Kawadoko Dining Experience in Kyoto
Escape the summer heat of Kyoto with a seasonal dining experience in the scenic mountain village of Kibune. Dine at a traditional restaurant on a “kawadoko” platform set above a flowing river, surrounded by forest and fresh mountain air. This non-private experience includes a round-trip shuttle from Kyoto Station and offers both lunch and dinner options. Relax in an atmospheric riverside setting and enjoy Kyoto-style cuisine made with seasonal ingredients—a true highlight of Kyoto’s summer culture.
Options
Lunch
Meeting time is 10:20
What's included in Kawadoko Dining Experience in Kyoto
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
After meeting at Kyoto Station, you’ll take a complimentary shuttle bus to the peaceful mountain village of Kibune, a hidden gem in northern Kyoto known for its cool breezes and flowing streams. Enjoy a seasonal kawadoko dining—served on a wooden platform set above the river—at one of two distinguished ryotei (traditional restaurants), Ugenta or Sagenta. This unique dining style is a summer tradition, offering not only Kyoto-style cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, but also an unforgettable atmosphere where you can listen to the murmuring river as you dine. Surrounded by lush forest and fresh mountain air, it’s a perfect way to escape the city heat. After your meal, the shuttle returns you to Kyoto Station—around 15:30 for lunch or 21:00 for dinner—, making this a relaxing and convenient half-day experience.
Inclusions
- Round-trip shared transfer by complimentary shuttle bus
- Lunch or dinner (depending on the option)
- Beverages
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour requires a minimum of two participants. Solo travelers cannot join. Due to system limitations, a reservation for one person may appear successful online, but it will be canceled afterwards.
- The dining venue will be either "Ugenta" or "Sagenta". You cannot choose between them in advance.
- To reach the kawadoko (riverside) dining area, guests must descend slippery steps from the restaurant. Seating is traditional tatami style (no chairs or tables available). The floor has open slats to view the river below. As you’ll walk barefoot on tatami, please take extra care when moving around.
- The shuttle bus and dining venue will be shared with other individual guests not participating in this tour. Depending on how crowded the facility is, you may have to wait 30 minutes or more before being served. Tour participants are not prioritized over other guests for seating or meal service.
- This plan uses the restaurant's free shuttle. Please note that you may be seated in auxiliary seats or be required to share seats with other groups.
- This tour is meeting and dismissal on-site, and no tour conductor will accompany you. On the day, a restaurant staff member will assist with check-in and guidance. Your name and contact details will be shared with the dining facility for operational purposes.
- In case of rain or bad weather, even if it occurs before the tour day, dining may be moved indoors if the river level is high. The tour will still depart as scheduled, and cancellation or change fees will apply as usual.
- For safety reasons, children and infants cannot participate in this tour.
- Beverages during meals are not included in the tour price. Please pay separately at the venue.
- We are unable to accommodate any special dietary requests, including food allergies.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet near Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit, in front of the Matsuri Clock Square. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.
End Points
- The bus will stop at a nearby location where it is safe and convenient for passengers to disembark.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
・Emergency Contact: +81-50-3649-8469 (answered in Japanese only). For assistance in English, please use the 3-way calling app 'Oyraa' with a professional interpreter. Instructions on how to use 'Oyraa' will be sent to your email address in a PDF. If you cannot find the email, please contact us at [email protected] ・This tour requires a minimum of two participants. Due to system limitations, a reservation for one person may appear successful online, but it will be canceled afterwards ・The dining venue will be either "Ugenta" or "Sagenta". You cannot choose between them in advance ・To reach the kawadoko (riverside) dining area, guests must descend slippery steps from the restaurant. Seating is traditional tatami style (no chairs or tables available). The floor has open slats to view the river below. As you’ll walk barefoot on tatami, please take extra care when moving around ・The shuttle bus and dining venue will be shared with other individual guests not participating in this tour. Depending on how crowded the facility is, you may have to wait 30 min or more before being served. Tour participants are not prioritized over other guests for seating or meal service ・This plan uses the restaurant's free shuttle. Please note that you may be seated in auxiliary seats or be required to share seats with other groups ・This tour is meeting and dismissal on-site, and no tour conductor will accompany you. On the day, a restaurant staff member will assist with check-in and guidance. Your name and contact details will be shared with the dining facility for operational purposes ・In case of rain or bad weather, even if it occurs before the tour day, dining may be moved indoors if the river level is high. The tour will still depart as scheduled, and cancellation or change fees will apply as usual ・Beverages during meals are not included in the tour price. Please pay separately at the venue ・We are unable to accommodate any special dietary requests, including food allergies
