Food

Shop

Drink

Cafe

Stay

Discover Local in Kyoto

Dating back to the 1830s, Hakurei Sake Brewery has been making sake in this corner of Kyoto for nearly two centuries. It’s located in the seaside city of Miyazu, part of the wider Kyoto region, and uses mountain water from natural falls right outside the brewery. By taking a tour, you’ll have the opportunity to taste the different types of sake made here, which include both dry and sweet varieties. Knowledgeable guides will tell you all about the production process and the time-tested brewing methods they use to create the most high-quality and delicious sake. There will also be the chance to try some liqueurs and sip some shochu (which is distilled, rather than brewed), as well as sample incredible sweets and desserts. 

Tours are available Thursday through Sunday and must be booked in advance.

Hakurei Sake Brewery tour with tastings

It’s peaceful here, with plenty of walking paths and open green space, but you’ll still find lots of interesting things to do. The park is home to the popular Kyoto Railway Museum, which displays more than 50 locomotives from different eras, as well as intricate dioramas and historical exhibits. Vintage railcars are dotted around the park too, and you might even spot a quaint mini train. Call into Kyoto Aquarium to see dolphins, stingrays and penguins – don’t miss the famous giant salamanders. Within the park, you’ll also find the beautiful Suzaku Garden, an oasis of leafy walkways, mirror-like ponds, and gentle streams and waterfalls. 

Umekōji Park is conveniently located just a short walk from Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station. It’s a great place to see cherry blossoms in spring, and pretty foliage in autumn.

Umekōji Park's gardens, train museum and aquarium

On this tour down the Hozugawa River, you’ll pass incredible scenery including the dramatic, forest-clad hills of the Hozukyo Gorge, while your experienced local guides navigate white-water rapids and rugged rocks. Starting in Kameoka, the boat ride lasts around two hours and transports you to Arashiyama, a popular sightseeing neighbourhood. At the end, pick up some local food (made for you on the boat) and explore the nearby area’s famed bamboo groves. This boat ride is popular year-round, as the scenery changes with the season, from springtime cherry blossoms to spectacular autumn leaves, and snow-tinged mountains in the winter.

Cruise a mountain valley on the Hozugawa River Ride

Known as Kyoto Ramen Street, this place isn’t really a street as such, but a hub of small restaurants all selling the same (delicious) thing. Each outlet is compact and cosy, and you can find different varieties of ramen from all over Japan. Wander around to check out the options, then, when you’ve decided what you want, place your order at the digital vending machine and take a ticket. To find Kyoto’s ‘ramen street’, take the outdoor escalators to the 10th floor of the station and follow the sign to the ramen restaurants. Alternatively, you can walk up more than 170 steps of a huge staircase to work up an appetite!

Try a bowl of ramen at Kyoto Ramen Koji

Known collectively as the Miyazu Folk Dance, this centuries-old performing art is made up of three parts. First is the Miyazu-bushi folk song, which dates back to the late Edo period. The Miyazu Bon-odori Matsusaka dance was once part of samurai training, while the Aiyae dance came from the island of Kyushu via merchant ships. Together, they are a beautiful series of dances set to vibrant music, and featuring delicate hand and feet movements. Today, Miyazu City in the greater Kyoto region is the best place to catch sight of these performers in action, with shows taking place at cultural centres and festivals. It’s possible to see them around the city too, at places such as train stations and hotels.

Traditional folk dancing in Miyazu

Take the main entrance into Kyoto Tower, or follow the underground walkway straight from Kyoto Station to find the main event. Set over three floors, Kyoto Tower Sando is made up of a food hall, souvenir stores and craft workshops. If you’re hungry, the food hall offers a huge variety of Asian cuisines, such as Japanese, Korean and Chinese, to name a few. The setting is cool, casual and industrial-chic, with a few bars and plenty of space to spread out. Within the complex, there are also many places to buy tempting desserts, and packaged sweets to take home with you. Before you go, head up to the tower observation deck to take in vast views over Kyoto.

Discover Local in Kyoto

Umekōji Park's gardens, train museum and aquarium

Cruise a mountain valley on the Hozugawa River Ride

Try a bowl of ramen at Kyoto Ramen Koji

Eat and shop at Kyoto Tower Sando

Hakurei Sake Brewery tour with tastings

Traditional folk dancing in Miyazu