Life in Kyoto

Kyoto has four distinct seasons, each of which offers its own unique beauty, and crowds of domestic and international tourists flock to Kyoto all year round. Naturally, living in Kyoto means that one enjoys the luxury of experiencing these seasons to the fullest without having to travel far distances.

Spring

The coming of spring in Kyoto is marked by the sprouting of gorgeous plum blossoms, which can be seen at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle, among many other locations. Soon afterward, the cherry blossoms begin to bloom across the entire city. Notable places to enjoy cherry blossom flower viewing include Philosopher’s Path, Maruyama Park, Arashiyama and Heian Shrine. Other spring events include Kamogawa Odori, an event for traditional Geisha dancing, and Aoi Matsuri, one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, in May.
Kyoto also has many beautiful mountains and rivers, and there are many spots near Kyoto City where you can enjoy mountain climbing and rafting.

Summer

With the passing of the rainy season in June, summer arrives. While summer in Kyoto is hotter than most places in Japan, you can still partake in dining outdoors on riverside terraces. One notable event that is held every summer is Gion Matsuri, the biggest summer festival in Japan and one of Kyoto’s most-known events. The entire city comes alive for this Gion Festival and many domestic travelers come from outside of the prefecture to enjoy what it has to offer. When August comes around, one can enjoy the Daimonji Fire Festival, which can be viewed from various locations in Kyoto City.

Autumn

Autumn in Japan begins with Tsukimi or Moon Viewing at the beginning of September. Jidai Matsuri, or Festival of the Ages, takes place in October. At this famous festival, participants dress up as iconic figures from every era of Japanese history and travel on foot from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. While many know Japan for its cherry blossoms, Kyoto is celebrated for having the most beautiful autumn foliage. People from around the country visit Kyoto in November to view the gorgeous autumn leaves at locations such as Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Tofukuji Temple, Eikando Temple, Philosopher’s Path and many others.

Winter

Kyoto experiences occasional snowfall during the winter time. Seeing the historic streets of Kyoto City covered with snow is surreal and reminiscent of a magnificent painting. In December, many visit Arashiyama to catch the 10-day-long Arashiyama Hanatoro illumination. Between December 31 and January 3, people in Japan partake in Hatsumode, the first temple visit of the year. The coming of the New Year is a major event in Japan, and many of the shrines, temples and market streets have traditional cuisine sold from food stalls during this time.