Day 5: Kyoto’s Bamboo Forest and Torii Gates

Today we explore Kyoto at its finest, a city where centuries of history, artistry, and spirit come alive around every corner. We begin with a walk through the iconic Fushimi Inari-taisha, its thousands of vermilion torii gates snaking through the forested hillside like a living prayer.

From there, we visit the dramatic wooden terraces of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, perched above Kyoto with sweeping views of the city, followed by a step back in time at Nijo Castle, the shogunate’s ornate seat of power.

In the afternoon, we breathe in the quiet beauty of Arashiyama’s Bamboo Grove, where towering stalks sway gently overhead and the sound of the wind is enough to stop you in your tracks.

Of course, no day in Kyoto is complete without street food—today’s journey includes plenty of it: crispy tempura, matcha sweets, and regional bites served hot and humble.

We end the day with a slow, soul-satisfying multi-course dinner, centered around handmade soba noodles, crafted with precision and care—a perfect expression of Japan’s culinary elegance.