The number of UK travellers visiting Japan between January and September 2015 rose by 19.3% year-on-year,* proving the promise of Japan's forward-thinking yet traditional offering is wowing the nation's travellers. Thanks to the competitive rate of the Japanese Yen against the British Pound, there has never been a better time to visit Japan, therefore Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau is encouraging all travellers to start ticking off their bucket list in 2016 with a trip to the beautiful city.

Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau has released a snapshot of some of the most desirable experiences to be enjoyed on a trip to Japan's cultural capital in the New Year.

Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special
For the seventh year, Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special is returning from 1 – 29 February 2016 and is offering visitors to Kyoto the chance to sample some of the world's finest cuisine at a fraction of the price. Some 180 restaurants, including those specialising in Kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine) which was registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2013, offer their menus at reduced rates, allowing diners to indulge in a traditional gastronomic experience. For those looking for international flavours, restaurants serving French, Italian and Chinese cuisine also encourage diners to visit their restaurant during this exciting promotion.  For further information about the event, visit the new English-language website www.krws.jp, which will launch on 8 December 2015.

Marvel At Kyoto In Cherry Blossom Season
Visit Kyoto between the end of March and the middle of April and admire the city as it turns into a sky of pink and red whilst the cherry trees bloom. Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto and it lies next to Yasaka-jinja Shrine at the base of Kyoto's eastern mountains. Known as 'Gion's cherry blossom', the park is home to a famous weeping cherry tree, which forms the parks' main attraction. Many visitors pay a visit to Maruyama Park to enjoy a traditional 'hanami' cherry blossom picnic during the beautiful season, where they feast on traditional delicacies and sake. For more information, visit kyoto.travel/en/thingstodo/entertainment/110.

Travel At Speed Through Japan On A Shinkansen Bullet Train
Climb on board one of Japan's iconic Shinkansen bullet trains in Tokyo and watch as they depart at their scheduled second from the buzzing Japanese metropolis. The pioneering trains reach speeds of up to 285 km/hour, transporting travellers to the imperial city of Kyoto in as little as two hours and 15 minutes. On a clear day, travellers can even catch a glimpse of the majestic Mt. Fuji from the train. For more information, visit kyoto.travel/en/traveller_kit/accessinfo.

Learn the Art of Zen Meditation
Since the 12th century, Zen became widely adopted as the religion of Japan's increasingly influential Japanese warriors. Two popular Zen practices, Zazen and Shakyo, are now offered to beginners wanting to learn the practice in some of the city's most stunning temples. The Shunko-in Temple offers Zazen classes, which are led by the deputy head priest Rev. Taka Kawakami. He instructs in English on the basics of Zen meditation and how to incorporate the Zen philosophy and mindfulness into everyday life. For more information, visit www.shunkoin.com.

Spend The Night In A Traditional Ryokan
For those looking to immerse themselves in a truly authentic Japanese experience, spend the night in the calm surroundings of a traditional ryokan, a Japanese-style inn. The personal experience often includes two meals per overnight stay served to guests in their room by highly professional female staff known as nakai (room maids).  The guests can feast on the local delicacies while relaxing in their tatami-floored rooms. Shared outdoor bathing facilities are often found in the most traditional of ryokans, with some using water filled from local hot springs. When it comes to resting, beds in a ryokan take the form of a futon, a flat, foldable mattress, which are prepared in the evening whilst guests are out.   For more information, visit kyoto.travel/en/planyourvisit/accommodations.

Get A Glimpse Into The Secret World Of A Geisha
You can catch sight of Maiko (apprentice Geisha) and Geiko (Geisha) in traditional kimonos walking through the streets of Gion, one of the main downtown districts in Kyoto, but for a truly special experience, enjoy an evening with the performers at selected ryokan and hotels. The Maiko and Geishas will perform a selection of traditional songs, dances, and games for visitors to enjoy, offering a glimpse into their private world. For more information, visit kyoto.travel/en/thingstodo/entertainment/100.

To find out more about Kyoto, visit  kyoto.travel/en.
-ENDS-

Notes To Editors
*According to The Japan National Tourism Organization, available at www.seejapan.co.uk

Photo Captions (From Left to Right): 
Image 1: Nakaragi-no-michi Street, Kyoto pictured during spring's cherry blossom season. Image courtesy of Kyoto CVB.
Image 2: A geisha walks through the narrow streets of Kyoto's Gion District. Image courtesy of Kyoto CVB.
Image 3: Myoshin-ji Taizoin Temple is pictured during Autumn in Kyoto. Image courtesy of Kyoto CVB.

About KCVB
Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official partnership for international tourism representation of the City of Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto's diverse history and reputation as Japan's original capital and cultural centre provide a wealth of opportunities for tour operators and travel agents.  The city is home to the Imperial Palace whilst also being the only place where 'real' geishas can still be seen, its old temples and Zen gardens interspersed with urban living means that Kyoto is a striking contrast of heritage and modern city.  Its location just 25 minutes from Osaka and 2hrs 15 minutes from Tokyo, make it easily accessible from Japan's two main international gateways.

For more information or imagery, please contact:
McCluskey International
Fiona Anderson / Lauren Hill
T: 020 8747 2170
E: kyoto@mccluskey.co.uk