Best Time to Visit Kyoto
Japan · Humid Subtropical climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Kyoto is:
June → September → July
June scores 60/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 14 | 28 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 26 | 52 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 37 | 74 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 48 | 96 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 42 | 84 | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 38 | 76 | 0 | 0 | |
| September | 46 | 92 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 36 | 71 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 22 | 44 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.6°C (38.5°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| February | 4.7°C (40.5°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| March | 8.7°C (47.7°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| April | 13.3°C (55.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| May | 17.7°C (63.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| June | 22.1°C (71.8°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| July | 26.1°C (79.0°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| August | 27.8°C (82.0°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| September | 24.5°C (76.1°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| October | 17.2°C (63.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| November | 11.7°C (53.1°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| December | 5.3°C (41.5°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56.7 mm | 15.0 | Moderate |
| February | 72.2 mm | 12.8 | Wet |
| March | 134.2 mm | 15.4 | Very Wet |
| April | 171.2 mm | 14.4 | Very Wet |
| May | 208.8 mm | 15.8 | Very Wet |
| June | 244.9 mm | 17.4 | Very Wet |
| July | 321.2 mm | 23.0 | Very Wet |
| August | 193.4 mm | 21.4 | Very Wet |
| September | 168.7 mm | 20.6 | Very Wet |
| October | 147.1 mm | 13.0 | Very Wet |
| November | 87.8 mm | 10.4 | Wet |
| December | 45.6 mm | 10.8 | Moderate |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7.0 hrs | Good |
| February | 7.1 hrs | Good |
| March | 8.0 hrs | Excellent |
| April | 8.4 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 8.8 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 8.4 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 8.9 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 10.2 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 9.0 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 8.2 hrs | Excellent |
| November | 7.9 hrs | Good |
| December | 7.8 hrs | Good |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 13.2°C (55.8°F)
Rainfall: 171.4mm avg
Sunshine: 8.4 hrs/day
Humidity: 73.3%
Rainy Days: 15.2/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 25.3°C (77.5°F)
Rainfall: 253.2mm avg
Sunshine: 9.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 79.1%
Rainy Days: 20.6/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 17.8°C (64.0°F)
Rainfall: 134.5mm avg
Sunshine: 8.4 hrs/day
Humidity: 78.2%
Rainy Days: 14.7/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 4.5°C (40.1°F)
Rainfall: 58.2mm avg
Sunshine: 7.3 hrs/day
Humidity: 75.5%
Rainy Days: 12.9/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Kyoto?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Kyoto are June, September, July, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. June scores 60/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Kyoto?
August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 27.8°C (82.0°F).
What is the coldest month in Kyoto?
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 3.6°C (38.5°F).
When is the rainy season in Kyoto?
July is the wettest month with an average of 321.2mm of precipitation. Kyoto experiences about 190.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is December with 45.6mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Kyoto?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (August is hottest at 27.8°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (January averages 3.6°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Kyoto receives 1852.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Kyoto's climate creates the perfect conditions for its famous gardens. I visited during the autumn foliage season and the combination of cool temperatures and clear skies made the temples come alive. The summer humidity can be intense, but the city's many temples provide cool, shaded retreats. The data confirms that November is the sweet spot for comfortable sightseeing, while July and August are best avoided unless you're used to Japanese summer heat.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 35.01°, 135.77°. Timezone: Asia/Tokyo. Last updated: 2026-07-30.