#kyoto

#kyoto

Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK), the fair launched in 2021 to build ties between Japanese and international galleries, opened its fifth edition this week (until 16 November) at the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto). The fair has grown steadily despite economic headwinds and an increasingly crowded Asian fair calendar, welcoming a record 72 galleries, 36 of which are from overseas. Beyond the main venue, ACK continues to distinguish itself through its integration with Kyoto's cultural and architectural landscape.

The new updates are set to take effect in March 2026 and some travelers may see an increase of as much as ¥10,000 ($65.33) per night. The fee will scale in proportion to the room rate. Rooms costing under ¥19,999 ($130.66) will be required to pay a ¥400 ($2.61) fee,EuroNews reported. For more expensive and luxury stays above ¥100,000 ($653.32), a maximum tax of ¥10,000 ($65.33) will be charged, according to The Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper.

Kyoto's hotel scene has moved far beyond the traditional ryokan-versus-business-hotel divide. A wave of boutique openings and international entries has expanded the spectrum in recent years, making it easier than ever for travelers to find stays that balance convenience, style, and affordability. If you're on the hunt for something that won't break the bank, there are plenty of options that range from no-frills hideaways to borderline luxury retreats that deliver remarkable value, all for rates starting at under $300 a night.

But the best things to do in Kyoto represent not only a city of preservation-this has also long been a place of innovation: bamboo harvested here helped Thomas Edison fashion the filament for the first light bulb; Japan's first streetcar rattled to life on Kyoto's avenues; and Nintendo grew from a small playing-card company into a global powerhouse in its backstreets.

Gion's quiet streets lined with lanterns are now filled with foreign tourists who treat the area like an amusement park, disrupting local life and culture.

In Kyoto, the intersection of ancient crafts and modern innovation fosters a vibrant community of artisans, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design.