Allan Mandell has been traveling to Kyoto for over 30 years. In 1992-93, during a year-long stay, he was fortunate to work with garden designer Kinsaku Nakane and photographer Katsuhiko Mizuno, both masters of their art forms.  This launched a 25-year career as a professional garden photographer. Kyoto remains, through the years and the seasons, the source of his inspiration and home to what he believes is the highest aesthetic sensibility on the planet.

In the autumn of 2013, Allan launched Kyoto Garden Tour, and since then has been offering guests an immersion into this sensibility. He designs the itineraries and leads the tours to show you the Kyoto he loves, avoiding the crowds and facilitating an experience you will long remember.

Judith Clancy is our knowledgeable tour guide and interpreter. Judith is the author of ‘Exploring Kyoto — On Foot in the Ancient Capital,’ and many other books on the aesthetic delights of this amazing city. She is our in-the-know ever-genki long-time resident and ambassador of Japanese culture and all things Kyoto.

Preparing for your trip?  Take a look at these additional books by Judith Clancy:

‘Kyoto Machiya Restaurant Guide’ (Stone Bridge Press), ‘Kyoto, City of Zen’, and ‘Kyoto Gardens – Masterworks of the Japanese Gardener’s Art’ (both with Tuttle Publishing).

Additional Tour Information

Kyoto is an exceedingly safe city, meticulously clean, and brimming with aesthetic energy – people are friendly, the food is delicious (oishi!), and the gardens are exquisite. While in Kyoto, having a home base allows us to become familiar with the quiet local neighborhoods and favorite dining spots. We will experience the arts directly, taste the seasonal flavors and feel the graciousness of Japanese culture.

On a Kyoto Garden Tour, we will be doing a significant amount of walking as we explore gardens and neighbourhoods in and around the city. Each day is an aesthetic adventure.

Also featured is a visit to the pleasant country village of Ohara in the north part of Kyoto. A hands-on lesson in a traditional art form (such as calligraphy or wagashi tea sweets making) is always included, along with what has become one of our favourite evenings, a private shakuhachi musical performance.

On a Kyoto Garden Tour we often take our adventures further afield, traveling by train or private coach to neighbouring regions to explore gardens, traditional and modern art, and scenic cultural destinations. There is a palpable spirit of fun as we head to Fukui province and Kanazawa in the Fall, and Shikoku Island, Okayama and Himeji in the Spring. After we experience the charming elegance of Kyoto, we take it ‘on the road’ to discover other fascinating places in Japan.

While in Kyoto, we stay in a modern guest house at Shunkoin temple, part of the Myoshinji Zen temple complex. Allan will stay with the tour group at Shunkoin. Typically our group fills the 8-room guest house. Each room has traditional tatami mats and its own ensuite bathroom with shower, and all rooms now have Western-style beds as well.

Yes, it is a bit spartan, but every year our guests truly love staying here amidst the centuries-old Myoshinji Zen temples and prayer halls … the atmosphere of this setting is a key feature of the tour ... monks on their way to sub-temples, students on their way to school, moms with their kids … everyday life flowing along the stone paths with the timeless sound of a bronze bell in the distance … a welcoming tranquil home base.

The neighbourhood surrounding the temple grounds has a nice variety of affordable restaurants, and world-famous gardens are within easy walking distance. Some guests say that staying at Shunkoin temple and getting to know the local neighbourhood has been their favourite aspect of the tour.

Breakfast and lunch are included each guided day of a tour, as well as Welcome and Sayonara dinners – our meals feature delicious local, seasonally appropriate, and always beautifully presented cuisine. While on the road away from Kyoto, all meals are included. Throughout the tour, tempting dishes are prepared in an artistic way you may never have encountered before, offering a visually satisfying and appetizing layer of culinary delight that enhances the total Kyoto Garden Tour experience.