Kyoto · Month comparison
June vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs June at #9. The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
June
#9 of 12 months
Strong option
Rainy season — hydrangeas bloom and the temples empty, but expect rain most days.
- ↑Lowest international tourist numbers of the year: major temples genuinely accessible
- ↑Hydrangea season at Mimurotoji and Fujinomori: a less-photographed side of Kyoto in full colour
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 | June | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 4 | 8 |
| Value score | 8 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 8 | 5 |
| Events score | 4 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 6 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 28.4°C | 22.8°C |
| Monthly rain | 183mm | 103mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5hrs | 5.5hrs |
June trade-offs
- ↓183mm of rainfall: tsuyu (plum rain) means frequent all-day overcast or rain — outdoor plans need flexibility
- ↓Hot and humid: 21°C lows with high moisture make the air feel heavier than the temperature suggests
- ↓Limited sunshine (5 hours daily); temple gardens lose their colour under grey skies
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 →