Kyoto · Month comparison
August vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs August at #12. The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
August
#12 of 12 months
Strong option
The hottest month — Daimonji fire festival is spectacular, but midday Kyoto is oppressive.
- ↑Daimonji Gozan Okuribi (August 16): five mountain bonfires lit simultaneously at dusk — the most visually dramatic event in Kyoto's calendar
- ↑Obon lantern floating on the Kamo River: intimate and moving
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
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
| Factor | August | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 3 | 8 |
| Value score | 5 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 5 |
| Events score | 7 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 6 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 33.7°C | 22.8°C |
| Monthly rain | 135mm | 103mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7hrs | 5.5hrs |
August trade-offs
- ↓Hottest month: 34°C highs and oppressive humidity — temple visits before 9am or after 4pm are strongly advised
- ↓Obon holidays (mid-August) push domestic travel demand; accommodation prices spike
- ↓High UV and heat risk for children and elderly travellers
October trade-offs
- ↓Crowds building toward the November foliage peak — accommodation prices rising from mid-October
- ↓Foliage not yet at peak; visitors seeking the full autumn colour should wait for November
- ↓103mm of rainfall across the month; October showers can disrupt outdoor plans
Scores compare months within Kyoto. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →