Day 5: Kyoto in Bloom

We begin before dawn at Fushimi Inari Taisha, stepping into its endless tunnels of red torii gates in the quiet glow of sunrise—an otherworldly moment before the crowds arrive. After breakfast, the morning continues at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, with sweeping views over the city, followed by a wander through the atmospheric lanes of Higashiyama, lined with tea houses and traditional shops.

By midday, we pause for lunch before exploring Nishiki Market, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” where stalls overflow with local flavors. The afternoon unfolds in Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district, where wooden tea houses and cobbled streets echo with timeless charm. As the sun sets, we visit Yasaka Shrine and nearby Maruyama Park, before the day culminates in an unforgettable private geisha dinner—a rare and intimate glimpse into one of Japan’s most refined cultural traditions.