Kyoto Serene Honeymoon

Depart from Kochi International Airport for your flight to Japan (with connections). Arrive at Kansai International Airport and transfer to Kyoto via express train. Check into your luxury hotel in central Kyoto, where you'll receive a traditional Japanese welcome with green tea. After refreshing, enjoy an evening rickshaw ride through the atmospheric Gion district, Kyoto's famous geisha quarter, where you might glimpse geiko (Kyoto's geishas) or maiko (apprentice geishas) on their way to evening appointments. Conclude your first day with a welcome dinner at a traditional kaiseki restaurant featuring multiple courses of exquisitely presented seasonal Japanese cuisine.

 After breakfast, meet your private English-speaking guide for a full-day exploration of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji shimmering beside its reflecting pond, followed by the "nightingale floors" of Nijo Castle that were designed to chirp when walked upon to alert occupants of intruders. Enjoy a traditional lunch near the Philosopher's Path. In the afternoon, explore the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine that create tunnels of color up the sacred mountain. Experience a private tea ceremony in an authentic tea house, where you'll learn the meaning behind each precise movement in this centuries-old ritual of mindfulness. Return to your hotel for relaxation before dinner at a local restaurant offering modern interpretations of traditional Japanese dishes.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the scenic Arashiyama district in western Kyoto. En route, visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple perched on a hillside offering panoramic views of the city. Check into your luxury ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) where you'll experience authentic Japanese hospitality, sleeping on futons laid on tatami floors. After settling in, explore the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, walking hand-in-hand through towering bamboo stalks that sway gently in the breeze, creating a magical natural corridor. Visit Tenryu-ji Temple with its perfectly maintained Zen garden. Late afternoon includes a traditional Japanese art experience where you'll try your hand at either calligraphy, origami, or watercolor painting guided by a local artist. Evening features a multi-course kaiseki dinner served in your private room at the ryokan by your personal attendant.

Wake up to a traditional Japanese breakfast served in your room. Morning activity includes a tranquil boat ride down the Hozugawa River, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife. Return for lunch at a riverside restaurant specializing in Kyoto's famous yudofu (tofu hot pot). Afternoon features a visit to a nearby onsen (hot spring bath) where you can experience the Japanese bathing ritual in private reserved baths (tattoos may be restricted at some facilities). Return to your ryokan for relaxation time. Your special farewell dinner is a private dining experience in a traditional merchant's house that has been converted into an exclusive restaurant, featuring premium wagyu beef and seasonal specialties paired with sake.

Early risers may participate in an optional meditation session at a nearby Zen temple. After a final Japanese breakfast at your ryokan, check out and transfer to Kyoto Station. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some last-minute shopping at Kyoto Station's department stores for high-quality Japanese souvenirs, crafts, or culinary items. Board the express train to Kansai International Airport for your return flight to Kochi, carrying with you the serenity and cultural richness of your Japanese honeymoon experience.