Set amidst the timeless beauty of Kyoto, summer unveils an array of cool and delightful desserts that are a must-try. Traditionally, Japanese desserts include refreshing treats like shaved ice topped with matcha, red bean paste, and syrups that enhance its refreshing taste. But for every visit, you can explore your taste buds further to more unique and seasonal flavours. From traditional matcha shaved ice to innovative creations, Kyoto’s desert scene is a journey worth taking. Here is a curated walking tour featuring some of the best sweets in Kyoto and nearby attractions to enhance your summer visit.

Daigokuden Rokkaku Seien

Founded during the Meiji Period, Daigokuden has a rich history spanning over 150 years. This esteemed sweet shop’s Rokkaku branch offers a unique twist on traditional shaved ice with their Milk Mint Shaved Ice. The refreshing mint syrup and creamy condensed milk make for a perfect cool treat on a hot summer day. Conveniently located close to Nishiki Market, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” as well as the Teramachi and Shin Kyogoku shopping arcades, the most popular shopping streets in Kyoto, it’s an ideal stop after a day of shopping or browsing. The delicate balance of flavours creates a soothing, nostalgic, and refreshing experience.

Umezono Sabo

At Umezono Sabo, the New Ginger and Peach Shaved Ice is a summer sensation available in limited quantities. This dessert combines fresh ginger syrup, cooked with four aromatic spices, with the sweet juiciness of peaches. A surprise awaits in the middle – a dollop of red bean paste that adds a traditional touch to this modern concoction. The interplay of spicy ginger and sweet peach offers a refreshing and unique flavour profile. Located near the Kenkun Shrine, famous for honouring the historical figure Oda Nobunaga, and Daitoku-ji Temple, known for its Zen culture and architecture, it’s a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a cool treat after exploring the historic sites.

TORAYA Kyoto Shijo Minamiza Store

Exclusively available from July to August at the Kyoto Shijo Minamiza Store, TORAYA presents the Green Yuzu Shaved Ice. This limited-time offering features a fragrant green yuzu paste with grated peel, providing a refreshing balance of sourness and slight bitterness. Complemented by the refined sweetness of white bean paste, this shaved ice is a harmonious blend of flavours, perfect for cooling down during the hot summer months. As you cross the scenic Kamo River, check out a nearby Yasaka Shrine, the home of the Gion Matsuri, and Gion Corner, where you can enjoy seven traditional performing arts performed on one stage.

Exploring Kyoto’s culinary landscape in the summer offers a delightful mix of traditional and modern sweet treats. From the historical shop of Daigokuden-honpo Rokkaku Seien to the innovative combinations at Umezono Sabo and the seasonal specialities of TORAYA, each stop on this walking tour promises a unique and refreshing dessert experience. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these summer sweets will leave you with sweet memories of Kyoto.

While Kyoto dazzles with its array of enchanting sights, it’s during the summer months that the city truly comes alive with the Gion Matsuri. Imagine a festival so captivating, so steeped in history, that it compels travellers from all corners of the globe to experience its month-long splendour. This festival’s vibrant floats, traditional music, and captivating processions epitomise Japan’s rich heritage. As you immerse yourself in the festivities, explore Kyoto’s hidden culinary gems that perfectly complement this extraordinary celebration. Join us in uncovering the delights of Gion Matsuri and the exquisite flavours of Kyoto’s best-kept secrets.

Gion Matsuri: The Heartbeat of Kyoto’s Summer Festival

Gion Matsuri, which spans the entire month of July, is one of Japan’s most famous festivals. Originating in 869 AD, this annual celebration was initially a purification ritual to appease the gods during a plague. Today, it has evolved into a grand festival featuring magnificent floats known as “Yamahoko” that parade through the streets of Kyoto. The festival peaks with the grand procession of floats “Yamahoko-Junko” and “Mikoshi-Togyo” on July 17th and 24th.

Each float is intricately decorated with tapestries, textiles, and carvings, telling a story from Japanese history or mythology. The atmosphere is electrifying as the floats move through the city, accompanied by traditional music and chanting. In the evenings, the streets are lined with food stalls, offering an array of Japanese street food that enhances the vibrant atmosphere.

Hidden Culinary Spots Near Gion Matsuri Area

While the festival is a feast for the senses, the culinary scene around Gion Matsuri offers a different kind of indulgence. Here are some hidden spots to savour Kyoto’s culinary delights:

Kyomachiya Pause

Tucked away in a traditional Kyomachiya (townhouse), Kyomachiya Pause offers a cosy and atmospheric ambience, providing an inviting and intimate setting perfect for escaping the festival’s hustle and bustle. The menu features everything from fresh sashimi to succulent beef steak, all prepared with meticulous attention to detail. It’s an ideal spot for a relaxing meal after a day of festivities.

Gyozadokoro Takatsuji Sukemasa

Beloved by locals, Gyozadokoro Takatsuji Sukemasa is a hidden gem specialising in gyoza (Japanese dumplings). Known for incorporating Kyoto vegetables, pork, and green onions into their fillings, they distinguish themselves by using a dashi base and Kyoto miso, steering away from conventional Chinese spices to achieve their signature Kyoto umami flavour.

The restaurant’s cosy atmosphere and delicious gyoza, perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, make it a must-visit. Pair your meal with a cold beer for the ultimate Kyoto experience.

Zoronpa Muromachi Bukkoji

For a unique dining experience, head to Zoronpa Muromachi Bukkoji, known for its teppanyaki skewers. Watch as skilled chefs prepare your meal before you, grilling skewers to perfection. Aside from wine, they also serve a wide range of sake, including  a rare-edition sake from Tsuki no Katsura, an esteemed brewery in Kyoto with a history spanning almost 350 years. The lively atmosphere and delectable flavours make this spot a hidden treasure in Kyoto’s culinary landscape.

Seaburanokami Nishiki Ten

If you’re a ramen enthusiast, Seaburanokami Nishiki Ten is the place to be. 

Renowned for their ramen topped generously with pork back fat, their name translates to “Goddess of Pork Back Fat.” This ramen strikes a perfect balance, enriched with back fat without greasy aftertaste.  

This unique ramen shop, born in Kyoto, offers rich and flavorful bowls of ramen that are sure to satisfy you. The broth, infused with local ingredients, and the perfectly cooked noodles create a symphony of flavours that will leave you craving more.

Gion Matsuri is not just a festival; it’s an experience that encapsulates the essence of Kyoto’s cultural and culinary heritage. From the grandeur of the float processions to the intimate charm of hidden restaurants, every aspect of Gion Matsuri invites you to explore and savour Kyoto’s rich traditions. So, mark your calendars, immerse yourself in the festivities, and embark on a culinary journey through the hidden gems of Kyoto this summer.

As summer unfurls its vibrant tapestry, embracing the warm embrace of July, a majestic spectacle emerges in the ancient city of Kyoto. Behold the grandeur of the Gion Matsuri, an illustrious celebration renowned throughout Japan. Should you seek enchantment in your Kyoto sojourn this season, look no further than the resplendent Gion Matsuri, an unparalleled gem among the myriad wonders this city holds.

Beyond this beguiling festival, you can uncover the culinary treasures that lie scattered across Kyoto. Indulge your senses in the divine gastronomic offerings this city graciously bestows upon its fortunate visitors. As summer unfolds in the ethereal neighbourhood of Gion, here’s a quick guide on Kyoto’s renowned annual celebration, filled with vibrant traditions and captivating events.

Immerse Yourself in Kyoto’s Most Magnificent Festival of the Season

Gion Matsuri originated in 869 as a festival to combat a devastating plague in Kyoto, with the people erecting spears and carrying a portable shrine to appease vengeful spirits. Despite interruptions from wars and political reasons, Kyoto has maintained and supported the festival throughout history.

As the major festival of the Yasaka Shrine, it is the largest festival in Kyoto that is celebrated throughout July. During Gion Matsuri, the city of Kyoto undergoes a transformative evolution. The streets come alive with a vibrant energy as the festival takes hold, weaving its way through the ancient capital.

The highlight of this summer festival is the Yamaboko-Junko, or grand procession on the 17th. The procession uses two types of floats: the Yama and Hoko. There are 23 Hoko floats in particular that stand out. Not only are they impressive in their enormity, which are about twenty-five metres tall and weigh up to twelve tons,  but each one is also intricately decorated and built from scratch every year. After a hiatus of about 48 years, a second, smaller procession of floats on July 24 was reestablished in 2014, featuring the remaining ten floats. 

A week before preceding each procession, the floats are displayed within a half kilometre of the intersection of Karasuma and Shijo streets, which tourists can admire up close and even enter. The evenings, known as Yoiyama, are the most exciting as the roads are pedestrianised, and the area is filled with food stands, drink vendors and other festival activities. 

The Mikoshi-Togyo, or procession of portable shrines, happens on the night of July 17 and 24. On the night of July 17, three mikoshi (portable shrines) carrying the deities of Yasaka Shrine are taken to Otabisho in downtown Kyoto where they rest for a week before returning to Yasaka Shrine on the night of the 24th. 

Aside from the Yamaboko-Junko or float processions, there are several other activities that you can witness during the month-long festival.  A week before the floats are displayed on the streets, tourists and locals alike can watch as the floats are assembled without using any nails. Residents open their doors to exhibit family heirlooms to passersby a few days before each procession. 

The Gion Matsuri originated when pestilence had spread across Kyoto and caused suffering to all. The Yamaboko-Junko was initially held to appease evil deities who caused epidemics and suffering. Yama and Hoko play the role of purifying the streets during the grand procession. To this day, the people of Kyoto carry on this tradition, even in the face of interruptions like wars or political upheavals. 

If you’re in Kyoto this July, the Gion Matsuri is a festival that you shouldn’t miss during your trip. From lively and culturally enriching parades to street festivities and local traditions, there’s no better festival where you can experience Japan’s rich culture and learn about its history than the Gion Festival.

Embark on a Sensory Odyssey to Kyoto’s Nishiki Market

If you’re looking for a place to explore the flavours of Kyoto, look no further than Nishiki Market – a six-block-long retail market specialising in all things food related. Also known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, this marketplace has over 130 stalls featuring many of Kyoto’s culinary delights. From seasonal ingredients to fresh produce and seafood to local delicacies and even cookware and souvenirs, you can find it all at Nishiki Market. 

The market is an epicurean haven to sample Kyoto’s local specialities and traditional snacks. Some must-try items include tsukemono (pickled vegetables), yuba (tofu skin), Kyoto-style sushi, matcha (green tea) treats, senbei (rice crackers), and wagashi (Japanese confectionery).

Bustling with life, Nishiki Market is an institution in Kyoto with a rich history spanning around 400 years. Many shops followed suit, and until today are operated by the same families for generations. This is definitely a one-stop shop for all things food related. Explore a diverse range of delicacies and Japanese food right at the heart of Kyoto, in Nishiki Market. 

Quaint Hotels in Kyoto: Accommodations for Your Summer Stay

To experience the full splendour of the Gion Matsuri in close proximity, the Miru Collection Hotels are the perfect choice for convenient stays nearby. Despite the main festival being held from the 15th to the 17th of July, the festive ambiance extends its welcoming embrace across the entire month, enticing you to revel in the joyous atmosphere.

Nestled at the very heart of Kyoto, Miru Kyoto Nishiki stands as a strategic retreat, positioned near the captivating Hokos that grace the streets during the festival’s duration. Our boutique hotel in Kyoto serves as an optimal abode during this vibrant period, ensuring a memorable stay. Moreover, it boasts a mere 150 metres’ distance from Nishiki Market, the go-to marketplace that crowns Kyoto’s renowned culinary scene.

For those with a taste for opulence, yet a strong desire to remain within the embrace of the festival, our newest addition, Miru Kyoto Gion, presents an enticing option. Positioned in close proximity to the venerable Yasaka Shrine, this luxurious accommodation allows for seamless participation and firsthand observation of the grand procession. As the Gion Matsuri unfurls its splendour, the festival’s spirit finds its genesis within the sacred grounds of Yasaka Shrine, rendering it an irresistible spectacle to behold. You can easily partake in and witness the grand procession, as the Gion Matsuri is a celebration deeply intertwined with the Yasaka Shrine, where the Mikoshi-Togyo both begins and ends its journey.

Amidst the plethora of summer festivities unfolding throughout the month of July, it is imperative to craft your Kyoto itinerary in advance, ensuring an optimal experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the joyous celebrations of the season.