There’s another side of Kyoto beyond its famous temples and postcard views, found in quiet gardens, thoughtful rituals and dishes that have been part of life for generations. Slow down, follow local customs and make time for these simple experiences, and you will get a more intimate feel for what makes Kyoto so distinctive.
Experience a Traditional Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony is a time-honoured tradition centred on preparing and enjoying green tea in a traditional tearoom, often with tatami flooring. More than simply drinking tea, it creates a calm setting where guests can appreciate the host’s hospitality and the ritual itself. Some of the best hotels to stay in Kyoto offer easy access to establishments that offer opportunities to participate in a ceremony, with some allowing you to wear a kimono too.
Spend Time in Nature
Nature remains an important part of life here, and you can experience this without leaving the city. Don’t miss Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, home to wooded areas, a gentle stream, and plum, peach and cherry blossoms that burst into colour in spring. Apart from this site, properties like Park Hotel Kyoto also offer easy access to historic Nijo Castle and its Ninomaru Garden; it features a lovely pond and cherry and plum trees, while there are maples as well that transform in colour to vivid red and gold in autumn.
Observe Traditions at Shinto Shrines
At the many Shinto shrines in Kyoto, take a moment to observe how worshippers respectfully use these sacred spaces. If you wish to follow the traditional ritual, bow once at a site’s torii gate and walk slightly to the side as you pass through it; at the water pavilion, use the ladle to rinse your mouth and hands. At the shrine’s altar, throw a coin into the offering box, ring the bell (to greet the deity) and bow twice; follow this by clapping twice and saying a prayer (with your hands still together) before bowing once more.
Explore Kyoto Through Its Cuisine
Local culinary creations offer another wonderfully easy way to connect with Kyoto’s heritage. Head to restaurants and food spots around Pontocho Alley, Gion, Downtown Kyoto and Nishiki Market, sampling dishes such as multi-course kaiseki, nishin soba with sweet simmered herring, mackerel sushi and seasonal obanzai home-style cooking. Finish with Kyo-gashi, or Kyoto sweets, perfectly paired with matcha for a suitably traditional treat.
