Kyoto’s Floating World

Descrizione del servizio

This walk leads into the heart of historic Kyoto, through districts that survived the great fires of the late 19th century and preserved a world where refinement, entertainment, and artistry once flourished. We explore areas such as Gion, where the floating world took shape during a long period of peace. As power shifted and merchant wealth grew, pleasure quarters and entertainment districts emerged — spaces devoted to beauty, performance, and cultivated social exchange. Along the way, we unravel who geiko and maiko truly are: not performers on display, but highly trained artists of music, conversation, movement, and presence. Their world reflects discipline, aesthetics, and an idea of hospitality unique to Japan. The walk culminates at Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples, rich in spiritual meaning and historical depth. Nearby rises the elegant Hōkan-ji (Yasaka Pagoda), among the tallest pagodas in Japan, anchoring the skyline with quiet authority. Depending on time and pace, the route weaves through hidden shrines, side streets, and overlooked viewpoints — places where Kyoto reveals itself slowly. This is an encounter with Kyoto at its most iconic and most intimate, where history, beauty, and living tradition continue to coexist.