The bustling Kyoto Prefecture is located in the Kansai region of Japan, adored for its historical architecture and richness in traditional Japanese culture for which it brings in tourists every year both Japanese and foreign.   Summertime in Kyoto is renowned for being very hot. We've compiled a list of 3 must-visit locations where you can cool down during the summer heat―each of which have beautiful sights―and how to get to them.  

Explore the Caverns of Shizushi Limestone Cave Park

The only limestone caves in Kyoto Prefecture, Shizushi Limestone Cave Park offers an exciting mix of outdoor activities from cave exploration to camping, bird watching and much more. The caves are a designated national monument of Kyoto Prefecture. Many fossils have been collected from the caves that date back to before the Permian period (which ended 252.2 million years ago) including fusulinida and crinoids. The temperature of the caves sits between 12℃-15℃ throughout the year making it a very popular spot for cooling off during times of hot weather.   ▼Shizushi Limestone Cave Park Address: Shizushi, Kyotamba, Funai District, Kyoto Access: Board a JR bus from Sonobe Station (JR Sagano Line) bound for Enpuku (園福線) and get off at Hinokiyama (桧山). Change onto a Choei (町営) bus. Get off at the Shizushi Limestone Cave entrance (鐘乳洞口) and walk for 5 minutes. Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 Website: http://www.kyotamba.org/質志鐘乳洞公園/    

Beach Swings and Sunsets at Yuhigaura

Yuhigaura sits on the coast of Kyoto's Tango area and is known for its iconic sunsets. Every year during summertime, giant swings made from driftwood and other materials are placed onto the beaches. Sitting on these during the evening sunset make for an incredibly picturesque scene. And this year they're serving an original drink called the "Magic Hour" for a limited time.   ▼Yuhigaura Address, 390 Aminocho Hamazume, Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture Access: Board the Limited Express Hashidate (特急はしだて号) train at Kyoto Station and get off at Yūhigaura-Kitsu-onsen Station (夕日ヶ浦木津温泉) Homepage: http://yuukan.com/news/17/?view_oft=0    

Amanohashidate Sandbar Illuminations

Last year's illuminations at the Amanohashidate sandbar brought in over 30,000 people. The sandbar is one of Japan's three scenic views. The illumination event is held annually with this year's running from July 13 to September 1. The lights turn the sandbar into a truly magical spectacle. A special bar is also open for the light-up where you can get drinks along with several other exciting events surrounding it.   ▼Amanohashidate Light-Up Address: Monju, Miyazu, Kyoto Running: July 13, 2019 - September 1, 2019 Event Details:  https://www.facebook.com/amanohashidate.machiakari/     Stay cool this summer in Kyoto by hitting up one of these tourist hot spots!

A new category added to the Cool Japan Award―which is run by the Cool Japan Association―is "National Park," which was claimed by Mount Maya in Kobe in May this year for its nighttime scenery.   Mount Maya is one of the major peaks of the Rokkō Mountains in Nada, Kobe and stands at a towering 702m high. Located close to the main city of Kobe, those who reach its apex will be able to see many different sights such as Kobe, Osaka, the Kii Peninsula, and Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. Maya is popular not just with tourists and sightseers, but Kobe locals too who visit it with families to eat bento, or those who take their special somebodies to observe the nightscape.   Located on Mount Maya is Tenjō-ji, a temple which the mountain's name has its origins in. This year marks the run of a special event which is held at the temple once every 33 years. Visitors can also go on a guide walk to an abandoned hotel which is normally off limits to the public.   Let's take an in-depth look at all the exciting things one can do at Mount Maya.   Tenjō-ji Temple, Mount MayaThe originator of Mount Maya's name Tenjō-ji can be found wrapped in nature at the peak of Mount Maya in its National Park. Visitors can enjoy all weathers atop the mountain as the seasons change, but if you go on a clear day, you'll be able to observe as far as Awaji Island, Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, and Shōdoshima. The history of this temple―the only one in Japan to have been built by Maya-bunin―dates back to the year 646 when the high priest of India accepted Emperor Kōtoku's request to build it. Maya-bunin, the mother of Buddha, is prayed to as a guardian of safe childbirth and child rearing. This is where Mount Maya gets its name. The door to three hidden Buddhist statues opened once every 33 years Once every 33 years, a door is opened at the palace to reveal three hidden Buddhist idols: the Eleven-Faced Avalokitesvara, Acala, and Vaiśravaṇa. For the duration of its opening this August, Buddhist sermons will be given three times a day (10:30/12:00/14:00), and visitors will be able to obtain an exclusive goshuin stamp.   Running: August 1, 2019 - August 15, 2019Time: 10:00-16:00 (Until 17:00 for this event)   Tour guide walk to Mount Maya's historic ruins~Stroll around and trace the history of Mount Yama~ As well as the temple, Mount Yama formerly bustled with people looking to dine and as well as stay in the accommodation there. After the war and earthquake disasters, a campaign began to restore life to Mount Maya, one part of which is a tour guide walk to the historic ruins. This includes a trip to the former Tenjō-ji temple site as well as the abandoned hotel which is off limits to the general public.   Mount Maya's Nightscape~An internationally recognised landscape~ Mount Maya has been awarded the Cool Japan Award 2019 in the new National Park category for its gorgeous evening view from which one can see Kobe's streets, the port and more.   If you're planning a trip to Kobe be sure to use this article as reference!

A new gift shop called Ginkakudou has opened after undergoing renovations in the area around Ginkaku-ji Temple in Sakyō, Kyoto.   "The Changing Seasons" is the concept of the newly-opened store which will offer lifestyle items to decorate visiting guests' lives. The shop's interior decor takes on a Japanese-modern aesthetic with carefully selected high-quality handmade products from all across Japan chosen to line the shelves.   The store also has its own eating space called Ginkakudou Eatery where they will serve coffee, pastries and fried snacks catered to the current season. Ginkakudou's interior design was conceived by Takuma Inoue, the creative director and an interior designer at y gion. It features grey as its base colour which is plastered with tiles, black mortar, tatami, sheet copper counter tops, oak wood, and various other materials to create a neutral, chic appearance. Its simple design serves to highlight the shop's products, food and drinks.   Be sure to stop by the new Ginkakudou if you're paying a visit to Ginkaku-ji Temple.