Kyoto · Month comparison
November vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs November at #10. The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
November
#10 of 12 months
Strong option
Peak autumn foliage — the most beautiful month in Japan, and the most crowded.
- ↑Tofukuji, Eikan-do, and Arashiyama in peak autumn colour: red, gold, and orange across every temple — the equal of cherry blossom season
- ↑Special evening illuminations at major temples: Kiyomizudera and Kodaiji lit after dark
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 | November | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 7 | 8 |
| Value score | 2 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 2 | 5 |
| Events score | 8 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 9 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 16.9°C | 22.8°C |
| Monthly rain | 61mm | 103mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5hrs | 5.5hrs |
November trade-offs
- ↓Equal to April for crowds: Tofukuji on a November weekend is effectively impassable; pre-booking everything essential
- ↓Peak hotel prices match cherry blossom season — ryokan rates at their annual high
- ↓Foliage window is 2–3 weeks and varies year to year; early or late arrivals can miss the peak entirely
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 →