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The Aoi Festival (officially known as the Kamo Festival) is the annual festival of Kamomioya Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine) and Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine (Kamigamo Shrine), and is a ritual to pray for the safety and security of the nation and its people. It is held on May 15th, when the fresh green leaves are shining brightly, and is counted as one of Kyoto's three major festivals, along with the Gion Festival and the Jidai Festival. -
The canal boat service will run from Thursday, March 26th to Sunday, June 14th. This year, the service period in June has been extended by one week compared to usual, allowing you to enjoy a longer season from spring to early summer. You can also take advantage of the limited-time "Lake Biwa - Otsu Port Service*." In addition to the cherry blossom trees lining the waterway, you can also enjoy the expansive scenery unique to Lake Biwa. (*) The "Lake Biwa - Otsu Port Service" will only operate for eight days, from Thursday, March 26th to Sunday, March 29th, and from Thursday, April 2nd to Sunday, April 5th. On all other days, the regular "Mii-dera" service will operate. Enjoy the splendor of cherry blossom season, as well as the beautiful fresh greenery of early summer—no matter what time of year you visit, be sure to enjoy this fascinating canal boat trip.springSAKURACherry blossomLake BiwaCruiseLink KyotoLake Biwa canal boatcanalscenicLINK KYOTOcherry blossomssustainableKyoto sightseeing
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Ume was brought to Japan about 2000 years ago. Revered among Japanese for its health benefits, the usage of ume (whether it’s food provisions for warriors, natural remedies, or luxury items) has been evolving with the passage of time. CHOYA UME STUDIO, a ume specialty shop where people can experience the ume culture of Japan in a modern style to engage "a culture that fosters connections with loved ones," we continue to develop it while preserving traditional culture. From the historic cities of Kyoto, it is shared with the world.SDGs area of this content
TeaKyoto experienceUji teaMatchaKyoto sustainable tourismKyoto sightseeingtraditional culture
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Kyoto, which has existed for a thousand years, is alive with the wisdom of the people who have lived in harmony with nature and nurtured its culture. The message that LINK KYOTO conveys is that experiencing this unique Kyoto culture and lifestyle and continuing to protect its splendor is what will lead to sustainability for the future.SDGs area of this content
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A journey to encounter a thousand-year-old culture. Kyoto, the capital of a thousand years, has continued to preserve its cultural roots while changing with the seasons. When travelers walk through Kyoto, they encounter not only the scenery and traditions, but also the activities of the people who have woven it and the "time of culture" that resides in every grain of material. In this special feature, "Encountering a Thousand-Year-Old Kyoto," we visit businesses that are directly addressing the "preservation of invisible culture" and explore the essence of regenerative tourism - nurturing the future together with the local community. In this issue, we introduce Nakamura Candle, which has been dedicated to making Japanese candles since its founding in 1887 (Meiji 20). We spoke with Representative Director Koichi Tagawa about the company's efforts to preserve the "intangible culture" that has been passed down through the light of candles.SDGs area of this content
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On this journey to encounter a millennium of culture, we visited Itoyuki, a long-established manufacturer that has continued to focus on pure domestic silk. Located in Kyoto, where textile culture is deeply rooted, this company has pioneered a wide range of products, from plain fabrics to interior décor, and is a living example of the "current state of silk culture" where nature and human activity are carefully intertwined.SDGs area of this content
experiencetraditional craftsKyoto sustainable tourismsustainabletraditional culture
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"HANDS FREE KYOTO," operated by the Kyoto City Tourism Association, is a website that compiles hands-free sightseeing information to help tourists explore Kyoto comfortably. It clearly introduces information on delivery services for sending large luggage to accommodations, as well as counters and coin lockers where you can temporarily store your luggage, along with a map of the Kyoto Station area.SDGs area of this content
Kyoto experienceKyoto tourism moralsKyoto sustainable tourismKyoto sightseeing
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This is an electronic travel pass that allows you to "hot spring tour" at 10 hot spring facilities in Kyoto City (as of October 1, 2025). By presenting an electronic ticket that allows you to visit three different facilities at the hot spring facilities, you can tour the hot spring facilities scattered throughout Kyoto City. We also work to promote the use of ancillary facilities such as meals and cafes at hot spring facilities, proposing various ways to use hot springs. -
Founded in 1909, Urushi Tsutsumi Asakichi preserves traditional craftsmanship while exploring new ways to bring lacquer into everyday life. In Kyoto, lacquer is not limited to temple architecture and tableware — it also appears in daily life, from bath buckets at sento (public bathhouses) to dining tables in local bakeries. Discover its beauty at Bukkoji Temple, experience lacquer buckets at Umeyu, and enjoy bread and wine by the Kamo River. Through these encounters where city culture and lacquer come together, you will discover a new side of Kyoto’s urushi tradition. -
Kyoto is home to many businesses that practice "long-term management," passing down culture for over a thousand years. Rather than simply preserving tradition, these businesses have an approach as "social enterprises/local zebra businesses" that weave value into the future while harmonizing with the environment and local community. Experience programs offered by these businesses are not only activities for tourists, but also an opportunity for "site visits" to directly experience business models that create social impact. In this article, we introduce sustainability-related experiences, organized in collaboration with BEYOND2025, one of Japan's largest social conferences, and the JTB Kyoto branch.CulturalKyoto sustainable tourismKyoto sightseeingexperiencetraditional culture
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