Experience Japan Travel “Originals”

Transfer to a mountain area of Kyoto, and have a day to remember with this exclusive experience. Walk part of the Kyoto Trail (approx. 4 – 5 hours) along a special river and then take the steep route up a sacred mountain to an important shrine at the summit (937 m) – a hike with a goal and much spiritual power to be gained by stepping foot into the Shrine. (The Shrine’s name will be advised after the booking is made). Then take another route down to a citrus producing village. Here you will be invited into a local Japanese house and have a regional style lunch. Before the lunch you will have the chance to enjoy a bath at the local house which will have some of the locally produced fruit floating in the bath with a great aroma. Mingle and talk with some locals and then return to Kyoto.
** Hiking Level : Medium to Difficult (not for first time hikers)
** Persons : from 2 people

The Kyoto Trail is a hiking trail that is approx. 62 km in length. However, there are many portions of the trail you can do as day hikes. 
Enjoy a 2 – 3 hour hike which will take you from the eastern side of Kyoto to one of the best view points of Kyoto where you can look down on the once Capitol of Japan. Walking through the natural environment will offer a different and active side to Kyoto. Great for couples, families that are used to walking, and you can get away from the sometimes crowded tourist attractions. End up at a location that is very important to the Kyoto people, a location where you have time to thank your Ancestors and look back on the past for all it’s good and bad. August is when our Ancestors come back to our World for a brief time, and this hiking location is the gateway. ** Hiking Level : Easy to Medium ** Time needed : the walk can be shortened or extended according to client needs.

** Hiking Level : easy to Medium
**Time Needed : the walk can be shortened or extended according to client needs **Persons : from 2 people

A once in a lifetime experience, that will change your life and offer inspiration that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Take a bit of Japanese Culture home with you.
With a private English Speaking Guide, transfer to a very special World Heritage Temple in the outskirts of Kyoto. Start the day with any questions about Buddhism and then have a private Monk show your around the vast complex and learn their day to day activities. You will be exclusively let in to areas of this Temple that are not open to the public and along the way, you will have the chance to be within inches of several Japanese National Treasures that are not usually on public viewing. A “Shojin (vegetarian) Ryori” style lunch will be arranged in a private area, and the day then will end with a very special ceremony that the usual Overseas Visitor cannot experience. Today will be without a doubt, a priceless and life changing experience. This is a 100% exclusive experience. 
** Persons : from 2 people

How would you like to experience a special kind of sightseeing by casually cycling though Kyoto just like a local? Go beneath the surface and to locations that are often over looked by the normal tourist. For example……start cycling through an area that once was lined with temples, and now offers galleries, antique shops, cafes and Japanese Household items. At a relaxing pace ride through the grounds of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. (You may even like to stop here and enter the official palace gardens). Riding through a residential area, your next stop can be an area that is famous for producing fabrics and textiles used in the making of Kimono. You can stop at a family run factory that only hand-make their Kimono and is where even Giorgio Armani has visited to get inspiration. Continue to view the city sights, and make your way past one of the top Universities in Japan, as well as through Shokokuji Temple, famous to Kyoto people and the Temple that is in charge of the Golden Pavilion. Continue on to the Kamogawa River, a river than runs some 27 km through Kyoto. Ride 10-15 minutes, you can cycle along the riverside of Kamogawa River, passing students, people exercising, and even the bird life that depends on this river. You can drop the bikes off at a central location and be proud that you have seen more than just the surface of Kyoto.
** included in the tour is a chance to eat some Kyoto made sweets which the normal tourist wouldn’t even know existed. Cost of these sweets are included in the Experience cost. 
** Persons : from 2 people

The ways of the Geiko and Maiko (Geisha is called Geiko in Kyoto) have always been very conservative and mysterious for hundreds of years. It is extremely difficult to experience what is now known as an intangible World Heritage craft trade. In order to be accepted by the Geiko Industry, you need to know someone that is affiliated with the Geiko or have enjoyed the experience before.
Spend an evening eating a high grade Japanese Beef Course meal and be entertained by the Geiko and Maiko. The Maiko will sing and dance for you while the higher ranked Geiko will play a traditional Japanese Instrument. You will have the chance to communicate with the Geiko and Maiko and maybe some of those questions you have always wanted to ask about the Kyoto Geisha industry. The location of this experience is in the Traditional Tea House area of Kyoto, the Gion district. 
This is an experience that the Japanese themselves do no think they can experience even once in their lifetimes. It is a experience that will not be forgotten. 
** Persons : from 2 people

While the Chefs of Japan create some of the most mouth watering meals imaginable, it is also a good idea to take in to account, the utensils that they use to create Japanese Cuisine. Some of the most famous Chefs throughout the world, along with every Chef in Japan that wants to prove their ability, use Japanese made knives. The art and history of creating Japanese knives began when the Shogun or highly decorated people began to order the Blacksmiths to make Japanese Swords. Now a days, there are no swords made for fighting wars, but the exactly same process of making swords has been passed down through generations, and now is used in making Japanese knives that are used in restaurants and also in ordinary family homes. The craftsmanship of making Japanese knives (which will last a lifetime) is also an Unesco Intangible Cultural Property, and even today many blacksmiths will not use machines, but will hand make their knives from start to finish.

Experience Japan Travel is proud to have the acquaintance of a family operated blacksmith in Kyoto. Visit the small Blacksmith factory that has a history of over 360 years, and unlike may other blacksmiths in Japan, this Blacksmith will make a knife from start to finish. One Craftsman will see the knife from the first time it is put in to the fire pit until the handle has been attached and name forged. Learn about the knife making process and ask any questions. If you do purchase a knife, you will know it is guaranteed, especially when this Blacksmith has received awards from past Emperor’s and Prime Ministers of Japan.
** Persons : from 2 people

The art or craft of Japanese Lacquer and even the mending process of Kintsugi (Gold used as a type of glue) started around the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) when drinking Japanese tea became popular.The history of Kintsugi is in itself very interesting. Japanese tea bowls were highly treasured by the Samurai and highly ranked warriors. So much so, that when the bowls were broken they originally sent them to China to be fixed. However, the method that China used at that time was simply stapling the broken parts together. Japan decided to take things into their own hands and invented the Kintsugi process. Now a days, it is not only gold powder that is used, but also silver, platinum, grinded abalone shell, and other material can be used.

Humidity is very important in the Kintsugi and Japanese Lacquer process when drying the lacquer. 80% humidity is generally said to be the best temperature. If you would like to experience the Kintsugi or Japanese Lacquer craftsmanship, please contact Experience Japan Travel. We are very proud to have the acquaintance with a Japanese Craftsperson who has learnt from the best teachers, and is today keeping the tradition alive. We will provide a Japanese Ceramic item to be repaired by yourself. The process will take 1-2 hours, although before you arrive preparations would have already gone on for at least 1 week. Before you depart Japan, the item will be sent to your hotel for you to take home.  
 ** If you have your own item to repair, this also can be arranged. However, you will need to send the item to Japan before you arrive.
** Persons : from 1 person  

It is often said that the aroma of pewter and silverware enhances the taste of Japanese Sake (Rice wine), and also offers a sight of beauty when the pewter item is displayed as an ornament. Beauty in appearance, and functional, an inseparable relationship. Try your hand at making a pewter item in the Atelier area of an International known family operated company that was established some 180 years ago. Close to Nijo Castle and located just off one of the longest shopping arcades in Kyoto, you can spend the time shaping a pewter item that will last a life time while learning about the process that is needed. You will be taking a piece of Japanese (Kyoto) Craftsmanship home, and you don’t need to worry about it breaking. Even if you are not a Sake Lover, you will be able to display this in your home where it will remind you of the time you had in Kyoto, a true Traditional Craftsperson area of Japan.  
** Persons : from 1 person.

Many locations in Japan can become highly crowded. However that does not mean you can get away and have some well deserved relaxation in other areas. Experience Japan Travel can take you to a location based near the Coast of the Japan Sea which will offer you a 240 degrees panorama view of the Japan Sea from your accommodation (Open Air Hot Springs Bath included).
Also visit one of the “three most scenic” locations in Japan. Looking down on the unique inlet you will be able to see what is known as a “Dragon flying towards the Heavens”. 
Near by is a very quaint but still operational Fishing Village where you have the houses built over the water. Here you can get some of the best seasonal seafood imaginable. Not to mention a tiered rice paddle field which is a picture in itself. 
If you are lucky you can also see a Monk performing a special and spiritual ritual with the thundering water of the the waterfall pounding down on the participants. This waterfall itself is one of the best 100 waterfalls in all of Japan. Take a couple of nights away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a very memorable time in a more rural area of Japan.
** Persons : from 2 people