How to Spend a Rainy Day in Kyoto (And Still Have Fun!)
Last Updated on 19th July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Kyoto should be at the top of every traveller’s Japan itinerary, with its centuries of history, beautiful temples, old shrines, and ancient districts to explore what’s not to love? However, if there’s one thing that can sometimes be off-putting when venturing a new destination, it’s getting soaked wet by the rain. That’s why we’ve put together a list of activities that require no attention to looking at the weather forecast, so that you can spend a rainy day in Kyoto (and still have fun!)
How often does it rain in Kyoto?
The rainy season in Japan is called ‘tsuyu’, 梅雨, (also pronounced baiu), which translates to English as “plum rain” because it coincides with the season of the plums ripening. In most parts of the country, the rainy season typically lasts from the beginning of June to mid-July, however it does not rain every day during this time and it rains other times throughout the year.
Umbrella etiquette
So, there seems to be a strange belief within the ‘umbrella community’ of some umbrella users in Japan… with the thought that umbrellas are communal and therefore are free to use and take when spotted. This is not the case. In fact, upon our travels, we found ourselves victim to losing our umbrella, in a time we needed it most…so be sure to keep a watchful eye on your own!
That being said, once the weather turns to rain you’ll often see more than enough see-through umbrellas put out for sale in front of shops, costing between just 300-500 yen.
It’s also worth noting, that while an umbrella is, of course, preferable, if the weather conditions are a little windier you’ll want to opt for a plastic poncho, which can be found at any convenience store.
Best rainy day activities in Kyoto
Whether it’s light to moderately heavy precipitation, there are still a plethora of things to do, see and explore while in Kyoto, some of which are in fact elevated by the change of weather so long as you’re prepared for it. The best thing to do is get your waterproofs on and head out to enjoy the city like a local, and not letting the weather stop you!
Explore a small museum
Rainy days are for museums, spend a few hours exploring the local history, heritage and culture of Kyoto by visiting a small museum or two. Here are some of our top picks:
- Samurai & Ninja Museum – This small museum is filled with Edo-period armour and weaponry on display. See for yourself how they would dress in the Japanese feudal era as well as learning the different moves in an immersive experience.
- Kyoto Railway Museum – For those fascinated by trains and railway systems, this museum covers the history of railways from steam locomotives to the shinkansen (the bullet train).
- Raku Museum – A beautiful pottery museum which showcases centuries-old, handmade Raku ceramics that have been handed down through generations.
- The Cultural Museum of Kyoto – The best place to learn an overview of Kyoto’s history, this museum was opened in 1988 as a comprehensive cultural facility for visitors to discover the city’s past to present.
- Kyoto International Manga Museum – Both a museum and research facility, this space has a collection of over 300,000 items, including 50,000 volumes of manga that can be accessed and read by visitors.
Do a spot of shopping
Kyoto features a mixture of shopping, from high-end fashion shops to shops filled with centuries of history selling traditional local crafts or speciality foods. Take shelter inside and take yourself on a spot of shopping while in the city! Kyoto has several indoor shopping malls and districts for which you can spend a few hours exploring, to see what treasures you can find to remember your trip. Here are a few top spots of where to shop in Kyoto:
- Shijō Kawaramachi – These two streets run parallel to one another and are the busiest and most crowded streets for shopping in the whole city. The area is particularly popular for its huge department stores where you’re likely to find anything you desire!
- Shinkyogoku Shopping District – A downtown district of two covered pedestrian arcades which stretch 500 metres in length, lined with shops (plenty of which will sell umbrellas if you need one!) local food, souvenirs and specialty crafts.
- JR Kyoto Station – The station building houses a wide array of shops. A unique area known as “The Cube” is a shopping mall within the station on the first floor, selling confectionary, fashion and souvenirs.
- Isetan Department Store – Also found within JR Kyoto Station is a major department shop that occupies thirteen floors on Kyoto Station’s northwest side, as you would expect from its size… you can find pretty much anything!
- Higashiyama District – If you’re looking for more traditional and handmade crafts, head to this preserved historic district which is near Kiyomizudera. Traditional architecture slopes down the mountainside, housing shops, cafés and restaurants. You can also visit a temple while in the area!
Nishiki Market
A perfect way to spend a few hours to shelter from the rain is a visit to Nishiki Market, which is conveniently a covered market. Once you wander through you’ll quickly understand why it’s known by locals as “Kyoto’s kitchen“. There are over 130 vendors and the market is famed all over Japan for its rich variety of foodstuffs and associated culinary products and gadgets.
Make sure you come to the market hungry because there’s a tantalising array of sweet and savoury foods to choose from! However, walking while eating is frowned upon in Japan, so be sure to either consume your food at the stall in which you bought it or wait until you’ve left the market and found a suitable place in which to enjoy it.
To learn more about the market, which shops to go to, what foods to sample and the customs/respectful ways of visiting, read our how to visit Nishiki market guide here.
Tour a Sake Brewery in Fushimi Sake District
The Fushimi Sake District, 伏見, is a charming pocket of the city that sits along the Horikawa River in the south. The district is home to almost 40 sake breweries, many of which have retained their traditional appearance with wood and white-plaster structures.
In case you didn’t know, Sake is a Japanese rice wine, brewed in a similar style to beer but made by fermenting rice, the alcoholic beverage typically has an ABV of 13% to 18%.
One distillery which is particularly popular to visit is Gekkeikan, one of the largest in Japan, this leading manufacturer of sake and plum wine was founded back in 1637. Housed within the distillery is a fascinating museum which displays the tools and procedures of sake production, and at the end of your tour you can sample the delicious beverage for yourself accompanied by some delicious fried nibbles!
Indulge in local food
Come rain or shine, is there ever a time when the best thing to do while visiting isn’t to indulge in local cuisine? And, there’s no better place to indulge in traditional Japanese cuisine than in the heart of Kyoto’s food scene, renowned for its sushi, tempura, tofu dishes, ramen and matcha.
From Michelin-starred establishments to cosy local eateries that serve delicious dishes, visitors can enjoy the vibrant and wide-varied culinary experiences that the city has to offer. One of the best areas in the city to dine is the Gion District, which has a concentrated pocket of mouthwatering restaurants, simply walking along you’ll find yourself drawn in by the fragrant scents. Here are a few suggested spots of where to eat in Gion:
Gion Soy Milk Ramen – We dined here, this restaurant serves a 100% plant-based and gluten-free menu (which is pretty rare in Japan, I found it pretty difficult to find restaurants serving a good variety of vegetarian options). Developed by Yukiko Uno, a pastry chef, this restaurant allows those with specific dietary requirements to still enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine!
Teppan Tavern Tenamonya – Serving the “best wagyu beef ever!” this popular warm and friendly spot to dine is run by a husband and wife, who offer a homely experience. The restaurant is Teppanyaki-stye, teppan means iron plate and yaki means grilled or griddled.
Chidoritei – This small family-run sushi restaurant is renowned for its mackerel and eel sushi, marinated and salted to perfection, this is easily their most popular dish! You can watch them prepare the deliciously fresh sushi right in front of you!
Admire art in a gallery
Brimming with culture, Kyoto is home to several art galleries and exhibition spaces which make for a great way to spend a couple of hours, soaking up inspiration from both local and international creatives alike. Some of the best art galleries include:
- MoMAK (The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto) – A gallery devoted to the collection and preservation of artworks and reference materials of the 20th century in Japan and other parts of the world.
- Kyoto Museum of Photography – Free to enter and explore, visit a world as seen through the lens in this small gallery which showcases local artists’ shots.
- Kyoto City University of Arts Art Gallery – This university art gallery showcases the works and talents of students and its emerging artists, including a collection of previous works by students.
Arashiyama bamboo forest
Although this is an outdoor activity, something is enchanting about visiting the bamboo forest when there’s a slight drizzle in the air. An endless green forest of mōsō bamboo shoots that shoot high into the sky and sway gently with the breeze, separated by narrow winding trails for which to explore.
To see the bamboo grove you only need an hour, it’s an easy route and the path goes around in a 1.7-mile loop trail. And, this route tends to get pretty busy, so hopefully you may find the weather has put people off and have the path largely to yourself!
Visit a shrine
Of course, one of the best things to do while exploring Kyoto is to visit all the historic shrines and temples, but it’s worth noting that most of these are unsheltered and outdoor spaces. However, if well prepared, the rain can further add to the curiosity and charm of these sacred spaces, so don’t rule out a visit to a shrine or two when it’s raining.
Marvel at Fushimi Inari-taisha
Again, although this is another outdoor activity, if the weather is light drizzle I highly recommend still visiting as it’s sure to add to the atmosphere. Made up of 10,000 Torii gates that line the way up to the sacred Mount Inari. In the Shinto religion, foxes are considered to be messengers from the gods and so you’ll frequently spy stone statues of foxes in sub-shrines leading up the mountain.
This spot can get pretty busy most days, so here’s hoping the weather has been a deterrent! The hike takes around an hour each way, though can take a little more if you stop as frequently as we did to take photos! For more inspiration, check out our guide to Fushimi Inari-taisha.
Take a day trip
Why not check the weather forecast in the surrounding areas and see if there’s a clearer day elsewhere? Kyoto is the perfect place to take a day trip from, with wild deer, historic castles, Japan’s very own Eiffel Tower and even the world of Super Mario nearby, read our best day trips from Kyoto guide here.
If you’re visiting Kyoto soon, we also have guides which include other less-rainy activities and can help make planning your trip a little easier! Check out our Best Things to Do in Kyoto guide or How To Spend Three Perfect Days in Kyoto Itinerary.
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