Guide Andrés Menache.
Andrés Menache
I heard about Andrés Menache from two friends of mine, both of whom are luxury travel advisors and book upscale trips for clients who expect the best of the best.
When I mentioned I had plans to visit Kyoto and would love a great guide to show me the sights, they told me “Andrés is who you need to know.” They had paired him with their discriminating clients, who had come back with raves about how great he was.
We WhatsApped, and he told me he was available when I was in town and would love to take me around. I told him I wanted a packed agenda and to get around only by foot. “No problem,” he said. “I design my experience entirely around you.”
Our day together was engaging and dynamic and proved to be an authentic lens into a culture and destination that’s fascinated me for years. It also passed in flash, even though we were together for 12 hours- yes, really, for lunch, dinner, and coffee in-between.
As Andrés tells it, he is an Argentine historian, who fell in love with Japan as a teenager growing up in Buenos Aires and eventually made Kyoto his home. Before moving to this city, he studied Japanese for several years, worked as a translator, and taught the language in Argentina.
He wound up in Kyoto for graduate school, where he studied Japanese religion and history. He got into guiding to make some extra cash and started by taking visitors through Kyoto’s nighttime bar scene. He grew his business by word of mouth, and says he is “inspired by the Japanese spirit of omotenashi — the art of thoughtful and heartfelt hospitality — and shares Kyoto through cultural tours that combine historical insight, local knowledge, warmth, and humor.”
My interview with him about how to experience Kyoto at its best follows.
You weren’t born in Japan. What first drew you to Kyoto, and what made you decide to stay?
I started learning Japanese in Buenos Aires at 17, almost by chance. There was a language school right across from my high school, and I was instantly hooked. That interest grew into a deeper fascination with Japanese history and culture. After getting my degree, I moved to Japan on a government scholarship for graduate studies. Kyoto was the natural choice: the former imperial capital, where history still feels part of everyday life. But what made me stay was the rhythm of the city itself: the small streets, the balance between old neighborhoods and nature, the slower pace of life. That combination was hard to leave behind.
Kyoto receives millions of visitors every year and is often described as suffering from overtourism. Do you think that reputation is fair, and how does it affect daily life in the city?
I do think the reputation is fair, but only if we understand it correctly: the problem is not tourism itself, but too many visitors concentrating in the same famous places at the same times of day. The impact on daily life is real: city buses were not designed for large numbers of visitors with big suitcases, and in some areas locals struggle to use the routes they depend on, along with the constant noise and littering. That said, Kyoto should not be reduced to this problem. If you go north, you can stay away from the busy sightseeing areas. Here the city feels calm and easy to enjoy.
Many first-time visitors focus on famous sites like Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari. Which iconic attractions truly live up to the hype?
Even after more than eight years in Kyoto, I never get tired of visiting Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. It is usually crowded, but the sight of that gold-leaf structure reflected in the pond still lives up to its reputation. Fushimi Inari is more complicated: the first section of vermilion gates draws so many visitors for photos that it can be hard to enjoy, but continue up the mountain and the crowds thin out after about twenty minutes. Finally, Kiyomizu Temple and the surrounding Higashiyama area should not be missed. Every guest who reaches the temple’s 17th-century wooden stage is amazed by the view over the grounds and the city beyond.
A snapshot of the city.
Andrés Menache
If someone has only 48 hours in Kyoto, what are the three places or experiences you would insist they prioritize?
I would try to balance three things: the scenic, the iconic, and the cultural. First, I would prioritize Kiyomizu Temple and the surrounding Higashiyama area. From there, it is easy to continue to Gion in the evening, when the old teahouses and lanterns create a completely different atmosphere. Second, I would include the Golden Pavilion. It may be famous and crowded, but if you are lucky enough to catch it snowing, the temple covered in white is a truly dreamlike sight. Third, I would leave space for a slower cultural experience. Between the Kiyomizu Temple area and Gion, Kodai-ji Temple is well worth a stop. With almost 400 years of history, moss-covered gardens, and natural bamboo groves, it is an ideal place to enjoy an authentic tea ceremony.
What are some of the most common mistakes tourists make when visiting Kyoto?
One thing travelers often underestimate is the difference between seeing a place online and understanding what the experience actually involves. A good example is the Monkey Park in Arashiyama: reaching the monkeys requires a steep uphill walk of about twenty minutes, which can be difficult in Kyoto’s hot and humid summer. Another common issue is not planning transfers carefully enough. Kyoto Station is large, and it’s easy to end up missing the bullet train. Finally, many visitors underestimate how important reservations are. It is not always easy to walk into a small local restaurant or bar at night, especially if it is popular or has limited seating. You can ask your hotel concierge or your guide to help reserve a place, even on the same day.
Everyone wants to avoid the crowds. What practical strategies do you recommend for experiencing Kyoto at its best? Are there particular neighborhoods, times of day, or seasons that visitors overlook?
These days, it is difficult to completely avoid crowds in Kyoto’s most famous places. Even going very early in the morning does not always guarantee that you will have places like the Bamboo Forest to yourself. One strategy I often recommend is visiting some places near closing time, when the atmosphere can be calmer. I also think visitors should experience Kyoto after dark. Kiyomizu Temple area, Gion’s geisha district, and the Kamogawa riverside all have a very different beauty in the evening. The season also matters. January and February are much quieter than spring or autumn, and some historical temples and cultural properties hold special winter openings. Summer can also be less crowded, but it requires careful planning because of the heat and humidity.
What are some lesser-known temples, gardens, streets, or cultural experiences that tourists don’t usually see?
Nanzen-ji Temple deserves more attention. It is famous, but many visitors overlook it because they follow the more obvious sightseeing routes. Its spacious grounds, gardens, and impressive wooden gate make it one of the best places to experience a quieter, more refined side of Kyoto. For gardens, Shosei-en is a quiet surprise so close to Kyoto Station that most visitors walk right past it, a strolling garden of ponds, bridges, and teahouses that makes a perfect first or last stop in the city. I would also look beyond Gion when thinking about geisha culture. Miyagawacho, just a few minutes’ walk from Gion, is quieter and far less visited, with its own teahouses, resident geiko, and some excellent whisky bars tucked along its side streets. Finally, traditional performing arts are often overlooked. If the timing is right, even a short kabuki program or a private performance with traditional musicians can be memorable.
Kyoto is often associated with tradition, but it’s also a modern city. Where do you see the most interesting blend of old and new Kyoto today?
In Kyoto the mix of old and new is often very subtle. You see it in the way traditional buildings are reused, old crafts are reinterpreted, and modern hospitality still preserves discipline and attention to detail. One example is the renovated café near Nanzen-ji, now operated by Blue Bottle Coffee. The building preserves elements of traditional Kyoto machiya architecture, such as its wooden frame and earthen walls, but inside you find a very contemporary coffee space. You can also see this blend in local brands such as SOU・SOU, which takes inspiration from traditional Japanese tabi footwear and textile techniques, transforming them into colorful, fashion-forward clothing. Finally, Kyoto’s cocktail and whisky bars show this blend beautifully: a bartender in a formal suit, preparing each drink almost like a small tea ceremony.
Is there a particular place in Kyoto that still blows you away in all your years of living in the city?
After all these years the place that still gives me a sense of wonder is Mt. Kurama. The path up to the main temple feels removed from the everyday city, passing small shrines and quiet corners where the mountain itself seems to become part of the religious experience. This place has a mysterious spiritual atmosphere, shaped by the idea of sacred cosmic energy and stories of warriors who gained supernatural powers through intense training. The last time I went, it was raining: old wooden structures darkened by time, moss everywhere, mist between the trees. It felt almost like walking into a Studio Ghibli scene, but with centuries of real history behind it.
When friends visit from abroad, what’s the one Kyoto experience that surprises them the most?
In my experience, what surprises visitors most is Kyoto’s ability to turn seasonality into an almost theatrical experience. Autumn is the strongest example. When the maple leaves turn red and temples or mountain areas are illuminated at night, the landscape feels almost unreal. One experience that always leaves a strong impression is the autumn night train through a valley of maple trees. At one point, the lights inside the train go out, and for a few seconds everything becomes dark. Then suddenly, the illuminated red leaves appear outside the windows. I took my uncle there recently. He has traveled all over the world, but he told me it was one of the most beautiful experiences he had ever had. That says a lot about Kyoto’s ability to surprise even experienced travelers.
AloJapan.com