Ski Safari
Taste of Japan Ski & City Safari
Traditional temples, dazzling neon lights and incredible deep powder skiing await you on our cultural and culinary Taste of Japan Ski Safari to Niseko, Kyoto and Tokyo.
Kyoto City Add-On
Japan
Home to ancient temples, shrines and nostalgic cobbled streets lined with traditional restaurants, a few nights in Kyoto is easy to combine with a Japan ski holiday.
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Culture
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Family Friendly
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Honeymoons
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Luxury
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Nightlife
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Non-Ski Activities
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Once-in-a-Lifetime
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Off the Beaten Track
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Quick Transfer Time
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Village Charm
By adding a few extra days in Kyoto, which served as Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years, you’ll experience the nation’s home of emperors and centre of politics, religion, and craftsmanship. Today, it remains a vibrant hub of traditional culture all year round, with thousands of skiers discovering the city’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, numerous timeless gardens and more than 1,800 temples and shrines.
In this beautiful city surrounded by mountains, you can still experience centuries-old traditions, such as tea ceremonies, kimono weaving, and sake brewing, which remain common practices today. Whether you're wandering ancient temple paths, learning about samurai legends, or dining on exquisite kyo-kaiseki, Kyoto offers a deeply enriching contrast to Japan’s snowy peaks.
You can easily combine the thrill of skiing with the cultural richness of Kyoto on our Taste of Japan or Traditions of Japan Ski & City Safaris. With Japan's efficient transport system, if you’re skiing in the northern resorts in Hokkaido, such as Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano, you can catch a domestic flight down to airports Osaka Itami and Osaka Kansai. From both of these airports, you can then travel by train or bus to Kyoto City. Alternatively, if you’re skiing in Hakuba or Nozawa Onsen, which are in the Nagano region, travelling by train or Shinkansen (bullet train) is our recommended mode of travel. The Japan Rail Pass is an economical way to travel long distances across the country and can be collected from the airport or station.
Once in Kyoto, the city is easy to navigate with its efficient bus network, or you can opt for any of the guided tours that cover all the major attractions of the city.
"Kyoto is steeped in history. There are so many hidden gems to uncover in exploring this city. Famed for its temples, geisha district and cuisine, this is a stop not to be missed."
Enquire now
or call 01273 224060
Accommodation
We’ve stayed at or visited all our Kyoto accommodation, so we can give you first-hand advice and recommend the best options for you.Attractions
Districts
- Gion - step back in time in Kyoto’s famous geisha quarter, known for its beautifully preserved streets, old wooden buildings, traditional teahouses, and high-end restaurants.
- Higashiyama - a treasure trove of Kyoto culture, Higashiyama features beautifully preserved streets and landmarks like Yasaka Shrine, Yasaka Pagoda, and Maruyama Park.
- Arashiyama and Sagano - a scenic escape to Kyoto’s western outskirts, Arashiyama was once a retreat for emperors. Visit Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO-listed Zen temple, and stroll through the atmospheric Bamboo Grove. Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge, walk to the Monkey Park, or take a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway followed by a traditional Hozugawa River boat cruise.
Temples and shrines
- Kyoto Imperial Palace - once the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, this historic palace is located within the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park. Access to the palace grounds is only possible via guided tours - we recommend booking in advance.
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - located in the north of the city, Kinkaku-ji is a dazzling Zen temple with its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf. It was originally built as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - built by the grandson of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as his own retirement villa, Ginkaku-ji lies on Kyoto’s eastern side. Despite its name, it was never covered in silver but became a centre for ‘Higashiyama culture’.
- Fushimi Inari Taisha - easily accessible from Kyoto Station (just two stops away), this striking shrine is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, and is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that stretch over 4 km into the mountains. Don’t miss the view from Yotsutsuji intersection halfway up the trail.
- Kiyomizu-dera - set on a hillside, this temple offers sweeping cityscape views from its 13-metre-high balcony. Be sure to visit the Otowa Waterfall and try lifting warrior monk Benkei’s legendary sword!
Shopping and dining
- Nishiki Market - known as "Kyoto’s Kitchen," this 400-year-old market hosts over 100 shops and stalls. It’s the best place to sample local delicacies, such as fresh seafood or traditional sweets.
- Kyo-kaiseki - Kyoto’s style of a refined, multi-course Japanese dinner that is typically served in ryokan (traditional inns) found across the city.
- Pontocho Alley - this narrow, lantern-lit street along the Kamogawa River is packed with dining options from affordable yakitori spots to exclusive kaiseki restaurants.
- Kyoto Station - a hub of modern design and Japan’s second-largest station complex, which features shops, a hotel and even a cinema.
Holiday combinations
Our multi-destination ski safaris that feature Kyoto.-
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Ski Safari
Traditions of Japan Ski & City Safari
Combine Niseko’s legendary deep powder skiing with an exploration of Japan’s rich identity and cultural heritage, visiting Kyoto, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Tokyo on our Traditions of Japan Ski & City Safari. -
Ski Safari
Nagano Ski Safari
Combine powder and piste skiing with authentic Japanese culture, touring Nagano by train before ending on a high with a night out in Tokyo on our Nagano Ski Safari.
Our Prices
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you.
To give you the most choice and best value, we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique, based on your preferred departure dates, group size and holiday preferences.
We save you time and get the most for your money.
We sift through the prices and promotions for every airline, hotel and resort, exploring all options. We don’t publish all our prices online. Instead, we give personal quotations within 1-2 days of receiving your request.
Enquire now
or call 01273 224060
Customer Reviews
What our customers say about Kyoto.
Andrea organised our trip to include 2 days in Tokyo and Koyoto including a stay in a Ryokan which added to our great experience. The ski trip to Niseko was also great.
David Lewis
23rd February 2017
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Let’s start crafting your perfect tailor-made ski holiday
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you. Our ski specialists will look at your enquiry and will be in touch within a day or two. We promise it's worth the wait!