Katsura Imperial Villa is one of the most renowned examples of traditional Japanese architecture and garden design in Japan. Artisans of Leisure arranges private Japan tours that feature Kyoto’s best gardens, including Katsura. 

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Like many of our travelers, we love visiting gardens when we travel. Not only beautiful and relaxing, gardens are tangible reflections of local culture that offer insights into local history, aesthetics, religions, and culinary and medicinal traditions.

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Kyoto’s abundant traditional Japanese architecture is one of the most noticeable and impressive characteristics of the city. The opportunity to get inside these traditional buildings–including private homes and merchant’s houses, known as kyo-machiya–is a rare and fascinating experience in Japanese culture.

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Highlights from an Artisans of Leisure traveler’s private Japan tour, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji Castle and Hakone.

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