What if the best way to experience Kyoto was to put your phone away?
Join us for a unique adventure designed to help you slow down, reconnect with your surroundings, and experience Kyoto with all five senses. Instead of checking notifications or searching for the perfect photo, you'll discover the sights, sounds, scents, and flavours that many travellers overlook.
Meet your guide outside Demachiyanagi Station, where your journey begins. Together, you'll visit a local neighbourhood market to pick up drinks and snacks for a mountaintop picnic. Browse the shelves for freshly made onigiri, seasonal fruit, pastries, sandwiches, or Japanese sweets—your guide will happily recommend local favourites.
Before leaving the city behind, your phone will be safely stored away for the duration of the experience. In its place, you'll receive a compact digital camera, allowing you to capture memories while remaining fully present in the moment.
As you make your way through quiet residential streets and into the forest, you'll notice how different Kyoto feels without a screen competing for your attention. Listen to birdsong echo through the trees, feel the cool mountain breeze, breathe in the fresh cedar air, and appreciate the peaceful rhythm of the trail.
Halfway through the hike, we'll pause for freshly brewed coffee prepared in nature. As the aroma fills the forest, you'll have the chance to savour every sip without distraction. Along the route, we'll also light traditional Japanese incense, inviting you to experience another important element of Japanese culture through scent rather than simply observation.
Reaching the summit, you'll enjoy one of Kyoto's most spectacular panoramic views while relaxing with your picnic. Share stories with your fellow travellers, enjoy the scenery, and experience a moment that many guests describe as the highlight of their trip—not because of a photo, but because they were fully present.
After descending the mountain, continue to Nanzen-ji Temple, one of Kyoto's most beautiful Zen temple complexes. Wander through its peaceful grounds, admire the impressive Sanmon Gate, and visit the iconic brick aqueduct, where centuries-old tradition meets Meiji-era engineering.
By the end of the experience, many guests are surprised by how quickly they forgot about their phones—and how much more they noticed because of it.
Whether you're travelling solo, with friends, family, or as a couple, Kyoto Unplugged offers a refreshing alternative to traditional sightseeing. Slow down, awaken your senses, and discover a side of Kyoto that can't be experienced through a screen.
