Kyoto, at the hour it belongs to you

• 

  Kiyomizu-dera

  The great wooden stage above the eastern hills opens at 6:00. Arriving early means the view over the city, the maples or the cherry trees, without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of mid-morning.

• 

  Fushimi Inari Taisha

  Thousands of vermilion torii climb Mount Inari. The shrine never closes, so Mario starts here at first light, when the tunnels are silent and the higher paths are almost empty.

• 

  Arashiyama

  The bamboo grove, the Togetsukyo bridge and the temple gardens of western Kyoto. Best before 8:00, then a slower walk along the river once the day-trippers arrive.

• 

  Gion

  Kyoto’s historic geisha district of wooden machiya and lantern-lit lanes. Mario knows which private lanes now forbid photography and how to see Gion respectfully.

• 

  Nishiki Market

  A narrow, covered market of pickles, tofu, knives and sweets known as Kyoto’s kitchen. A late-morning tasting walk before a proper lunch.

• 

  Kiyomizu after dark

  During the spring and autumn illuminations, the temple and its forest are lit after sunset. A memorable close to a day, timed around dinner.

1. 07:30Hotel lobby pick-up. Car with driver if you prefer, or a short taxi to Fushimi.
2. 08:00Fushimi Inari, climbing past the busiest gates while the mountain is still quiet.
3. 10:30Kiyomizu-dera, then the stone lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka before the crowds peak.
4. 12:30Kaiseki lunch, reserved in Japanese, with dietary needs explained to the kitchen in advance.
5. 14:30A private tea ceremony in a tatami room, with time to ask questions.
6. 16:00Gion and Hanamikoji in the late light, then back to your hotel around 17:00 or on to dinner.

• Kyoto rewards early starts more than any city in Japan: from 7:00 to 9:00 the major sights feel like a different place.
• Buses are slow and crowded; a car with driver or well-chosen taxis save an hour or more in a full day.
• Several private lanes in Gion now ban photography, with fines posted on signs. Mario keeps you on the public streets.
• Kaiseki restaurants and tea ceremony rooms often take reservations only in Japanese, and the best fill weeks ahead in cherry blossom and autumn seasons.
• Late November is the peak of autumn color, and the busiest weeks of the year. Book the guide and the restaurants together.

¥69,600 · full day · 8 h · for the whole private group (half day ¥45,600 · 4 h)

Trains, admissions, meals and any private car with driver are paid separately, at cost. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. All prices

1. 01

   Tokyo

   Senso-ji and Kaminarimon · Meiji Jingu · Shibuya

   Full day · 8 h · Private group

   ¥69,600for the whole private group
2. 02

   Osaka & Nara

   Osaka Castle · Dotonbori · Kuromon Market

   Full day · 8 h · Private group

   ¥69,600for the whole private group
3. 03

   Mount Fuji & Hakone

   Lake Kawaguchi · Oshino Hakkai · Lake Ashi

   Long day trip · beyond 8 h · Private group

   from ¥84,000for the whole private group
4. 04

   Nikko & Kamakura

   Shinkyo Bridge · Kegon Falls · Lake Chuzenji

   Long day trip · beyond 8 h · Private group

   from ¥84,000for the whole private group