Escape the Heat, Kyoto’s Arashiyama Neighborhood

Japan is generally hot and humid during the summer. Increasing crowds of tourists and efforts to conserve energy by turning down the thermostat can make it difficult to cool down. If you find yourself in Kyoto during the summer months, I recommend escaping the heat in the western Arashiyama neighborhood. The area is perfect for taking advantage of some longstanding Japanese traditions for beating the summer heat.

Long before air-conditioning, Japanese traditions for staying cool involved tricking the senses. The sound of running water really does have a cooling effect. The Togetsukyo Bridge is the perfect place to enjoy the surrounding nature and cooling sound of water. Using a Parasol or UV Sun Hat really helps too.

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Bamboo is also known for having a cooling effect. Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves are the perfect place for a summer walk.

The shady path and the calming rustling sound of the leaves are perfect on a hot day.

Another must-see forrest is the Kimono Forrest at Arashiyama Station on Kyoto’s Keifuku Arashiyama line. The 600 columns are a spectacular sight when lit up at night.

Yukata, the Japanese summer kimono is perfectly designed to stay cool during hot weather. Arashimaya is filled with tourists in rental kimonos. It provides a great photo opportunity, and a yukata is another great way to stay cool.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji is another great place to escape the beating sun. The cool wood floors, tatami mats, maze of shoji screens, and garden views show traditional design techniques to stay cool.

Arashiyama is a good place to try a traditional tofu meal. There are also plenty of places to grab an ice cream cone to stay cool. The Arashiyama Monkey Park is a top attraction among foreign tourists. Hanging out with 170 Japanese macaques in the heat of summer is not on the top of my list. I’d save it for a cooler season, or visit the Nagano Monkeys further north.

Access

Saga-Arashiyama Station is a 15 minute ride from Kyoto Station on the JR Sagano Line and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.  The station is about a 10 minute walk to central Arashiyama.

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