Travelling to Kyoto for the Summer? The ancient city comes to life with the vibrant sights and festivities during this time of the year.

Japan’s cultural capital awaits with a plethora of wonderful treasures, some of which are as follows:

Sunflower Blossoms Amidst Kyoto’s Beautiful Landscapes

(photo by @tatikoma1984)

Celebrating the new month with Sunflowers, especially since they are August’s birth flower here in Japan. These bright beauties blossom all around the city between late July and early August, and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Here are two locations to catch them in all their blooming glory:⁠

Ayabe Fureai Ranch: ⁠

The ranch’s peak sunflower season is until early August, whereby 50,000 radiant sunflowers bloom over a 4,000m² plot of farmland.⁠

Kyoto Botanical Gardens:⁠

Founded in 1924, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens is around 240,000㎡. Enjoy the unique sights of the Orange Sunflower here.⁠

So, make sure to add these places to your itinerary!⁠

The City’s Famous “Gozan no Okuribi” Festival

(​​photo by @mitsuru_wakabayashi)

In Japan, it’s believed that ancestors’ spirits return to visit living kin during the Obon festival, which takes place this year on August 13th and 16th. This occasion is marked by a number of rituals, the most famous of which is the Gozan no Okuribi, or five send-off fires. This ritual occurs at the end of the Obon festival, where various mountain tops across Kyoto are lit with a bonfire to signify the safe return of our ancestors’ spirits!⁠

Here’s a sight of the bonfire at Mount Damoinji from the past.⁠

Mesmerizing Thousand-Day Pilgrimage Celebration at Kiyomizu-dera Temple

(photo by @t.nakao543557)

From August 9th to August 16th, take part in the age-old Thousand-day Pilgrimage at Kiyomizu-dera Temple. During this auspicious time period, a single day of prayer is equivalent to a 1,000 days of meritorious prayer. Throughout the pilgrimage, you’ll get the chance to experience the divine Kannon’s boundless compassion and explore the temple’s sacred innermost sanctuary, Nainaijin, which is open to the public from day to night!⁠

So, don’t forget to pay a visit!⁠

This Summer, head outside and explore the city’s most captivating attractions. Be sure to plan your Kyoto itinerary ahead of time to get the most out of your day. For more trip recommendations and travel ideas, follow us @mirukyotonishiki!