Kyoto City attracts visitors throughout the year but holds special cultural and culinary treats back for those who visit in the winter months. “Kyoto Winter Special Openings” is a program allowing visits to special sites, including temples, shrines and other historical buildings of cultural importance not usually open or easily accessible to the public. This year the openings reveal a range of sites themed around the famous 'Tale of Genji' and it's authour as well as 'Dragons in Kyoto' to share good fortune in the year of the Dragon. At the same time 185 famous restaurants in Kyoto are participating in the annual “Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special”, offering special menus at special pricing.

About 'Kyoto Winter Special Openings 2024'

This event is in its 58th year and this time historical sites associated with Murasaki Shikibu and her Tale of Genji, a monumental work of ancient court-society literature written more than a thousand years ago and still loved today, will be highlighted. There will also be special openings of many invaluable cultural properties, focusing on temples where you can see paintings and other representations of dragons as an auspicious way to start 2024--the Year of the Dragon. Admission fees apply, varying for each location, generally around JPY800 for adults and concessions for children. Children under 5 years enter free of charge. A portion of the admission fees will be used for the maintenance and preservation of these historical sites and their facilities, so that the cultural properties may be passed on to future generations.

Kyoto Winter Special Openings will continue until March 18th (Mon).  There may be dates or times of day where public viewing is not possible, due to ceremonial events or weather conditions. For more information and list of locations visit LINK

About 'Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special 2024'

Over more than a thousand years of history, Kyoto has developed a rich food culture that includes an eye for discerning ingredients, cooking skills, and a spirit of hospitality. This event allows visitors to fully enjoy the charm of Kyoto's unique cuisine, from Japanese and Kyoto cuisine to Western cuisine, Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine, and even Japanese sweets. This annual event started in 2010 and has continued to grow in momentum and number of participating restaurants. For international visitors dining, particularly fine dining in Kyoto can seem mysterious, this event offers transparent pricing and special menus at a wide range of Kyoto's lauded restaurants. The website and official guidebook introduce the restaurants with foreign languages available, and the organiser of the event can provide a translation service over the phone or via e-mail if required.

Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special 2024 will run until March 17th(Sun).For more information and the list of participating restaurants and menus visit LINK