Enjoy a summer dinner in Kyoto with the fantastic floating lanterns

Kyoto is an ancient capital that represents the Japanese summer. As the intense heat eases and the cool breeze begins to blow from dusk to night, the city begins to take on a special look. One of the fantastic scenes that adds color to summer nights is the "Nagashi Lantern Festival."

A world of countless lights swaying on the river surface. Take in this beautiful sight and quietly enjoy a summer dinner in Kyoto. In this article, we introduce the special experience of floating lanterns and exquisite Kyoto cuisine, allowing you to fully enjoy a summer night in Kyoto.

This summer, take a special night trip that will engage all five senses, something you can only experience in Kyoto.

Kyoto's "Floating Lanterns" will take you into a fantasy world

Floating lanterns is a traditional Japanese event held during the Obon period to commemorate the spirits of ancestors and send them off to the Pure Land. Small lanterns made of bamboo and washi paper are lit and floated down the river, with words of remembrance and wishes written on them. This custom is practiced all over Japan, but the beautiful scenery in the ancient capital of Kyoto is exceptional.

Particularly famous is the floating lantern festival held on the Oi River in Arashiyama. Thousands of lanterns are gently floated down the Togetsukyo Bridge, reflected on the river's surface. The flickering lights are breathtakingly beautiful, like the Milky Way. Gazing at the golden light gently flowing in the silence, far from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area, you will feel a sense of calm, as if your soul is being cleansed. This fleeting yet beautiful sight is more than just a festival; it is a valuable cultural experience that allows you to feel the Japanese view of life and death and their reverence for nature.

Enjoy a summer dinner in Kyoto after the floating lantern festival

After experiencing the fantastical floating lanterns, let's savor the afterglow and enjoy a summer dinner unique to Kyoto. Kyoto cuisine places great importance on the sense of the seasons. We will introduce a variety of refreshing and elegant dishes that are perfect for a summer night.

Cool off on the Kamo River's Kawayuka

A typical summer sight in Kyoto is the Kawayuka (riverside dining). The restaurants and eateries along the Kamo River jut out over the river, allowing you to enjoy your meal while feeling the cool river breeze. After the lively floating of lanterns, a leisurely meal on this Kawayuka will help you cool down both body and mind.

Listening to the murmuring of the river while enjoying Kyoto cuisine is a truly special experience. Under the night sky, the lights of the illuminated riverbed reflect off the water, creating a romantic atmosphere.

Enjoy the summer Kyoto cuisine of "Hamo"

Conger eel is a representative summer food in Kyoto. It is a fish with many small bones, but when a skilled chef carefully removes the bones with a knife, it is given a unique fluffy texture.

Dishes like "Hamo no Yubiki" (simmered conger eel served with pickled plum) and "Hamo no Otoshi" (conger eel served in a clear soup) have a light yet elegant flavor that fills your mouth. Conger eel is a refreshing treat for the people of Kyoto, especially during the summer when appetites tend to decrease due to the heat.

"Obanzai" - Enjoy seasonal vegetables

If you want to enjoy the flavors of Kyoto in a more casual setting, rather than just visiting a special restaurant, we recommend Obanzai. Obanzai are side dishes that have been passed down through generations in Kyoto households, and are known for their gentle flavors made with seasonal vegetables.

Each dish is carefully prepared, including simmered eggplant and Manganji peppers, Kamo eggplant dengaku, and Kyoto pickles. Depending on the restaurant, you can choose your favorite obanzai dishes from the counter and eat them little by little. These are home-cooked dishes that will gently warm your body in the summer.

Eel: A nutritious summer delicacy

There is a Japanese custom called "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" (Day of the Ox), which is a day to build up stamina and survive the summer heat. Eel has been popular throughout Japan as a nutritious summer food. The grilled eel served at Kyoto's traditional restaurants and specialty shops is an appetizing combination of plump grilled meat and a secret sauce that has been passed down for generations. The fragrant aroma and rich flavor will energize and refresh your body after a day of walking along the lantern floats.

Finish with some cool Kyoto sweets

A cool Kyoto sweet is the perfect way to end a summer evening. You can enjoy sweet treats unique to Kyoto, such as shaved ice, parfaits, warabi mochi, and matcha ice cream, all made with luxurious high-quality Uji matcha. An after-dinner dessert will make the end of your day even more special.

A special one-day plan for exploring Kyoto's summer nights

Here we will introduce a model plan for making the most of your trip to Kyoto, including the lantern floating and dinner!

【evening】

First, head to Arashiyama. Stroll along Togetsukyo Bridge, feel the cool breeze on the bamboo forest path, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before the lantern floating ceremony begins.

【night】

After dark, it's time to head to the Oi River for the lantern floating ceremony. It's crowded with people, but the fantastical spectacle is worth seeing.

[Dinner]

While basking in the afterglow of the floating lanterns, enjoy dinner at an obanzai restaurant or on a riverside terrace along the Kamo River. Slowly savor the flavors of Kyoto's summer.

[Late at night]

While soaking in the afterglow of the floating lanterns, enjoy matcha sweets at cafes and sweet shops, and make the most of the cool Kyoto night to the very end.

A fantastic experience that will become a special memory

Kyoto's floating lanterns and summer dinner are special experiences that allow you to experience traditional Japanese culture, feel the seasons through food, and face the quiet passage of time.

Just as each floating lantern on the river is imbued with the thoughts of its people, the summer flavors of Kyoto are packed with the skills of artisans and the bounty of the land. Be sure to visit Kyoto this summer, and this magical experience will become a special memory that will be etched deep in your heart.