When to go · Kyoto
Kyoto, month by month
The best months for Kyoto: May, Oct. Months to avoid: Aug.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodCold, clear, fewer people (after Jan 3).9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGoodCold; quiet precincts.10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGoodLate March crowds build with blossom.14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 11 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodBlossom peak: book beds months ahead; be out by 07:00.Blossom peak: book beds months ahead; be out by 7:00 AM.20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatAvoid Golden Week (late Apr–early May).25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneMixedRainy season; plan indoor bailouts.28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 13 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyMixedHeat + Gion Matsuri crowds.32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustAvoidExtreme heat; Obon rail peak.34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberMixedHeat lingers; typhoon risk.29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 11 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGreatComfortable walking weather.23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGoodAutumn-leaf peak; mornings only in Higashiyama/Arashiyama.17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberGoodCold; many closures Dec 29–Jan 3.12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kyoto, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Oct: Great
Daytime high
May: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Oct: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Night low
May: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Oct: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Rain days
May: 10
Oct: 9 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Oct: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Oct: Medium
Room prices
May: Normal
Oct: Normal
Festivals listed
May: 2
Oct: 1
May: Avoid Golden Week (late Apr–early May).
October: Comfortable walking weather.
Kyoto: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.