Join us as we explore the city known as the jewel of Japanese culture and meet some of the artisans, sensei and cultural experts who make it shine. By concentrating on Kyoto for the entire tour, we're able to have a hands-on experience of the artistry, richness and depth of traditional Japanese culture that few foreign visitors even dream of. By traveling, eating and sleeping as the people of modern Japan do, while learning about the country's traditions and history, we're able to enter into the unique aesthetic sensibility that draws travelers to Japan from every corner of the world.

We'll stroll through the quiet, charming residential neighborhoods where the people of Kyoto live. Then explore and study some of the finest Japanese gardens in existence. We'll travel to a tiny mountain village, seeing magnificent villas, ancient wooden Buddhist temples, monasteries and sacred Shinto shrines in pristine condition. We visit turn-of-the-century workshops of master craftsmen, have a private tea ceremony with a Zen priest and spend time talking with some of the fascinating people who make their home in Kyoto.

Discover the city many call the jewel of Japanese culture by exploring on foot its beautiful gardens, temples, markets, neighborhood and historic buildings. Meet the people who make Kyoto special, from artists to priests, masters of Japanese arts, shopkeepers and entertainers, and experience the richness and depth of traditional Japanese culture in a very personal way.

Day 2: Kyoto
Arrive in Japan. If you are on our guest flight, your tour leader will meet you at the airport and assist in transferring you to the convenient, comfortable and simple inn we'll be staying at in Kyoto. You'll have the evening free to check in, relax and rest up for tomorrow. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan

Day 3: Kyoto
We begin at the Tenryu-ji Temple and its scroll garden. Walking through a residential neighborhood to Matsuo Taisha Shrine, we'll observe day-to-day life in Kyoto. Next will be the Moss Temple garden, originally established in the 6th C. is a reflection of Buddha's Western Paradise. There we'll hear priests chant the Heart Sutra, try calligraphy, and explore the mystical stroll garden. Following an afternoon rest, we'll meet for dinner. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,D)

Day 4: Kyoto
Starting at Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, we'll enjoy the juxtaposition of a green garden and pond with the abstract sand sculptures. Next is Jodo temple, Honen-in, with its rustic entry gate and stunning wild camellia forest. From there, we'll wander the famed Philosopher's Walk to Nanzen-ji Zen Monastery complex, and on to lunch. After seeing the monastery's two distinctly different dry gardens, we'll enjoy a bowl of green tea and a sweet and we'll visit a little-known part of the monastery to meet a master craftsman and friend of Esprit. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,L)

Day 5: Kyoto
Our day begins at Sanjusangen-do Temple, an enormous repository of 12th C. Buddhist statues. Next, we'll visit the home and studio of well-known potter. Then we're on to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and its panoramic views of the city. There we'll be guests of the temple priest's family in their garden and home. The garden, called the "Garden of the Moon," uses design to create a sense of space in a limited area. There will be free time in the garden for reflection. Free time for shopping and lunch follows, then we will reassemble for a walking tour of the Gion Geisha district. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,D)

Day 6: Kyoto
We'll begin with a river walk to Tofuku-ji Zen Monastery and its two dry gardens and wooden bridges, all surrounded by colorful maples. Then we're on to Sampo-in, one of the oldest temple complexes in Japan, where we'll meet with a resident priest to hear about his life and training for the priesthood. We'll have lunch at Kyoto's finest noodle shop, set in a beautifully restored old Samurai house, and run by a friend of Esprit's and master of ikebana, who will offer us a special demonstration. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,L)

Day 7: Kyoto
This will be a free day, allowing you time to explore on your own, at your own pace. Some places you might want to visit include: I.M. Pei's Miho Museum, Kyoto's many shops and museums, and the botanical gardens. Your tour leader can make suggestions for special gardens not on the itinerary and help with directions and transportation. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B)

Day 8: Kyoto
The mountain town of Ohara, just outside Kyoto, offers us an experience of rural life in Japan. We'll visit Sanzen-in, Temple of Imperial Importance, filled with magnificent Buddhist figures and art. We'll also see the Rengei-ji Temple, where the temple's abbot and his wife will invite us in for tea in their exquisite tea room overlooking a flowing brook. Last is Shisendo, a Soto Zen temple designed as a philosopher's garden. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,D)

Day 9: Kyoto
We'll take the train to Sagano where we'll stroll the green bamboo groves of Okochi Sanso, a gem of landscape architecture. Free time for lunch, shopping and strolling will allow us to see rural day-to-day life and its influence on the Japanese aesthetic. After lunch, we'll visit Aizenkobo, where we'll meet with one of Japan's few remaining indigo dye masters. His turn-of-the-century workshop overlooks a typical Kyoto machiya (townhouse) garden. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,D)

Day 10: Kyoto
We'll begin at Daitoku-ji Zen Monastery, where we'll join a tea master for the Way of Tea ceremony. We'll also see the monastery's showpiece garden, which features vigorously raked gravel and a fine arrangement of stones and moss. We'll go on to Daisen-in, home of the finest miniaturized dry garden in Japan and some of the most famous stones in Kyoto. Last is Koto-in, with its soothing atmosphere of bamboo, maple trees and moss. Following lunch, there will be an optional performance of traditional Japanese dance by some of Kyoto's finest dancers. A special after-dinner event to be announced. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,L)

Day 11: Kyoto
We begin at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, which features the finest Sung Dynasty-style pond in the world and a waterfall that became the prototype for Japanese waterfalls. At Ryoan-ji, we'll see the famed stone garden with its 500-year-old abstract installation art piece. At Taizo-in, we'll view a private garden. The highlight of our afternoon will be a visit to the studio of a calligraphy master and performance artist. There we'll see him wield his gigantic brush, dancing across paper to create a masterpiece-in-the-moment. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B,D)

Day 12: Kyoto
The day begins with a visit to Nijo Castle. From there, we'll take a guided tour through the Nishiki-koji market, with its fish and vegetable shops that have catered to Kyoto's gourmets for several centuries. Then we'll walk to a neighborhood with great shopping for antiques, handmade washi paper, textiles, incense, tea, etc. You'll have the afternoon free for shopping, sightseeing or just relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Kyoto. Accommodations: Ohto Ryokan (B)

Day 13: Depart for U.S.
You'll have the morning free to take in the sights, shop or simply stroll Kyoto's varied neighborhoods one last time. We will have an early afternoon transfer for our return flight, which departs from Osaka's Kansai International Airport. (B)

Note:
This itinerary of a past tour is provided to give you a flavor of the places and people we visit, where we stay, how we travel and what we experience. Because each Esprit tour is individually crafted, your tour may not include the exact same schedule, but will be very similar to what you see here. Each tour is designed to allow us to include as many special events, personal visits with artisans, seasonal festivals, and performances as possible.

Actual visits and events will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special exhibitions, visits and events, and are dependent on the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about three weeks prior to tour departure.