General Information about Food, Special Diets, Transport and more to help you prepare
Food and Eating
Eat truly authentic sushi and other Japanese dishes! One of the great attractions of Japan is the incredible food available. There are literally hundreds of restaurants and choices available! Prices range from several hundred yen obento from Convenience stores or supermarkets up to tens of thousands of yen (=$100's!!) at exclusive restaurants only available to existing customers. Your guide knows many great places to eat, and we can also explore and enjoy finding new ones!
Special Diets
True vegetarian food is limited, as dashi fish stock is extensively used in many recipes. If you are happy to eat fish, it is no problem. Specialist shojin ryori (Temple food) restaurants are available, and are generally expensive, however even the simplest restaurant has some traditional dish that is suitably vegetarian.
Gluten free used to be virtually unheard of, however some restaurants have become more aware of this. Although most dishes are rice based soy sauce with wheat content is extensively used, so avoiding wheat gluten is more difficult than you first imagine. It is possible to avoid foods containing wheat / gluten, although your food choices are limited.
Your guide has experience in asking for and finding meat-free and wheat / flour free options, and information is freely available on the internet.
If you have special diet needs, please contact us and we can discuss the possibilities with you. Please note the terms and conditions of the tour which outlines your and our responsibilities in regard to special diets on the tour.
Walking and Transportation
It is convenient and interesting to walk to various destinations in Kyoto. Along the way you can see many interesting sights and find small shops and temples that are worth a visit. Our tour is based around walking to many of our destinations, so a degree of mobility and fitness is required. Kyoto is mostly flat but walking in Higashiyama, most temples and Kurama requires some hills and stairs.
For farther destinations we will use local trains and subways - these are convenient and not nearly as crowded as the legendary Tokyo trains!
Hiring a bicycle and riding like a local is great fun if you are up to it. In Japan you are able to ride on footpaths (with consideration of pedestrians) and are not required to wear a helmet. Depending on the tour members wishes and weather, we may hire bicycles and ride alongside the Kamogawa River to sample the local lifestyle.
Health and Insurance
It is highly recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance. Minor health problems and medications for them are easily available at Drug Stores (Chemists). If you require more serious help for any reason, the Japanese health system is very expensive for foreign tourists.
Money
Bring adequate cash - Japanese Yen! Japan is still very much a cash society, although credit cards are increasingly accepted. You may be able to access funds from the ATM's available in convenience stores and banks, but despite what your local bank or Australian Post will tell you, it may be impossible or at the best difficult. I recommend exchanging money through Travelex before departing for the airport in Australia. Don't be like my friends who I met at Kansai airport. They had no money for days until we could find an ATM that worked for them, including no money to get to Kyoto from the airport!
Passport and Visa
Of course, you will need a valid passport to leave Australia and enter Japan. Tourists from Australia* are given a 90 day visitors visa automatically on entry to Japan - there is no need to apply before hand. (*applies to Australian Citizens - other country's citizens please check)
Telephone & Internet
You can use your mobile phone, however check your provider's international roaming rates - these can be very expensive!
Local mobile phones are available for hire at the airport, but are a little expensive. A travel sim is now available to buy at the airport, which comes with a pre-loaded amount of calls, text and data. Your accommodation provides free internet access, and there is a growing number of free internet access points in Cafes etc.
Electricity
All power in Japan is 110 volts and is supplied through the Japanese style twin plug power points. An adapter is readily available and check if your charger / device will work on 110 volts.
Accommodation
Kyoto Uraraka Guest House is a studio apartment style hotel. With comfortable single rooms (twin or double rooms are also available) that feature Western style beds, private shower facilites, air conditioning and free wireless internet, it is a convenient and comfotable place to rest after the day's walking and exploring!
Close to Nijo Castle, a large supermarket, and a range of restaurants and cafes, it is out of the busy central area, but only a 10 minute walk to convenient train stations. Buses are even closer at hand!
Our previous tours have stayed here and everyone was happy with the accommodation. The staff are especially helpful, speaking good English.
Location:
* Accommodation may be changed according to availablity. In the case of these options being booked out, similar options may be substituted.
Our tour in October 2015 was fantastic...
We had great weather throughout and all had a great time exploring Kyoto's shops, temples and restaurants... These are a few of the photographs I took, I hope it gives you an idea of the variety of places and activities.
"I have enjoyed it so much. Your expert introduction to Kyoto has been invaluable and made it easy to get around.. thank you for all your guidance and patience with us (especially all the shopping!)...Thank you again for a wonderful tour. Ciao Putch"
See below for some of the photos!
Wednesday 7th Arrival in Kyoto - there is Kyoto Tower! We had an enjoyable dinner together in downtown Kyoto, Kaitenzushi (sushi train) as well as an orientation to Kyoto. |
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Thursday 8th Walking by the bank of Kamogawa (river) and finding our way to Kiyomizu-dera, overlooking Kyoto. Along the way, many great, cute, interesting and fascinating shops. |
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Friday 9th Visit to Shoichi Kitamura's workshop for an inspiring introduction to his work. Afterwards visiting Daigo-ji (temple) in Yamashina - away from the hordes of tourists! That evening we had a great dinner together in one of Yamashina's Izakaya. |
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Saturday 10th Visit to the mountain village of Kurama. Some of us walked to the mountain top temple.. amazing! That evening we went to Kyoto Station, an architechtural masterpeice with great views of Kyoto city at night. |
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Sunday 11th We took in the great exhibition "Rinpa - 400 years of Kyoto Style" (sorry - no photos), visited Kawai Kanjiro's house / museum and caught the sunset at Fushimi Inari Taisha (Shinto shrine) |
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Monday 12th Shopping! At downtown Kyoto's incredible array of shops selling beautiful and amazing goods. Many of us had a wish list, so we could go straight to the shops we wanted. |
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Tuesday 13th Split into two groups after a relaxed lunch at a small sushi bar, one group started their workshop, and the other went on a tour of specialist shops. |
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Wednesday 14th The first group completed their workshop and the other went on a mission to Arashiyama! |
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Thursday 15th Swapping over, the second group started their workshop with Richard Steiner while the other group visited some specialist shops in Kyoto city. |
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Friday 16th The second group completed their workshop while the first went on a guided shopping mission to a variety of art shops and others on the wish list. That evening we had a great dinner together at a small restaurant just around the corner from our accommodation. |
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Saturday 17th Leaving to return home... some of us stayed on for further adventures! |
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Our tour in October 2016 was again fantastic...
We had great weather most days - a little cooler this year, and sometimes cloudy, but still very mild and enjoyable. This year we included a day trip to Echizen Washi village, which was most enjoyable! As our numbers suddenly were less than planned, we were able to extend the planned two day workshop with Richard Steiner into four days. This allowed participants to engage in a deeper project and learn more.
Tuesday 4th Arrival in Kyoto.. |
We had an enjoyable dinner together in downtown Kyoto, Kaitenzushi (sushi train) as well as an orientation to Kyoto city and our accommodation. |
Wednesday 5th Beginning of mokuhanga workshop with Richard Steiner. In the morning there was time to take in an exciting print exhibition featuring Japanese and Canadian printmakers. |
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Thursday 6th Walking to Kamogawa (river) and enjoying the beautiful morning on Sanjo Ohashi. Nearby is an amazing old family business selling brushes of all sizes and purposes. Afterwards, off to Richard's amazing studio.
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Friday 7th In the morning before going to Richard's studio we looked at several interesting places and shops in Kyoto, including a great shop to buy washi. After yet another delicious dinner we visited Kyoto Station, enjoying the fabulous architechture. |
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Saturday 8th Morning visit to Kyoto's best art supply shops, then the final day of workshop with Richard. That evening we all ate Okonokiyaki together.. oishii!! (delicious) |
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Sunday 9th We visited Kawai Kanjiro's house / museum, the Kyoto Ceramics Centre, walked up the hill for agreat view across southern Kyoto and caught the sunset at Fushimi Inari Taisha (Shinto shrine) while enjoying a variety of snacks from the food stalls.. |
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Monday 10th Starting at Kamo gawa (river) we walked through some historic precincts, visited Ukiyo-e shops, past incredible wooden temple gates to Kiyomizu-dera. There we joined the throngs to view the scenery from the hillside Buddhist temple. Did I mention we chanced to see real Maiko san? |
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Tuesday 11th Shopping in downtown Kyoto, including a great brush shop. Nishiki market street has the most amazing variety! |
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Wednesday 12th The exciting day trip to Echizen washi village had at last arrived. Setting off earlier than usual, we caught an express train past Lake Biwa to Fukui prefecture. At Echizen we were able to see the paper making process, visit artisans studios and buy great Kozo washi direct from the makers. Along the way we had the local specialty for lunch - Oroshi Soba! Oishii!!!! |
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Thursday 13th We were priveliged to visit the home studio of master craftsman Shoichi Kitamura. Afterwards, a change of plan and we amazed ourselves with the incredible wooden temple at Higashi Honganji, near to Kyoto Station. |
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Friday 14th The wonderful toiur was over and each of us made our way to our next destinations, either the airport to return to Australia, or other parts of Japan. |
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Tour Itinerary
This is a typical Tour Itinerary, when we are able to organise again with confidence a new itinerary will be announced.
Itinerary: |
Planned Activities October 2020 |
Monday 12th |
Arrival in Kansai airport, travel to Kyoyo, settle in Accommodation and orientation |
Tuesday 13th |
Ukiyo-e galleries, Chion-in temple area, Sannenzaka Museum, Kiyomizudera, Shopping, Gion Temples and shops, Yasaka Shrine |
Wednesay 14th |
Mokuhanga workshop with Richard Steiner 1pm—6pm Morning visit to Shimogamo-jinja |
Thursday 15th |
Mokuhanga workshop with Richard Steiner 1pm—6pm |
Friday 16th |
Mokuhanga workshop with Richard Steiner 1pm—6pm |
Saturday 17th |
Kawaii Kanjiro's House, Kyoto Ceramics Centre, National Museum, |
Sunday 18th |
Gallery visits - venues to be confirmed* |
Monday 19th |
Visit to Shoichi Kitamura Studio, Yamashina, Daigo-ji Temple Yamashina Kyoto Tower & Kyoto Station Building Skywalk(evening) |
Tuesday 20th |
Day trip to Echizen no washi sato (Paper making Village) |
Wednesday 21st |
Teramachi-dori Shopping precinct, Art / Paper shops, Unsodo |
Thursday 22nd |
Leave for Kansai Airport and return to Australia |
*Museums and Galleries haven't released their schedules for the second half of 2020 yet | |
The schedule is dependant on workshop and visit confirmations, and is also flexible to accommodate weather, museum / gallery open days etc. |