Rain in Kyoto can take the walk and the views you had planned off the table. Shorten the distances and build the day around indoor experiences, though, and you get a calmer date than a clear day would have given you.
A rainy-day date for adults is not only about staying dry. The point is choosing places where the two of you can share a conversation or an experience.
Three conditions that keep a rainy-day date on track
First, it should be close to a station or to where you are eating. Somewhere you reach without a long walk spares your clothes and shoes. Second, it should take timed bookings, because indoor venues fill up quickly when it rains.
Third, conversation should come naturally. Places you only look at have their appeal, but an experience you take part in together, a game or making something, makes it much easier to shake off the disappointment of a changed plan.
Culture by day, an experience by night
During the day, combining a museum, a traditional craft experience and a café keeps your time in the rain to a minimum. Rather than packing in venues, stay within one area.
In the evening, adding one indoor activity rather than ending with dinner gives the date some shape. Something you can join for a short time, like simulation golf, is easy to fit in after a meal.
Simulation golf, played by two
Unlike an outdoor course, simulation golf is unaffected by rain or temperature. Even without any golf experience, you can pick something simple such as hitting targets or playing a short hole.
When only one of you has played before, the trick is to choose a game where you can celebrate a good shot together, rather than coaching the other on their form. A booth where you can sit between shots with a drink keeps the pace unhurried.
What to wear and carry in the rain
Layers you can take off easily help with the gap between the temperature outside and inside. For an activity-based date, check whether there is somewhere to leave a wet umbrella and coat.
If you are playing golf, shoes that grip and let you move are best. Arriving in heels or leather shoes is fine at a venue with rental shoes, and it means you do not have to change your plans.
Leave slack in the bookings and the travel
Roads and public transport are busier than usual in the rain, and journeys take longer. Do not schedule bookings back to back; leave room to absorb a delay in a café.
If the evening runs late, think about the distance to the station and whether you will take a taxi. Sharing a map along with the booking confirmation also saves you hunting for an entrance in the rain.
An evening date in Gion, rain or not
Gion Country Club is an indoor golf and bar lounge three minutes' walk from Gion-Shijo Station. Clubs, gloves and shoes are provided free of charge, so even a last-minute change of plan on a wet day can be met empty-handed.
There are semi-private booths, a fully private VIP room, and plans that include free-flow drinks. Choose according to the time you have after dinner and how the two of you like to spend an evening.
Frequently asked questions
Should a rainy-day date in Kyoto be booked?
Indoor venues get busy in wet weather, so booking ahead is advisable when your timings are fixed.
Can simulation golf be played on a rainy day?
It is indoors, so the weather makes no difference. Follow the venue's guidance so that wet shoes do not slip.
Can a couple with no golf experience enjoy it?
With target games or a short hole, it is easy to enjoy with no experience at all.
