Beautiful winter scenery in Kyoto Japan for spa vacationers

Fly to Japan for a cure? Why not. The local climate and the infrastructure that is available there are ideal for this. The Japanese Tourist Association has been trying to attract spa vacationers for several years. They are not only offered a climatically perfect holiday full of relaxation and recreation with appropriate spa programs, but also – especially if you go to Kyoto – winter scenery that is beautiful. Of course, you have to choose the right time of year.

Location of the city

The city, a historically and culturally significant city of Japan, is located in the southwest of the Japanese main island of Honshu, more precisely in the metropolitan area of ​​Kansai. The Japanese characters used to represent the city’s name means “Imperial Residence”. After all, the city was the seat of the imperial court from 794 to 1864 and is still important today as the administrative seat of the prefecture of the same name. The city is around 400 kilometers southwest of the current capital, more precisely in the mid-west of the main island of Honshu and around ten kilometers southwest of Lake Biwa.

Climate

Due to its location in the south of the island state, an open valley basin opens up near the city, where the sultry air accumulates – in summer. From a climatic point of view, a special feature is that the winter months in the north of the city are considerably colder than in other cities. The reason for this are the mountains, which are up to over 1000 meters high, which ultimately ensure that the spa holidaymakers are also offered the wonderful winter scenery. Due to the mountains, which are up to more than 1000 meters high, the city is also better protected from typhoons and hardly endangered by flood events. The climate in the city is generally classified as warm and temperate. The city is hit by significant amounts of precipitation. Even in the driest months, the city has high rainfall. In winter, precipitation comes as snow that has fallen to the ground. A bit of winter sports is possible in Kyoto.

Hot springs

Ultimately, what makes this city in Japan a hotspot for spa vacationers is not only the beautiful winter scenery, but also the hot springs. To do that, however, you have to leave the hotel’s oasis of well-being and embark on a drive and then a hike to the famous hot spring site of Arima Onsen. There it is possible to explore several hot springs (Onsen). In addition, there are shrines, parks and cultural attractions here. From Kyoto you can drive to this place by rental car. Once there after a short drive, you take off your shoes at the entrance door, as you should, and put them in one of the free lockers on site. Photography is prohibited. The combination ticket can be bought from a machine. This card also entitles you to enter another onsen. Entrance doors to the baths are color coded – men blue and women red. So there is gender segregation in the hot springs. You only enter the onsen with a bath towel and your hair pinned up – if you wear it long. Only after washing may the bath with the hot springs be entered. The hot springs help with back pain, muscle problems, blood diseases, allergies, skin inflammation and dry skin.