With the Gion Festival happening in July, a large number of people will surely be visiting Kyoto during the summer season. However, the summer heat in Kyoto is not to be taken as a joke, so here are 11 places around the area where you can avoid the heat and enjoy your vacation at the same time!
This place never seems to disappoint; the whole area is covered with bamboo trees shielding you from the hot sun. The only downside is mosquitoes, so remember to bring bug repellent!
You can also watch cormorant fishing (ukai) here in the evening.
To reach this shrine, you can choose to walk up the hill or ride a shuttle bus – I advise the latter option. Upon reaching the top part of the hill, you can easily feel the breeze coming from the river!
Aside from the cool breeze, you can also have some nagashi somen (flowing noodles) at Hirobun, which is the only place in Kyoto that serves this, or enjoy some local kaiseki (traditional Japanese multi-course dinner) with the river flowing underneath you.
Kifune Shrine Website *Japanese only
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来週から始まる「ビッグコミック50周年展」より一足お先に特集棚でビッグコミックの数々の名作が読めるコーナーが登場したマン！
マミューも片っ端から読みたくてウズウズしちゃうラインナップだマン！
予習して来週からの展示を楽しむのも１つだマン(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)b pic.twitter.com/Z5YySlRaPo— 京都国際マンガミュージアム (@kyotomm) June 2, 2018
Tons of manga and manga-related exhibitions are waiting for you at this indoor museum. What’s more is that passes such as the Kyoto City Subway Pass, the Kyoto Freepass, and the Kyoto Kimono Passport allow pass holders to enjoy discounts on the museum admission fee.
Kyoto International Manga Museum Website
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An edutainment-oriented facility, this aquarium boasts up to nine zones of exhibits. There are also activities and animal shows in which visitors can interact with the animals!
Shopping is a must whenever you visit Japan! These two shopping streets in Kyoto are adjacent to each other. Whatever you want – be it food, anime goods, fashion goods, or cosmetics – just name it and they’ll have it. The streets are roofed so you won’t have to worry about the sun.
Nishiki Market Website *Japanese only
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Teramachi Shopping Street Website *Japanese only
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ドンキが18:00をお知らせします。 pic.twitter.com/UdEeBjOREV
— 驚安の殿堂 ドン・キホーテ (@donki_donki) June 15, 2018
Locally known as “Donki” in Japan, this discount store offers a great variety of food, clothes, stationery, etc. Not only that, but tourists also can enjoy tax-free shopping here!
To find their store locations in Kyoto, click here.
Don Quijote Website
Access (There are many branches, but we will introduce one of them here.)
Mt. Rokko will definitely not disappoint in the middle of summer. Visit its Alpine Botanical Garden and even pet some sheep!
This mountain is located in Kobe, which is easily accessible from Kyoto.
Trains in Japan are well known for their punctuality. In 2016, this railway museum was built to show people the railway history in Kyoto and the rest of the country. With 53 vehicle exhibits, this is an absolute must-visit.
Kyoto Railway Museum Website
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One of the major art museums in Japan, the Kyoto National Museum hosts different exhibitions in its Special Exhibition Hall. Lots of pre-modern Japanese and Asian artworks are housed here. Besides that, there are a few hundred exhibits that have been designated as Important Cultural Properties and National Treasures of Japan.
Kyoto National Museum Website
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大阪も今日は朝から暑くなっています、こんな日はｱｻﾋｽｰﾊﾟｰﾄﾞﾗｲ瞬冷辛口がﾋﾟｯﾀﾘです。見学後の試飲ﾀｲﾑではｽｰﾊﾟｰﾄﾞﾗｲ瞬冷辛口も期間限定で提供中です。お試しください。 #アサヒビール吹田工場 #アサヒの工場見学 pic.twitter.com/Bz1triFrKj
— アサヒの工場見学 (@asahifactory_pb) June 25, 2018
Beer in the summer is definitely the best. Go book a tour of this brewery in Osaka, just an hour away from Kyoto by train, and enjoy freshly brewed beer. Their beer tasting allows up to three glasses per person!
Asahi Suita Brewery Website
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Many probably have not heard of this temple since it is secluded. The main attraction of this place is its zen garden and its round and square windows.
Genko-an Temple Website
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During the summer, it is most important to stay hydrated, especially since summer in Japan is known to be hot and humid. With the places mentioned above, you will surely enjoy your time in Kyoto no matter the season!
Would you like to stay in Kyoto? Check out all the hotels in the area here!
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