Weather in Kyoto

About Kyoto

Kyoto is where Japan keeps its soul. Over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, and more UNESCO heritage sites than almost anywhere on earth. Walk the Philosopher's Path as cherry blossoms fall into the canal. Dress in a yukata for a tea ceremony in a garden unchanged for 400 years.

Country

Japan

Best months to visit

May, June, September

Currency

JPY

Language

Japanese

Things to do in Kyoto

Temple visits Cherry blossom viewing Tea ceremonies Bamboo grove walks Geisha spotting Zen gardens

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

Cold, with occasional showers.

February

Cold, with occasional showers.

March

14C

Cool, with some rainy days.

April

18C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

May

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

June

26C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

July

30C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

August

31C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

Recommended

September

27C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

October

21C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

November

16C

Cool, with occasional showers.

December

10C

Cool, with occasional showers.

Kyoto is Japan distilled to its purest form — 1,600 Buddhist temples, a thousand Shinto shrines, geisha gliding silently through stone-lanterned Gion alleys, and bamboo groves that make the air feel different. It rewards slow travel and early mornings above all else; catch Fushimi Inari before 7am and you'll understand why this city has been inspiring poets and philosophers for over a millennium. The food is quietly extraordinary.

Best areas to stay in Kyoto

Gion

Kyoto's iconic geisha district — cobbled lanes, wooden machiya townhouses, and the best chance of spotting a maiko (apprentice geisha) at dusk.

Arashiyama

The bamboo groves, Tenryu-ji garden, and the monkey park make this northwestern district one of Kyoto's most visited and most beautiful corners.

Fushimi

Home to the extraordinary Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, with its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up through forested hillsides.

Higashiyama

The historic eastern slopes lined with traditional shops and temples, centred on the magnificent Kiyomizudera temple with its famous wooden stage.

Getting to Kyoto

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Flights

Fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) near Osaka or Tokyo Narita/Haneda (NRT/HND) and take the Shinkansen; BA and JAL operate direct London-Tokyo routes.

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From London

~12 hours direct from London to Tokyo, then 2h15m by Shinkansen

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Getting around

Kyoto's bus network and subway cover most major sights; a day bus pass offers excellent value for temple-hopping.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Kyoto?

Cherry blossom season (late March–April) and autumn foliage (November) are the most spectacular but extremely busy and expensive. May, June, and October offer excellent weather with fewer crowds.

How do I get from Tokyo to Kyoto?

The Shinkansen (bullet train) connects Tokyo to Kyoto in around 2 hours 15 minutes on the Nozomi service — fast, comfortable, and covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Should I get a Japan Rail Pass?

If you're visiting multiple cities including Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Osaka, the 7 or 14-day JR Pass offers excellent value. For Kyoto alone, local buses and subway are sufficient.

What is the best area to stay in Kyoto?

Higashiyama offers the most atmospheric location near Gion and the eastern temples. Kyoto Station is convenient for day-trippers. Arashiyama is tranquil but requires more travel to central sights.

Is Kyoto suitable for first-time Japan visitors?

Absolutely — Kyoto is remarkably easy to navigate for first-timers, with excellent English signage and a welcoming tourist infrastructure. It's often recommended as the perfect introduction to Japan's traditional culture.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Kyoto in autumn is simply indescribable — every temple garden was ablaze with maple colour and even the crowded spots felt worth it. Getting up early for Fushimi Inari before the crowds arrive is an absolute must.

Hannah L. · November 2024

★★★★★

We spent five days and still felt we'd barely scratched the surface. The food scene is extraordinary — don't miss kaiseki cuisine if budget allows, and the ramen at the station market is exceptional.

Oliver W. · May 2023

★★★★★

As a Japanese-British traveller I was curious how Kyoto would feel as a tourist, and it completely won me over. The temples at dusk with no crowds have a meditative quality unlike anywhere else I've been.

Yuki T. · October 2024