Kyoto by the Sea: 5-Day Artisan & Coastal Discovery Add-on

Arrive in Fukuchiyama, a historic castle town in northern Kyoto Prefecture, where you'll be welcomed by a local guide for an introduction to the town and support with checking in. Your guided walk explores the legacy of Akechi Mitsuhide, one of Japan's most controversial samurai figures, whose castle still stands above the town. Hear how his influence shaped Fukuchiyama's development, from flood control and town planning to the events that changed Japanese history. Along the way, stroll beneath covered shopping arcades, past preserved merchant buildings, riverside paths and neighbourhoods where old and new architecture sit side by side. Spend the night at Hishiya Castletown Boutique Hotel.

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Start the day in Yakuno, one of the few places in Japan where natural lacquer is still harvested. Tamba lacquer has been produced here for more than 1,300 years and was once prized enough to be paid as tax to the Imperial Court. Today, only a handful of specialists continue the tradition, carefully tapping mature lacquer trees for their precious sap while planting new trees and training future generations to keep the craft alive. Meet the artisans behind this remarkable heritage, learn about the painstaking harvesting process and discover why every drop of lacquer is so highly valued.

Later, visit Mori no Kyoto Distillery, housed inside a beautifully restored nineteenth-century sake brewery. Explore the original brewery buildings, botanical garden, blending laboratory and warehouse while learning how locally grown rice, green tea and regional botanicals are transformed into award-winning spirits. Interactive displays introduce the aromas and ingredients behind the distillery's creations before you sample botanical green tea and two gold medal-winning craft gins. Those wishing to take the experience further can even create their own original blend. (B,L)

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Travel aboard the popular breakfast sightseeing train to Amanohashidate, available on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, enjoying one of northern Kyoto's most scenic rail journeys. On arrival, join a local guide to explore Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, on a guided walking tour that reveals far more than its famous pine-covered sandbar. Accompanied by a local guide, discover the area's history, mythology and everyday life as you explore both well-known viewpoints and quieter corners that many visitors miss. Your included one-day pass allows you to make the most of the local transport network and attractions, giving you the flexibility to experience the landscape from different perspectives throughout the day. Lunch is included, offering the chance to enjoy regional flavours while overlooking one of Japan's most celebrated coastal landscapes. (B,L,D)

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Take a motorboat across the bay to the fishing village of Ine, recognised as one of Japan's Most Beautiful Villages. Lined with distinctive wooden funaya boathouses built directly on the waterfront, the settlement has been shaped by fishing for centuries. A local guide shares stories of how the village developed and why this unique way of life continues today. During the walking tour, board a sea taxi to experience the bay from the perspective of local fishermen before visiting one of the traditional boathouses to understand how families once lived and worked above their boats. The combination of the quiet harbour, surrounding mountains and enduring maritime traditions makes Ine unlike anywhere else in Japan. (B,D)

Note: Between November and March, the scheduled motorboat transfer from Amanohashidate to Ine is replaced by a taxi transfer due to seasonal sea conditions. The sea taxi experience in Ine Bay remains included in the itinerary.

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Your final day is dedicated to the skilled makers and local producers that define Kyoto by the Sea. Travelling by private vehicle with an English-speaking local guide, your first stop is the Tamiya Raden workshop, where delicate shells are transformed into fine, flexible threads that can be woven into silk. Developed through years of experimentation, the technique is unlike anything else you'll encounter on the journey and offers a fascinating insight into the creativity and precision behind Japanese craftsmanship. Your second artisan visit will be selected according to availability and may showcase washi paper making, hand-brush textile dyeing, wisteria weaving, kimono silk design or traditional swordsmithing, offering another perspective on the region's rich craft traditions.

The day also includes a culinary experience with lunch, chosen according to seasonal availability. Depending on the day, you may learn the art of hand-roll sushi with local experts or visit an organic farm to enjoy a meal prepared with fresh, locally grown ingredients. At the end of the experience, you'll be transferred to the station for your onward journey, making it easy to continue exploring Japan or reconnect with the rest of your tailor-made itinerary. (B,L)