Most guests discover Kyoto in spring, drawn by the cherry blossoms, or return in autumn for the red foliage. Both are extraordinary. Both are crowded. June is something else entirely — quieter, more atmospheric, and arguably more revealing of what makes this city singular. The rainy season deters many visitors, which is precisely its appeal.

The temples breathe again. The moss gardens reach their deepest green. Hydrangeas come into bloom across the city. For those who have experienced Kyoto before and wish to see it at its most unhurried, June is the month to return.

The Rainy Season, in Context

Tsuyu — Japan’s rainy season — usually begins in early June and lasts through mid-July. Rain becomes part of everyday life during this season, but it rarely lasts all day. Between passing showers and cloudy skies, there are often calm moments perfect for walking through the city’s quieter streets and gardens. With temperatures around 20–28°C, a small umbrella and comfortable shoes are usually all you need to enjoy Kyoto in June.

The rewards are considerable. Temple gardens that feel impossibly crowded in April become, in June, almost entirely your own. After each shower, the ancient stone streets take on a quality no guidebook photograph manages to convey: lantern light and wooden façades reflected in wet cobblestones, the city quieter and somehow more itself. It is a version of Kyoto that rewards those who choose to arrive when others do not.

Hydrangeas in Kyoto

The ajisai is Kyoto’s flower for June. Their colour, ranging from pale blue to deep violet depending on the mineral composition of the soil, deepens as the season advances, and they complement the city’s old stone paths and weathered temple walls with an almost considered elegance.

Sanzen-in Temple, Ohara 

From Miru Kyoto Gion:  around 45 minutes north of the city centre by bus nr 17 from Sanjo Keihan-mae [8min walk from the hotel]

From Miru Kyoto Nishiki: around 55 minutes north of the city centre by bus nr 17 from Shijo Takakura [7min walk from the hotel]

Sanzen-in is the finest hydrangea destination in the greater Kyoto area. Thousands of plants are set into deep moss across the temple grounds, the combination of colour and texture unlike anywhere else.          

A weekday visit is strongly recommended.

Nijo Castle Gardens 

From Miru Kyoto Gion:  around 40 minutes walk, or 15 min cab ride 

From Miru Kyoto Nishiki: around 30 minutes walk or 8 min cab ride

Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a beautiful hydrangea garden. Unhurried on weekday mornings, with the kind of space to move through thoughtfully.

Oike-dori Street — Hydrangeas line the north pavement between Kiyamachi and Karasuma. No planning required. Simply walk the street and let them find you.

From Miru Kyoto Gion:  around 15 minutes walk

From Miru Kyoto Nishiki: around 10 minutes walk 

Early Summer Moss Gardens

Kennin-ji Temple, Gion — A short walk from Miru Kyoto Gion, Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. The moss gardens in June are reason enough to visit independently of the hydrangeas of Reigenin sub-temple; together, they make for one of the most quietly affecting mornings the city offers.

From Miru Kyoto Gion:  around 8 minute walk

From Miru Kyoto Nishiki: around 20 minutes walk 

Eating Well in June

Miru Kyoto Nishiki sits two minutes from Nishiki Market, a covered food arcade that has been central to Kyoto’s culinary identity for several centuries. On a rainy afternoon, it offers hours of exploration without ever requiring an umbrella.

Things worth seeking out specifically in June:

Unagi and Hamo — Both are iconic summer delicacies, but their appeal is entirely different. Unagi, the fatty freshwater eel, is familiar to most visitors. Hamo, pike conger, is lighter, more refined, and deeply Kyoto in character. It is traditionally associated with the Gion Festival and demands considerable skill to prepare due to its many fine bones. 

Minazuki — A small triangular rice cake topped with azuki beans, eaten on June 30th as part of an ancient Shinto purification rite. Cooling, subtly sweet, and available only at this time of year. 

Wakaayu — A seasonal speciality where the outer layer is a golden sponge cake, filled with soft, chewy mochi. It mimics the ayu swimming in Kyoto’s summer rivers, and is often enjoyed chilled. 

Gion or Nishiki: Choosing Your Base

Both properties are well-suited to June. The distinction lies in what each neighbourhood offers.

Miru Kyoto Gion occupies the heart of the old geisha district, within easy reach of Hanamikoji Street and Kennin-ji Temple. After rain, the stone lanes and traditional wooden machiya townhouses are at their most evocative — exactly the Kyoto that stays with you. It is the natural choice for those who wish to spend their days walking to temples, pausing in gardens, and experiencing the city at the pace it deserves.

[Check Availability at Miru Kyoto Gion →]

Miru Kyoto Nishiki is positioned at the centre of the city, with Nishiki Market two minutes on foot and the covered Teramachi shopping street close by. Rain presents no obstacle to exploration. It suits guests who want to eat with intention, move freely across the city, and keep options open throughout their stay.

[Check Availability at Miru Kyoto Nishiki →]

A Note on Photography

For those wishing to photograph Kyoto’s older streets, the ten minutes immediately following an afternoon shower offer a quality of light and stillness that is difficult to replicate. The cobblestones of Hanamikoji Street, just outside Miru Kyoto Gion, reflect the wooden buildings lining the road in a way that, in spring, would require photographing around crowds. On a June weekday evening, the street will very likely be yours alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is June a genuinely good time to visit Kyoto? Yes. Smaller crowds, hydrangeas in full bloom, and an atmosphere that most visitors to Kyoto never experience. Some tolerance for rain is all it requires.

How disruptive is the rainfall? Rarely disruptive. Mornings are typically clear; rain tends to arrive in the afternoon or evening. A compact umbrella handles it comfortably.

How do I choose between Gion and Nishiki? Gion for the traditional, quieter character of the city and direct access to temples. Nishiki for food, centrality, and flexibility. Many guests who stay at one find themselves curious about the other on a return visit.

When should I book? Promptly. June availability is already limited, and weekends fill first. Booking directly ensures the best available rate and access to direct-booking benefits not available through third-party platforms.

Is there anything notable at the end of June? On June 30th, the Nagoshi no Harae purification ceremony takes place at Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines, one of the oldest Shinto observances of the year and open to visitors. It is a rare and quietly moving thing to witness.

Reserve Your Stay

[Book Miru Kyoto Gion →] [Book Miru Kyoto Nishiki →]

Book directly for the best available rate. June availability is limited.

Follow us on Instagram: @mirukyotogion ／ @mirukyotonishiki

The post A Guide to Kyoto in June: Is the Rainy Season Worth It? first appeared on Miru.

Kyoto is the birthplace of Japanese tea culture. For over a thousand years, the schools, merchants, and rituals of tea have been rooted here — in the same neighborhoods, sometimes in the same buildings, across generations. This guide covers where to learn, where to buy, and where to sit down and experience it properly.

The Tea Schools: Where Japanese Tea Culture Began

Urasenke and Omotesenke — Kyoto’s Most Historic Tea Schools

Urasenke 裏千家 & Omotesenke 表千家
Address: Honpōji-mae-chō, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Access (Miru Kyoto Nishiki) : ~35 min by bus
Access (Miru Kyoto Gion):  ~40 min by bus

Both schools descend directly from Sen no Rikyū, the 16th-century master who defined chanoyu — the Way of Tea. Their headquarters sit side by side in Kyoto’s Kamigyo district. The names tell you their origin: Omotesenke means “front Sen house,” Urasenke means “rear Sen house.”

The two schools share the same roots but differ in approach. Urasenke — the larger of the two — focuses on the comfort of the guest. Omotesenke emphasizes simplicity: in movement, in tools, in the tea itself. Walking through this neighborhood is an experience on its own. These are not tourist attractions. They are living institutions that have been operating without interruption for centuries.

Where to Buy Tea in Kyoto

Ryūōen Chaho — Best Traditional Matcha Shop in Kyoto

柳桜園茶舗 Ryūōen Chaho
Address: 690 Chojiyacho, Nijo-dori Gokomachi Nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 9am–6pm (Closed Sundays)
Access (Miru Kyoto Nishiki):~15 min walk
Access (Miru Kyoto Gion Gion): ~25 min walk

Ryūōen Chaho is one of Kyoto’s most respected traditional matcha suppliers. Their highest quality matcha is officially recognized by all three major schools of Japanese tea ceremony: Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Mushakōjisenke. The raw material — tencha — comes from Uji, Kyoto’s most prized tea-growing region, and is ground in-house on a traditional stone mill.

This is where serious practitioners buy their tea. The shop works exactly as it did at founding — measuring, packing, selling by the same methods. Some regulars still bring their own canisters to be filled.

What to buy: Matcha and The karigane houjicha — roasted tea stems, smoky and sweet — are both exceptional there.

Ippodo Tea — Best Tea Shop in Kyoto for Visitors

一保堂茶舗 Ippodo Tea
Address: 52 Tokiwagi-cho, Teramachi-dori Nijo agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 10am–5pm | Kaboku Tearoom closes 4:30pm | Closed 2nd Wednesday of each month
Access (Miru Kyoto Nishiki):~15 min walk
Access (Miru Kyoto Gion Gion): ~20 min walk

In business since 1717, Ippodo is the most accessible entry point into Kyoto’s serious tea culture. The main store sits on historic Teramachi Street, recognizable by its noren curtains with the Ippodo name left undyed.

The shop stocks more than 30 blends — matcha, gyokuro, sencha, hojicha, and more — and the staff know their product in depth. The Kaboku Tearoom lets you learn to brew your chosen tea, paired with a seasonal Japanese sweet.

Where to Experience a Tea in Kyoto

tearoom toka — Most Unique Tea Experience in Kyoto

Tearoom toka 冬夏
Address: 298 Shintomicho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 11am–6pm,  Closed Tuesdays, Reservation strongly recommended
Access (Miru Kyoto Nishiki):~25 min walk
Access (Miru Kyoto Gion Gion): ~35 min walk

Set inside a 100-year-old house, tearoom toka is Kyoto’s most unique aged Japanese tea (vintage tea) experience. The six-seat counter sits above a natural water source regarded as among Kyoto’s finest for centuries. Water is drawn fresh each morning, brought to the right temperature, and used to brew in front of you.

The defining feature: aged Japanese teas. Vintage selections harvested five or more years ago — previously unavailable on the market — are exclusive to tearoom toka. 

Sabo KYO — Most Atmospheric New Tea Room in Kyoto

居雨 KYO — Sabo KYO at KYO AMAHARE
Address: 127 Aburaya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours:  12am–7pm (Closed Wednesdays)
Access (Miru Kyoto Nishiki):~1 min walk
Access (Miru Kyoto Gion Gion): ~20 min walk

KYO opened in spring 2024 inside the storeroom of craft gallery KYO AMAHARE. Its name — 居雨 — means “dwelling with the rain”: a place to sit with tea and sweets while waiting for the sky to clear. 

The tea is selected by a master from Yorozu. The sweets are made by a confectioner trained in French patisserie. It is one of the most considered new tea spaces in Japan.

7T+ — Best Shop for Chinese Tea in Kyoto

7T+ — Seven Tea Plus
Address: 73-1 Shioyacho, Ayakoji-dori Tominokoji-higashiiru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 11am–7pm (Closed Thursdays)
Access (Miru Kyoto Nishiki):~10 min walk
Access (Miru Kyoto Gion Gion): ~20 min walk

Owner Kenji Nakano is a certified Chinese tea appraiser with 18 years of sourcing experience and a qualification as a Japanese tea instructor. At 7T+, he personally visits tea-producing regions and selects from over 80 varieties, organized into seven categories by production method — green, black, oolong, white, and more.

This is the destination for anyone who wants to understand tea as a broad global tradition, not just a Japanese one. A neon cha sign glows in the alley after dark. Worth finding.

YUGEN — Best All-Round Tea Experience Near Miru Kyoto Nishiki

YUGEN 146 Kameya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Address: 146 Kameya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Hours: 11am–6pm (Closed Thursdays)
Access (Miru Kyoto Nishiki):~15 min walk
Access (Miru Kyoto Gion Gion): ~35 min walk

Located in a quiet neighborhood near the Kyoto Imperial Palace, YUGEN opened in 2018 with a clear purpose: making Japanese tea culture part of everyday life. The ground floor is a tea shop with a focus on Uji tea and seasonal sweets made by staff trained in kaiseki cuisine and traditional confectionery.

The upper floors add depth: a dedicated tea room on the second floor, a gallery on the third, and a regular program of artist exhibitions.
You can walk in, buy great tea, and leave in ten minutes. Or you can stay for the whole afternoon. YUGEN works either way — and rewards the slower approach.

One of the closest tea destinations to Miru Kyoto Nishiki, and one of the most complete.

When to Visit: The Best Season for Tea in Kyoto

Shincha — the year’s first tea harvest — arrives in late April and May. Its appearance in the best shops is an event. Certain matcha blends are only available in spring. At Ryūōen, the seasonal Kozakura label is available from late February through late April only. If your stay falls in this window, ask what has just arrived. The answer will shape your afternoon.

Getting There from Miru Kyoto

Miru Kyoto Nishiki sits in the heart of the city — a short walk from Nishiki Market and the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds. Most destinations in this guide are reachable on foot in under 20 minutes.
Miru Kyoto Gion is steps from the Shirakawa Canal and the quiet backstreets of Higashiyama. Walking times are slightly longer to the tea school district but the route itself passes through some of Kyoto’s most beautiful streets.

Book direct for our best available rates, flexible cancellation, and priority access to both properties. Availability is limited and fills quickly, for example for Miru Kyoto Gion’s Premium, Superior and Tatami Miyabi rooms.  Do not leave this one to chance.

Book: Miru Kyoto Gion
Book: Miru Kyoto Nishiki

Follow us and see other’s Miru story on Instagram:
@mirukyotogion
@mirukyotonishiki

The post The Best Tea Experiences in Kyoto: A Complete Guide 2026 first appeared on Miru.

Be First. Pay Less.

Exclusive pre-sales on the official website run from April 15 to April 30, 2026. Sales on other travel sites will begin sequentially starting May 1, 2026.

https://mirucollection.com/mirukyoto/ 

for period: March 1st  – April 14th 2027

Kyoto in cherry blossom season is, by any measure, one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is also, if you leave the booking too late, one of the most frustrating. 

With the cherry blossom season consistently selling out each year, we extend our gratitude to you, our direct audience. We are offering an exclusive two-week special sale, starting April 15th, only through our official website. Don’t miss this pre-sale window.

Two Hotels. One City. One Season.

Miru Kyoto Nishiki

In the living centre of the city, a short walk from Nishiki market, Miru Kyoto Nishiki is a hotel that rewards those who prefer to discover a place on foot rather than by itinerary

A ten-minute walk brings you to Rokkakudo, a hexagonal temple that holds a particular place in Japanese cultural history as the birthplace of ikebana, the art of flower arranging. The garden surrounding it is extraordinary in any season, but in early spring it offers something the rest of the city cannot: the Mizukizakura, a variety that blooms a week or two before Kyoto’s main flowering begins. Nearby, the grounds of the Kyoto Imperial Palace offer avenues of plum and cherry trees.

Miru Kyoto Gion

Inside the preserved streets of Gion, cherry blossoms are simply part of the neighbourhood in spring. The Shirakawa Canal runs steps from the hotel, a narrow waterway where weeping cherries hang over the water and petals drift past lantern light in the evening. Further along Higashiyama, some of Kyoto’s most celebrated temples, Kiyomizudera, Chion-in, Kodaiji, set their cherry blossoms against stone lanterns, ancient gates, and hillside views over the city. At Maruyama Park, the great weeping cherry at its centre, lit up after dark, is one of the most beautiful sights Kyoto produces, year after year.

The Season Begins Earlier Than You Think

Most visitors plan around the Somei Yoshino, the pale, cloud-like cherry that blankets Kyoto in white-pink in early April. However, the season, if you know how to read it, begins weeks before.

Certain species emerge in late February and early-mid March with a deeper, more saturated pink: the Kanhizakura, the Kawazu-zakura, and at Rokkakudo, the Mizukizakura. Others linger well into late April, the Yamazakura on the hillsides, the Shidarezakura cascading over temple walls. Each has its own timing, its own character.

Before the cherry trees even wake, there is the ume (plum blossoms).

Plum blossoms begin as early as February, and in mid-late March they are still at their most beautiful, a quieter, more fragrant prelude to sakura that most visitors overlook entirely. At Kitano Tenmangu, the great shrine dedicated to scholarship and poetry, over 1,500 plum trees fill the grounds with white and rose. At Jonangu, in the south of the city, the garden plum blossoms hang low over moss and water in a scene of almost theatrical refinement. For guests arriving in early-mid March, these are not a consolation for early timing. They are a destination in their own right.

Reserve Your Moment in Bloom

Sakura season 2027 reservations open on 15 April 2026, exclusively through the Miru Kyoto website. 

Booking Direct, Choosing Your View: The two-week priority window is your only chance to secure the best room types—especially our larger suites at Miru Kyoto Gion—before they are released to all travel partners and inevitably sell out.

Book direct for our best available rates, flexible cancellation, and priority access to both properties. Availability is limited and fills quickly, for example for Miru Kyoto Gion’s Premium, Superior and Tatami Miyabi rooms.  Do not leave this one to chance.

Book: Miru Kyoto Gion
Book: Miru Kyoto Nishiki

Follow us and see other’s Miru story on Instagram:
@mirukyotogion
@mirukyotonishiki

The post Kyoto Cherry Blossom 2027: Priority Booking Opens April 15th first appeared on Miru.