Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Kyoto
Japan's former imperial capital, with thousands of temples and shrines, preserved geisha districts, and some of the country's most photographed gardens. It was largely spared bombing in WWII, so much of its historic architecture survives intact.
Best time to visit: March to April for cherry blossoms or November for autumn foliage — both are peak season, so book well ahead.
Local tip: Visit the most famous sites (Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji) at opening time — both get extremely crowded by mid-morning.
Getting around: Kyoto's sights are spread across the city, so a combination of buses, trains, and taxis usually works better than trying to walk between districts.
Good to know: Photographing geisha or maiko without permission, especially in Gion's private lanes, is discouraged and increasingly restricted — always ask first or photograph from public streets.
What to plan your trip around
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
Famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates climbing the hillside behind the shrine.
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, reflected in its surrounding pond.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A towering bamboo forest path on the city's western edge.
- Gion District
Kyoto's famous geisha district, with preserved wooden machiya houses and teahouses.
Kyoto weather by month
Kyoto weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Kyoto gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | -1°C | 91 mm | 84% |
| February | 7°C | -1°C | 85 mm | 82% |
| March | 12°C | 2°C | 104 mm | 80% |
| April | 17°C | 6°C | 129 mm | 79% |
| May | 22°C | 12°C | 132 mm | 79% |
| June | 25°C | 17°C | 193 mm | 84% |
| July | 29°C | 22°C | 226 mm | 85% |
| August | 30°C | 23°C | 163 mm | 84% |
| September | 26°C | 19°C | 227 mm | 84% |
| October | 21°C | 12°C | 174 mm | 83% |
| November | 15°C | 7°C | 85 mm | 84% |
| December | 9°C | 1°C | 106 mm | 84% |
Kyoto through the year
January · 6° / -1°C · 91 mm
- Mornings start cold: the average low is -1°C, and frost is common.
- Check the hourly forecast before heading to Fushimi Inari Shrine — showers are likely.
April · 17° / 6°C · 129 mm
- April brings mid-spring to Kyoto.
- Kyoto is usually about 2°C warmer than Fukui, 120 km away, in April.
July · 29° / 22°C · 226 mm
- Only one month is warmer in Kyoto than July.
- Humidity near 85% makes 29°C feel stickier than it sounds.
October · 21° / 12°C · 174 mm
- Kyoto is usually about 2°C cooler than Kobe, 60 km away, in October.
- Temperatures are falling — expect highs around 6°C lower by November.
The best time to visit Kyoto is April, May and November, when average highs are 15–22°C and rainfall is around 115 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Kyoto, season by season
December – February
Cold7° / 0°C · 94 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Best time17° / 7°C · 122 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
June – August
Rainy28° / 20°C · 194 mm
The wettest part of the year. Showers are likely, so pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Kyoto in April, May and November. Average highs are then 15–22°C.
- Why is April a good time to visit Kyoto?
- In April, Kyoto averages 17°C by day and 6°C at night, with about 129 mm of rain and 67% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Kyoto?
- August is the warmest month in Kyoto, with average highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C.
- What is the coldest month in Kyoto?
- January is the coldest month in Kyoto: average highs of 6°C, dropping to -1°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Kyoto?
- September is the wettest month in Kyoto with about 227 mm of rain. The driest is February, with around 85 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Kyoto?
- January is the least pleasant month in Kyoto, with average highs of just 6°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- How can I check the weather in Kyoto before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Kyoto from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Kyoto. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/japan/kyoto
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