There are so many reasons to visit Kyoto during the summer…but the weather probably isn’t one of them. It’s always crowded, but when it’s also super hot and unbelievably humid, the city can become absolutely suffocating.
So finding refreshing summer day trips from Kyoto is a must. And luckily you’re in the right place to learn exactly that.
Our team has lived in and around Kyoto for years, meaning we know how intense the Japanese summer is, and exactly the best day trip destinations to make it that much more bearable. Plus, a lot of these destinations are places that most tourists have never even heard of. Keep reading to learn about mountain villages, glistening lakes, and riverside towns that make the most of the season.
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Discover our full 2-week summer itinerary below:
Best Summer Day Trips From Kyoto
Uji
If you love matcha, you might already be planning a day trip to Uji. The city is just below Kyoto and super famous for its vibrant and delicious green tea, and no trip there is complete without trying a cup or a tea-themed dessert.
What makes it so good in summer especially? To start, it’s right along a river, meaning ever-so-slightly cooler air. Next, it has plenty of lovely summer-specific activities, like watching the traditional Heian-era fishing demonstrations called Ukai every evening between mid-June and September.
If you’re there in early summer, you’ll also be able to catch some incredible hydrangea viewing at Uji’s Mirumoto-ji, sometimes called the Flower Temple.
Time From Kyoto: 35 minutes
How to Get There From Kyoto:
Catch the Kintetsu-Kyoto Line straight from Kyoto Station to Okubo Station (23 minutes), or the Nara Line to Uji Station (24 minutes).
Lake Biwa
Why don’t more people visit Lake Biwa? It’s one of our favourite underrated destinations in the region, and it’s literally so easy to reach from Kyoto! Not only is the water beautifully clear, the scenery gorgeous, and the vibes utterly laidback and lovely, but this is also one of the rare places in Japan where you’re allowed to swim. What better way to cool off than with a dip in a lake?
You can also cycle, hike, or find watersports activities all around the lake. It’s a great place for kids, whilst also having plenty of quiet and romantic spots for couples to enjoy. Trust us, Lake Biwa is where it’s at!
Time From Kyoto: 20 minutes to an hour depending on where you go!
How to Get There From Kyoto:
Lake Biwa is pretty huge, so getting there depends on what part of the lake you actually want to visit. The closest area is in Otsu, which you can reach on a local train on the Tozai Line to Biwako-Hamaotsu. Alternatively, to Manohama Swimming Area, you can take a local train on the Kosei Line to Ono Station, then walk 25 minutes.
Kifune and Kurama
Kifune and Kurama are two neighbouring villages in the northern mountains of Kyoto. Being in the mountains does mean the summer climate is a little less suffocating than in the city, plus the surrounding area is absolutely beautiful during the summer.
You can ride a quaint scenic train between the villages, hike under the shade of the forest, or enjoy eating at a cafe over a refreshing river. If you’re up for a 30-minute uphill walk through the forest, you’ll even reach Kifune Shrine, the head shrine of the water deity in Japan.
Time From Kyoto: Around an hour
How to Get There From Kyoto:
From central Kyoto, take the Keihan Main Line to Demachiyanagi Station, then transfer to the Eizan Railway.
Ayabe
For flower lovers, Ayabe has to be the place you go on your summer day trip from Kyoto! This peaceful rural city in northern Kyoto Prefecture is best known for its beautiful countryside, but summer is when the flowers really steal the show.
The biggest attraction is the Ayabe Hydrangea Park, where around 10,000 hydrangeas burst into colour between June and July. It’s a gorgeous place to wander through the flowers, especially if you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Kyoto’s more famous flower-viewing spots. Later in the summer, you can also visit Ayabe Fureai Ranch, where thousands of sunflowers bloom in July and August.
Time From Kyoto: Around an hour
How to Get There From Kyoto:
Take the Hashidate Limited Express towards Amanohashidate and ride for just over an hour, until you reach Ayabe Station.
Mount Hiei
We know that the heat in Kyoto can get unbearable, and sometimes you just need to get somewhere cooler asap. That’s when having Mount Hiei right on your doorstep becomes such a blessing. It sits between Kyoto and Lake Biwa, and the higher elevation means the air is noticeably cooler than down in the city. Plus you can get there by ropeway, so you don’t need to worry about overheating from the hike!
At the top, you can visit Enryaku-ji, a historic temple complex spread across the mountain. There are also plenty of walking trails, scenic viewpoints, and lovely forested areas to explore, making it a great place to spend a few hours enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Time From Kyoto: 90 minutes to the mountaintop
How to Get There From Kyoto:
Ride the Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi Station to Yase-Hieizanguchi Station, then walk to the Eizan Cable station. From there, take the cable car and ropeway up Mount Hiei.
Kurashiki
Kurashiki a little further away, but still definitely doable in one day. Plus, if you want to see somewhere completely different, we love recommending this charming town. It’s most famous for its beautiful Bikan Historical Quarter, where white-walled buildings and willow trees line an extremely picturesque canal.
You can spend the day wandering through the historic streets, taking a traditional boat ride along the river, popping into the Ohara Museum of Art, or escaping the heat in one of the area’s many cafes. Honestly, Kurashiki is just one of those places that is ridiculously photogenic at every turn.
Time From Kyoto: 1 hour and 45 minutes
How to Get There From Kyoto:
From Kyoto Station, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station, which takes around 1 hour. From there, catch a local train on the Sanyo Line to Kurashiki Station, which takes another 15–20 minutes.
Want more Kyoto day trip ideas?
Surviving Summer in Kyoto
There’s no two ways about it: Kyoto in summer gets hot. Hotter than hot. Even unbearable at times. So being able to escape the city and find some cooler air, a body of water to swim in, and a place not filled with crowds can be a lifesaver.
But, even in the coolest of mountain destinations, the climate is intense. So here are a few tips to help you prepare for the summer in Japan:
- Carry water (or Pocari Sweat) everywhere: Luckily, this is easy with so many conbinis and vending machines in Japan
- Take AC breaks: Cooling off in an air-conditioned station, conbini, or museum is a must. Do not take these stops for granted!
- Wear lightweight clothing: Think natural fibres and light-coloured layers that keep the sun off of your skin.
- Use cooling products: Japan has the best cooling gadgets in the world, we highly recommend electric hand fans, ice rings for your neck, and UV sun umbrellas.
Summer Day Trips From Kyoto FAQs
Is Kyoto worth visiting in summer?
Absolutely! Kyoto can get incredibly hot and humid in summer, but that doesn’t mean you should write off a visit. You’ll get summer festivals (including the amazing Gion Matsuri), beautiful seasonal scenery, fewer crowds at some attractions, and plenty of nearby day trips where you can escape the worst of the heat.
How hot does Kyoto get in summer?
Kyoto can get seriously hot in summer, with daytime temperatures regularly reaching around 30–35°C in July and August. The humidity can make it feel even hotter, so make sure you plan plenty of breaks, carry water, and take advantage of Kyoto’s many indoor attractions.
Is Kyoto cooler than Tokyo in summer?
Not usually. Kyoto and Tokyo have very similar summer temperatures, but Kyoto can sometimes feel even hotter due to its inland location and surrounding mountains, which can trap heat and humidity.
What is the best day trip from Kyoto?
That depends on what you’re looking for! Uji is one of the easiest and most popular options, whilst Mount Hiei, Kifune and Kurama are great for escaping the summer heat. For flowers, Ayabe is a beautiful choice, and Lake Biwa is perfect if you want to cool off with a swim.
