Kyoto — Where Centuries of Tradition and a Spirit of Innovation Shapea Sustainable Future
Sustainability
Sustainability
The future that LINK KYOTO aims for
Kyoto is a well-known international cultural and tourist city.
At the same time, it is a sustainable city where tradition and innovation have continued to repeat themselves over a long history spanning more than a thousand years.
From the previous model of mass tourism, which had a great impact even before the coronavirus pandemic, we have decided to change the way of tourism that prioritizes restoring Kyoto to its original form, avoiding excessive commercialization that is causing the deterioration of Kyoto's living environment and Kyoto culture. Shift to a way of being.
We at LINK KYOTO will promote sustainable tourism based on the following policy.
What we aspire to be
1. Responsibility for arranging
We prefer to choose accommodations and businesses that are committed to sustainable tourism or have a sustainable tourism certification.We do not operate tours that may adversely affect the natural, cultural, or social environment.In addition, our main guides, tour conductors, and local staff receive training in advance, and each tour destination is taught the principles of sustainability in tourism in general, as well as manners when visiting special areas such as World Heritage Sites, protected areas, and national parks. to know the important points.
2. Implementation of sustainability education
LINK KYOTO recommends that employees attend the Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP). The training course will be attended by a wide variety of professionals in the tourism industry, including hotel and tour operator managers and staff, regional managers, government officials, consultants, NGOs, academic institutions, etc., to promote sustainable tourism practices. efforts to facilitate the transition of
3.Tourism design for sustainable development
At LINK・KYOTO, we design tourism that emphasizes the global environment, cross-cultural exchange, and regional contribution.
Category 1.Environment (ECO) friendly
Prioritize the use of modes of transportation with low CO2 emissions and vehicles that minimize adverse effects on the environment.
We will reduce unnecessary items during the tour and prioritize the use of recyclable items.
By using ingredients that are locally produced for local consumption, we contribute to the reduction of energy and CO2 generated during the transportation of ingredients.
We support the carbon offset program to compensate for the CO2 emitted by the tour by absorbing it elsewhere and protect the future of the earth.
It provides an opportunity to learn hands-on about protecting the natural environment.
Category 2. Intercultural exchange
We provide an opportunity to learn experientially about preserving culture and art.
In sightseeing exchange tours, we will prepare new contents that make use of wit and characteristics without damaging the intrinsic value of the region, leading to regional revitalization.
By providing opportunities to learn about the culture, nature, and history of the region and interact with the local people, we will share the wisdom and stories of the region, deeply impress the tour participants, and instill pride and spontaneity in the local residents. bring.
By providing traditional cuisine (local cuisine) using local ingredients, we promote food culture and contribute to cultural heritage.
Category 3.Social contribution
By providing a place for interaction between tour participants and community-based companies, we directly generate revenue for the region and contribute to economic growth.
We will work to improve the relationship between lodging facilities and local producers, especially supporting the production and distribution of local ingredients and souvenirs.
In order to preserve nature, art, and culture, we will donate part of the travel fee to social projects such as local associations and use it for community-based activities.
A portion of the tour fee will be used for activities and workshops that promote sustainability education.
Kyoto, the capital of a thousand years, has quietly preserved its cultural roots while changing with the seasons. When travelers walk through Kyoto, they encounter not only its landscapes and traditions, but also the people's lives and the "cultural time" that resides in every grain of fabric. In this special feature, "Encountering a Thousand-Year-Old Kyoto," we visit businesses that are directly addressing the "invisible preservation of culture" and explore the essence of regenerative tourism—nurturing the future together with the local community. This time, we visited Hiiragiya, a quiet inn nestled on Fuyacho Street. We spoke with Representative Director Mai Jojima, Managing Director Kazuki Jojima, and Director and Head Landlady Akemi Nishimura about the inn's history and hospitality. The essence of Kyoto lies in the inn's approach, which embodies the Kyoto aesthetic of "modest and unassuming" and has quietly continued to weave culture together with the local community.
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.
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.
This time, we will introduce NOHGA HOTEL KIYMIZU KYOTO, located in the heart of Higashiyama and Kiyomizu. Combining the spirit of travel with a modern sensibility, this hotel is deepening its presence as a hub of local culture.
"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.
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.
The Kyoto branch of the Japan Tourist Association (JTB) jointly hosted the "GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course" in Kyoto City to learn about the international standards of sustainable tourism. In addition to learning about GSTC standards and good practices through lectures and fieldwork, participants also analyzed their own company's efforts to deepen their understanding.
This service allows you to drop off your luggage at a designated counter after arriving at Kansai International Airport, and have it delivered to you on the same day. Sightseeing while climbing stairs or walking uphill with luggage can be challenging, so we highly recommend making use of this service!
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