Kyoto is a city that has been preserving its ancient Japanese culture and traditions for hundreds of years, and Japannese is proud of it.
The flavors that change with each season, the environment rich in nature, and the cityscape that looks like something you would see in a Japanese historical drama are the very “Japaneseness. In addition, traditional handicrafts such as Kyo Sensu (fans), Kyo Uchiwa (fans), Nishijin ori (textiles), Kyo Yuzen (dyed fabrics), and Kiyomizu-yaki (pottery), all of which have a history of more than 1,300 years, are highly regarded worldwide for their quality and popularity. Moreover, there is the beauty of each season, such as the changing colors of the leaves, as well as Japanese gourmet foods such as tea and Japanese sweets that take you out of your daily life and into a special world. Kyoto is a place where many people visit every year to experience Japanese culture, and has attracted many people from all over the world.

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Places you should visit when visiting Kyoto by season

Throughout all seasons, Kyoto has many beautiful sightseeing spots. I would like to introduce the characteristics of each season, events, and other attractions.

The charm of spring

Cherry blossoms and plum blossoms

Spring is the season of beautiful cherry blossoms all over Japan, but the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, combined with the unique cityscape of this ancient city, are so beautiful that they leave you speechless. It is also the season that attracts the most tourists from all over the world. During this season, everywhere you go in Kyoto is very crowded and lively. It is very nice to enjoy the nice and warm spring weather.
Although it is a short period of time, from the end of March to the beginning of April, it is absolutely worth seeing at least once in your life. Kyoto is also famous for plum blossoms, which are in bloom from February to the first half of March, a little earlier than the cherry blossoms. If you don’t like crowds, I recommend coming here to see the plum blossoms instead.

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The charm of summer

Kyoto is known as a very hot place in summer because it is a basin city, so summer is an off-season in the tourism industry except for major festivals. However, because of this, it is possible to enjoy sightseeing more comfortably even at famous temples and shrines that are usually crowded.
Another feature of this season is that there are various festivals to get cool. Kyoto in summer is also full of attractions, such as kawadoko (riverside dining) along Kamo River, boating in Arashiyama, excellent shaved ice in the city, and many other festivals.

Festivals

Gion Festival, one of the three major festivals in Japan, is held during the month of July, and tourists mainly enjoy the main festival, Yamahoko Junko (float parade), and the Yoiyama event just before it. The sight of the huge Yamahoko floats marching in a powerful procession with the Gion music is so impressive that it is called a “moving museum. The highlight of the parade is the “Tsuji-mawashi” (turning at intersections). As Yamahoko floats can only move in a straight line, the way they slide and rotate on the water-sprinkled bamboo is really spectacular.

Daimonji

Daimonji, Gozan-no-Okuribi (Bonfire of the Five Mountains) is a traditional event in Kyoto that brings the end of summer to a close. It is a deeply moving event to see the night sky dyed red by the bonfires. you want to see Daimonji at least once in your life.

Tanabata Festival

At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, when the Tanabata Festival approaches, the shrine grounds start to be lined with bamboo decorations. This continues even after the Tanabata Festival on July 7th, and the shrine grounds are decorated with colorful bamboo decorations until the old calendar’s Tanabata Festival. Although it is the middle of summer, it is a good idea to take a walk around the shrine to enjoy the cool and refreshing atmosphere.

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Cormorant fishing

Cormorant fishing is one of the most popular summer traditions in Kyoto. This is held at night along the Hozu river and in Uji river and you can watch the cormorant fishermen on their boats as they steer the cormorants to catch fish. The fishermen take the fish just before the cormorant swallows it, and the scene is very dynamic, lit up by lamps. It’s a must-see.

The charm of autumn

Autumn in Kyoto is a season that should not be missed because the colored leaves make the old townscapes look more beautiful. The autumn leaves in Kyoto last from the second half of November to the beginning of December. Along with the cherry blossom season in spring, this is when the most people visit. The autumn leaves in Kyoto are very tasteful and are known worldwide for its beauty. It is also the perfect season for sightseeing.

Illuminated autumn leaves

This is the time of year when the leaves are lit up at night. The autumn leaves floating up in the darkness will give you a different feeling from the daytime. This is the kind of scenery that Japanese people must have seen since ancient times. Some tea ceremonies are held everywhere, and it is a great opportunity to experience Japanese culture. It will definitely take your breath away.

Japanese tea and sweets

The gardens of temples also welcome us with expressions that can only be seen in this season. Of course, you can enjoy the autumn leaves while walking in the garden, but when you look at the leaves from inside the building, the pillars and other parts of the building act as a frame, making you feel as if you are looking at a beautiful work of art. You can enjoy green tea and rakugan (dry sweets) in the “Taki-no-ma” of Nanzenji’s main temple. While listening to the soothing sound of the waterfall, try to take your time and enjoy the view with a mild green tea and elegantly sweet rakugan.

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The charm of winter

Winters in Kyoto are really cold, so be sure to take warm clothes. However, there are many charms of Kyoto that can only be enjoyed in such cold winters. For example, many shrines and temples are illuminated at night during the winter. If you go to a temple on a snowy day, you will be amazed at how beautiful and tasteful it is. It is mysterious to see them standing quietly in the winter silence. Around New Year’s, the temple is also crowded with people for year-end and New Year’s events and Hatsu-moude.

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Kyoto Hanatoro

Kyoto Hanatouro, night illumination event, was started as a new nighttime event in Kyoto. It is a festival of lights held in Higashiyama and Arashiyama. The warm, Kyoto-like light illuminates the streets of Kyoto at night. It is very romantic and atmospheric to go around slowly with your loved ones.

How did you like so far? No matter which season you visit, Kyoto will always have its own charm to enjoy. If you have come to Kyoto, why not participate in the events that are typical of Kyoto at that time of year? You are sure to find your favorite season. I hope you would find this information useful when planning your trip.

Points to consider when choosing a hotel

There are many famous ryokan (Japanese style inns) and hotels in Kyoto, but if you don’t have any specific standards to choose from, it may be hard to decide. Here are some points to consider when choosing accommodations.

around JR Kyoto station

If you want to visit many sightseeing spots in Kyoto, JR Kyoto Station area is the best place to stay. it has good access and is easy to get around.

Gion or Arashiyama area

If you want to enjoy the view of the traditional city, we recommend you to stay in the Gion or Arashiyama area.
The “Gion” area is perfect for sightseeing in Kyoto as it has Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Nishiki Market, and other tourist spots, while the “Arashiyama” area is recommended for those who want to get away from the busy city and enjoy the tasteful and historical landscape of Kyoto.

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Recommended accommodations in Kyoto

Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei (about 15 minutes walk from Kyoto Station)

Takasegawa Bettei is a new machiya stayle ryokan (traditional Kyoto style house inn) with a luxurious appearance, but without the overly formal image and excessive services. This ryokan is cozy and has a relaxed atmosphere. There is not much space to share with other guests, making it a place where you can spend time with your family, friends, and loved ones. All the rooms are equipped with luxurious hinoki baths, where you can enjoy the warmth of the wood and the scent of hinoki in a quiet space, refreshing yourself during your trip.

Hiiragiya Ryokan (about 10 minutes walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station)

Hiiragiya Ryokan, located in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, near Nishiki Market, is a luxury ryokan.
Located in the heart of Kyoto, this ryokan is near Kyoto City Hall and offers convenient access to popular tourist spots in Kyoto.
This inn has been designated as a Government Registered International Tourist Ryokan and is also internationally well-known.

Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo (about 10 minutes from Kyoto Station by train)

The Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo is located about a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, and offers cultural experiences as an amenity. The rooms are designed based on the tea ceremony culture and Zen philosophy, making it a hotel where you can enjoy the Japaneseness. You can experience Japanese tea ceremony and the philosophy of Zen, one of the Buddhist sects, and there are staff who can explain it in English. Matcha (powdered green tea) is served to guests from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The area is blessed with natural groundwater, so you can experience a different kind of green tea.

Kyoto SOWAKA (15 minutes by car from Kyoto Station)

Located in Gion area, the center of sightseeing in Kyoto, SOWAKA offers tours and activities to help you learn more about Kyoto. The hotel is also listed in the “Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka 2020” and is attracting more and more attention. The hotel consists of a main building with a sense of history and a new building with the image of a traditional Kyoto’s house. And each has different characteristics. Also, you can enjoy the Japanese garden where you can feel the seasons.

Kyoto is a city where you can experience once in a lifetime

Kyoto welcomes us with its seasonal charm, retaining the atmosphere of an ancient capital. Filled with traditional crafts, gourmet food, and many other attractions, Kyoto is a place that many people visit as tourists and has attracted many people from all over the world. The scenery changes in different seasons, so no matter what time of year you visit, you will see a different face of Kyoto. Why don’t you visit this place once?