese cooking. There are many kinds of miso and Hisako's introduction will help to demystify the varieties and their usage. You will learn to make 2-3 authentic Japanese dishes with Hisako in her kitchen that you will later share at the dining table in their modern Japanese home. Your experience will end on a musical note, with Hisako playing and singing one of her favorite songs.
The Best of Kyoto - Half Day Private Tour
Kyoto is well known as an ancient capital of Japan, and attracts many travelers year after year. It has a lot to offer, however is difficult to choose where to go. I propose an itinerary to visit the best places of Kyoto where I like. You will enjoy seeing unique and beautiful sights while visiting historical spots. Some places are ranked in top 10 attractions of Kyoto. Regular highlights course: JR Otsu station →Nishiki Market street →Kyoto Samurai & Ninja museum(optional) →Ponto-cho street →Gion district→ Yasaka shrine →Sannen-zaka shopping street→Kiyomizu-dera temple →Sanju-sangendo temple(optional) →Fushimi Inari shrine →JR Kyoto station or downtown Kyoto to end the tour Alternative beautiful garden visit course: JR Otsu station →Kyoto Incline park →Nanzenji temple →Philosopher’s path →Eikando temple garden →Heian-jingu shrine garden →Yasaka shrine and Maruyama park →downtown Kyoto or JR Kyoto station to end the tour The itinerary can be customized, so don't hesitate to ask.