Tours

Accommodation

Kyoto Uraraka Guest House is a studio apartment style hotel. With comfortable single rooms (twin or double rooms are also available) that feature Western style beds, private shower facilites, air conditioning and free wireless internet, it is a convenient and comfotable place to rest after the day's walking and exploring!

Close to Nijo Castle, a large supermarket, and a range of restaurants and cafes, it is out of the busy central area, but only a 10 minute walk to convenient train stations. Buses are even closer at hand!

Our previous tours have stayed here and everyone was happy with the accommodation. The staff are especially helpful, speaking good English.

Location:

* Accommodation may be changed according to availablity. In the case of these options being booked out, similar options may be substituted.

Food and Eating

Eat truly authentic sushi and other Japanese dishes! One of the great attractions of Japan is the incredible food available. There are literally hundreds of restaurants and choices available! Prices range from several hundred yen obento from Convenience stores or supermarkets up to tens of thousands of yen (=$100's!!) at exclusive restaurants only available to existing customers. Your guide knows many great places to eat, and we can also explore and enjoy finding new ones!

Special Diets

True vegetarian food is limited, as dashi fish stock is extensively used in many recipes. If you are happy to eat fish, it is no problem. Specialist shojin ryori (Temple food) restaurants are available, and are generally expensive, however even the simplest restaurant has some traditional dish that is suitably vegetarian.

Gluten free used to be virtually unheard of, however some restaurants have become more aware of this. Although most dishes are rice based soy sauce with wheat content is extensively used, so avoiding wheat gluten is more difficult than you first imagine. It is possible to avoid foods containing wheat / gluten, although your food choices are limited.

Your guide has experience in asking for and finding meat-free and wheat / flour free options, and information is freely available on the internet.

If you have special diet needs, please contact us and we can discuss the possibilities with you. Please note the terms and conditions of the tour which outlines your and our responsibilities in regard to special diets on the tour.

Walking and Transportation

It is convenient and interesting to walk to various destinations in Kyoto. Along the way you can see many interesting sights and find small shops and temples that are worth a visit. Our tour is based around walking to many of our destinations, so a degree of mobility and fitness is required. Kyoto is mostly flat but walking in Higashiyama, most temples and Kurama requires some hills and stairs.

For farther destinations we will use local trains and subways - these are convenient and not nearly as crowded as the legendary Tokyo trains!

Hiring a bicycle and riding like a local is great fun if you are up to it. In Japan you are able to ride on footpaths (with consideration of pedestrians) and are not required to wear a helmet. Depending on the tour members wishes and weather, we may hire bicycles and ride alongside the Kamogawa River to sample the local lifestyle.

Health and Insurance

It is highly recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance. Minor health problems and medications for them are easily available at Drug Stores (Chemists). If you require more serious help for any reason, the Japanese health system is very expensive for foreign tourists.

Money

Bring adequate cash - Japanese Yen! Japan is still very much a cash society, although credit cards are increasingly accepted. You may be able to access funds from the ATM's available in convenience stores and banks, but despite what your local bank or Australian Post will tell you, it may be impossible or at the best difficult. I recommend exchanging money through Travelex before departing for the airport in Australia. Don't be like my friends who I met at Kansai airport. They had no money for days until we could find an ATM that worked for them, including no money to get to Kyoto from the airport!

Passport and Visa

Of course, you will need a valid passport to leave Australia and enter Japan. Tourists from Australia* are given a 90 day visitors visa automatically on entry to Japan - there is no need to apply before hand. (*applies to Australian Citizens - other country's citizens please check)

Telephone & Internet

You can use your mobile phone, however check your provider's international roaming rates - these can be very expensive!

Local mobile phones are available for hire at the airport, but are a little expensive. A travel sim is now available to buy at the airport, which comes with a pre-loaded amount of calls, text and data. Your accommodation provides free internet access, and there is a growing number of free internet access points in Cafes etc.

Electricity

All power in Japan is 110 volts and is supplied through the Japanese style twin plug power points. An adapter is readily available and check if your charger / device will work on 110 volts.

Tour Booking - Conditions and Payment Options

1. Your place on the tour can be reserved with a 25% deposit of $850.

2. You can also pay in full at time of reservation - Early Bird $3179, Full Price $3399. 

3. It is also possible for you to pay directly in Japanese yen.

4. A place cannot be held for you if you have not paid.

5. Booking is on a "First come - first served" basis.

6. Balance of $2549 must be paid before August 12th, 2020.

7. An early bird booking discount will be given for payment in full before February 14th, 2020. (Full cost with early-bird discount: $3179)

8. Payment by credit card through Paypal (Australia) will incur an additional 2.9% fee (Paypal's fee)

9. Payment options are:

Refunds & Cancellations

Tour Changes

1. The tour itinerary may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Every effort will be made to deliver the itinerary as planned.

2. Days or tour items may be swapped due to weather, closures or other circumstances.

3. Accommodation may be changed due to availability or other circumstances beyond our control. Every effort will be made to secure alternative comparable quality, location and cost accommodation.

Mobility

1. You are accepted on the tour as represented, the tour requires walking and stair mobility.

2. If you are not able to walk 2 to 3 kilometres at a time, at a leisurely pace, without problem, or climb stairs as required, then you may not be able to participate in all the activities of the tour. Some days our combined walking distance may be over 10 kilometres.

3. In this event we take no responsibility for your participation on a day to day basis. However guidance will be given to the best of our ability.

Allergies and Medical Emergencies

1. You are asked to disclose relevant allergies, particularly food, so your guide can assist you with food and restaurant choice. Before booking the tour, please contact us to determine any degree of difficulty your allergy / food restrictions might cause. Information is available about food restrictions / diet / allergies, please contact us before booking the tour.

2. Your guide is not a native speaker / reader of Japanese, or medically qualified, so cannot take responsibility for your food choices. There is a degree of risk involved due to language / labelling understanding and differing cultural approaches to allergy etc.

3. You are strongly advised to prepare yourself for your needs and to have adequate and appropriate medical insurance. Any medication you require is your own responsibility.

Once again we had a great time in Kyoto and on our day trips to Fukui and Shiga. This year we had not one but two typhoons arrive! The rain dampened out clothes but not our spirits as we got out and about and enjoyed our planned activities.

Our tour in October 2016 was again fantastic...

We had great weather most days - a little cooler this year, and sometimes cloudy, but still very mild and enjoyable. This year we included a day trip to Echizen Washi village, which was most enjoyable! As our numbers suddenly were less than planned, we were able to extend the planned two day workshop with Richard Steiner into four days. This allowed participants to engage in a deeper project and learn more. 

Our tour in October 2015 was fantastic...

We had great weather throughout and all had a great time exploring Kyoto's shops, temples and restaurants... These are a few of the photographs I took, I hope it gives you an idea of the variety of places and activities.

"I have enjoyed it so much. Your expert introduction to Kyoto has been invaluable and made it easy to get around.. thank you for all your guidance and patience with us (especially all the shopping!)...Thank you again for a wonderful tour. Ciao Putch"

See below for some of the photos!