Minazuki — Gracefully Preparing for a Kyoto Summer

Under the strong summer sun, Kyoto's stone-paved streets are beginning to hold onto a gentle warmth.
Fresh green maple leaves shimmer in the sunlight, while the sound of wind chimes offers a hint of coolness.

With clear skies breaking through the rainy season, summer's presence is drawing steadily closer.
At the end of June comes "Nagoshi no Harae," a purification ritual still carefully observed today, where people pass through a large ring of woven grass to pray for health and protection from illness. The traditional sweet enjoyed during this season, "Minazuki," is a triangular confection made of white uiro topped with sweet azuki beans. The azuki symbolizes protection from misfortune, while the triangular shape represents ice — together forming a beloved charm to help ward off the summer heat.

A way of living in Kyoto that honors nature's gifts, gently balancing both body and mind.
Inspired by that same sense of beauty, KOTOSHINA offers care that moves in step with the seasons.
During this season, when humidity and shifting temperatures can easily throw skin off balance, we recommend skincare that feels light and easy, yet delivers real hydration. And if cold sensitivity or puffiness are on your mind, try our gently toasty Organic Azuki Tea, or our clean, clear Cold-Brew Gyokuro.
Small daily habits that care for you from both inside and out can help make summer feel a little more comfortable.

This summer, we're introducing a wide range of items designed to gently support you through the season's shifts —
including "beautiful things to balance skin and spirit," curated by Chiaki Yoshikawa, a leading figure in holistic beauty.
Minazuki, a month of water and abundance, marks a quiet, cool threshold into summer.
We hope you'll enjoy a moment of gentle care for both skin and spirit, with a touch of Kyoto's seasonal charm.

KOTOSHINA Signature Item "Utsukushii Mono," Curated by Beauty Expert Chiaki Yoshikawa
For more details, please see here