Kyoto in July (1 Viewer)

Hi everybody,
I'm going to spend the last week of July in Kyoto to attend a conference. It will be my first visit to Japan, so even common birds will be new. Any advice for some decent urban birding?
After the conference I will stay in Japan for three more days, that I'd like to use just for birding (and some sightseeing). Unfortunately, I don't have an international driving license, so I'll have to rely on public transport.
I'd like to look for woddland species (flycatchers, thushes, kingfishers, buntings, pheasants, etc.): should I move northward (karuizawa, nagano, mt. fuji) or, considering the short time available, I'd better stick to the Kyoto sorroundings? Any direction?
For a minute I've also considered the possibility of moving south for more tropical species and the much-dreamed-of fairy pitta. But chances seem too thin, information very scarce, and weather unpredictable. In addition, situation on the gound after the recent thyphoons is not clear to me.
Any advice will be welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Francesco
Italy

Bear in mind that there is a huge heatwave in Japan right now, so birding likely won't be easy unless you find a way to be in shade.

If it helps, I also visited Kyoto in July 2013, also in a heatwave, so this might give you a few ideas about the commoner species: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=262079