KYOTO CULTURE
Famed for its romantic springtime sakura ( cherry blossoms ), Japan ’ s spiritual capital of Kyoto is also home to over 2000 temples and shrines , and the famous geisha districts of Gion and Pontocho .
Spring is obviously a stunning time to visit , but couples will also adore the fall foliage of autumn , with locals enjoying the ancient tradition of momijigari ( hunting autumn leaves ) as the landscape is painted red and burnished gold . The vibrant seasonal hues of the maple , cherry , and ginkgo trees , which weave their way through the Old City , only enhance the peaceful and majestic beauty of Kyoto ’ s palaces and temples .
Tea culture in Japan is truly sacred , and while you ’ ll find tea ceremonies throughout the island nation , none are as beautiful as the Kyoto offerings . The city remains the centre of the Japanese tea world , with much of the country ’ s finest tea grown in the southern suburb of Uji . You can ’ t go past Kyoto ’ s geisha district , Gion , for a memorable experience and insights into the heart of this ancient cultural practice that highlights ‘ the way of the tea .’ Tea Ceremony Kyugetsu offers a great introduction to an authentic tea ceremony , presented in an original Gion townhouse and run by two foreign tea masters , Tyas Sosen and Stephen Soshun . Together they make the history , etiquette and meaning of this intricate practice accessible to all while serving the highest quality organic matcha tea and traditional Japanese sweets .
PHOTOS : ADOBE STOCK / FAHRUL AZMI / NAVEEN KUMAR ; UNSPLASH holidaysforcouples . travel 23