Kyoto's seasonal perks in a nutshell

Kyoto: a city balancing both modernity and tradition. Every year, thousands of visitors come to experience the city’s culture and history for themselves. However Kyoto's scenery and events change throughout the year, and each season has its own special characteristics - summer and winter are drastically different! Kyoto’s changing seasons mean you’ll find a new perspective each time you come back to the city. What can visitors to Kyoto do to make the most of each season?

Spring (March - May)

If there is one thing that you should absolutely do in spring, it is hanami, or flower viewing. Japan's famous cherry blossoms tend to start blooming in late March/early April and people go out to relax with family or friends and take in the sight and smell of the flowers. From picnicking in the parks to visiting temples or shrines, or a walk along the pleasant cherry tree-lined Philosopher’s Path - no matter where you go, the cherry blossoms are bound to be spectacular.

Summer (June - August)

The Japanese summer begins with the rainy season in June (don’t forget your rain gear!), but once the rain has died down, the matsuri or festival season begins! In Kyoto the must see festival is the Gion Festival, which has its roots in what was originally a purification ritual held to placate the spirits. You can still feel the influence of those traditions in the festival today, and there are also parades and lit-up floats, musicians, traditional festival games and many different types of Japanese street food! The festival takes place between July 1st and 31st with events happening over the span of a few days, so there's plenty of time to see what’s going on and even join in!

Fall (September - November)

Fall is the time when the leaves start to change colors, and Kyoto is no exception. The leaves tend to start changing around mid-October making this the best time to visit temples and shrines, although like the spring cherry blossom the fall colours can be seen throughout the city. Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Tofuku-ji Temple and Fushimi-Inari Shrine are especially spectacular during this time, and many people like to make their visits wearing kimono. Some temples and shrines also have illuminations where the fall leaves can be seen at night for an even more spectacular delight!

Winter (December - February)

Winter temperatures in Japan can be as low as 1⁰C (34 degrees F), so the best thing to do during this chilly season is to stay warm, and the perfect place to stay warm is at an onsen or natural hot spring! Not only are hot springs good for warming up your body and escaping from the cold, they are also said to help relax the mind and body. Many hot springs belong to ryokan, Japanese-style hotels, but you can also find them at public bath houses.

Although we’ve provided a brief guide to the seasonal delights of Kyoto, there are hundreds more events throughout the year. Hatoya Zuihokaku Hotel is passionate about helping tourists make the most out of their stay - no matter the season, Hatoya provides help with sightseeing and travel within Kyoto as well as bringing culture to guests through dinner with maiko (Kyoto's geisha) and traditional cuisine. And wherever you choose to go during your stay in Kyoto, you can take a dip in Hatoya's onsen hot spring bath in any season!

Learn more about onsen at the Hatoya Zuihokaku Hotel

http://www.kyoto-hatoya.jp/en/