Is Kyoto too cold in winter? Not if you know where to go—and where to warm up. Here is your guide to a magical winter trip.
“I heard Kyoto freezes in winter. Is it worth going?”
This is a question I get asked constantly. It is true: Kyoto experiences a phenomenon locals call Soko-bie (bottom cooling), where the cold seems to creep up from the ground. But if you skip Kyoto in winter, you are missing out on its most magical season.
Imagine the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) dusted in white snow. Picture walking through a Zen garden in absolute silence, without the crushing crowds of spring or autumn. Winter offers a rare, serene side of Japan that few tourists get to see.
The secret to enjoying it? Strategy. You need to know the right spots to visit and, crucially, you need a “home base” that warms you to the bone.
- The Quick Verdict: How to Master Winter in Kyoto
- 3 Reasons Why “Winter Kyoto” is a Hidden Gem
- Top 5 Winter Sightseeing Spots
- The Survival Guide: Beating the “Bottom Cool”
- The Hotel Solution: Why “Minn” is Best for Winter
- A Perfect Winter Model Course (The “Cozy” Plan)
- What is an Apartment Hotel?
- Verdict: Warm Up Your Kyoto Trip
The Quick Verdict: How to Master Winter in Kyoto
Source：Minn Official Website
For busy travelers, here is the bottom line. To turn a cold trip into a cozy memory:
- Hunt the Snow: Prioritize spots like Kinkaku-ji or Kifune Shrine which look breathtaking in the snow.
- Upgrade Your Base: Don’t wander the cold streets looking for dinner. Stay at an Apartment Hotel like Minn. With a full kitchen, you can host a traditional Japanese “Hot Pot (Nabe) Party” in your room and warm up in a proper soaking tub.
【Official】Minn Reservations | Experience a “Stay as You Live” Style
(Features: Kitchens for hot pot parties, independent heating, and spacious bathtubs.)
3 Reasons Why “Winter Kyoto” is a Hidden Gem
Spring has cherry blossoms, autumn has maple leaves, but winter has something even better: Atmosphere.
1. The “Snow Makeup” (Yukigesho)
It only snows a few times a year in Kyoto city, but when it does, the temples transform. The contrast between the vermilion Torii gates, the green pines, and the white snow looks like an ink wash painting come to life.
2. True Zen Silence
In peak season, Kyoto is packed. But from mid-December to February, the crowds vanish. You can actually sit on a temple veranda, look at a rock garden, and feel the peacefulness that these places were built for.
3. Crisp Illuminations
The dry, cold winter air makes lights appear sharper and brighter. From the modern LEDs at Kyoto Station to the traditional lanterns at shrines, the city glows at night.
Top 5 Winter Sightseeing Spots
Forget the cold—these views are worth it.
1. Kifune Shrine (Kifune Area)
- The Vibe: A mystical shrine in the mountains north of the city.
- Why Go: It is famous for its stone steps lined with red lanterns. If you are lucky enough to be there on a snowy evening, they hold a special “Snow Light Up” event. It is arguably the most romantic scene in Kyoto.
2. Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion)
- The Vibe: The icon of Kyoto.
- Why Go: Seeing the gold temple capped with white snow reflecting in the pond is a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
- Pro Tip: Go first thing in the morning before the snow melts!
3. Nanzen-ji & Suirokaku (Okazaki Area)
- The Vibe: A massive temple complex with a red brick aqueduct.
- Why Go: The withered winter trees against the retro red bricks create a moody, cinematic atmosphere perfect for photography.
4. Kyoto Station Building
- The Vibe: Modern, futuristic, and—most importantly—indoors.
- Why Go: When you can’t handle the cold anymore, retreat here. The massive Christmas tree (in Dec) and the graphical illuminations on the grand staircase are impressive. Plus, there are endless restaurants.
5. Nishiki Market (Kawaramachi Area)
- The Vibe: “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” A covered arcade street.
- Why Go: It’s covered (no wind!) and full of hot food. Grab a steaming Yuba (tofu skin) croquette or a hot Sake to warm up from the inside out.
The Survival Guide: Beating the “Bottom Cool”
Kyoto’s cold is deceptive. Here is how to dress and plan.
1. The “Sock Strategy” (Crucial!)
In Japan, you must take off your shoes to enter temple halls. The floors are often ancient wood, and they are freezing.
- The Fix: Wear thick wool socks. I recommend bringing an extra pair of “temple socks” in your bag to layer on top. Bring hand warmers (Kairo) too.
2. The “Don’t Go Out for Dinner” Strategy
After walking 20,000 steps in 3°C (37°F) weather, the last thing you want to do is wander around looking for a restaurant.
- The Fix: Plan to eat in. This brings us to the most important part of your trip: your hotel.
The Hotel Solution: Why “Minn” is Best for Winter
Source：Minn Official Website
Standard hotels are just places to sleep. But Apartment Hotels like Minn are places to live. In winter, this makes all the difference.
1. Host a “Nabe” (Hot Pot) Party
Kyoto has incredible winter ingredients like Kyoyasai (local vegetables), tofu, and duck.
- The Minn Experience: Rooms come with kitchens, induction cooktops, and pots.
- The Plan: Visit a Depachika (Department store food basement) near the station. Buy a pre-cut “Nabe Set” and some local Sake.
- The Joy: Go back to your warm room, throw everything in the pot, and feast with your family. It’s cheap, delicious, and incredibly cozy.
2. The “Soaking Tub” Recovery
Japanese bathrooms are designed for soaking, not just washing.
- The Minn Experience: Unlike cramped unit baths in business hotels, most Minn rooms feature separate toilets and bathrooms with spacious tubs.
- The Joy: Buy a Japanese bath salt (Onsen powder), fill the tub with hot water, and melt away the cold. This is essential for recovering energy for the next day.
3. Laundry for Heavy Winter Clothes
Winter travel implies heavy packing—thick sweaters, jeans, thermals.
- The Minn Experience: With an in-room washer/dryer (in most rooms), you can wash your heavy items.
- The Joy: If your socks get wet in the snow, wash and dry them immediately. You can pack lighter and always have warm, dry clothes.
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A Perfect Winter Model Course (The “Cozy” Plan)
Source：Minn Official Website
- 15:00: Check into Minn (near the station/Nijo/Gion). Drop bags.
- 15:30: Head to a Department Store Basement (Depachika). Buy crabs, winter vegetables, and sake.
- 17:00: Visit a temple for Night Illumination. Enjoy the crisp air and lights.
- 18:30: Return to Minn before you get too cold.
- 19:00: Nabe Party! Cook your hot pot in the kitchen. Eat, drink, and laugh in the living room.
- 21:00: Long hot bath to finish the day.
What is an Apartment Hotel?
For those new to the concept: It is a fully licensed facility that combines hotel standards (cleanliness, amenities) with home comforts (Kitchen, Laundry, Living Room).
- Why it wins in winter: You have a warm living space to gather in, rather than being stuck on a bed in a small room.
Verdict: Warm Up Your Kyoto Trip
Source：Minn Official Website
Winter in Kyoto is starkly beautiful, but it requires the right shelter. By choosing Minn, you turn the cold into an excuse for a cozy, private party. Eat hot pot, take long baths, and enjoy the silence of the snow.
Winter dates (especially around New Year’s) fill up fast.