24 hours in Kyoto…

If Tokyo is Japan’s enterprise middle, Kyoto is Japan’s cultural middle, and a should for any first time customer to Japan. It was Japan’s historic capital for over 1000 years, till 1869, and its 2000 temples and shrines appeal to Japanese pilgrims in addition to worldwide guests. Whereas four days or extra are perfect for a primary go to to Kyoto, when you solely have 24 hours, listed below are my suggestions to profit from your time.

1. Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto

There’s no airport in Kyoto (the closest main airport is Osaka), and likelihood is, when you solely have 24 hours in Kyoto, you’re flying out and in of Tokyo. Luckily, due to Japan’s intensive and extremely developed rail community, it’s simple to get to Kyoto from Tokyo on the Shinkansen, or bullet practice. The quickest Shinkansen, the Nozomi, will get you between the 2 cities in simply over 2 hours, though the Nozomi trains aren’t lined by the Japan Rail Go. As an alternative, you possibly can take the Hikari Shinkansen, which takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. Use HyperDia to test the practice schedules, and keep in mind to get a seat reservation earlier than boarding the practice.

2. Keep on the 4 Seasons Kyoto

Till lately, Kyoto has lacked true luxurious inns, though that modified in 2014 with the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto. Extra lately, in 2016, the 4 Seasons Kyoto opened, and is a beautiful property, with many rooms and suites, some with non-public balcony, overlooking the 800-year outdated Shakusuien Pond Backyard. After a busy day of sightseeing, the trendy indoor pool and jacuzzis are a welcome option to unwind. We loved our most restful sleep in Japan on the brand new 4 Seasons beds, with mattresses personalized to our sleep choice. And the breakfast buffet within the morning featured each Western and Japanese favorites, together with a selection of a specialty egg dish, from the Truffle Onsen Egg with creamy spinach and shaved truffle, to the Baked Scrambled Egg with goat cheese, dried tomatoes and basil.

three. Splurge on sushi at Sushi Wakon

There are in fact many nice eating places and eating choices in Kyoto, however among the finest locations for sushi, significantly when you additionally need to really feel welcome as a world customer, is Sushi Wakon at The 4 Seasons Kyoto. It’s created by Michelin-starred Chef Rei Masuda, whose connections to the highest seafood suppliers is clear within the high quality of the fish served right here. Since there are simply 10 seats, remember to reserve forward of time, and notice that kids underneath 12 will not be allowed on the sushi bar, however might dine with mother and father in one of many two non-public rooms. Dinners are omakase (Chef’s selection), and the value on the time of writing is JPY 23,000 (~USD 200 or GBP 160) per particular person.

four. See Kyoto with a personal information

With simply 24 hours, don’t attempt to see the whole lot. As an alternative, I like to recommend specializing in three or so locations to see on a half day tour with a personal information. We reserved a superb information by way of Excursions by Locals, and selected to start out our go to at Kiyomizu-dera, one in every of Kyoto’s hottest Buddhist temples. Don’t miss Tainai-meguri earlier than getting into the principle temple complicated, and remember to enable time for a leisurely stroll down Sannenzaka afterwards, and maybe a stroll via Maruyama Park, significantly if it’s cherry blossom season. You’ll be able to then stroll to Gion, the standard leisure district the place, within the early night, it’s possible you’ll even see a geisha or maiko heading to an appointment. Alternatively, when you’re extra concerned about seeing Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Temple, and its pretty gardens, you might mix that with the Thinker’s Path. In both case, I like to recommend getting an early morning begin, as Kyoto’s main temples are very talked-about with vacationers, and a lot better seen early or late within the day to keep away from the crowds.

5.  Take a cooking class with an area household

For perception into how locals reside, and homestyle delicacies, I like to recommend Haru Cooking Class, with Taro Saeki, held proper in his household’s house. Taro shouldn’t be knowledgeable chef, however he’ll present you the important thing elements Japanese households use every day and together with his steerage, you’ll put together quintessentially Japanese dishes akin to dashi, the broth utilized in miso soup, tamago (Japanese egg omelet), and vegetable dishes. Plus, for omnivores, there’s the prospect to strive real Kobe beef, which is a really particular deal with and never an on a regular basis meals for many Japanese.

Hilary Stockton is the CEO at TravelSort.

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