Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for more than a thousand years, and it still keeps its own time. Moss gardens, wooden townhouses and tea houses sit a short walk from the modern city.

When to go

Cherry blossom arrives around late March and autumn colour peaks in November. Both are beautiful and busy, so early starts make a real difference.

How we would plan it

We favour small encounters with craftspeople and early mornings at the great temples, with a stay in a traditional ryokan to slow the pace.