Kyoto attractions to be enjoyed in all seasons
Hello, and welcome to Kyoto! In this issue, I would like to talk about the charms of Kyoto, which can be enjoyed in all seasons.
Kyoto is a beautiful city with a strong traditional Japanese culture.
If you travel to Japan, you should definitely visit Kyoto!
This article will show you why traveling to Kyoto is great in any season.
Kyoto offers many sights and events, as well as cultural and gastronomic delights.
Keep reading this article and you too may want to visit Kyoto.
Kyoto in Spring
Spring in Kyoto is a popular season for many tourists because of its beautiful natural surroundings, such as cherry blossoms and fresh greenery.
The most attractive thing about spring in Kyoto is the cherry blossoms. Kyoto is home to many famous cherry blossom viewing spots, such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Arashiyama.
The cherry blossoms at Kiyomizu-dera Temple are as beautiful as a carpet of flowers when viewed from the Kiyomizu stage, and attract many tourists every year.
Kiyomizu-dera also holds the spring Omizutori (water-drawing ceremony), which attracts many people.
The cherry blossoms in Arashiyama contrast beautifully with the Watarigatsu Bridge and the bamboo grove, making it a typical spring scene in Kyoto.
Philosopher’s Path and Okazaki Park along the Kamo River are also famous for their cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossoms are not the only attraction of spring in Kyoto. Fresh greenery is another attraction of spring in Kyoto.
Kyoto has many spots with beautiful fresh greenery, such as Gion and Kinkakuji Temple.
The rows of cherry blossom trees in Gion, when surrounded by fresh greenery, make you feel as if you have wandered into another world.
The garden of Kinkakuji Temple looks like a painting when it is surrounded by fresh greenery.
Kyoto in Summer
There are many things to enjoy in Kyoto in summer.
It is a popular season with many events such as the Gion Festival and the Arashiyama Hanatouro (flower lantern festival).
Among them, the Gion Festival is a must-see. The Gion Festival is a traditional festival that has been held in Kyoto for over 700 years.
The main highlight of the Gion Festival is the Yamaboko Junko, a procession of floats.
The Yamaboko Junko is held on July 17, 24, and 27 during the Gion Festival.
During the Yamaboko Junko, various floats parade through the streets of Gion. Each of the floats is uniquely decorated and very glamorous.
The Gion Festival is not the only summer attraction in Kyoto. Arashiyama Hanatouro is another summer attraction in Kyoto.
Arashiyama Hanatouro is a light-up event held in Arashiyama.
At Arashiyama Hanatouro, the scenery of Arashiyama is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Arashiyama Hanatouro is especially beautiful at night and attracts many tourists.
Another recommended attraction is the outdoor theater at Nijo Castle.
On summer nights, visitors can watch a projection mapping show with the beautiful Nijo Castle in the background.
It is very moving to see Nijo Castle come to life in the images and represent historical scenes from Japan.
In addition, a tea-picking experience is highly recommended. You can enjoy the beautiful nature of Kyoto while drinking freshly harvested tea.
Experiencing it in the midst of tea fields will deepen your understanding of tea.
As you can see, there are many things to do in Kyoto in summer. You can make many memories while taking care of the heat.
Kyoto in Autumn
Autumn in Kyoto is a popular season to enjoy beautiful scenery such as autumn leaves and the cityscape at night.
Autumn in Kyoto is a great time to enjoy the autumn foliage.
There are numerous foliage viewing spots in Kyoto, but the most typical ones can usually be visited between early and late November.
Among them, famous spots such as Hayashiyama, Arashiyama, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple are expected to be crowded.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple attracts many tourists every year because of its beautiful autumn leaves, which look like a brocade when viewed from the Kiyomizu-no-butai (stage of Kiyomizu).
The autumn leaves of Arashiyama contrast beautifully with those of the Togetsu Bridge and bamboo groves, making it one of the most popular autumnal scenes in Kyoto.
The Shichi-Go-San season has also begun, and many families take pictures with their parents and grandparents or visit shrines.
The best places to visit for viewing the autumn leaves include Kuramadera Temple, Kiyomizu Temple, Arashiyama, Kan-eiji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
You can visit these places and relax while viewing the beautiful autumn leaves.
There are also many Shichi-Go-San shrines, with Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Yasaka Shrine being the most well-known.
Autumn in Kyoto is not only about the autumn foliage.
The cityscape at night is another attraction of autumn in Kyoto.
Kyoto’s cityscape shines even more beautifully when illuminated. In particular, the night views of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Gion are breathtakingly beautiful.
The illumination in front of Kyoto Station is also a must-see. Held every year from November to December, the spectacular illumination attracts many people.
And visiting hot springs and outdoor activities are also recommended in Kyoto in autumn. You can also enjoy delicious food and experience Kyoto’s culture.
The weather in autumn is pleasant, and it is fun to ride a bicycle or go river rafting while viewing the autumn leaves.
There are many hot springs, but we also recommend taking a bath in a public bathhouse with plenty of hot water.
You can also enjoy delicious food and Japanese sweets.
Autumn nights are perfect for viewing the illumination in front of Kyoto Station. The brilliant lights will soothe your soul.
Kyoto in Winter
Winter in Kyoto is a popular season to enjoy snowy scenery, hot springs, and other winter attractions.
The most attractive thing about winter in Kyoto is the snowy scenery. When it snows, the city of Kyoto becomes a silver world.
Sightseeing spots such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Arashiyama attract many tourists because of their beautiful snowy scenery.
The snowy scenery is not the only attraction of winter in Kyoto. Onsen (hot springs) are another attraction of winter in Kyoto.
Kyoto has numerous hot springs, and in winter, visitors can take a relaxing dip in one of them and rest their bodies.
Many people also like to visit shrines in Kyoto for Hatsumode (New Year’s visit).
Of course, a shrine near your house is fine, but wouldn’t you like to pay Hatsumode at a shrine in Kyoto at least once?
During Hatsumode, we wish for good luck by drawing and delivering omikuji (fortune cards). Besides, there are stores where you can have hot tea and rice cakes after the visit.
And we also recommend New Year’s Eve soba (buckwheat noodles). There are many restaurants in Kyoto that serve New Year’s Eve soba.
But among them, I especially like a restaurant near Nishiki Market.
The New Year’s Eve soba here has a very gentle taste. Please give it a try!
There are many other special events at museums and temples to see during the winter in Kyoto. Don’t let the cold weather stop you from enjoying Kyoto to the fullest!
Culture
If you are going on a trip to Kyoto, how about renting a kimono?
Wearing a kimono will make you feel like the main character in a period drama.
In addition, the kimono matches the old streets of Kyoto, making for great photos.
There are many kimono rentals available, and although reservations are required, they are easy to make.
We also recommend experiencing a tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is one of Japan’s traditional cultures and is famous worldwide.
Kyoto has many facilities related to tea ceremony nationwide, and even beginners can easily experience it.
The tea ceremony may seem difficult at first glance, but it is actually a warm and gentle way of making tea.
Traditional crafts are also not to be missed. Kyoto produces numerous traditional crafts such as pottery, lacquerware, and embroidery.
Wear
