Kyoto opens 41 unique venues for events

The Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau has published the 2018 edition of its Unique Venues Guide, a comprehensive roster of temples, theatres, shrines, museums, villas, gardens, a castle and even trains – all open for events.

“We are very excited to release the 2018 edition of our unique venues guide,” says Yoshiaki Matsui, deputy director, Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“It has been given a complete re-design and contains 12 new venues including the Toji Temple, our third Unesco World Heritage Site in the guide. These venues have been used by brands like Ferrari, Louis Vuitton and Van Cleef & Arpels.”

Along with Toji Temple, the 12 new venues include: Konkai-Komyoji Temple, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Murin-an – Place of Scenic Beauty, Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa, Kyoto Tower, Eines Villa di Nozze Takaragaie, Kyoto Kitayama Monolith, InStyle Wedding Kyoto, KOTOWA Kyoto Nakamurarou, Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji and Minamiza Theatre.

Each offers a unique insight into Kyoto for visiting groups. Konkai-Komyoji, for example, is the temple where the Aizu clan samurai placed their headquarters in the late Edo period, while Kyoto Kitayama Monolith is an extraordinary 2,600-sqm estate belnding modern architecture with ancient gardens.

Minamiza Theatre, the oldest theatre in Japan, will reopen in November for events of 1,000+ people following a three-year programme of anti-earthquake reinforcements.

The bureau works closely with its unique venue partners to ensure the arrangement is mutually rewarding.

“When meetings use these historic venues, it makes a meaningful contribution to protect and sustain Kyoto’s cultural heritage,” says Matsui. “Furthermore, we sincerely believe that these experiences can leave a lasting impression on the lives of those who participate.

“We hope that by offering these venues to associations and meeting planners, it will create new opportunities for the meetings industry to engage with our culture and history in a deep, authentic, and sustainable way.”

Buyers interested in finding out more can visit the Kyoto Booth (Stand A440) at IMEX Frankfurt from May 15-17 where it will be unofficially launched, or contact the bureau directly for a copy of the Guide. It will soon be available for download from the bureau website also.