The old Imperial capital of Japan, Kyoto is the country’s cultural and historical centre. The ancient capital is home to hundreds of temples and includes 17 World Heritage sites. Kyoto is an amazing mix of nature, traditional buildings, and modern-day Japan. Join us as we spend the day touring Kyoto, learning more about this area’s vast history and deep cultural heritage.

[tabby title=”Tour Locations”]

Ryoanji

Ryoanji Temple is the site of Japan’s most famous rock garden, which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Originally an aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, whose head temple stands just a kilometer to the south. The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden’s design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer.

Kiyomizudera

One of Japan’s most famous temples, Kiyomizudera is known for its waterfall and temple which are nestled in the hills that surround the city. Divided into three separate streams, visitors can drink from the falls by catching the water in cups attached to poles. Each stream is said to add its own benefit to life, but drinking from all three is considered greedy.

Kinkaku-ji

Japan’s famous Golden Temple. The main pavillion is coated in gold leaf. It’s set in a Zen Buddhist garden designed for strolling and meditation, with ponds, a waterfall and a tea garden.

[tabby title=”Tour Schedule”]

• 07:00 – 07:30 Check In
• 07:30 – 10:00 Travel by bus to Kiyomizudera
• 10:00 – 12:00 Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple)
• 12:00 – 12:30 Escort to Lunch
• 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch at Kyoto Royal Park Hotel
• 13:30 – 14:00 Escort to Ryoanji
• 14:00 – 15:00 Ryoanji (Zen Garden)
• 15:00 – 15:15 Escort to Kinkakuji
• 15:15 – 16:00 Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
• 16:00 – 18:30 Travel by bus to Nagoya

*Intended as a guide only. Exact tour details will be provided closer to the conference date. Times are approximate and weather conditions may affect outdoor parts of the tour.

[tabby title=”Further Information”]

• This will be a bus tour of Kyoto, but will still require plenty of walking so please keep this in mind when preparing. Locations may vary depending on availability and weather.
• Lunch will be at a restaurant. It is a buffet lunch with over 60 dishes to choose from.
• All transportation and entrance fees are included in the fee.
• Gifts, memorabilia, and foods outside of lunch are not included in the price.
• Please note a minimum number of 15 participants is required to operate tours. IAFOR reserves the right to cancel the tour if minimum numbers are not met. In the event the tour is cancelled for this reason, your money will be refunded in full.
• Requests for tour refunds must be made by June 15, 2015 and will be subject to a 1,000 JPY service fee. Tour refunds will not be given after this date.

[tabbyending]

---

The tour has sold out. Thank you for your interest.