Kyoto is a Top Travel Destination for 2023 — Winter Is an Overlooked Time to Experience It

While many tourists flock to Kyoto in the spring to witness the vibrant pink and white sakura (cherry blossoms), here’s a travel tip: Winter is a notably underrated season to explore Japan’s cultural heart, recently recognized as one of the best travel spots in 2023. Instead of lamenting the cold and shorter days, locals celebrate the beauty of all four seasons and nature’s transformations. “You truly experience tranquility,” shares Reiko Yokota, pastry chef at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, as she reflects on her seasonal afternoon teas. “The chill brings a stillness, and the monochrome black-and-white landscape of our city offers a serene ambiance.”

With fewer tourists around, Kyoto’s iconic sites, from Fushimi Inari Taisha to Kinkaku-ji, become more accessible in winter, providing a deeper experience. If you’re visiting between January and February on a chilly Saturday, don’t miss Kifune-jinja Shrine. Depending on the snowfall, this ancient shrine nestled in the charming village of Kibune will light up cherry-red lanterns that line the rugged stone steps to the main hall, creating a beautifully poetic scene.

Winter is a wonderful opportunity to find solitude by a karesansui, or Japanese dry garden. These carefully crafted arrangements of rocks and sand, seen in many local temples — with the one at Ryōan-ji being the most renowned — are raked to mimic the appearance of flowing water, fostering reflection and soothing the mind.

The chilly season also brings a delightful array of seasonal dishes. Duck and seafood, such as crab and buri (Japanese amberjack), are plentiful, along with root vegetables like the exquisite, snow-white Kyoto turnip. Senmaizuke, a pickle crafted from paper-thin slices of turnip soaked in sweet vinegar with kombu, is a seasonal treat available only in winter. Locals enjoy nabe (hot pot) dishes like oden, fish cakes simmered in a savory soy and dashi broth. Yudofu, a smooth, custardy tofu cooked in water with kombu, is another favored comfort food. Additionally, with fewer crowds in winter, securing reservations at renowned restaurants, including Michelin-starred spots and kaiseki-focused venues like Sen, Lurra° by chef Jacob Kear, and Sushi Wakon, becomes much simpler. Booking a room at one of Kyoto's top hotels is also notably easier.

Another delightful way to experience Kyoto during this season is to immerse yourself in Japanese bathing culture, specifically sentō. These public bathhouses are scattered throughout the city, with popular choices including Funaoka Onsen — established in 1923, featuring beautifully carved wooden ceilings and vibrant tiled walls — Goko-yu Sento, known for its invigorating hot sauna, and Kyoto Tamano-yu. (Be sure to familiarize yourself with sento etiquette before your visit.) For a more private experience, guests of the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto can enjoy a complimentary ofuro (traditional hot bath) and sauna session.

One of Kyoto’s hidden gems might just be its ume (plum) blossoms. Much like sakura, these delicate flowers have a brief lifespan, but their presence in the heart of winter is a delightful sight, showcasing shades of white and purple-pink. They start to bloom in February, offering a gentle yet powerful reminder that each season has its significance.