-Kyoto Design Odyssey: Unveiling Aesthetics Beyond- Private Tour [ Full-Day ]

A design tour in Kyoto, showcasing the city's unique blend of traditional and modern architecture, art, and design elements, highlighting its cultural and aesthetic beauty.
The serene garden at Kenninji Temple in Kyoto, featuring traditional landscaping, stone paths, and tranquil ponds, creating a peaceful Zen atmosphere.
A beautifully designed lamp in Kyoto, featuring intricate patterns and craftsmanship, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design.
A ceramic gargoyle on a traditional Kyoto roof, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and adding a unique touch to the architectural design.
A shadow cast in a temple, creating a dramatic contrast between light and dark, highlighting the architectural details and serene atmosphere.
A traditional Kyoto bamboo umbrella, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and vibrant colors, embodying the elegance of Japanese culture.
The main view of the garden at Kenninji Temple in Kyoto, featuring a harmonious blend of manicured landscapes, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery, reflecting the serene beauty of Zen gardens.
A beautiful garden at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, featuring traditional Japanese landscaping, tranquil ponds, and meticulously arranged plants, offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
A serene garden at Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto, featuring minimalist design, carefully placed stones, and lush greenery, embodying the principles of Zen garden aesthetics.
A Kyoto ceramic bowl showcasing the essence of wabi-sabi, with its rustic, imperfect design, subtle glazes, and natural textures, reflecting the beauty of simplicity and transience.
A design tour in Kyoto, showcasing the city's unique blend of traditional and modern architecture, art, and design elements, highlighting its cultural and aesthetic beauty.
The serene garden at Kenninji Temple in Kyoto, featuring traditional landscaping, stone paths, and tranquil ponds, creating a peaceful Zen atmosphere.
A beautifully designed lamp in Kyoto, featuring intricate patterns and craftsmanship, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design.
A ceramic gargoyle on a traditional Kyoto roof, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and adding a unique touch to the architectural design.
A shadow cast in a temple, creating a dramatic contrast between light and dark, highlighting the architectural details and serene atmosphere.
A traditional Kyoto bamboo umbrella, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and vibrant colors, embodying the elegance of Japanese culture.
The main view of the garden at Kenninji Temple in Kyoto, featuring a harmonious blend of manicured landscapes, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery, reflecting the serene beauty of Zen gardens.
A beautiful garden at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, featuring traditional Japanese landscaping, tranquil ponds, and meticulously arranged plants, offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
A serene garden at Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto, featuring minimalist design, carefully placed stones, and lush greenery, embodying the principles of Zen garden aesthetics.
A Kyoto ceramic bowl showcasing the essence of wabi-sabi, with its rustic, imperfect design, subtle glazes, and natural textures, reflecting the beauty of simplicity and transience.

-Kyoto Design Odyssey: Unveiling Aesthetics Beyond- Private Tour [ Full-Day ]

from $437.00

Note: This tour might be very appealing to those interested in design.

Peel back the layers of Kyoto's design ethos, to reveal the dialogue between architecture that challenges convention and crafts that honor ancestral wisdom. Each structure and object stands as a testament to the city's commitment to reinvention without forgetting its roots. Discover not just Kyoto’s evolving aesthetics, but its enduring spirit of creativity—one that reshapes the way we view the world and ourselves.

Number of participants:
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Tour Summary

⚲ Location: Kyoto

↻ Duration: 8 hours

⇒ Meeting Time: 10 am

⌕ Meeting Location: Your hotel lobby. The guide will contact you to confirm the exact location.

⇐ Drop-off Time: 6 pm

⌕ Drop-off Location: Gion, the Geisha district

⚐ Language: English

Note: No other tourists will be joining your tour, making it an exclusive and personalized experience.

Tour Details

  • ….. 1. Shisen-do Temple . 60 minutes

    What hidden design secrets can be uncovered within the tranquil beauty of Shisen-do Temple, where Zen-inspired architecture and meticulously crafted gardens create a harmonious masterpiece? A lesser-known gem, Shisen-do offers a tranquil garden and a serene retreat created by a samurai-turned-monk. The design emphasizes seasonal beauty and harmony.

    Design Focus: Seasonal transitions in garden design and the use of intimate space for meditation.

    .…. Commute . 45 minutes

    ….. 2. Kawai Kanjiro's House . 60 minutes

    The preserved home of this legendary ceramic artist offers a window into Kyoto’s Mingei (folk craft) movement. The space itself is an artwork, filled with handcrafted furniture and ceramics.

    Design Focus: Fusion of functionality and art in living spaces.

    .…. Commute . 25 minutes

    ….. 3. Nijo Castle . 60 minutes

    Explore the grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its "nightingale floors," intricate sliding doors, and lush gardens.

    Design Focus: Feudal-era architectural innovation and the integration of defensive and aesthetic elements.

    .…. Commute . 30 minutes

    ….. 4. Kyocera Museum of Art . 60 minutes

    What innovative design concepts and artistic treasures await you at the Kyocera Museum of Art, where contemporary creativity meets timeless craftsmanship in every exhibit? This recently renovated museum blends modern architectural design with traditional motifs, housing contemporary art alongside cultural exhibits.

    Design Focus: The reinvention of tradition in a contemporary setting.

    .…. Commute . 20 minutes

    ….. 5. Kennin-ji Temple . 60 minutes

    Visit the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and marvel at its bold design, including the striking Twin Dragons ceiling mural and its perfectly raked rock garden.

    Design Focus: The Zen aesthetic of minimalism and profound symbolism in space design.

  • ✔ Dedicated professional local tour guide’s time and expertise (for 8 hours), along with their personal expenses.

    ✔ All Entrance Fees: All entrance fees for the listed attractions are fully included in the tour, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience for our guests.

    ✔ Stovenirs: A unique souvenir for each guest on the tour (see section below).

    ✔ Customizable Itinerary: Flexibility to tailor the tour according to your preferences and interests.

    ✔ Personal Support: If customers who book contact us with any questions about their Japan trip, we will respond promptly.

  • ✖ Meal Costs: Participants are responsible for their own meals (e.g., lunch).

    ✖ Transportation Costs: Participants handle their own transportation costs (public or private).

    Note: For those who booked the 'Luxury Wand' asset, everything mentioned above is fully covered, including private transportation.

    More about the 'Luxury Wand' here.

  • Stovenirs = Souvenirs + Stories.

    贈り物の背後には、心のこもった物語が広がっています。

    (Okurimono no haigo ni wa, kokoro no komotta monogatari ga hirogatteimasu.)

    Translation: "Behind every gift, there is an heartfelt story unfolding."

    For direct bookings made through our website, every guest will receive a special "stovenir" during the tour—a thoughtfully chosen souvenir accompanied by a captivating story about Japan, shared by your guide.

    These stovenirs are designed to enrich your experience, making your tour not just memorable but deeply meaningful.

    • For cancellations made more than 15 days before the tour date, a 80% refund will be issued. Please note that due to the time and effort spent on assigning the dedicated guide and personalizing the itineraries to suit your interests, cancellations within this period still reflect the preparation invested in crafting a unique and tailored experience.

    • For cancellations made 2 to 14 days before the tour date, a 50% refund will be issued.

    • Cancellations made less than 2 days before the tour date or no-shows without prior notice will not be eligible for a refund.

  • 1. Confirmation Email: You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of booking.

    2. Resources: We will email you "Preparing for Your Japan Trip" and "Japan Secrets" digital guides to help you make the most of your experience.

    3. Personalized Contact: Your guides will reach out to you three times (via email or Whatsapp):

    a… 2-4 weeks before your tour.

    b… again the day before your tour with them.

    c… and finally at the meeting point on the day of the tour.

    4. Support: We will follow up with you to ensure everything is going smoothly and offer support if any issues arise.

  • We believe we are redefining the private tour experience. Your experience exploring Japan will be unforgettable — and if you're not completely satisfied, we will make it right, guaranteed.

You may have more inquiries. Why not explore our Frequently Asked Questions section?