Kyoto events & things to do in November 2026
Start with Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Gyoen, Nijō Castle, plus Nishiki Market. November in Kyoto averages 17°C / 63°F highs, 8°C / 47°F nights, and about 7 rainy days.
Expect 17°C/63°F days and about 7 rainy ones in November. Start with these:
- Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Gyoen★ 4.5 · 9.7k reviewsThe Imperial Palace stands inside Kyoto Gyoen, the large central park that preserves the court-era layout before the 1868 move to Tokyo.
- Nijō Castle★ 4.4 · 41.8k reviewsNijō Castle was a Tokugawa shogun residence in central Kyoto and is part of the UNESCO group.
- Art Collaboration Kyoto 2026Nov 6 – Nov 9Kyōto · Source: festival calendar
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Kyoto in November 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
63°F / 47°F
17.3°C / 8.4°C
RainPrecipitation
7d
3in · 75mm
LightDaylight
10.1h
November brings autumn color, so book early and use dawn starts for Tofuku-ji, Arashiyama, and Kiyomizu-dera.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Nov 3
Kyoto Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
A historic parade celebrating Kyoto's rich history, featuring participants dressed in authentic costumes from various periods of Japanese history.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 7 – Nov 8
Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2026
A major event showcasing manga and anime culture with exhibitions, guest appearances, and merchandise sales.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 14 – Nov 15
Arashiyama Momiji Festival
Celebration of autumn foliage in the scenic Arashiyama area, including traditional music performances and boat rides on the Hozu River.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Show all 5 events for November
- Nov 14 – Nov 30
Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illumination
Evening illumination of Kiyomizu-dera Temple highlighting the vibrant autumn leaves.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 21
To-ji Temple Kobo-san Market
Monthly flea market held at To-ji Temple, offering antiques, crafts, food, and local goods.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Nov 3Culture DayPublic holiday
- Nov 23Labor Thanksgiving DayPublic holiday
- Oct 31-Nov 3Long weekend with bridge day
- Nov 21-Nov 23Long weekend
About Kyoto
City overview
Kyoto sits in a mountain basin in Kansai, with the Kamo River, Higashiyama slopes, Arashiyama hills, and an 794 grid plan shaping temple routes across the former imperial capital. Gion and Higashiyama carry the geisha lanes and hillside temples, Arashiyama holds river-and-bamboo scenery, and Central Kyoto links Kyoto Station, Nijō Castle, Nishiki Market, and the Imperial Palace.
Food & drink
Kyoto food is seasonal and temple-adjacent: kaiseki sequences small courses around season and vessel, shojin ryori is Buddhist vegetarian temple cooking, yudofu near Nanzen-ji turns simmered tofu into the main event, and yuba brings tofu skin into soups and set meals. Nishiki Market, Pontocho, Kiyamachi, Kyoto Station ramen floors, Gion restaurants, Fushimi sake streets, and Uji stops add hamo, matcha sweets, yatsuhashi, and sake tastings.
Top sights
Ranked for November suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Nishiki Market
- 2Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryū-ji
- 3Sanjūsangen-do
- 4Kiyomizu-dera
- 5Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 6Kinkaku-ji
- 7Ginkaku-ji and the Philosopher Path
- 8Ryōan-ji
1Nishiki Market
4.3★ · 51,748outdoorNishiki Market runs through downtown Kyoto with pickle shops, seafood counters, tea sweets, yuba, knives, and snack stalls. It connects naturally with Teramachi, Shinkyogoku, and Kawaramachi shopping streets.
Wikipedia
2Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryū-ji
4.3★ · 22,464outdoorOpen dailyArashiyama pairs the famous bamboo path with Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge, and the Katsura River below wooded hills. JR Saga-Arashiyama, Randen trams, and Hankyu Arashiyama all reach the district.
3Sanjūsangen-do
4.7★ · 16,859indoorOpen dailyThe long temple hall near Shichijo holds 1,001 images of Kannon in a single dramatic interior. It works well with Kyoto National Museum and routes between Kyoto Station and Higashiyama.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Kiyomizu-dera
- 5Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 6Kinkaku-ji
Neighborhoods
1Gion and Higashiyama
Gion and Higashiyama are Kyoto lanes and slopes, with Hanami-koji, Yasaka Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, teahouses, and heavy evening foot traffic.
2Downtown Kyoto and Nishiki
Downtown centers on Shijo-Kawaramachi, Nishiki Market, Teramachi, Shinkyogoku, Pontocho, Kiyamachi, and the Kamo River dining terraces.
3Arashiyama and Sagano
Arashiyama and Sagano feel greener and slower, with bamboo groves, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge, riverboats, monkey park climbs, and temple lanes.
Day trips
45km / about 45-60min by JR Nara Line or Kintetsu from Kyoto
Nara
Nara adds Tōdai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park deer, and an older-capital frame. It is the most efficient temple-and-history day from Kyoto.
17km / about 20-30min by JR Nara Line from Kyoto station
Uji
Uji is known for matcha and Byodo-in, with the Nintendo Museum also in the area. The riverfront makes it a light half-day rather than a full-city transfer.
12km / about 10min by JR train from Kyoto to Otsu
Lake Biwa and Ōtsu
Otsu and Lake Biwa give water views, temples, and summer beaches beyond the Kyoto basin. Mount Hiei routes connect the lake side with Buddhist history above the city.
Getting around
Use ICOCA on JR, Keihan, Hankyu, Kyoto Subway, city buses, Randen, and most regional rail; Kyoto Station, Shijo-Kawaramachi, Sanjō Keihan, and Kitaoji are the useful transfer points. Buses reach Kinkaku-ji and many northwestern temples, Keihan is best for Gion-Fushimi Inari, Hankyu helps Arashiyama, and bicycles work well in the central grid outside peak crowds.
Planning a Kyoto trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in November.
Common questions about Kyoto in November
- What to pack for Kyoto in November
Pack for November's weather, not a generic Kyoto checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 17°C / 63°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 8°C / 47°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 7 days.
- How many days do you need in Kyoto
- 4 days covers the main Kyoto highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Kyoto worth visiting in November
- Yes. November in Kyoto averages 17°C / 63°F highs, 8°C / 47°F nights, and about 7 rainy days.
Ready to plan Kyoto?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Kyoto plan for November 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.