A KYOTO Retreat
Where Serenity Meets Timeless Elegance
This thoughtfully curated journey brings you through Kyoto’s most serene corners. This retreat is designed for those seeking to escape the rush of modern life and immerse themselves in the tranquil rhythms of Zen gardens, sacred sanctuaries, and traditional architecture. Wander through lush landscapes where the gentle rustle of leaves and the stillness of koi-filled ponds invite peaceful contemplation. Each stop offers a unique blend of refined artistry and spiritual harmony, reflecting Kyoto's essence as a city of understated grace.
Throughout the day, you will encounter spaces that blend nature and design in perfect balance—hidden gems where poetry, philosophy, and history converge. Let the refined simplicity of ancient craftsmanship and the delicate beauty of carefully tended gardens soothe your spirit. This retreat is not just a tour but a journey inward, offering moments of quiet inspiration and renewal.
Itinerary:
Konchiin, Tenjuan, Heian Jingu, Manshuin, Enkoji, and Shisendo
Length: 8 hours
Meeting Point: Keage Station
Sites Descriptions:
Konchi-in
This temple is a tour with-in a tour as it has all elements one could hope to see: high-level architecture, gardens, statuary, paintings and a shrine dedicated to one of the most powerful warlords in the history of Japan.
Tenju-an
The “Hermitage of the Heavenly Teacher” contains two profound gardens, one of which when entered gives the sensation of suddenly entering into a forest and having stumbled upon a fairy tale world.
HEIAN JINGU
This is a very commonly visited site for those who come to Kyoto- but most visitors only enter the shrine area. We will have a stroll through the expansive garden that surprisingly very few people enter. The views from this garden can be considered some of the most picturesque in all of Kyoto.
ManSHU-IN
Renowned for its elegant landscape garden and architectural beauty, here you will hear about this temple’s profound connection to Japanese spirituality and its meticulous design that encourages quiet contemplation.
ENKO-JI
This temple has two fascinating gardens. Very interestingly, as they are both of a very different nature- they represent the same deep underlying concept- enlightenment.
SHISEN-DO
The hermitage of an ex-samurai, this site is an excellent example of Japanese architecture blurring the line between the "outside" and "inside". You will spend time in the tranquil garden, as well as touring the home which features features a collection of 36 portraits of ancient Chinese poets.
Guest Review: “The Most Unique and Unforgettable Tour of Kyoto”
“I’ve been visiting Kyoto for almost twenty years but experienced more on one tour with Andrew than in all the rest of my time there. What’s so unique is that he's so aligned and grounded in his community that a tour with him is more like a day in the life that fills and sustains these places, a gentle walk leading to unforgettable moments.
I’m not 'into Zen' and I never expected anyone could guide me through all the superficial beauty of the temples and gardens of Kyoto to a much deeper feeling of my own presence in the traditions that they represent.
I think that the real must-see wherever you travel is that sometimes elusive experience of yourself 'being there' and if you're in Kyoto that's where Andrew can take you.”
- Jason, Tokyo, August 2022