Soul of Kyoto Guide

Soul of Kyoto guide is a refreshing approach to the art of travelling that consists of vagabonding around, chance encounters, and unforgettable experiences.

For ten years, we tested and kept a list of Kyoto's most secret spots. Only 30 made the final cut. Here are the 30 unique and exclusive experiences that we believe reveal the soul of Kyoto.

Discover the loveliest spot to picnic on the banks of the river without being harassed by eagles Have your own barbecue behind the fish market Attend a tea ceremony in a private home Meet the craftsman who has just revived the traditional Kyoto fan that had virtually disappeared for 50 years Head to a fishing village to discover the world's first itinerant hotel Push open the door to a bar hidden inside a temple Eat the best egg sandwich in town Go to the public baths to reconnect with a local ancestral tradition Taste the aguri mochi that started a thousand-year rivalry Watch as a wood warehouse is transformed into an izakaya at nightfall

Soul of Kyoto was written by Thierry Teyssier, a travelling hotelier who likes to choreograph his dreams, and those of his clients. Here, he orchestrates encounters, discoveries, and shared moments to trace for us the soul of a city as beautiful as it is inaccessible.

The 'Soul of' collection is a new approach to travelling that is all about wandering around, chance encounters, and unforgettable experiences. Guides for those looking to unlock the hidden doors of a city, find its pulse, and plumb every last nook and cranny to uncover its soul.

Hidden inside these guides, you will always find a very secret location, carefully selected, waiting to be discovered.

Are you up for a challenge?