Kyoto Winter Itinerary: Things to Do in Kyoto During the Winter

Kyoto is a city that transforms with each season, and winter in Kyoto brings a special kind of charm. This is when the temples and shrines get delicately dusted with snow and the enchanting illuminations make the long nights worth the shorter days. 

On top of that, the chill in the air becomes the perfect excuse to cozy up with warm matcha tea or slip into stylish winter layers — all without the harsh snowstorms of other winter destinations.

If you’re reading this, take it as your sign to embrace Kyoto’s winter charm. Soak in soothing onsen baths with steam rising into the cool air, catch the plum blossoms in full bloom and see iconic sights like the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove through a wintry lens.

Here's your comprehensive traveler's guide to the best things to do in Kyoto in winter.

From witnessing the reenactment of the famous ronin to experiencing Kyoto's famous winter illuminations, here are some fun — and tranquil — winter activities to make the most of your trip to Kyoto.

Tokyo might draw crowds for its dazzling metropolitan illuminations, but Kyoto’s winter light displays against the backdrop of its already beautiful traditional architecture create old-meets-new magic. 

As beautiful as Kyoto is year-round, the glow of thousands of fairy lights wrapped around trees, bushes and installations transforms the city into festival mode. 

Like most winter displays in Japan, Kyoto’s illuminations often start as early as December 1 and wrap up around Christmas or the first week of January. If you’re visiting in December, here are some winter illuminations in Kyoto that we recommend:

Where: Bambio Square Park, Nagaokakyo

When: Early December - early January

Located in Bambio Square, right next to Nagaokakyo Station, this free illumination event lights up until early January. The trees along the station’s west exit and the entire Bambio Hiroba Park area are illuminated by traditional Japanese lanterns constructed from locally sourced bamboo.

Where: Kyoto Station

When: Early December - end of January

The grand staircase of Kyoto Station, with its 125 steps, is adorned with dazzling light displays that animate each step. This free event runs daily from 3 pm to 10 pm until the end of January, offering a spectacular experience in the heart of the city.

Where: Rurikei Onsen

When: TBC

On Kyoto’s western fringe, Synesthesia Hills is known for blending music and light in stunning illuminations. For Christmas, they present a special installation that elevates the festive spirit.

Where: Konosuyama Sports Pak

When: Early - late December

Held at Joyo City Athletic Park, the Twinkle Joyo Illumination is a community-driven event featuring around 600,000 lights donated by local organizations and companies. As one of the largest illumination events in Japan, it offers a vibrant winter wonderland perfect for soaking up holiday cheer.

Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, is celebrated for its temples, shrines and gardens and is recognized as the nation’s cultural heart. Among its many traditions, the Japanese tea ceremony, or chanoyu, stands as a symbol of mindfulness and harmony — an ideal activity for a chilly winter’s day.

In this artful ceremony, powdered green tea, known as matcha, is carefully prepared, served and enjoyed in a ritual that promotes well-being and tranquility. Guided by a licensed instructor, you’ll learn the art of the Japanese tea ceremony, including cultural skills and etiquette, and experience its calming essence firsthand.

Find out more: Best Kyoto Tea Ceremony Experiences & What To Expect

Every year on December 14, Kyoto locals gather outside the gates of Bishamon-do Temple to witness reenactments of the legendary tale of the 47 Ronin. This poignant story recounts how these loyal samurai, called ronin (samurai without masters), avenged their master’s death, sacrificing their own lives in the process. 

The celebration's main event includes a parade of participants dressed in traditional samurai clothing and armor. They march through the neighborhood, stopping to perform lively taiko drumming before concluding outside the temple with reenactments and prayers for the honored dead. 

Already spectacular during autumn with its gold leaf walls set against the kaleidoscopic hues of red, brown and orange, Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, looks even more regal and striking against the pristine white backdrop during snowfall. 

The snow-capped temple creates a breathtaking scene, complemented by idyllic gardens draped in a crisp layer of snow. However, expect the crowds to be as heavy as during the momiji season. Dress warmly and prepare for some time outdoors.

Find out more: Fall in Kyoto: Enjoy Autumn Colors and Fall Foliage

Bridging the Sea of Japan with Miiyazu Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture, the large sandbar called Amanohashidate, often referred to as the “Bridge to Heaven,” is a narrow, 3-kilometer sandbar that consistently ranks among Japan’s three most scenic views. It’s covered with a whopping 8,000 pine trees, which thrive due to the repeated ebb and flow of the tides. 

The best time to experience its breathtaking beauty is from December to February, when frost forms over the pine trees and the sandbar is blanketed in snow, creating a dazzling contrast against the deep blue, icy waters.

At either end of the sandbar, several attractions can be explored on foot or by renting a bicycle. Visitors can enjoy a couple of temples, a shrine, a small amusement park and observation decks that offer stunning views of this natural wonder.

A traditional Japanese onsen is a must-try experience in Kyoto this winter. While Kyoto may not boast abundant geothermal activity, making true onsen scarce within the city, those that do exist offer a delightful retreat from the winter chill. 

Many facilities pump water from deep underground or heat lukewarm springs to achieve the perfect bathing temperature. There are plenty of traditional onsen and ryokan scattered throughout the city, including options in the oldest teahouse districts of Kyoto. 

For a more natural hot spring experience, head to Tenzan-no-yu Onsen, a vast bath and spa complex near Arashiyama, where you can relax in soothing waters surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.

When in Kyoto, visit Gion, a historic geisha district dotted with hundreds of traditional machiya houses and lantern-lit courtyards, where both past and present kimono-clad, white-painted geisha entertain their patrons. Here, the graceful and demure artistry of geiko (the Kyoto term for geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) flourishes.

Despite recent restrictions on tourists in certain geisha districts, it’s still possible to book a geisha show and enjoy their company, primarily at a ryotei, or traditional Japanese restaurant. 

Packages typically start around ¥50,000 for a group of two. During your experience, you’ll witness their dances, often accompanied by traditional instruments, and play traditional party games. The intricate kimono, delicate movements and mastery of conversation reflect why these artists are so highly valued in Japanese society.

New Year, or Oshogatsu, is a significant event throughout Japan, where people visit shrines or temples to pray for blessings in the coming year, a tradition known as hatsumode.

In Kyoto, many locals participate in the joya-no-kane, a sacred bell-ringing ceremony. Here, people line up to ring the giant temple bells, wishing for good fortune in the New Year and casting away bad karma from the past. 

The bells are traditionally rung 108 times, representing the 108 earthly desires that lead to suffering. However, many temples welcome everyone to ring the bell, even if the total exceeds this number. Popular shrines for this celebration include Yasaka Shrine, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Heian Shrine,

From January 8th to 12th, the first festival of the new year is celebrated at the Ebisu-jinja Shrine in Kyoto, honoring the birthday of Ebisu, the lucky god of fishermen and commerce. 

The festivities unfold daily on the shrine grounds, welcoming visitors who come to pray for success in the year ahead. This five-day festival includes music, a tea ceremony, food and gift stalls, mochi-making, shrine presentations and live displays of the kagura dance performed by shrine attendants.

At a small altar, a shrine maiden performs sacred kagura dances to bless branches of leafy green bamboo (fukuzasa), which are distributed to parishioners. Other maidens assist visitors in selecting lucky amulets to attach to the bamboo stalks, featuring symbols like red sea bream, boxes of money and full rice granaries.

The precursor to the blooming of sakura and spring, ume (plum trees), was introduced in China hundreds of years ago and comes in shades ranging from pure white to dark pink. 

Plum trees tend to bloom slightly longer, often enduring the cold of February through March to herald the arrival of spring. Events such as plum viewings and tea ceremonies are commonly held during this period.

Find out more: Things To Do in Japan in Spring

If you’re in Kyoto in February, head to Jonangu, which boasts five different gardens around the shrine and is home to 150 varieties of weeping plum trees. Kitano Tenmangu features over 1,500 plum trees across its grounds, representing more than 50 species in white, pink, and red hues. 

A special plum garden is open to the public from February to March for a small admission fee. Additionally, the ume at Nijo-jo, planted in 1954, includes over 130 trees scattered throughout the gardens, with a more concentrated area known as the bairin (plum grove) located in the Imperial Palace Park. 

Read more: Where to See Plum Blossoms in Japan

Arashiyama Bamboo Grooves, located within the expansive Sagano Bamboo Forest, draws a steady stream of travelers throughout the year. However, during the colder months, this enchanting grove of moso bamboo transforms into a serene wonderland, where clear, crisp air enhances your stroll along the tranquil pathways. 

Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to relax in an ashiyu, a traditional foot bath, where you can soak your feet in mineral-rich, natural hot springs while taking in the picturesque winter scenery. 

For a more peaceful experience, an early morning visit is highly recommended — just remember to dress warmly.

February is a vibrant month in Japan, marked by the annual setsubun rituals on February 3, which herald the arrival of spring. 

Inspired by a legend of a monk who blinded a demon with roasted beans, this tradition involves scattering beans while chanting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (Devils out! Fortune in!). Additionally, people decorate entrances with fish heads and holly leaves to drive away evil spirits and cleanse the home for the coming year.

At temples in Kyoto, priests conduct sacred Shinto rituals in the inner sanctuary, leaving offerings, reciting prayers, and performing purifications.

To experience the lively Setsubun celebrations in Kyoto, visit these popular shrines:

1. Yasaka Shrine: Known for featuring geiko, the Kyoto version of geisha, adding a local touch to the festivities.

2. Kitano Tenmangu: Hosts a renowned festival with a captivating kyogen play and performances by the geiko and maiko of Kamishichiken.

3. Heian Jingu: Features traditional rituals, including a reenactment with ogres, spirited bean throwing and a ceremonial fire ritual.

Read more: How To Celebrate Setsubun: Japan's Bean-Throwing Holiday

If you’re thinking of spending winter in Kyoto, you may wonder about other seasons... Look at the best time to visit Japan, or embrace the colder months with our guide to the best things to do in Japan this winter.