Whether it's wandering through the intricate streets of the Gion district of Kyoto, hiking to the peaceful Yoshida Shrine or hopping on to two wheels and following the path along with Shirakawa River, there is no better way to uncover the true heart of cultural Kyoto than on foot or by bike.

Marvel At Kyoto From Above
Dedicate at least two hours to a self-guided walking tour around the Yoshida area in the north eastern part of Kyoto, which begins by jumping the stepping stones over the Kamogawa River. Visitors can then take in the Chionji Temple, with the bustling Hyakumanben flea market selling handmade gifts, before making their way through Kyoto University's campus. A short walk through the grounds will lead visitors Yoshida Shrine, and when it's time to refresh, the famous Moan café is located at the top of Yoshida Hill. From here, walkers can admire beautiful views of the mountains surrounding Kyoto. For more information on the café, visit www.mo-an.com. 

Meander Through Fushimi For A Walking Sake and Shrine Experience
Enjoy walking through the streets of Fushimi, which are lined with sake breweries for a Japanese walking and tasting experience. Spend 45 minutes at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum to learn the process behind making the traditional Japanese spirit, followed by a tasting class to sample some of the fine drinks. The tour also visits the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famous for its 1,000 red Torii gates. The tour costs from £48 and for more information, visit Japan I Can.

Moonlit Tours Through Vibrant Gion
This walking evening tour begins at 5.30pm at the vibrant Gion Corner where visitors can enjoy watching Japanese traditional dances, tea ceremonies, and flower arranging. The tour continues and takes in the narrow streets where visitors can spot many old 'ochayas' – Japanese-style tea houses where geishas and maiko entertain guests. After the tour, visitors can enjoy an exclusive private evening tea ceremony under candle light at Yoshi-ima Ryokan's tea ceremony room. Tours cost from £67 and for more information, visit Japan I Can.

Pedal To The Heart Of Kyoto
When it's time to take things up a gear, travellers can stumble upon the 'real Kyoto' that may be missed driving through the city, by choosing a cycling tour with an English-speaking guide.  Visitors begin the day pedalling through the Miyagawacho Geisha District spotting traditional wooden merchant houses that line the streets before moving on to Gion, the entertainment district at the heart of Kyoto. The tour continues on to the Yasaka Shrine, along the path of the Shirakawa River before coming to a close at the Heian Jingu Shrine. Prices start from £46 and for more information, visit Japan I can.

Safe Bike Storage Kyoto-Style
Cyclists in Kyoto don't have to worry about finding somewhere safe to leave their bike whilst they are discovering the city thanks to an innovative underground parking space capable of storing 200 bikes. The new bike pool, in front of the South Gate of Kyoto Station, works by users securing bikes onto a moving platform, which then takes the bike underground for storage. When it comes to collecting the bike, users simply swipe their ticket against the machine and their bike arrives back on the platform in 13 seconds. 

For those looking for a winter package to Kyoto, see below:

Six Night Tour To Kyoto and Tokyo From £3,755 Per Person
Jacada Travel is offering a six-night package including four nights in Kyoto and two nights in Tokyo from £3,755 per person. Package includes return flights from London to Osaka and includes a full-day tour of Kyoto, which encompasses a walking tour along the Philosopher's Path. Price is based on two sharing and travelling on selected dates in November and December 2015. For more information, visit www.jacadatravel.com.

To find out more about Kyoto, visit  kyoto.travel/en.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors: Photo Captions (From Left to Right):
Image 1: Enjoy a cycling tour of Kyoto, which takes in some of the city's many temples and shrines. Image courtesy of Kyoto CVB.
Image 2: Join an organised cycling tour around Kyoto to take in some of the city's hidden back streets. Image courtesy of Kyoto CVB.
Image 3: A geisha walks through the narrow streets of Kyoto's Gion District. Image courtesy of Kyoto CVB.

About KCVB
Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official partnership for international tourism representation of the City of Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto's diverse history and reputation as Japan's original capital and cultural centre provide a wealth of opportunities for tour operators and travel agents.  The city is home to the Imperial Palace whilst also being the only place where 'real' geishas can still be seen, its old temples and Zen gardens interspersed with urban living means that Kyoto is a striking contrast of heritage and modern city.  Its location just 25 minutes from Osaka and 2hrs 15 minutes from Tokyo, make it easily accessible from Japan's two main international gateways.

For more information or imagery, please contact:
McCluskey International
Fiona Anderson / Lauren Hill
T: 020 8747 2170
E: kyoto@mccluskey.co.uk