Soul of Kyoto guide is a refreshing approach to the art of travelling that consists of vagabonding around, chance encounters, and unforgettable experiences.
For ten years, we tested and kept a list of Kyoto's most secret spots. Only 30 made the final cut. Here are the 30 unique and exclusive experiences that we believe reveal the soul of Kyoto.
Discover the loveliest spot to picnic on the banks of the river without being harassed by eagles
Have your own barbecue behind the fish market
Attend a tea ceremony in a private home
Meet the craftsman who has just revived the traditional Kyoto fan that had virtually disappeared for 50 years
Head to a fishing village to discover the world's first itinerant hotel
Push open the door to a bar hidden inside a temple
Eat the best egg sandwich in town
Go to the public baths to reconnect with a local ancestral tradition
Taste the aguri mochi that started a thousand-year rivalry
Watch as a wood warehouse is transformed into an izakaya at nightfall
Soul of Kyoto was written by Thierry Teyssier, a travelling hotelier who likes to choreograph his dreams, and those of his clients. Here, he orchestrates encounters, discoveries, and shared moments to trace for us the soul of a city as beautiful as it is inaccessible.
The ‘Soul of' collection is a new approach to travelling that is all about wandering around, chance encounters, and unforgettable experiences. Guides for those looking to unlock the hidden doors of a city, find its pulse, and plumb every last nook and cranny to uncover its soul.
Hidden inside these guides, you will always find a very secret location, carefully selected, waiting to be discovered.
Are you up for a challenge?
30 EXPERIENCES
01. Have your fish grilled at the market
02. Kyoto’s speakeasy
03. Spend a night in a Japanese garden
04. A glass of wine from the morning
05. Treat yourself to a Kyoto fan
06. An unforgettable egg sandwich
07. For stationery lovers
08. The best pizza in town
09. Meditate in a secret temple
10. It’s doughnut time
11. A sake bar in a lumber yard
12. Matcha tea done different
13. The epitome of Japanese craftmanship
14. Fill your suitcase with sweets
15. A coffee shop in the land of tea
16. A picnic by the river
17. A concept store in the heart of a temple
18. Pick one side of the street to enjoy some mochi
19. Get a kimono custom made
20. A creative workshop behind the fishmarket
21. The best desserts in Kyoto
22. A shop along the philosopher’s walk
23. Go treasure hunting and eat a veganpastry or two
24. A timeless brunch experience
25. An antiques store with secrets
26. Like being a guest in someone’s home
27. Public baths converted into a café
28. The best sunset
29. Electro music by candlelight
30. A magical night two hours from Kyoto
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