Vgo Inc.

 

To introduce the appeal of modern architecture built from the Meiji to Showa periods in Kyoto and beyond, Vgo Co., Ltd. developed the audio app Modern Architecture Chronicle. The app personifies notable modern buildings in Kyoto, with well-known voice actors serving as audio guides. By presenting history and architectural background in an engaging way, the initiative reaches even those who may not typically be interested in architecture.

The app is available in three languages: Japanese, English, and Simplified Chinese.

LLC

Road Bike Rental Japan

 

Road Bike Rental Japan LLC recommends cycling routes not only in central Kyoto but also in suburban areas, helping to ease congestion around the city center and major tourist attractions. The company also places strong emphasis on pre-ride preparation and safety briefings tailored to each guest’s country of origin, including explanations of traffic rules and proper brake usage.

In addition, old tire tubes generated through business operations are repurposed as components for agricultural irrigation and other uses, contributing to resource recycling.

Union Co., Ltd.

 

With the aim of advancing universal tourism, Union Co., Ltd. offers complimentary wheelchair rentals, dispatches partnered nurses when needed, and employs drivers who hold Level 2 Home Helper certification.

As part of its community engagement activities, the company also collects items that can be difficult to dispose of in modern times—such as batteries, used cooking oil, and cardboard—from local residents.

Live A Life Inc.

 

Since 2022, Live A Life Co., Ltd. has operated Omotena, an online local help service app that enables residents to offer travel advice directly to visitors. The service connects local residents and tourists while sharing Kyoto’s distinctive culture.

Among the registered local coordinators are individuals who are vegetarian or vegan, allowing the service to respond flexibly to diverse visitor needs.

Big Smile Co., Ltd.

 

Founded in 1998, Big Smile Co., Ltd. operates rafting tours on the Hozugawa River. The company works closely with the Kyoto Chubu Wide Area Fire Department to conduct safety consultations and joint training sessions, ensuring that rafting activities on the Hozugawa River are carried out safely. In addition to assisting their own passengers, they also take part in rescue operations when necessary.

As a full member of Project Hozugawa, the company participates in river clean-up activities, helping to connect local communities with tourism through environmental conservation efforts.

Iyabi LLC

 

To ensure that both tourists and residents can comfortably use Kyoto City buses, iyabi LLC offers temporary luggage storage services for large suitcases.

The company also provides multilingual menus to better serve inbound visitors, facilitating smooth communication and striving to create a satisfying experience for all guests.

Tondaya Co., Ltd.

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Tondaya Co., Ltd. offers hands-on experiences in traditional Japanese culture—including kimono dressing, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy—sharing the beauty of Japanese traditions with visitors.

The company utilizes a traditional Kyoto townhouse in the Nishijin district that was designated in 1999 as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. Preserving its historical landscape, the building has been maintained for over 140 years with minimal renovation. As part of the cultural experience, visitors can also learn about life without electricity or gas, gaining insight into environmentally conscious living.

Kyoto Inban Co., Ltd.

 

Established in 1912, Kyoto Inban Co., Ltd. shares the culture of Kyo-insho (traditional Kyoto seals) with visitors from Japan and abroad by offering hands-on seal-making experiences.

Each seal is carefully hand-finished by certified artisans, resulting in durable, beautifully crafted pieces—no two of which are alike. Since its founding, the company has consistently produced one-of-a-kind seals, providing customers with truly unique products.

Cultural Edu-Tourism Council

(Operated by Ruru Shokai Co., Ltd.))

 

With the aim of nurturing students who have an interest or connection to the local community, the Council provides opportunities to learn and thrive locally. In January 2024, it hosted the “Kyoto Student Vision: The Charm of Kyoto and Adventures into the Unknown – Co-Creation Competition 2024,” encouraging students to present their perspectives on Kyoto’s appeal and future.

SOO

 

SOO manufactures and sells the “Ofuki Series,” which utilizes the traditional techniques of Kyo-Yuzen dyeing. All production processes are carried out by artisans who are usually engaged in kimono processing, providing them with additional work opportunities amid a decline in kimono-related demand.

The products are made from the same silk fabric used for kimono, helping to convey the beauty of Kyo-Yuzen—a traditional craft—to younger generations.

Sowa Bookbinding Co., Ltd.

 

Sowa Bookbinding Co., Ltd. commercialized origami cranes with pre-creased fold lines. These products are used in nursing care facilities to provide relaxation and finger dexterity training for elderly individuals.

Because the fold lines are pre-marked, the cranes are also easy for international visitors to enjoy, helping to share the charm of this traditional element of Japanese culture.

Hotel Monterey Kyoto

 

To ensure that guests can stay with confidence and peace of mind, Hotel Monterey Kyoto maintains rigorous infectious disease prevention measures. The hotel has renewed its GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation, an internationally recognized certification demonstrating that it meets global standards for hygiene and cleaning practices.

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kamiina

 

Since its establishment in 2021, kamiina has provided travel helper services centered on mobility assistance. In June 2024, in response to the shortage of taxis in Kyoto, the organization launched a welfare taxi service.

Drawing on experience in the caregiving field, kamiina operates taxis that are easy for elderly individuals and people with disabilities to use. An English-language booking website is also available, enabling services that transcend nationality and language barriers. The company strives to ensure that no one is left behind and that everyone can equally enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto.

All vehicles are welfare-equipped taxis, allowing passengers to board, disembark, and travel while remaining in their wheelchairs.

Kinabal Co., Ltd.
 

Under the motto “Experience the Real Kyoto—Deeper and Closer,” Kinabal Co., Ltd. operates the Kyoto tourism media website GO KYOTO. In addition to tourist information, the platform actively shares updates on tourism trends in Kyoto, related challenges, countermeasures, and policy initiatives.

By strengthening communication on these topics, the company raises awareness among users about both the issues and the solutions necessary to sustain Kyoto as a leading tourism city.

Kyoto Wagasa-ya Tsujikura

 

With a history of over 300 years rooted in Kyoto, Kyoto Wagasa-ya Tsujikura offers programs that clearly explain the history and cultural significance of traditional Japanese umbrellas (wagasa), making them accessible and enjoyable for international visitors.

Wagasa are crafted exclusively from natural materials—such as sustainably sourced bamboo, Japanese paper, lacquer, and silk—minimizing environmental impact while preserving time-honored craftsmanship.

Dusit Thani Kyoto

 

Located about 20 minutes by car from central Kyoto, in the Ohara Nomura area of Sakyo Ward, the hotel has established “Dusit Farm” on part of its farmland. At the farm, vegetables essential to Thai cuisine—such as coriander (cilantro)—are cultivated.

The harvested produce is served at the restaurants and bars of Dusit Thani Kyoto as well as its group property, ASAI Kyoto Shijo. The hotel also offers vegetable harvesting experiences for staying guests, working in collaboration with the local community to promote sustainable and regionally connected hospitality.

Momijiya

 

Momijiya collaborates with the local preservation society to support and help operate various events held in the Takao area.

For international visitors, the ryokan also offers cultural experience programs, including events where guests can interact with maiko, providing opportunities to experience traditional Japanese culture firsthand.

One World Co., Ltd.

 

Aiming to contribute to the development of Kyoto as a “World Tourism City,” One World Co., Ltd. continuously invests in human resource development and strives to be a professional group specializing in omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).

At Nijo Castle—a World Heritage Site where the company operates visitor guidance services—it conducts the “Travel Destination Quiz Event” to share the principles of the Kyoto Tourism Morals initiative.

In collaboration with Notre Dame Women's University, the company also develops regional revitalization projects. These include research and proposals addressing inbound tourism measures, tourism etiquette and moral awareness, and environmentally conscious waste management within Nijo Castle. Through these efforts, it provides opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of tourism-related challenges facing Kyoto.

Localized Co., Ltd.

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Localized Co., Ltd. introduces Kyoto’s culture and history to inbound visitors while thoroughly promoting proper travel manners in Japan. The company develops tour products designed to create win-win relationships between local communities and tourists.

All tours are conducted on foot, which eliminates the need for public transportation and contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions.

Maeda Coffee Co., Ltd.

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Maeda Coffee Co., Ltd. develops menu items featuring locally produced ingredients such as Fushimi sake, Kyoto vegetables, and other regional agricultural products. The company also actively uses locally crafted tableware, including Kiyomizu ware.

Some locations offer vegetarian and halal-friendly menu options, creating an inclusive environment for diverse guests. In addition, the company participates in initiatives to reduce food loss by separately collecting food scraps and kitchen waste for processing into livestock feed.

Tomo Planz Co., Ltd.

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Tomo Planz Co., Ltd. primarily develops travel services for inbound visitors. To help disperse peak visitation times, the company offers early-morning and evening tours, encouraging time-shifted sightseeing.

Leveraging the strengths of guided tours, it also thoroughly promotes good travel manners among guests. In addition, the company accommodates diverse needs by arranging meals that align with guests’ cultural and religious customs.

Ueya Kato Landscape Co., Ltd.

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Ueya Kato Landscape Co., Ltd. serves as a board member of the “Association for Protecting the Environment of the Nanzenji Area,” with employees regularly participating in meetings and community clean-up days.

The company also takes part in the “Ohigashisan Monzen Future Project,” collaborating with shops, hotels, and businesses in the Higashi Hongan-ji gate-front area. Through event planning and the development of products that highlight local production for local consumption, it contributes to community revitalization and information dissemination.

Sunmembers Kyoto Saga

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Since July 2024, Sunmembers Kyoto Saga has been appointed as an advisor in the experiential activity field for Kyoto City’s “Koto no Musubi” initiative, providing specialized training to participating businesses.

The hotel also introduces guests to authentic Kyoto experiences and actively incorporates local products and traditional crafts from within Kyoto City into its operations.

BNR Farm

 

BNR Farm supports local children by offering opportunities to help with farm work and enjoy meals prepared with abundant fresh, seasonal vegetables.

The farm also works to clear neglected bamboo groves in the Nishiyama area, addressing environmental issues such as landslides and wildlife damage. Using organic fertilizers at its own farm, BNR Farm promotes local production for local consumption through experiential programs and unmanned farm-stand sales in front of the property.

Kyoto Women's University Institute of Life Design

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In partnership with the Gion South District Council, the institute has participated since 2015 in a gum-removal campaign along Hanamikoji Street.

In 2024, in collaboration with the council, Kyoto City, and the police, it created lantern-shaped informational flyers and conducted awareness activities aimed at promoting better tourism manners in the Gion area.

Rin hitoe

 

Rin Hitoe promotes Japanese culture through traditional musical instruments, guided by the aesthetic concept of miyabi (elegance). The group has joined the youth association of Kamigamo Shrine and participates in volunteer activities such as local clean-up efforts.

It has also provided music for the official tourism promotion videos of the “Hidden Gems of Kyoto Project” in the Rakusai and Yamashina areas, contributing to regional revitalization in cooperation with local government initiatives.