July in Kyoto is a whole month of festivity. It is the month of the Gion festival, one of the largest festivals in Japan.

The Gion festival’s original form goes back to 869AD, a year in Kyoto in which the people suffered from a major plague. It was believed that the epidemic was caused by an angered deity, and the Emperor ordered his people to pray to Susanoo-no-mikoto (enshrined in Yasaka shrine). To appease the god’s anger 66 decorated halberds (1 from each province of old Japan) and a portable shrine was prepared. The plague ended and this ritual was repeated at times of an epidemic outbreak. In 970 AD it became an annual event.

As the festival continued it became more elaborate as rich Kyoto merchants invested in decorating the floats showing off their wealth and power.
In the present day, the Gion festival continues to be a festival to wish the health of its people. It has become a form of pride, power and solidarity for the people of Kyoto.

The Gion festival is held for a whole month; during which many traditional rituals are performed. However, the highlight of the festival is the parade of the marvellous floats from July 14th to 16th. There are 2 kinds of floats; Hoko and Yama. There are 9 Hoko with long poles representing the original 66 halberds. There are 23 smaller Yama on it which are life size figures of important people. It is decorated with beautiful tapestry and art, and is often referred to as the “mobile art museum”. On some floats you will see musicians playing traditional instruments and little boys with painted white faces. They are considered mediators between gods and the priests.

This parade goes on for 3 days, during which no cars are allowed and the roads are packed with excited viewers. There are also numerous kinds of street stalls where delicious foods, fun games and souvenirs can be purchased.

A great way to enjoy the rainy season in Japan is to go see the blooming hydrangeas.
It is not just the Cherry Blossoms that can be appreciated in Japan, with the arrival of the rainy season and summer June to July variety of colourful hydrangeas bloom in Japan.

Just as there are well known places to visit for Cherry Blossoms, there are spots where you can visit to enjoy beautiful hydrangeas.

Why not visit shrines and temples, and enjoy their beautiful gardens as well.
I will introduce several places well known for their outstanding hydrangea gardens.

Fujimori Shrine in Kyoto

Also known as Ajisai-miya (court of Hydrangeas), have two gardens
In which 3,500 hydrangeas are blooming.
On two last weekends’ of June there are traditional musical performances and dancing.

Entrance Fee: 300 yen
Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Access: 7 minute walk from Sumizome Station on the Keihan line
5 minute walk from Fujimori Station on the JR line

Hasedera-temple in Kamakura

The most famous place to see Hydrangeas, every year there during June and July
You will see long lines of people waiting to get into the garden.
There are 8,000 hydrangeas planted in the compass of the temple.
What is charming here is that you can also enjoy the great view of Sagami Bay.

Entrance Fee: 300 yen
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00PM
Access: 15 minute walk from Hasedera Station on the Kintetsu Line

Sanzen-in temple in Kyoto

Located in Ohara, the rural part of Northern Kyoto .
This temple is the highlight of Ohara, a vast temple of numerous buildings and garden.
It is especially known for its two gardens here the Joheki-en and Yusei-en.
Yusei-en is where their 3,000 hydrangeas are planted.
You can also enjoy the shopping and foods at the numerous stores along the path to the temple.

Entrance Fee: 700 yen
Hours: 8:30AM to 5:00PM
Access: From Kyoto station take Kyoto Bus No.17, 18 “Ohara” (1 hour ride)
From Ohara bus stop it’s a 10 minute walk

Meigetsu-in temple in Kamakura

Also known as Hydrangea temple (Ajisai dera).
The hydrangeas here are a kind Originating in Japan.
As you walk the stone path to the temple you will be surrounded by flowers.

Entrance Fee: 700 yen
Hours:8:30AM-5:00PM
Access: Get off at Kita-Kamakura Station on JR Yokosuka Line.
From the station it is a 10 minute walk.

Kyoto is a beautiful city rich in culture and history but the summers can be hot and humid. A great way to get away from this heat and enjoy the cool summer breeze by the riverbank is eating at the noryo yuka (summer platforms.) In Kyoto every summer wooden platforms are built connecting to the restaurant as a dining spot.



This custom in its original form dates back more than 400 years ago, when rich merchants entertained their guests by putting out folding seats by the riverbanks. As restaurants and shops opened along the river they adopted this custom for their customers. There are now not only Japanese cuisine restaurants, but also Chinese, Italian, Western and fusion restaurants with noryo yuka.



Most of these restaurants either charge an extra seat fee or will ask you to order a course meal starting from a certain price range if you want to eat on the noryo yuka. Therefore the price you see on the menu may not be the same when eating outside, you may want to check out the prices before entering. It is also best to reserve before going to the restaurants as there are very popular and getting a seat may be difficult.

The noryo yuka can be enjoyed from May to September in four areas of Kyoto: Kamogawa river, Kifune, Takao and Takagamine. Along the Kamagawa River there are now 90 restaurants with noryo yuka, and you should have no problem finding something of your liking. Below I will introduce 4 of these restaurants.

Moritaya Kiyamachi-ten (meat restaurant)
This is a famous restaurant known for its meat dishes. You can choose to have your beef cooked in four styles: They have Sukiyaki (beef boiled in sweet sauce with vegetables), Shabu Shabu (thin sliced meat cooked in boiling water), Oil-yaki (beef cooked in hot oil), and Teppan (cooked on a hot stone plate).
Location: 5 minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan station
Opening hours: open all year round
Lunch time 11:30-16:00 Dinner time 17:00-23:00 (Sundays from 16:00)
English Menu: Available
Phone number: 075-231-5118

Ikumatsu (High class Japanese restaurant cuisine)
You can enjoy Kyoto Kaiseki, seasonal fresh dishes are served on traditional Japanese lacquer ware. They serve shojin Cuisine (vegetarian course) meals as well. You can choose from three different courses for dinner starting from 14,000 yen. For lunch they serve a fancy lunch box for 4,500 yen. The main building faces the Kamogawa River and you will have a beautiful view of the Higashiyama Mountain.
Location: 3 minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan station
Opening hours: open all year round
Lunch time 11:30-15:00 Dinner time 17:30-22:00
English Menu: Available
Phone number: 075-231-1234

Ushinohone (Kyoto Fusion restaurant)
A rather recent group of restaurants based in Kyoto, established in 1985. They serve course meals from 5,000 yen. They specialize in food cooked on charcoal braziers and seasonal Kyoto dishes with a western touch. They are very well-known for their delicious beef stew.
Location: 5 minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan station
Opening hours: must check directly with the restaurant
Lunch time 12:00-14:00 Dinner time 17:00-24:00
English Menu: Available
Phone number: 075-212-1023

Hina-matsuri : Japanese doll festival

Held on March 3rd is the Japanese doll festival also known as girl’s day.
On this day ornamental dolls wearing court dresses called Hina-ningyo are decorated at the homes of families with girls. The dolls are put on wooden stands with five levels covered with a red carpet. The dolls are believed to have the power to control evil spirits and are considered to protect the children. The top level is the Emperor and the Empress. The second level is for three court ladies, the third level are the five musicians; then ministers. Furniture and small meals as well as plum trees are also decorated with the dolls.

The doll festival is a day is to celebrate and pray for the girls happiness and growth so it is also known as girls day. For celebration special food such as Chirashizushi (sushi rice with colorful toppings such as egg, mushroom, fish), Ushiojiru (clam soup), Arare (colorful bite size small rice cracker treats) and Sake (fermented rice drink) is served.


This tradition originally started in the Heian Period (794-1185) where the people would send straw dolls down the river to take with them any bad spirits. This is no longer done commonly practices however Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto has continued to tradition.
On March 3rd at Shimogamo shrine a couple planning to get married would be selected from the public to dress up as the emperor and empress and send down small paper dolls on straw boats. Many people gather to see this ceremony, sweet sake is served and there is a Koto ( traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument) performance.