Sara Aiko is the founder of Curated Kyoto and a creative director working at the intersection of travel, culture, and storytelling. Her perspective has been featured in Vogue Hong Kong, Condé Nast Traveler, BBC, and The New York Times / T Magazine.

In 2017, after working in media, Sara founded Curated Kyoto to address a gap in how Kyoto was being represented—moving beyond major landmarks to reveal the city’s quieter beauty, layered culture, and human connections. Curated Kyoto specializes in thoughtfully curated travel experiences, bespoke itineraries, cultural programs, and creative collaborations, grounded in local relationships and deep cultural understanding.

Working closely with luxury hotels, global brands, and creative individuals, Curated Kyoto elevates each client’s experience of the city. Past clients include CHANEL, Estée Lauder, Adidas, American Express, KCRW, Vans, and Park Hyatt Kyoto.

Kyoto has been Sara’s greatest teacher, shaping her personal and creative approach through its community of craftspeople and dedication to heritage. Raised between two languages and cultures by her Japanese mother, Sara brings a perspective that bridges East and West—an outlook that underpins everything she does.

The artwork in her profile image was created by Kyoto-based Nihonga artist Yuka Mori.