It’s finally here…the day you’ve been planning for months. The day of your epic Kyoto adventure! Or, it would have been, had it not started raining in Kyoto like cats and dogs.
Is this the end of your perfectly planned day in Japan’s beautiful ancient capital?!
It doesn’t have to be! Just load up your knowledge store in advance on sightseeing places that are well-protected from bad weather, and you’ll be all set! A few examples would be places like covered shrines, popular indoor activity facilities, and shopping arcades.
To kickstart your research, we’ve compiled a list of 10 fun places to visit and things to do in Kyoto when it’s raining!
1. Nanzen-Ji: Great for leisurely walks even in the rain
Nanzen-Ji is a shrine located in Kyoto, known for its massive compound and wide pathways. Even if one were to walk around with an open umbrella to fend off the elements, there’s no need to worry about space constraints and the experience will be every bit as relaxing and enjoyable as it would be in good weather.
Counted among the larger structures on temple premises is the impressive Suirokaku. This water bridge was built from bricks about 100 years ago during the Meiji era (1868 to 1912 C.E.) and stands at a length of 93 meters (about 305 feet) and width of 4 meters (about 13 feet). Its beautiful arched bridge columns are a popular spot for photographs, and many seek shelter beneath them on rainy days.
Another popular structure is the 22 meters (about 72 feet) Sanmon Gate. Visitors can also go on a learning tour of the garden and partition wall art in Hojo, the residence of the chief priest. This is a relaxing place to take it easy and stroll around at your own leisure even on rainy days.
2. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Enjoy clean air in a pristine natural environment
The bamboo forest of Arashiyama is a regular hotspot visited by many for its natural beauty. Surrounded on all sides by countless bamboo stalks between five to 10 meters tall (about 16 to 33 feet), you can’t help but feel like you’re being drawn into a fantasy world with each step you take.
The path that cuts through this forest is about 400 meters (1,312 feet) long and perfect for a refreshing stroll. Or you could also hop onto a rickshaw for a graceful and breezy ride through the scenery instead. Since the tall bamboo stalks blocks out quite a bit of rain and wind, raindrops are unlikely to stump anyone here!
As this is a scenic place that often appears in commercials and drama episodes, it’s usually packed with visitors virtually all hours of the day. To…
