Planning a trip to Kyoto this winter? It’s amazing to explore Kyoto in winter and you can find yourself in stunning scenery. I have been to Kyoto many times around spring and autumn, though so far I have visited this iconic city multiple times in the winter.
In this guide, we will share the best things to do and see in winter in Kyoto. You will see the best of Kyoto with this list that includes temples and shrines, onsen towns, traditional gardens, festivals, indoor and outdoor activities, winter food, day trip ideas, and more.
Accommodation in Kyoto can be expensive in the spring and autumn, but not in the winter months.
Winter Weather in Kyoto
Kyoto’s winter months are December, January, and February. It’s cold and dry, and you can experience mild snowfall throughout the winter season. Snowfall in Kyoto is more common in February than in January. The daytime average temperature is between 11°C and 9°C. On the other hand, nighttime temperatures drop to 1-3°C.
Please note that in early December, you can still experience the cooler temperatures and scenery of the autumn season. There are many autumn foliage spots to visit during the first week of December in Kyoto, as you can catch the best views of the transitional autumn leaves.
When you travel around Kyoto in winter, be sure to wear more layers of clothing, as winter weather can be unpredictable. Besides, you must wear a pair of winter boots and warm socks for a safe and comfortable walk.
Onsen (Hot spring) in Kyoto
One of the best activities you want to experience while traveling around Japan is soaking your body in a hot spring bath.
Visiting a picture-perfect onsen town in Japan is a dream for many tourists. Unfortunately, Kyoto is not enriched with onsen. Though Kurama Onsen is the best onsen in Kyoto, but it is temporarily closed! So, what is the solution you have?
It is doable if you plan a trip to somewhere outside Kyoto. There are many beautiful areas outside of Kyoto that you can explore on your day trips from Kyoto city. One of the most awesome day trips from Kyoto is Kinosaki Onsen, located in Toyooka city, Hyogo Prefecture.
This onsen is one of the best hot spring resort towns in the Kansai region of Japan. The one-way journey from Kyoto to Kinosaki takes about 2.5 hours by JR limited express trains. The journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
There are about 7 hot springs at Kinosaki Onsen!
If your time permits, you can enjoy each hot spring bath there and other hot spring facilities. These 7 public bathhouses have no restriction for people with tattoos of any size, color, or shape!
The town itself is beautiful, particularly in the spring when sakura bloom along the Otani River, but the way it is blanketed by snow during the winter is quite appealing. And I guarantee that you will love its atmosphere.
It will be great if you plan on staying a night there! You may stay in this lovely hotel.
If you think that Kinosaki Onsen is a little bit too far from Kyoto city, then visit Arima Onsen. Located in Kobe City, it is one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan. You can reach Arima Onsen from Kyoto Station by bus (70 minutes).
Kinkakuji Temple in Northern Kyoto
This renowned Zen Buddhist temple is a World Heritage Site located in northern Kyoto. The temple’s top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, and that’s why it is called the Golden Pavilion.
Once it was the villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, but after his death, it became a zen temple. The original structure was destroyed multiple times, and the current structure that you find there was rebuilt in 1955.
Witness the reflection of the Golden Pavilion on the pond. Enjoy a scenic walk around the pond to appreciate its beautiful winter scenery. You will enjoy your visit to the temple when there is enough snow on the ground to cover the surrounding trees and the roofs of the temple.
Those who are looking for a perfect place to take photos of a temple with snow-covered trees overlooking a pond could find this historical site quite rewarding and appealing.
You can access Kinkakuji by direct Kyoto City Bus number 205.
Arashiyama
There are a number of amazing sites to explore in Arashiyama. A trip to Arashiyama is always exciting, and it does not have to be only in the spring or autumn; winter could be magical there.
Filled with beautiful temples and shrines, Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto. The journey from JR Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station takes only about 16 minutes.
When you visit Arashiyama during winter, make sure to visit these iconic landmarks: the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Tenryuji Temple. If you want to see some of the most beautiful winter landscapes in Kyoto, board the Sagano Scenic Railway that runs along the Hozu River.
The ride offers passengers breathtaking views of Kyoto’s stunning rural landscapes. This is a must-do experience if visiting Arashiyama. In addition, don’t miss the Hozugawa River Boat Ride if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Kyoto.
When snowfall occurs, a walk along the paths of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is truly a magical experience like no other. On the other hand, the landscape garden of Tenryuji Temple is worth your time, giving plenty of photo opportunities of a traditional Japanese garden with a pond and snow on the ground.
It is amazing to walk across Togetsukyo Bridge. This 155-meter-long iconic bridge was originally built in 836. From there, you will experience stunning scenery of the river, the mountains covered with snow, and forests.
Arashiyama boasts some of Kyoto’s most beautiful natural areas. So, go there by train from Kyoto and spend a lovely day exploring the sites I have mentioned above.
Kifune-jinja Shrine
With so many free attractions in Kyoto to explore, including many of the city’s temples and shrines, it is no surprise that Kyoto is one of Japan’s top tourist destinations. Yes, Kifune Shrine is free to visit! It’s located in the village of Kibune, in northern Kyoto.
This remarkable sacred site is not only beautiful during the summer and autumn months but also in the winter season, when snowfall blankets the entire stone staircase in pristine white.
Lined by red lanterns on both sides, that is the path which leads visitors to the main shrine building. Be careful as you walk along the staircase to avoid any unexpected situations. A pair of non-slippery hiking boots is highly recommended.
The water you find next to the main shrine building is drinkable. You may drink it if you want to. Besides, head over to the rear shrine, one of the most important structures at Kifune Shrine.
The incredible winter scenery surrounding the shrine grounds will leave you speechless. This sort of photogenic spot in Kyoto is worth your time, and it makes your Kyoto trip a great adventure.
To reach the site, first get on a train from Demachi-Yanagi Station to Kibune-guchi Station on the Eizan Kurama Line (30 minutes). From Kibune-guchi Station, you can either take the bus (Kyoto Bus 33) or take a walk to access Kifune Shrine.
Skiing in Kyoto
Kyoto is not a place to enjoy skiing in Japan. In fact, most of the nation’s top ski destinations are located in Hokkaido, Nagano, and the Tohoku Region of Japan.
If you plan on visiting Kyoto in winter and wondering if it is possible to experience some outdoor activities, including skiing and snowboarding, you may visit Biwako Valley Ski Resort. This ski resort is located in Shiga Prefecture, next to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan and one of the oldest in the world.
It makes a great ski destination for locals living in Kyoto or Osaka, where snowfall does not occur quite often in winter. Take the JR Kosei Lime to Shiga Station (40 minutes) from JR Kyoto Station, and then get on the bus to Biwako Valley. From there, you have to ride on the ropeway to reach the ski resort.
With eight different runs, this resort is located at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level, from which you can not only enjoy skiing and snowboarding but also spectacular views of Lake Biwa and Mount Hiei. Besides, don’t forget to check out the Biwako Terrace, which provides an incredible view of the surroundings.
You don’t have to bring any ski gear there, as you will find ski rentals, including snowboard and ski sets, jacket and pants, gloves, goggles, snow boots, and helmets.
Spending a day at Biwako Valley Ski Resort will create a lot of happy memories for you and your family. So, consider taking a day trip to Biwako Valley from Kyoto, and please admire the beautiful winter scenery.
New Year Celebration in Kyoto and Winter Food
You can witness Japanese New Year’s traditions if you plan on visiting Kyoto around the time of the New Year’s holidays. The time brings us a lot of happy memories and celebrations, including eating Osechi ryori (Japanese New Year foods) and soba noodles, Joya no kane (New Year’s Eve bell), Hatsumode (the first Shinto shrine visit in the New Year), and more.
The New Year tradition in Kyoto can be exciting as you visit Chionin Temple on the New Year’s Eve to experience the Joya no kane ceremony with locals. The temple is renowned for its giant bell, which weighs 70 tons, and it houses the largest wooden gates in Japan.
You should enjoy Toshikoshi Soba in a Soba restaurant in Kyoto. Japanese people eat soba on New Year’s Eve is for good fortune and longevity.
For the best hatsumode experience in Kyoto, you may consider visiting either Heian Jingu Shrine or Fushimi Inari Shrine. You can purchase an omikuji there and find out what’s fortune is waiting for you in the New Year.
You may experience less snowfall in January and February, but beware that it is very cold out there in Kyoto. Wear a comfy outfit to warm yourself up! Don’t forget to try Japanese winter food, especially Shabu-shabu and nabe. These two healthy winter dishes can keep you warm and satisfy your stomach!
Museums and Kabuki in Kyoto
There is no shortage of great museums in Kyoto to choose from. The Kyoto National Museum is arguably the most popular one, and you must go there and see its interesting exhibits. It is one of the four national museums in Japan.
If you only have time to visit one museum in Kyoto City, this is the one you should explore. Many foreign travelers visit this museum to learn about Japan, its culture, its history, and its art.
If you want to learn about trains in Japan, pay a visit to the Kyoto Railway Museum. In the main building, you will find 53 well-preserved trains and carriages on display that are all real!
Do you have an interest in Samurai and Ninja culture? Plan a trip to the Kyoto Samurai and Ninja Museum then and spend your time seeing a great collection of armor and weapons of the Samurai and Ninja.
Besides, you can enjoy the guided tour of the museum. Try samurai and ninja weapons wearing their traditional outfits and learn basic swords techniques. There are also other fun activities to try that will definitely make your visit overwhelming.
Where to enjoy Kabuki in Kyoto?
One of the best places to see Kabuki in Japan is at the Minamiza Theater. It is located within walking distance of the famous Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto’s Higashiyama ward.
Kyoto is said to be the birthplace of Kabuki in Japan. So watching Kabuki performance at Minamiza Theater, one of the oldest in the country, is never going to be a waste of your time and will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure.
Please note that watching Kabuki performance at this theater is only possible in December every year. So, when you travel around Kyoto in December, I hope you will not miss experiencing this popular Japanese cultural activity. You can check the schedule.
Plum Blossoms (ume) at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is one of the most important shrines in Japan, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a famous scholar and politician of the Heian Period. It was built in 947 AD.
We highly recommend this historical landmark for those waiting to see plum blossoms (ume in Japanese) in Kyoto. The shrine’s plum grove boasts about 2,000 plum trees that reach their peak in late February.
The annual plum blossom festival (baikasai) is held on February 25th every year, where visitors can experience a lovely tea ceremony and meet Geiko and Maiko, who serve matcha and sweets to guests.
Enjoy the delicate beauty of ume as you walk in the plum grove and take pictures. Keep in mind that in Kyoto, ume start blooming from late winter through the middle of March.
Conclusion
February is a busy month in Kyoto. Multiple festivals and events are held in February; for example, the Heian Jingu Shrine Setsubun attracts many visitors on February 3rd, featuring a cleansing and fire ritual. It is regarded as one of the most popular Setsubun festivals in Kyoto.
Make winter a season to remember and plan your Kyoto getaway today. When winter ends, spring arrives, and the number of tourists increases. Do you know why? Spring is the best time to visit Kyoto due to its popular cherry blossom spots.
Though it does not mean tourists don’t appreciate the winter activities in Kyoto. Winter in Kyoto brings a lot of joys. It’s magical and you will find yourself very excited. I am sure you will love Kyoto’s beautiful winter landscape. Have a safe and memorable journey to Kyoto this coming winter! Thank you.
