Kyoto · Japan
November
Peak autumn foliage — the most beautiful month in Japan, and the most crowded.
Strong option
#10 of 12 months
There are better months for Kyoto — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
16.9°C
Low
9.1°C
Rain
61mm
Sun
5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How November scores in Kyoto
Weather
Very good
Value
Low
Crowds
Low
Events
Excellent
Atmosphere
Outstanding
What you gain in November
- ↑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
- ↑Cool and dry: 17°C highs with only 61mm of rain — the best walking weather of the year
What you sacrifice
- ↓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
How November compares to October (best month)
| Factor | November | October ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 7 | 8 |
| Value | 2 | 6 |
| Crowds | 2 | 5 |
November in other destinations
Lisbon (16.8°C)Barcelona (16.5°C)Tokyo (16.6°C)Bali (30.8°C)Santorini (17.5°C)Paris (10.5°C)New York (11°C)Marrakech (21.3°C)Amsterdam (9.2°C)Maldives (30°C)Rome (15.5°C)Bangkok (30.2°C)Istanbul (13.8°C)Vienna (7.8°C)Seoul (10.4°C)Dubrovnik (15.4°C)Rio de Janeiro (28.8°C)Phuket (31.7°C)Cape Town (23.7°C)Prague (7°C)Amalfi Coast (16°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Kyoto, not across destinations. Methodology →