Kyoto · Japan
September
The overlooked shoulder — cooling from summer, crowds gone, autumn beginning at the edges.
Strong option
#8 of 12 months
There are better months for Kyoto — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
28.6°C
Low
21.1°C
Rain
168mm
Sun
5.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How September scores in Kyoto
Weather
Above average
Value
Excellent
Crowds
Very good
Events
Average
Atmosphere
Very good
What you gain in September
- ↑Sharp drop in tourist numbers after Obon: temple access returns to manageable levels
- ↑Temperatures falling from the August peak: 28°C highs with lower humidity than July–August
- ↑Budget accommodation rates persist; September is consistently undervalued
What you sacrifice
- ↓168mm of rainfall with typhoon season risk: late September can bring significant disruption to travel plans
- ↓Still humid and warm in early September — the relief from August comes gradually
- ↓Foliage has not yet begun; the colour payoff is still 6–8 weeks away
How September compares to October (best month)
| Factor | September | October ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 5 | 8 |
| Value | 8 | 6 |
| Crowds | 7 | 5 |
September in other destinations
Lisbon (24.6°C)Barcelona (25.5°C)Tokyo (28.1°C)Bali (30.4°C)Santorini (24.1°C)Paris (21.6°C)New York (23.9°C)Marrakech (31.6°C)Amsterdam (18.8°C)Maldives (30.2°C)Rome (26.5°C)Bangkok (31°C)Istanbul (24.2°C)Vienna (22.1°C)Seoul (25.1°C)Dubrovnik (24.9°C)Rio de Janeiro (27.3°C)Phuket (31°C)Cape Town (19°C)Prague (21°C)Amalfi Coast (27°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Kyoto, not across destinations. Methodology →