Best time to visit Kyoto
The best months to visit Kyoto are October, May and April, based on month-by-month temperature and rainfall data. The full year of weather, daylight, holidays, and festival timing is below.
October, May and April score best for Kyoto weather:
- April20° / 9°CApril is peak blossom month, so start Kiyomizu-dera, Philosopher Path, and Arashiyama before breakfast.
- May25° / 15°CMay is warm and green, good for bicycles, Kamo River evenings, and northern temples before humidity rises.
- October23° / 14°COctober is comfortable before the autumn peak, strong for cycling the Kamo River and northern temple loops.
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By TripSapien Research · Updated May 20, 2026
Kyoto weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain (mm) | Rainy days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9° | 2° | 55 | 8 | 10h |
| February | 10° | 2° | 65 | 9 | 11h |
| March | 14° | 4° | 105 | 11 | 12h |
| AprilBest weather | 20° | 9° | 115 | 11 | 13h |
| MayBest weather | 25° | 15° | 150 | 11 | 14h |
| June | 28° | 19° | 200 | 13 | 14h |
| July | 32° | 24° | 225 | 13 | 14h |
| August | 34° | 25° | 155 | 9 | 13h |
| September | 29° | 21° | 180 | 11 | 12h |
| OctoberBest weather | 23° | 14° | 145 | 9 | 11h |
| November | 17° | 8° | 75 | 7 | 10h |
| December | 12° | 4° | 55 | 8 | 10h |
Temperatures in °C. Long-term monthly averages.
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Kyoto month by month
January
Kyoto in January: 9.1°C high, 1.5°C low, 55mm rain over 8 days, 9.9h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
February
Kyoto in February: 10°C high, 1.6°C low, 65mm rain over 9 days, 10.7h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Setsubun · Blossom viewing
March
Kyoto in March: 14.1°C high, 4.3°C low, 105mm rain over 11 days, 11.7h daylight. Mild but rainy — flexible plans pay off.
AprilBest weather
Kyoto in April: 20.1°C high, 9.2°C low, 115mm rain over 11 days, 12.9h daylight. Mild but rainy — flexible plans pay off.
Cherry Blossom Season
MayBest weather
Kyoto in May: 25.1°C high, 14.5°C low, 150mm rain over 11 days, 13.8h daylight. Mild but rainy — flexible plans pay off.
Aoi Matsuri
June
Kyoto in June: 28.1°C high, 19.2°C low, 200mm rain over 13 days, 14.3h daylight. Hot and rainy — afternoon storms, plan indoor afternoons.
July
Kyoto in July: 32°C high, 23.6°C low, 225mm rain over 13 days, 14.1h daylight. Hot and rainy — afternoon storms, plan indoor afternoons.
Gion Matsuri
August
Kyoto in August: 33.7°C high, 24.7°C low, 155mm rain over 9 days, 13.3h daylight. Hot and rainy — afternoon storms, plan indoor afternoons.
Daimonji Gozan Okuribi
September
Kyoto in September: 29.2°C high, 20.7°C low, 180mm rain over 11 days, 12.2h daylight. Hot and rainy — afternoon storms, plan indoor afternoons.
OctoberBest weather
Kyoto in October: 23.4°C high, 14.4°C low, 145mm rain over 9 days, 11.1h daylight. Mild but rainy — flexible plans pay off.
Jidai Matsuri
November
Kyoto in November: 17.3°C high, 8.4°C low, 75mm rain over 7 days, 10.1h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
December
Kyoto in December: 11.6°C high, 3.5°C low, 55mm rain over 8 days, 9.7h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
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