Kyoto · Month comparison
October vs April
October ranks #1 overall vs April at #7. The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
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
April
#7 of 12 months
Best match
Peak cherry blossom — objectively spectacular, but the most expensive and crowded month in Japan.
- ↑Cherry blossom peak (early April): Maruyama Park, Philosopher's Path, and Kiyomizudera in full bloom — one of the great natural spectacles
- ↑Miyako Odori geisha dance performances at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo throughout April
| Factor | October | April |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 8 |
| Value score | 6 | 2 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 2 |
| Events score | 7 | 9 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 22.8°C | 20.1°C |
| Monthly rain | 103mm | 103mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5.5hrs | 6hrs |
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
April trade-offs
- ↓Peak hotel prices: ryokan and mid-range hotels at annual highs — often 3× January rates
- ↓Major temples impossible without advance booking; Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizudera overwhelmed by 9am
- ↓Cherry blossom window is only 7–10 days; bad weather or an early warm spell can shift it significantly
Scores compare months within Kyoto. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →