Bucket list experience:
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
To stay a night at one of Japan’s ryokan (traditional inns) is to immerse yourself in living history – the oldest hotel in the world is a ryokan, established in 705 and still going strong 51 generations later.
Ryokan can be modest or uber-luxurious, but there are defining traits.
Almost all have tatami mat rooms and futon beds, staff wearing traditional attire like kimono, and an air of calm and quiet. Many have in-house onsen baths, and serve traditional kaiseki-ryori dinners (if not the full 12-course extravaganza, then at least simpler multi-course dinner that focuses on local produce and specialities).
But it won’t be for everyone. Kids can find ryokan a bit dull – and the food challenging. The service, though often superb, can also be inflexible, with mealtimes locked into narrow windows and many mid-range and above ryokan not offering room-only stays. The best approach is to stay for just one night.
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Destination Guide >Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Contemporary resort meets traditional ryokan at this uber-luxe retreat in a tranquil corner of the bustling Arashiyama district. An experiential stay, that includes an artistically presented kaiseki-ryori dinner.
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Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Japan
Where to go and what to see in Kyoto to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and Japan travel writer Rob Goss.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.7 miles]
Old-Kyoto meets contemporary Japan at this centrally located boutique hotel geared to budget-conscious travelers.
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Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.8 miles]
A plush hipster hangout smack in the heart of central Kyoto, ideal for arty and creative types.
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Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[1.2 miles]
One for art aficionados – a minimalist boutique that’s a living art gallery. All rooms are created by local artists.
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Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[1.5 miles]
An affordable hotel offering modern Japanese simplicity and hospitality in the historic Gion geisha district. A great base for sightseeing.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Kansai, Japan
Ancient temples and shrines, sublime cuisine, manicured gardens, colourful geishas and living history in spades – Kyoto is traditional Japan at its best.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0 miles]
The traditional tea ceremony, practiced for centuries, combines all the formality and ritual of traditional Japan, capped by a cup of thick green tea.
Best for ages: 13+ | £20 | Up to 4 hours
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0 miles]
Kyoto’s unique, historic (Buddhist) temples and (Shinto) shrines are breathtakingly beautiful to the visitor, and play a pivotal role in local life – from birth to death.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0 miles]
The pinnacle of Japanese cuisine, this traditional dinner features a succession of up to 12 dishes, artfully presented and culinarily sublime. Tastes range from the familiar to the wonderfully indecipherable.
Best for ages: 18+ | £100 | 3-4 hours
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.9 miles]
The place to see Japan’s mysterious and enigmatic geisha – colourful kimonos, elaborate hairstyles and oshiroi make-up.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[0.8 miles]
Stretching along five shop-lined blocks, Kyoto’s oldest food market immerses visitors in Kyoto’s culinary heritage. Over 100 stalls and restaurants offer all and anything food related.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[1.3 miles]
The shrine that protects the Gion geisha district is one of Kyoto’s most distinctive sights. Entered through a roofed gateway painted a vivid vermillion, its grounds include a striking dance stage – used for performances during festivals – that’s adorned with several hundred lanterns lit each evening.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[1.3 miles]
Established in 1202, this temple at the southern end of Hanami-koji has traditional Zen gardens and incredible ceiling murals of dragons (added in 2002). It claims to be the oldest temple in Kyoto.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[2.4 miles]
Founded in the late 700s, this World Heritage temple in the Higashiyama area is best known for its five-story pagoda and main hall, the latter of which features a photogenic veranda jutting out over a maple-covered hillside.
Best for ages: 13+ | £3
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Here’s our round-up of 60 unique and unusual places to stay – from castles to palaces, treehouses to caves and even UFOs – that justify a place on any travel bucket list in their own right.
