Kyoto京都
Kinkaku-ji – the Golden PavilionFor a thousand years Kyoto was the imperial capital – and it remains the cultural heart of Japan: over 1,600 temples, several hundred shrines (17 of them UNESCO World Heritage), the Gion geisha district and exquisite gardens. This is where there is most time to explore between concerts – two full free days and short trips into the surrounding region. For the choir, Kyoto is the middle stay: five nights, with concerts in Nara and Kyoto.
- Stay
- 27 Aug – 1 Sep 2026 · 5 nights
- Concerts
- Sat 29 Aug Heguri/Nara · Sun 30 Aug Kyoto
- Free days
- Fri 28 Aug + Mon 31 Aug
- Location
- Kansai, the old imperial capital
Highlights
Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Thousands of vermilion torii wind up the mountain – perhaps the most famous image of Japan. The shrine is open around the clock and free; early morning or after 8 pm it is almost deserted.
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Kiyomizu-dera
The famous wooden terrace rests above the slope without a single nail and opens up a view across all of Kyoto. On August evenings the temple is illuminated.
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Arashiyama
The bamboo grove in western Kyoto is quietest in the early morning. Right next door are Tenryu-ji temple and the Iwatayama Monkey Park with its panorama over the city.
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Nara · Deer Park
About 45 minutes by train: more than 1,000 tame sika deer roam the park freely, plus Todai-ji with its Great Buddha. Deer crackers ("shika senbei") are sold at many stalls.
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