When to go to Kyoto?
Kyoto rewards early starts. The vermilion torii of Fushimi Inari climb the hillside best before the queues form, the Golden Pavilion doubles itself in its pond, and the Arashiyama bamboo path is at its finest in low light. In the evening, Gion's wooden machiya and lantern-lit lanes keep the older city going, tea houses, geiko engagements and all.
Book your activities
The best time to go
For the best weather in Kyoto, aim for August to September.
See also: Where to go in August? · Where to go in September?
Month-by-month weather in Kyoto
| Month | ☀️ h/day | 🌧️ mm | 🌡️ °C | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.4 | 48 | 3 | 61 |
| February | 6.8 | 71 | 4 | 55 |
| March | 7.9 | 136 | 8 | 54 |
| April | 7.9 | 165 | 14 | 53 |
| May | 9.1 | 199 | 17 | 56 |
| June | 8.5 | 260 | 22 | 50 |
| July | 9.8 | 232 | 27 | 61 |
| August | 10.4 | 180 | 28 | 68 |
| September | 9.6 | 132 | 25 | 68 |
| October | 8.0 | 115 | 17 | 61 |
| November | 7.7 | 111 | 12 | 58 |
| December | 7.8 | 31 | 5 | 64 |
Estimated from 3 years of data. The score (0–100) combines sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and temperature.
The climate in brief
In Kyoto, the sunniest month is August, and the driest is December (about 31 mm). Temperatures peak in August (about 28°C). Over the year, an average of 1,679 mm of rain falls, and 2 months in 12 offer ideal weather for a trip.
What to do in Kyoto?
- Fushimi Inari-taisha (vermilion torii)
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Arashiyama and bamboo grove
- Gion district
Practical info
- Country: Japan
- Airport: Osaka Kansai (KIX)
- Station: Kyoto
Destinations near Kyoto
Browse by destination
Got a city in mind? Its own page has the answer: when to go, month-by-month weather and what to do there. See all destinations →