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2022.6.10
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Kyoto rainy day sightseeing

[Kyoto Sightseeing on a Rainy Day] 7 Sightseeing Spots in Kyoto that Can Be Enjoyed Even in the Rain

At the beginning of the rainy season, many of you must have wondered where to go out when it suddenly rains. In this issue, our local editorial department has carefully selected Kyoto's sightseeing spots that can be enjoyed even on a sudden rainy day. We hope you will make the most of it.

1.To the world of the sea where jellyfish float [Kyoto Aquarium]/Kyoto Station area

The Kyoto Aquarium, one of the largest inland aquariums in Japan, is located in Umekoji Park near Kyoto Station. In 2020, the aquarium will open "Jellyfish Wonder," which will exhibit 5,000 jellyfish of about 30 species, the largest number in western Japan, in a variety of tanks that match their ecology. Jellyfish Wonder," which will display 5,000 jellyfish of about 30 species in various tanks according to their ecology, will be created. In particular, the 360-degree panoramic tank "GURURI" is a hot topic of discussion, allowing visitors to experience the world of the sea in which jellyfish float.

Jellyfish Wonder at Kyoto Aquarium
Exterior view of Kyoto Aquarium

Hours: Weekdays 10:00-18:00 (last admission 17:00), Saturdays and Sundays 9:00-20:00 (last admission 19:00)
*Check the business calendar for hours of operation.
Closed/Open all year round *Special holidays may apply.
Admission: Adults 2,200 yen, high school students 1,700 yen, small and medium students 1,100 yen, infants (3 years and older) 700 yen

Kyoto Aquarium

  • moorish idol
  • 35-1 Kankiji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (in Umekoji Park)
  • 7 min. walk from JR Umekoji-Kyoto Nishi Sta.
    15 minutes walk from "Kyoto Station" of each line
  • Tel. 075-354-3130 (during business hours)

2.Zazen experience in Gion [Ryosokuin] / Gion

[Ryosokuin Temple is the pagoda temple of Kenninji Temple (a temple within the precincts of the main temple). The temple is conveniently located near Gion and Kawaramachi, yet is known for its quietness and zazen experience. In the clear morning air, you can learn the essence of zazen, including how to "relax" by sitting, how to "unwind" by relaxing, and how to "let go" by surrendering your awareness to your breath. Through the experience of zazen, you can free yourself from your busy daily life.

Zazen at Ryosokuin
Early Summer Special Open House at Ryosokuin

Zazen Experience
Schedule/Confirmation required on the hospital's website.
Duration: 90 minutes (preparatory exercises, explanation of zazen, zazen, Dharma talk)
Fee: 2,000 yen (including visit to the Gohonzon, tour of the garden, and free meditation) *Photographing of the garden is permitted.
Application method: WEB or by phone (Applications accepted up to 1 hour before the start time)
Other/Insect repellent, sweat towels, and water are recommended during the summer season.

both feet

  • both sides
  • 591 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 2 minutes walk from bus stop "Higashiyama Yasui"
    7 minutes on foot from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station
  • Tel. 075-561-3216

3.[Enjoy the beauty of art and space at the Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art / Heian Jingu Shrine area

The Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art, one of the Okazaki area's representative cultural facilities, will be renovated in 2020, preserving and inheriting the design of the historic main building, while opening a new wing for contemporary art, a café, and a museum store. The dynamic spiral staircase in the central hall of the main building and other photo spots are scattered throughout the museum, making visitors want to take pictures. While touring the various exhibitions, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the space, which combines Japanese, Western, and traditional elements with modern design.

Interior view of Kyocera Museum of Art
Kyocera Museum of Art Exterior 2

Photo by Takeru Kurita

Hours/10:00-18:00 (Admission to the exhibition rooms is until 17:30)
Closed/Mondays (open if Monday is a national holiday), year-end and New Year holidays (December 28 - January 2)
Admission/Vary according to the exhibition.

Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art

  • Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • 124 Enshoji-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Short walk from Okazaki Koen Museum/Heian Jingu-mae bus stop on the city bus
    Approximately 8 minutes walk from Higashiyama Subway Station
  • Tel. 075-771-4334

4.Enjoy the pride of Japanese culture [Kyoto International Manga Museum] / Karasuma Oike

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is both a museum and a library of manga. The museum has a collection of about 300,000 manga materials, ranging from caricatures and ukiyoe of the Edo period to current popular works and foreign ones, most of which can be read as much as one likes. The "Wall of Manga," a collection of approximately 50,000 manga books published since the 1970s, fills the entire wall of the museum. The museum also focuses on events and special exhibitions, allowing visitors to experience the appeal of manga from a variety of angles.

Manga Wall at Kyoto International Manga Museum
Kyoto International Manga Museum Main Gallery

Hours/10:30-17:30 (last admission/17:00)
Closed/Wednesdays (closed the following day if the day falls on a holiday), year-end and New Year holidays, and maintenance periods
Admission: Adults 900 yen, Junior and senior high school students 400 yen, Elementary school students 200 yen

Kyoto International Manga Museum

  • Tokyo International Manga Museum
  • 452 Kanabuki-cho, Karasuma-dori Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 2 minutes walk from Subway Karasuma Oike Station
  • Tel. 075-254-7414

5.Refresh your body and mind by experiencing Shabutsu (copying the Buddhist scriptures) of Ono Komachi [Zuishin-in Temple] / Ono

Zuishin-in Temple is a temple associated with Ono no Komachi and known for its ume plum blossoms. The Zuishin-in Temple is known as a temple associated with Ono no Komachi and a popular spot for viewing ume plum blossoms. As you draw the portrait, you will become unmindful and feel your body and mind naturally refreshed. Visit this pioneering temple with many other attractions, such as fusuma-e (sliding door paintings) by contemporary artists, which are attracting attention as a photo spot.

Shabutsu in Zuishin-in Temple
Zuishin-in Temple

Experience Shakyo and Shabutsu copying
Reception hours/9:00-14:00
Time required: 1 to 2 hours (depending on the type of Buddha you choose)
Dedication fee / 2,000 yen (including entrance fee)
How to apply: Call (same-day applications accepted) *There are cases when the experience is not available due to Buddhist memorial services or events.

Zuishin-in Temple

  • Zuishinin
  • 35 Ono Goryocho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 5 minute walk from Subway Ono Station
  • Tel.075-571-0025

6.Visit the stage of many historical events [Nijo Castle]/Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, is a World Heritage Site. The Ninomaru Palace, a national treasure, contains approximately 3,600 paintings by the Kano school. The 1016 paintings, including "Pine Hawk and Hawk," are designated as National Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the luxurious and gorgeous space is overwhelming. It is also famous in history that the 15th Tokugawa Shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, expressed his intention to return to the shogunate in the palace. The castle, which has witnessed the rise and fall of the Tokugawa family and changes in history, attracts many tourists as a place that conveys Japanese history and culture to the present.

Nijo Castle's Great Hall, Room 4
Nijo Castle Ninomaru Car Yard

Entrance time/8:45-16:00 (Castle closing/17:00)
Ninomaru Palace・Viewing hours/8:45~16:10
*The Honmaru Palace is currently closed for preservation and repair work.
The castle is closed/December 29-31
Closed days for Ninomaru Palace viewing: every Tuesday in January, July, August and December, December 26-28, January 1-3
If the day is a holiday, you can see the Ninomaru Palace. However, viewing is suspended on the following day
Castle entrance fee (includes Ninomaru Palace viewing fee): Adults ¥1,300, junior and senior high school students ¥400, elementary school students ¥300

Nijo Castle

  • conjugated
  • Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Nakagyo Ward, Nijo-dori, Horikawa Nishiiri, Nijo Castle Town 541
  • A short walk from Nijojo-mae Subway Station
  • Tel.075-841-0096

7.Experience sutra copying at Myokenji Temple, known for its four gardens of different styles / Nishijin

Myokenji Temple was the first temple of Nichiren Shoshu in Rakuchu and was Hideyoshi's permanent residence. During the sutra copying experience, participants copy a passage from the Lotus Sutra, which is considered to be one of the finest teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni. Visitors can spend a quiet time facing themselves, whether for mental stability, prayer, memorial service, or improvement of their writing skills. After copying the sutra, visit the main hall, which is one of the largest in Kyoto, and the four different gardens, including the "Shikai Shodou no Niwa" garden, to experience the beauty of the changing seasons.

Sutra copying at Myokenji Temple
Garden of Shikai Shokaido at Myokenji Temple

Shakyo Experience
Time/10:00~16:30(during the time of worship) ※Please allow plenty of time for your participation.
Time required / approx. 45 min.
Dedication fee / 1,500 yen (including worship fee)
How to apply / Applications accepted at any time (no reservation required)

Myokenji Temple

  • myokenji
  • 514 Myokenji Maecho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 5 minutes on foot from "Horikawa Teranouchi" bus stop
    10 minutes walk from Kuramaguchi Subway Station
  • Tel.075-414-0808
*Please note that the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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