What to do in Kyoto when it rains
Kyoto has plenty under cover when the skies open — historic interiors, art collections, sheltered markets and cafés made for a slow afternoon.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art 124 Okazaki Enshōjichō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8344, Japan
- Kyoto Railway Museum Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835, Japan
- Kyoto National Museum 527 Chayachō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0931, Japan
- teamLab Biovortex Kyoto 21-5 Higashikujō Higashiiwamotochō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8006, Japan
- SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto 109 Horinouechō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8117, Japan
- The Museum of Kyoto 623-1 Higashikatamachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8183, Japan
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Miyako Messe (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall) 9-1 Okazaki Seishōjichō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8343, Japan
- Hotel Kanra Kyoto 190 Kitamachi, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8176, Japan
- Micasadeco & Cafe Kyoto 480 Umeyachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8057, Japan
- COCON KARASUMA 620 Suiginyachō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8411, Japan
- BnA Alter Museum 267-1 Tenmachō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8024, Japan
- KYOTO TSUTAYA BOOKS Japan, 〒600-8002 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Otabichō, 二丁目３５ 京都髙島屋Ｓ.Ｃ. Ｔ８ ５・６階
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Nijō Castle 541 Nijōjōchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan
- Ninenzaka Japan, 〒605-0826 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Masuyachō, 清水2丁目３６３−１２
- Sannenzaka 2-chōme-211 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
- Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no Michi), North End Shishigatani Teranomaecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8426, Japan
- Kyoto Imperial Palace 内 Kyōtogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0811, Japan
- Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881, Japan
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Nishiki Market Higashiuoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
- Don Quijote - Kyoto Avanti 31 Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8003, Japan
- Market Garden KOHYO AEON MALL KYOTO Store 1番地11250 Nishikujō Toriiguchichō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8417, Japan
- Fresco - Gojo Nishinotoin 33-1 Bishamonchō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8311, Japan
- Fresco - Gojō 150 Manjūjichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8104, Japan
- GOOD NATURE STATION 318番6 Inarichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8022, Japan
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Starbucks Coffee - Kyoto Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya 349 Masuyachō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan
- Kawaramachi OPA 385番地 Komeyachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8505, Japan
- Kyoto International Manga Museum 452 Kinbukichō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0846, Japan
- Hotel Granvia Kyoto JR京都駅 Central Entrance, Higashishiokōjichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
- TOHO Cinemas Nijō Japan, 〒604-8415 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nishinokyō Toganoochō, １０７ BiVi二条 4F
- Kyoto Brighton Hotel 330 Shiteichō, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8071, Japan
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- AEON MALL KYOTO 1 Nishikujō Toriiguchichō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8417, Japan
- AEON MALL Kyoto Gojo 25-1 Saiinoiwakechō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 615-0035, Japan
- Kyoto Avanti 31 Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8003, Japan
- Kawaramachi OPA 385番地 Komeyachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8505, Japan
- Kyoto BAL 251 Yamazakichō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8032, Japan
- ShinPuhKan 586-2 Banochō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8172, Japan
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.