Scorching Heat

　As Kyoto is situated in a basin, summers are sweltering and winters are bitterly cold.

　Today, the temperature reached 37 degrees, with humidity at over 80 per cent. It’s not just sweltering—it’s almost suffocating. We had originally planned to preserve the traditional machiya section of our guesthouse, but given this current heatwave, it was definitely the right decision to carry out a full renovation.

　The Yamahoko Parade took place amidst this intense heat. I hear as many as 25 people were taken to hospital by ambulance with heatstroke.

　I worked in Osaka as guide, and it was just as sweltering there. Although there were fewer people than usual at Osaka Castle, it was simply an unbearably hot day.