City break in Kyoto. Active leisure ideas for Kyoto - attractions, recreation and nightlife

Many entertainment venues in Kyoto will help to diversify the rich excursion program; anyone could find a place to stay at his liking. Travelers coming to vacation with kids are sure to visit the Kyoto Zoo. Its spacious enclosures became home to hundreds of animals; many pets were brought to the zoo from distant exotic countries. The city has great parks and entertainment that appeal not only for young travelers, but also for their parents. Near the downtown Toei Kyoto Studio park is located. It serves visitors every day and prepares a lot of interesting entertainment for them.

Awaji World Park is located in suburbs, but this fact hasn’t affected a huge number of visitors. Locals and tourists who want to try out the most incredible rides in action are coming here. Travelers that aren’t indifferent to the races should visit Kyoto Horse Racetrack. You can make a bet and try your luck, or just watch the exciting competition.

Fans of shopping will enjoy Kyoto; the best places for their hobby will be Shin-Kyogoku, Kawaramachi and Teramati streets. There are shops and shopping pavilions for all tastes; shopping centers where you can buy items made of porcelain and ceramics are particularly popular. Nishiki Market, where you can buy exotic delicacies and traditional sweets, is good for foodstuff. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Many travelers prefer to go to the JR Kyoto Station for souvenirs, as there are dozens of souvenir shops in its building. Kyoto Takashimaya points out of shopping centers. It includes hundreds of the most diverse shops and boutiques, including clothing and perfume shops, jewelry stores and souvenir shops.

In addition to ceramics and porcelain, handmade crafts made of bamboo, as well as fans and a variety of embroidery, are very popular. Local souvenirs are very diverse and interesting. Fans of nightlife will love the Metro club, which often hosts performances of the world famous bands. As an entertainment Metro offers exciting theme parties, theater performances and concerts.

Fans of large-scale performances would be happy to visit a race track where graceful horses perform. Here you can bet on a horse, which, in your opinion, will reach the finish line first. In Kyoto, one can find many studios providing "special" photo services: thus, visitors have the opportunity to feel like a samurai or a geisha and bring home a reminder of a wonderful time spent in the Japanese cultural capital. As for the studios, the most popular of them are Oiran Taiken Studio Arare, Kyoto Gion Aya, and Yumekoubou Kyoto Eki-Mae Head Studio. Many tourists consider this pastime (dressing up as a geisha or a samurai and just walking around Kyoto taking pictures) as the best way to get to know the culture.

The so-called "cat cafes" (or "neko cafes") are very popular in Kyoto (however, as in other cities of the Land of the Rising Sun). Here you can enjoy the company of graceful cats while having a tasty meal. The hosts (that is, cats) can be stroked, held in the hands, fed, played with - they gladly accept care from people. The most popular cafes of this kind are Neko Café TiME and Nekokaigi. In Pug Cafe Living Room, other favorite Japanese pets, pugs, live instead of cats. It is worth visiting Kyoto's zoos and mini zoos: for example, Kyoto no Fukuro no Mori where a large number of owls are represented, Park Iwatayama, which is home to monkeys, as well as Tom's Mr. Hedgie where you can play with small hedgehogs.

Another must-have while in Kyoto is trying yourself as a samurai. Of course, it won't be possible to become a true warrior - training takes many years - but you can still try. Such an opportunity is provided by tours from Kyoto Samurai Experience. Well, those who want to feel like a ninja will be delighted with Ninja Dojo and Store where they can attend classes on how to become almost invisible. Another unchanged symbol of Japan is the tea ceremony, which has many rules and traditions; you can learn them all in Tea Ceremony Koto. Another great activity that Kyoto can offer is visiting Japanese cooking classes. Uzuki Cooking Class would be the best option in this case.

Kyoto Terrsa is visited by those wishing to swim in the pool, work out in the gym, watch an interesting concert or match. VR clubs are very popular throughout Japan, and Kyoto's most popular club is Ninja VR Kyoto - here you can try yourself as a ninja, if you didn't succeed in being "inconspicuous" in physical reality. Golf clubs are not really common in Kyoto. However, for tourists who can not live without the favorite game here is Kyoto Ohara Public Course. To enjoy playing paintball or laser tag in the cultural capital of Japan, go to Sector 5 Center.

If you'd rather prefer to relax after an active pastime, there is no better place than spas and "onsens" (especially when it comes to Kyoto). Thus, the best facilities of this kind include Kurama Onsen and Funaoka Onsen, as well as many other equally interesting centers. The choice of bars and nightclubs is also impressive in Kyoto. These are L'Escamoteur, the most popular bar among young people thanks to its excellent cocktails, Ki Bar where guests will be delighted with singing opportunities, and Bar Out Loop Way appreciated by those preferring a quiet, relaxed atmosphere and live music. When it comes to dance clubs, it's worth highlight the most popular ones among young people: Butterfly and Kitsune where fiery music does not stop until morning.