Let me show you around my neighbourhood of Nishijin. This relaxed walking tour traverses quiet back streets, full of chance encounters and friendly characters. We will start with Seimei shrine – dedicated to a famous astrologer and figure of legends: Abe no Seimei. We will tap into the long weaving history of Nishijin at the textile centre, viewing Kyoto craftsmen and women performing their art, and searching for the perfect souvenir. After wandering the backstreets, we will stop in a traditional Kyoto machiya to enjoy a performance on the Japanese harp before having lunch. We will visit a traditional Japanese “wagashi” shop, to see and sample the beautiful, seasonal sweets. Finally, we can get a sneak peak inside a local bathhouse, seeing both the male and female bathing areas (before opening hours, of course!) to learn about the importance of bathing culture in Japan.