Have You Heard of “Minazuki,” Kyoto’s Summer Sweet?

June in Kyoto is hot and humid, as the rainy season begins.☔️.

But during this muggy time of year, there’s a traditional sweet I always look forward to.💓

It’s called Minazuki (水無月)!

This is one of Kyoto’s beloved summer sweets. Have you ever heard of it?

Minazuki is a triangular-shaped Japanese sweet made of soft white uiro (rice cake) topped with plenty of sweet red beans.

Interestingly, its triangle shape represents ice.🧊

In ancient time of Japan, eating real ice in the summer was a luxury so it is for only the wealthy people who could afford.

So, people began eating sweets shaped like ice instead, as a way to cool off in their heart.

Red beans, or azuki, were also believed to have the power to ward off evil.

That’s why Minazuki is traditionally eaten on June 30th, during the ritual of Nagoshi no Harae, which is a ceremony to cleanse away the bad luck of the first half of the year.

By eating Minazuki, people would pray for good health and good fortune for the remaining half.

This tradition dates all the way back to the Muromachi period (1336–1573), so it has deep historical roots.

Every June, I go get Minazuki, and eat it with my family.

It’s not overly sweet, and the chewy texture is really addictive.

I love enjoying it with a warm cup of tea—it’s a moment of quiet happiness

.These days, you can find creative versions too, like matcha flavour, brown sugar, or even fruit-filled varieties. They’re colourful and fun to try☺️

Summer in Kyoto is famously intense—some even say, “Kyoto’s summer feels like a sauna..”

That’s because the city is located in a basin, so it gets especially hot and humid.

But despite the heat, Kyoto people have found ways to enjoy the season.

One is through sweets like Minazuki, and another is a unique dining experience called Kawadoko (川床).

Kawadoko is a special summertime tradition where restaurants set up dining platforms right over or beside a river.

You can eat while listening to the sound of flowing water and feeling the cool breeze.

Along the Kamo River in central Kyoto, you’ll find casual cafes and restaurants offering kawadoko seating with city views.

Meanwhile, in Kibune—a mountain area north of Kyoto—the kawadoko experience is even more refreshing.

The air is cooler, the scenery more serene, and the sound of the river is truly comfort.

Kamo River

Kibune

Kyoto’s summers may be hot, but traditions like Minazuki and Kawadoko show how people have embraced the season with creativity.

If you ever visit Kyoto in summer, why not try a slice of Minazuki and enjoy a meal by the river?

You just might find yourself thinking, “Hey, summer in Kyoto isn’t so bad after all.”😁

Manae