I spent two days and one night in Kyoto on July 18 and 19, 2026.
Summer in Kyoto is not only hot but also extremely humid. Even in the shade, the air can feel heavy, and walking a short distance may take more energy than expected.
During this trip, I visited the Shijo area, Okazaki, Kamigamo Shrine, and Kyoto Station. I planned my shrine visits for the cooler morning and evening hours and included cafés, museums, and other indoor places during the hottest part of the day.
As mentioned in our main Kyoto travel guide, deciding which area to explore each day can significantly reduce unnecessary travel and fatigue. This is especially important in summer. Rather than trying to visit as many places as possible, it is better to plan regular breaks and create an itinerary that you can comfortably enjoy until the end of the day.
- My 2-Day Kyoto Route
- Staying Near Kokusaikaikan Station Was More Convenient Than Expected
- Day 1: From Shijo to the Okazaki Area
- Three Magnificent Mikoshi at Shijo Otabisho
- Summer Decorations at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine
- Lively and Visitor-Friendly Nishiki Market
- Stepping into the Quiet Lane of Koyaku-no-zushi
- A Coffee Break Before Visiting the Pokémon Center
- Escaping a Sudden Thunderstorm at the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
- Heian Shrine After the Rain
- Day 2: Kamigamo Shrine and Kyoto Station
- What I Ate in Kyoto
- What I Learned from Our 2-Day Kyoto Summer Itinerary
My 2-Day Kyoto Route
Day 1
Leave my luggage at the hotel
→ Yuba hot pot for lunch→ Shijo Otabisho→ Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine→ Nishiki Market
→ Koyaku-no-zushi and Kyoto Kanda Myojin→ Coffee break and Pokémon Center Kyoto
→ Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design→ Heian Shrine
Day 2
Kamigamo Shrine→ Bus to Kyoto Station→ Lunch and souvenir shopping at Kyoto Station
Staying Near Kokusaikaikan Station Was More Convenient Than Expected
I stayed at The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, close to Kokusaikaikan Station. It is not a budget hotel, but the facilities and service made it feel worth the price.
Kokusaikaikan is the northern terminal station of the Karasuma Subway Line. Trains run directly to Shijo and Kyoto stations, and because it is the first station on the line, it was easy to know which direction to travel. I was also often able to find seats.
Although the hotel was outside central Kyoto, being close to a subway station made it a convenient base.
However, a place that looks nearby on a map may still take a long time to reach by public transportation. Kamigamo Shrine was only about ten minutes away by car, but some public transportation routes would have taken close to an hour.
When choosing accommodation in Kyoto, check not only the distance from the city centre but also the route to the places you plan to visit.
Compare stays near Kyoto Station, Gion, Kawaramachi and more.
Day 1: From Shijo to the Okazaki Area
After having a yuba hot pot lunch, I started my sightseeing around Shijo.
Three Magnificent Mikoshi at Shijo Otabisho
I visited Kyoto on the day after the Saki Matsuri Yamahoko procession, one of the major events of the Gion Festival.
Although I did not see the procession itself, three magnificent mikoshi, or portable shrines, were enshrined side by side at Shijo Otabisho.
Many people stopped to take photographs, while others bowed or placed their hands together in prayer.
As I walked around the area, I also saw several yamahoko floats being dismantled.
Most visitors are familiar with photographs of the decorated floats moving through the streets. Seeing the careful work that takes place after the procession offered a different perspective on the festival.
Although I missed the main event, this was something I could only have seen by visiting the following day.
Summer Decorations at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine
My next stop was Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a compact shrine located in the middle of a busy shopping district.
During my visit, bamboo branches decorated for Tanabata were displayed around the grounds, creating a refreshing summer scene.
The shrine also has a statue of a reclining ox associated with Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. Visitors often stroke the ox while praying for academic success and good health. Its surface had become shiny after being touched by so many people.
Lively and Visitor-Friendly Nishiki Market
From Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, I continued into Nishiki Market.
Often called “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a narrow covered shopping street lined with shops selling seafood, Kyoto vegetables, pickles, yuba, seasonings, sweets, prepared foods, and souvenirs.
The colourful food displays and busy shopfronts made it enjoyable simply to walk through the market. It was full of visitors from Japan and overseas, and many shops had English signs or menus. This made the market feel approachable for international travellers.
There were also many snacks and small dishes that could be eaten immediately. Visitors should follow the market’s rules and eat near the shop where the food was purchased rather than walking through the market while eating.
The market was very crowded during our visit, and I saw staff holding signs asking visitors to keep to the left.
Although the arcade blocks direct sunlight, the combination of summer humidity and large crowds made it feel quite warm inside. It is still important to drink water and take breaks.
Stepping into the Quiet Lane of Koyaku-no-zushi
From the Nishiki Market area, I visited Koyaku-no-zushi, the narrow lane where Kyoto Kanda Myojin is located.
Only a short distance from the busy main streets, the number of people suddenly decreased. The narrow alley, traditional buildings, and stone-paved sections made this one of the most memorable places I visited.
Kyoto Kanda Myojin and Koyaku-no-zushi are introduced in more detail in this separate article.
A Coffee Break Before Visiting the Pokémon Center
After walking around the Shijo area, I stopped at a cafe inside SUINA Muromachi.
The iced coffee tasted especially good after walking through the humid streets. While resting and checking the route to my next destination, I realized that Pokémon Center Kyoto was in the same building and decided to take a look.
A Pikachu figure dressed in a kimono welcomes visitors at the entrance. The store was extremely popular, and the queue for the registers was so long that it was sometimes difficult to see the products.
During a Kyoto summer itinerary, it is better to rest before becoming completely exhausted. Stopping somewhere air-conditioned and having a drink can make the rest of the day far more manageable.
Escaping a Sudden Thunderstorm at the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
From the Pokémon Center, I travelled by bus to the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design in the Okazaki area.
Soon after I entered the museum, a sudden thunderstorm began outside. I was fortunate to have already reached an indoor facility and avoided getting soaked.
Summer weather in Kyoto can change quickly. Including museums or other indoor attractions in your itinerary provides relief from the heat and gives you somewhere to wait if heavy rain arrives unexpectedly.
The Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design introduces Kyoto’s traditional crafts through finished works, materials, tools, videos, and clear explanations of the production process.
There were also simple hands-on activities. During my visit, I could try spinning traditional tops and practise different ways of wrapping items with a furoshiki cloth.
English explanations were available, making the museum accessible to international visitors. The displays were easy to understand even without specialist knowledge of Japanese crafts.
Additional craft workshops are also available by reservation. The activities and booking requirements vary, so check the museum’s official website in advance.
There was also a section related to the Gion Festival during my visit, allowing me to learn about the festival from the perspective of Kyoto craftsmanship.
Heian Shrine After the Rain
After the rain stopped, I walked from the museum to Heian Shrine.
Heian Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of Japan’s capital to Kyoto. It is known for its large vermilion buildings, which were designed to evoke the architecture of the ancient Heian capital.
I arrived close to closing time, and there were few visitors, perhaps because the rain had only just stopped. I was able to walk around the spacious grounds without the daytime crowds.
The sun was also less intense, making it a more comfortable time for a summer shrine visit.
However, visiting temples and shrines early in the morning or late in the afternoon has one disadvantage. The grounds may be open while amulet counters, shops, goshuin reception desks, gardens, or special viewing areas have not yet opened or have already closed.
Check the relevant reception times in advance when buying an amulet, collecting a goshuin, or entering a paid garden is part of your plan.
Day 2: Kamigamo Shrine and Kyoto Station
A Quiet Morning at Kamigamo Shrine
On the second morning, I was driven to Kamigamo Shrine and arrived at around 8:30 a.m.
Kamigamo Shrine, formally known as Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine, is one of Kyoto’s oldest Shinto shrines and forms part of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Because it was still early, there were only a few visitors. I could walk quietly through the grounds, surrounded by trees and flowing water.
The Nara-no-ogawa stream runs through the shrine grounds. During my visit, many wind chimes had also been hung nearby.
The sound of the chimes together with the flowing water brought a welcome sense of coolness to the humid summer morning.
A wedding also appeared to be taking place. I saw a bride wearing a traditional white shiromuku kimono and a groom walking through the shrine grounds.
Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine
Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine are closely connected and are collectively known as the Kamo shrines.
The Aoi Matsuri, one of Kyoto’s major traditional festivals, is associated with both shrines. Its procession travels from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine before continuing to Kamigamo Shrine.
The two shrines are worth learning about together, but they are not located next to each other. During hot and humid weather, there is no need to force both into the same day.
You can read more about Shimogamo Shrine, including the ancient Tadasu-no-Mori forest, in our separate guide.
About One Hour by Bus to Kyoto Station
From Kamigamo Shrine, I took a direct bus to Kyoto Station. The journey took about one hour.
Although it was not the fastest route, the bus was air-conditioned and I was able to sit down. As I was not in a hurry, staying on the bus allowed me to save money and use the journey as a rest.
A sign at the bus stop explained that it would be faster to leave the bus at an intermediate station and continue by train. However, that option would have cost more than taking the bus all the way.
For this trip, using an IC card and paying for each journey was cheaper than buying a one-day transport pass.
One-day free subway and bus pass may be more useful for travellers visiting several areas in one day or those who want the flexibility to switch between buses and trains to save time.
Check the latest prices and eligible routes before deciding which option suits your itinerary.
Kyoto Station Is a Comfortable Place to Spend a Hot Afternoon
After arriving at Kyoto Station, I had lunch and looked for souvenirs.
Kyoto Station has a large selection of restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops, department stores, and other facilities. Exploring the station building was enjoyable in itself, and it allowed me to spend the hottest part of the day indoors.
The building was air-conditioned, and the toilets were clean and convenient. It was a comfortable place to finish a day of summer sightseeing.
Buying souvenirs shortly before leaving also meant that I did not have to carry them throughout the trip.
During my visit, the shops were selling Gion Festival sweets, towels decorated with yamahoko designs, and other seasonal products.
Although I had not seen the procession, I encountered reminders of the festival through the mikoshi at Shijo Otabisho, the dismantling of the floats, the museum displays, and the limited-edition souvenirs at Kyoto Station.
What I Ate in Kyoto
The two meals that particularly stood out were the yuba hot pot on the first day and the pickled vegetable tempura set at Kyoto Station on the second day.
Yuba Hot Pot with Two Different Broths
For lunch on the first day, I ate a yuba hot pot.
There were two broths. The first was a light kombu broth that I seasoned myself with salt. The second was a kombu and soy sauce-based broth.
The hot pot contained two differently shaped types of yuba, along with a chicken meatball, green onion, mizuna greens, and other ingredients.
The flavours were gentle and allowed me to appreciate the different textures of the yuba. The yuba takikomi-style mixed rice served with the meal was also delicious.
It was a satisfying but not overly heavy lunch before beginning my sightseeing.
Pickled Vegetable Tempura and All-You-Can-Eat Obanzai
On the second day, I ate a pickled vegetable tempura set at Kamado Takitate Gohan Doi near the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station.
Pickled ingredients such as myoga ginger, lotus root, and Japanese yam had been fried as tempura. Frying changed their texture while preserving the saltiness and acidity that paired well with freshly cooked rice.
The meal included rice cooked in a traditional kamado pot and miso soup, both of which could be refilled. A selection of obanzai side dishes was also available on an all-you-can-eat basis.
Obanzai refers to a style of everyday Kyoto home cooking made with seasonal ingredients. Being able to try several small dishes made the meal particularly enjoyable.
At the time of our visit, the restaurant also offered a breakfast obanzai buffet until 10:30 a.m.
Several restaurants in Kyoto serve Japanese breakfasts and obanzai from relatively early in the morning. One idea for a summer trip is to visit a shrine while the temperature is still lower and combine it with a Kyoto-style breakfast before or after your visit.
Opening hours and buffet arrangements may change, so check the latest information before visiting.
What I Learned from Our 2-Day Kyoto Summer Itinerary
Summer in Kyoto is not only hot but also highly humid, and sightseeing can require more energy than expected.
To make a summer trip more manageable:
- Drink water regularly and take frequent breaks.
- Visit large shrines and temples in the morning or evening when possible.
- Include air-conditioned museums, shopping centres, stations, and cafés during the hottest hours.
- Carry a folding umbrella in case of a sudden thunderstorm.
Summer may not be considered the best season for sightseeing in Kyoto. Trying to visit as many attractions as you would in spring or autumn can quickly become exhausting.
However, there were also experiences that I could only have had at this time of year.
I saw the three mikoshi at Shijo Otabisho, yamahoko floats being dismantled, Tanabata decorations at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, wind chimes at Kamigamo Shrine, flowing water through the shrine grounds, and trees that appeared even deeper green after the rain.
Rather than focusing only on avoiding the heat, use the early morning and evening hours and combine outdoor sightseeing with indoor attractions and regular breaks. With a realistic plan, it is still possible to enjoy what summer brings to Kyoto.
When planning a Kyoto summer itinerary, the goal should not be to visit as many places as possible. It should be to enjoy the entire trip without pushing yourself too far.
For more information about Kyoto’s neighbourhoods, transportation, food, accommodation, and seasonal travel advice, see our complete Kyoto Travel Guide ourself until the very end without overexerting yourself.
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