Best time to visit Kyoto for good weather
When is the best weather in Kyoto? Monthly breakdown of temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours — ranked by what actually matters for your trip.
Best month
October
The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
↑Jidai Matsuri (Oct 22): the Festival of Ages — 2,000 participants in historical costume from every era of Japanese history
↑Ideal temperatures: 23°C highs with low humidity — perfect for full-day temple circuits
↑Early foliage at higher elevations; Kurama and Kibune show colour before the city
All months ranked — Good weather
Best match
The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
#1 for good weather
Best match
Spring begins — warming temperatures and early cherry blossoms, with crowds building toward month end.
#2 for good weather
Best match
Post-blossom and warm — fresh green temples and the Aoi Matsuri festival, but Golden Week is very busy.
#3 for good weather
Best match
The quietest month in Kyoto — plum blossoms begin and the temples are almost entirely your own.
#4 for good weather
Best match
Peak cherry blossom — objectively spectacular, but the most expensive and crowded month in Japan.
#5 for good weather
Strong option
Cold and quiet — temples in near-solitude, with the rare chance of snow on Kinkakuji.
#6 for good weather
Strong option
Quiet and cold — early December still has foliage; after that, Kyoto at its most contemplative.
#7 for good weather
Strong option
The overlooked shoulder — cooling from summer, crowds gone, autumn beginning at the edges.
#8 for good weather
Strong option
Peak autumn foliage — the most beautiful month in Japan, and the most crowded.
#9 for good weather
Strong option
Rainy season — hydrangeas bloom and the temples empty, but expect rain most days.
#10 for good weather
Strong option
Gion Matsuri dominates — Japan's greatest festival, in brutal heat.
#11 for good weather
Worth considering
The hottest month — Daimonji fire festival is spectacular, but midday Kyoto is oppressive.
#12 for good weather