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Romantic Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan
Are you taking a romantic getaway in Kyoto, Japan? Taking a honeymoon in Kyoto? Going to Kyoto for Valentine’s Day? Kyoto, Japan is the perfect place for a romantic holiday. There is, after all, a certain romance in the sights & scenery of traditional Japan.
But if you are going to Kyoto for your romantic travels, you can make your trip even better by enjoying one of these seven romantic excursions. They would be perfect for a date on a romantic trip.
1. Romantic Train Ride
What could be a more romantic way to see Kyoto than an old fashioned train ride? You can enjoy a ride on an old engine train, the Sagano Scenic Railway, It runs along the Hozugawa River and you get a romantic view of the mountainside at Arashiyama and forests. You’ll also get to experience the tranquil beauty of the Kiyomizudera Temple. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You and your love can also walk up along the world-famous path of Fushimi Inari-taisha with its tunnel of torii. Click here for more details.
2. Yakatabune Lunch Cruise
Just like a train ride can be romantic, a cruise can be romantic as well. So this Yakatabune Lunch Cruise is a great idea for a romantic excursion. It’s a 1-hour Yakatabune boat ride on the river with a bento box lunch.
But that’s not all. This lunch cruise also includes other great excursions. You get a half-day walking tour of Sagano-Arashiyama. You and your love will get walk around the Zen temple gardens of Jojakkoji & the UNESCO-listed Tenryuji. Oh, and depending on when you visit, you can see the fall foliage or cherry blossoms. You also get to enjoy a romantic walk through the Sagano Bamboo Grove.
And do you like getting photos of you and your love? Photos can save memories for years to come – or look good in the now on your social media feeds (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)! You can get great photos of you and your love on the Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama’s top landmark.
3. Top of Kyoto at Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto – High-Floor Revolving French Restaurant
But a boat isn’t the only place to enjoy a romantic meal. Because when you think of romantic dates, you often think of a nice meal at a nice restaurant, right? Then might I suggest the Top of Kyoto at Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto? This is the perfect selection for a lot of reasons. The revolving restaurant at the top of the hotel gives you amazing and romantic views. But on top of that, you get fine dining at Michelin Star food quality! And you can get all this at a reasonable price by booking through here.
4. The Art of the Geisha: Private Dinner in Kyoto
Want a dinner together with your love that’s even more private – and even more authentically Japanese? Then consider booking The Art of the Geisha: Private Dinner in Kyoto.
You get exquisite kaiseki (haute cuisine) at a private Kyoto restaurant. It is accompanied by a “maiko”, or apprentice geisha. You’ll get to talk with the geisha (your guide will intrepret). In addition to the dinner, you get to stroll through the Gion neighborhood with a private guide. You’ll learn about the interesting history of geishas. And after the dinner is over, you will enjoy traditional dance & musical entertainment.
The intimate nature of this private event makes it great for a romantic trip.
5. Gion By Night With Candle-Lit Tea Ceremony
Another unique evening meal experience would be the Gion By Night with a Candle-Lit Tea Ceremony.
The evening starts with a stroll around the Gion Historical Preservation District. You’ll head to the Yoshi-ima Ryokan from Gion Corner. You’ll see many old ochayas, which are Japanese-style teahouses providing meals and performances with maiko girls & geiko women.
You and your love will get enjoy an exclusive private evening tea ceremony under candlelight at Kurenaitei, Yoshi-ima Ryokan’s tea ceremony room. The private ceremony under candlelight makes this a great choice for a romantic excursion.
Oh, and did I mention you get a Zen-style supper? That means you will get a well-balanced dietetic meal. You get to have Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (or Shojin-ryori) for supper. Ingredients include tofu, namafu wheat gluten, miso soup, rice, and in-season vegetables. These vegetables include lotus root, eggplants, ginger, and shiitake mushroom.
Click here to book this experience.
6. Kyoto Higashiyama Rickshaw Tour
Couple up next to your love on a romantic rickshaw ride in the old Gion district! You’ll get to see historic streets and townhouses of Kyoto’s best-preserved district, Higashiyama. You’ll even get to learn about the area from your guide. It is a great way to see the area, learn a lot, and even get romance in at the same time! Click here to book a rickshaw tour.
7. Kyoto Hidden Gardens Walking Tour
What could be more romantic than walking through beautiful gardens with your love? The Kyoto Hidden Gardens Walking Tour gives you and your romantic partner a chance to do just that! You will get to discover Kyoto’s pristine zen gardens with a local, expert guide. You also get to explore 300-year-old temples in the Nanzen-ji complex. While you are there, you will learn about their history & customs while enjoying the temples’ peaceful and serene atmosphere. This should be an unforgettable experience that will be wonderful to share with your love!
