June marks the start of the rainy season throughout much of Japan. But unlike the sprawling metropolises of Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto isn't crowded with skyscrapers and shopping malls. Rather, it's filled with open-air gardens, plus temples and shrines. So what do you do in Kyoto when the rain drops start to fall? 1. Visit a museum in Kyoto Temples and shrines aren’t the only way to get a hit of history in Kyoto. There are many museums and galleries throughout the city. Here are four of our favorites. Kyoto National Museum The Kyoto National Museum is one of only four national museums in Japan, with rotating and permanent exhibitions that highlight history and culture. After browsing its main collection, you can enjoy a cup of coffee at the café, or pick up an art replica from the museum shop. Pro tip: If you still need a temple fix, the mostly-indoor attraction of Sanjusangen-do is just across the street. The Museum of Kyoto The Museum of Kyoto has permanent and special exhibitions focused on Japanese folklore, archaeology, film, and art. In addition, the museum features a café, various food spots, and shops -- styled in traditional Kyoto architecture. Museum of Modern Art Art lovers can check out the Museum of Modern Art, which is also near Heian Shrine. Displaying modern art from Japan and around the world, this museum is ideal for those who want to see a diverse contemporary collection of works. Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art One of the oldest public art museums in Japan, the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art hosts an amazing range of contemporary and traditional exhibitions -- think artists like Yayoi Kusama and Monet. The museum is also famous for its grand architecture. Pro tip: Keep an eye on Kyoto's monthly events to discover more special and temporary museum exhibitions. 2. See some maiko and geiko Kyoto is famous for many things, one of which is its long-established geisha culture. We recommend heading to the Gion Kagai Art Museum, where you can experience a Kyomai (Kyoto-style dance) performed by a maiko or geiko in an intimate, traditional theater setting. Beyond the performance, the museum itself offers a charming collection of artworks, hand-painted kimono, and other decorative ornaments. It provides a glimpse into this mysterious culture. If you're keen to attend both the performance and the photo session, it's best to book your tickets in advance for . Limited same-day tickets are available from 11 a.m. -- just be sure to check the performance schedule ahead of time. Pro tip: See the other ways you can respectfully experience geisha, maiko, and geiko culture in Kyoto. 3. Get your game on at the Nintendo Museum Instead of getting soaked at Nintendo World in Universal Studios, you can stay dry and still get your Nintendo fix at the Nintendo Museum. While you can't visit on a whim -- advance tickets are required -- if you're heading to Kyoto in rainy season, it's worth thinking ahead and booking on a day it's likely to be wet. Comparable to an interactive playground, this museum features displays of all the Nintendo consoles throughout history, a games floor, a workshop, a gift shop, and the Hatena Burger Café. If you're a true Nintendo fan, you can easily spend a solid couple of hours here experiencing everything the museum has to offer, including the Singing Toads. For more details, check out The Kyoto Nintendo Museum: Everything You To Need Know. 4. Chill at the Manga Museum One of the main manga museums in Japan, the Kyoto International Manga Museum gives you an insight into the history of the art form, along with various interactive workshops (advance booking required). In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the museum also hosts special temporary exhibitions that change every few months. The museum features a massive manga library with approximately 300,000 books, many of which are in foreign languages, as well as a museum shop and café space. Entry costs for adults, making it a fun and affordable indoor destination. If you have a chance, be sure to get an original manga portrait of yourself at the "Portrait Corner". Not only does it make a fantastic souvenir, but you'll also be drawn by truly talented manga artists. Prices range from to , with the artists' schedules announced here. 5. Go shopping around Teramachi Street How affordable this activity is depends on your self-control. But even if you don't buy anything, the covered shopping streets of Teramachi, Shinkyogoku, Nishikikoji, Shijo, and Kawaramachi are interesting to wander around on a rainy day in Kyoto. The two main shopping streets are Teramachi and Shinkyogoku. These parallel streets together offer a wide range of shops, restaurants and miscellaneous items. Here, you can buy everything from budget souvenirs to expensive but beautiful artworks and secondhand books. You can also get a temple fix by visiting the few small shrines and temples that are dotted along the streets (Teramachi actually translates as "Temple Street"). One of them is the infamous Honnoji Temple, the site where Oda Nobunaga was betrayed and killed. Off Teramachi Street is Nishiki Market, known as "Kyoto's Pantry". While this shopping street is also covered, it's much narrower and therefore more crowded, but certainly an interesting place to see and try local fresh food. Then there are the two main thoroughfares in the area: Shijo and Kawaramachi Streets. These are regular streets (with heavy traffic!) but the sidewalks are sheltered from the rain, and offer more conventional shopping options like department stores, international chains, and a huge bookstore in the basement of the BAL Building. 6. Explore the world of matcha Kyoto is home to the matcha capital of the world -- Uji. Though you may need an umbrella, a rainy day is perfect for hopping between shops and experiencing the best of matcha, whether through a specialist tea shop or cozy café. If you're willing to wait -- or quick to grab a ticket -- you can enjoy a high-quality matcha dessert at the famous Nakamura Tokichi Honten. If you aren't keen on traveling out to Uji, there are plenty of places in the central Kyoto where you can enjoy and buy matcha to take home. For a mouth-watering matcha parfait in the setting of a traditional machiya, we recommend heading to Gion Tokuya. Wanting to try matcha soba? You can at Itoh Kyuemon Gion. Pro tip: For a deeper dive into the art and culture of matcha-making, why not take part in a tea ceremony like this one? Important: Due to the matcha shortage in Japan, you are asked to be mindful of your matcha consumption. 7. Burn some energy at ROUND1 On Kawaramachi Street is the entertainment center ROUND1. Here, you can play indoor sports like ten-pin bowling, billiards, and darts. Or if that's not your thing, belt out your favorite song at karaoke, or race against your friends at the arcade. Perhaps the best part of this option is that it's open 24 hours during weekends and public holidays, and open 22 hours every other day. Pro tip: if you want to kill a significant amount of time, you can catch a movie at the MOVIX cinema, or while away the hours at one of the regular game arcades, snapping some purikura photos or grabbing some gachapon. 8. Watch a show at the Minamiza Theater Near the heart of Gion is the grand Minamiza Theater, the main Kabuki theater in the area. With Kyoto being the birthplace of Kabuki, it only feels right to spend a dull day watching a colorful live performance. Every month, the theater hosts a different show, with tickets starting from . While it's recommended to purchase tickets in advance, it's also sometimes possible to get them on the day -- even just before the performance begins! It's worth noting that only some shows offer English programs and synopses, and all performances are conducted entirely in Japanese. Pro tip: Interested in other types of theater? Kyoto also has the Non-Verbal Theater, which offers a unique experience. 9. Learn a new skill Looking to make something beautiful out of a rainy day? Kyoto is full of dedicated craftsmen and specialist shops offering workshops where you can learn more about traditional arts. If you see a rainy day in the future, consider booking one. One of the most beloved is kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer. At this special experience at Shikata Urushi, a centuries-old shop, you'll have the chance to learn two kintsugi techniques from skilled artisans. Alternatively, you could try this hands-on kimono workshop, where you can craft your own fabric with gold glaze and gain access to an exclusive art gallery. You'll get to see the entire kimono-making process, from dyeing to hand-painting. 10. Just deal with it! Feel like you're going to sigh if you see yet another samurai-related artifact? Already spent your shopping allowance? What else can you do in the rain? You can get your umbrella out and just deal with it. Rainy season is also hydrangea season in Japan. These flowers thrive in wet conditions, and add a big pop of color to the otherwise grey days. The town of Ohara to the north of Kyoto is home to Sanzen-in Temple, while Uji to the south hosts Mimurotoji Temple. Both of these are famous for their hydrangea gardens. Sanzen-in also boasts a beautiful moss garden that looks luscious in the rain. Notably, it might also be a good chance to beat the crowd at tourist hotspots. Popular places like Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari Shrine may be a bit quieter than usual. Although they might not be as picturesque in the rain, you can experience them in a new way -- capturing moodier, more atmospheric photos. Rainy days in Kyoto FAQs When is the rainy season in Kyoto? Kyoto's rainy season typically falls between June and July. While it doesn't rain all day every day, you're likely to encounter rain at some point during the day. Note that the weather during this time is also quite warm and humid. When is the best month to visit Kyoto? Most tourists visit Kyoto in March and April to see the cherry blossoms. However, this isn't necessarily the best time to visit, as the city can get very crowded. If you can bear the hot and sometimes rainy weather, June to July can be a good alternative. September to October is also a popular time, due to the more pleasant weather and (somewhat) smaller crowds. This post was first published in 2016 and was last updated by in May, 2025. While we do our best to ensure accuracy, details may vary.
The ultimate guide to Japan travel
The ultimate guide to Japan travel
The ultimate guide to Japan travel
