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Kyoto weather by month: temperature, rain and what to wear

Kyoto's average high runs from 9.1°C (48°F) in January to 33.7°C (93°F) in August (JMA, 1991–2020). The wettest month is July (223.6 mm) and the driest is January (53.3 mm).

Updated

33.7°CAugust
9.1°CJanuary
1,523 mmprecipitation

Kyoto weather month by month

Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Kyoto station (41 m above sea level). Each month links to its own page.

Kyoto by month: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
MonthHighLowPrecipitationWet daysSunshine
January9.1°C1.5°C53.3 mm6.4 days124 hours
February10.0°C1.6°C65.1 mm7.3 days122 hours
March14.1°C4.3°C106.2 mm9.5 days155 hours
April20.1°C9.2°C117.0 mm9.4 days177 hours
May25.1°C14.5°C151.4 mm9.7 days182 hours
June28.1°C19.2°C199.7 mm11.5 days133 hours
July32.0°C23.6°C223.6 mm11.6 days143 hours
August33.7°C24.7°C153.8 mm8.3 days183 hours
September29.2°C20.7°C178.5 mm9.8 days143 hours
October23.4°C14.4°C143.2 mm8.2 days156 hours
November17.3°C8.4°C73.9 mm6.3 days141 hours
December11.6°C3.5°C57.3 mm6.6 days134 hours

Average high in Kyoto, month by month (°C)

Jan9.1°C
Feb10.0°C
Mar14.1°C
Apr20.1°C
May25.1°C
Jun28.1°C
Jul32.0°C
Aug33.7°C
Sep29.2°C
Oct23.4°C
Nov17.3°C
Dec11.6°C
Kiyomizu-dera Temple's red bell tower and Nio-mon gate in Kyoto
Photo: Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture; September 2008 (02).jpg by RomanKetchup (CC BY 2.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

When to go to Kyoto, by the numbers

  • Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: April, October and November.
  • Fewest wet days: November (6.3 days).
  • Quietest hotels in 2025 (Kyoto Prefecture): January (52.8%), February (56.1%) and July (61.9%).
  • Busiest hotels in 2025 (Kyoto Prefecture): October (76.8%), November (74.3%) and April (73.9%).
  • Plum blossom: around 22 February on average.
  • Cherry blossom: around 26 March on average.
  • Hydrangea: around 13 June on average.
  • Autumn leaves (maple): around 5 December on average.
  • Ginkgo turns yellow: around 24 November on average.

What to wear in Kyoto, month by month

Kyoto: our clothing level for each month (from the JMA's averages)
MonthLevelAverage highWet days
JanuaryCold9.1°C6.4 days
FebruaryChilly10.0°C7.3 days
MarchChilly14.1°C9.5 days
AprilMild20.1°C9.4 days
MayWarm25.1°C9.7 days
JuneWarm28.1°C11.5 days
JulyHot32.0°C11.6 days
AugustHot33.7°C8.3 days
SeptemberWarm29.2°C9.8 days
OctoberMild23.4°C8.2 days
NovemberCool17.3°C6.3 days
DecemberChilly11.6°C6.6 days

How busy Kyoto is, month by month

How full hotels across Kyoto Prefecture were, month by month in 2025 (%)

Average room occupancy for all hotels and inns (Japan Tourism Agency).

Jan52.8%
Feb56.1%
Mar66.7%
Apr73.9%
May71.3%
Jun66.1%
Jul61.9%
Aug63.9%
Sep70.1%
Oct76.8%
Nov74.3%
Dec67.0%

Events in Kyoto through the year

Events in Kyoto: dates from each organizer's official page
EventMonthWhen
Okera Mairi at Yasaka Shrineをけら詣り（八坂神社）Dec and JanFrom about 19:30 on 31 December until about 5:00 on 1 January Official page
Setsubun Festival at Yoshida Shrine吉田神社 節分祭FebThree days centered on Setsubun in early February: 2 to 4 February in 2026 Official page
Kyoto Marathon京都マラソンFebMid-to-late February, on a Sunday: 21 February in 2027 (15 February in 2026) Official page
Special Night Viewing at Kiyomizu-dera清水寺 夜間特別拝観Mar, Apr, Aug and NovThree periods a year. In 2026: spring 27 March to 5 April, summer 14 to 16 August, autumn 21 to 30 November. Official page
Nagashi-bina (Floating Hina Dolls) at Shimogamo Shrine下鴨神社 流し雛MarEarly March: 3 March in 2026 Official page
Nehan-e and Saga Otaimatsu-shiki (Torch Ceremony) at Seiryo-ji涅槃会と嵯峨お松明式（清凉寺）Mar15 March: Nehan-e from 19:00 and the torch ceremony from about 20:00 Official page
Miyako Odori都をどりAprEvery April: 1 to 30 April in 2027 Official page
Yasurai Matsuri at Imamiya Shrine今宮神社 やすらい祭AprThe second Sunday of April; the shrine's page lists about 15:00 Official page
Aoi Matsuri葵祭May15 May every year; postponed if it rains (decided around 18:00 the day before) Official page
Takekiri Eshiki (Bamboo-Cutting Ceremony) at Kurama-dera鞍馬寺 竹伐り会式JunEvery year on 20 June Official page
Kyoto Takigi Noh京都薪能Jun1 and 2 June in 2026; from 2027 the first Friday and Saturday of June Official page
Gion Matsuri祇園祭Jul1 to 31 July every year; float processions on 17 and 24 July Official page
Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires)京都五山送り火Aug16 August every year, lit from 20:00 Official page
Arashiyama Tsukitouro (Arashiyama Bamboo Light-up)嵐山月灯路Sep, Oct and NovEvenings from late September to early November: 30 September to 8 November in 2026 Official page
Choyo Shinji and Karasu-zumo (Crow Sumo) at Kamigamo Shrine上賀茂神社 重陽神事・烏相撲SepEvery year on 9 September; the rite starts at 10:00 Official page
Kangetsu no Yube (Moon-Viewing Evenings) at Daikaku-ji大覚寺 観月の夕べSepThree days in late September: 25 to 27 September in 2026 Official page
Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)時代祭Oct22 October every year; postponed if it rains Official page
Kurama Fire Festival (Kurama no Himatsuri)鞍馬の火祭Oct22 October every year, from 18:00 until after midnight Official page
Arashiyama Momiji Matsuri (Autumn Leaves Festival)嵐山もみじ祭りNovThe second Sunday of November, with events on the Saturday and Sunday: 7 and 8 November in 2026 Official page
Hitaki-sai (Fire Festival) at Fushimi Inari Taisha伏見稲荷大社 火焚祭NovEvery year on 8 November; the rite starts at 13:00 and the kagura at 18:00 Official page

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Kyoto?

Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: April, October and November. Fewest wet days: November (6.3 days).

What is the hottest month in Kyoto?

August has the highest average high, 33.7°C (93°F). January has the lowest, 9.1°C (48°F) (JMA, 1991–2020).

What is the rainiest month in Kyoto?

July has the most precipitation (223.6 mm), and July has the most wet days (11.6 days) (JMA, 1991–2020).

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Back to Japan by month

Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026