Kyoto Climate & Weather Averages
Japan · Humid Subtropical climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Best Time to Visit Kyoto
Based on temperature comfort, low rainfall, and sunshine hours, the best months to visit Kyoto are:
June, September, July
Scores based on ideal temperature (18-28°C), low precipitation, and high sunshine. June scores 60/100.
Kyoto has a Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. The warmest month is August with an average temperature of 27.8°C (82.0°F), while January is the coldest at 3.6°C (38.5°F). Annual precipitation averages 1852.0mm spread across approximately 190.0 rainy days per year, with July being the wettest month at 321.2mm and December the driest at 45.6mm. The city receives an average of 7.0-10.2 hours of sunshine per day, with the sunniest months being August and September. Humidity remains relatively consistent throughout the year, averaging around 76.5% annually, while average wind speeds reach 14.8 km/h. The overall annual mean temperature is 15.2°C (59.4°F), reflecting the humid subtropical conditions shaped by Kyoto's latitude (35.01°) and surrounding geography. For travelers, the best time to visit is June, September, July, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.
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.
Seasonal Climate Overview
Spring (Mar-May)
Average temperature 13.2°C (55.8°F), rainfall 171.4mm, sunshine 8.4 hrs/day, humidity 73.3%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 15.2 rainy days per month.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Average temperature 25.3°C (77.5°F), rainfall 253.2mm, sunshine 9.2 hrs/day, humidity 79.1%. Warm season conditions prevail. Expect around 20.6 rainy days per month.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Average temperature 17.8°C (64.0°F), rainfall 134.5mm, sunshine 8.4 hrs/day, humidity 78.2%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 14.7 rainy days per month.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Average temperature 4.5°C (40.1°F), rainfall 58.2mm, sunshine 7.3 hrs/day, humidity 75.5%. Cold season conditions dominate. Expect around 12.9 rainy days per month.
Monthly Temperature Averages (°C / °F)
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.5°C (47.3°F) | -0.7°C (30.7°F) | 3.6°C (38.5°F) |
| February | 9.6°C (49.3°F) | 0.2°C (32.4°F) | 4.7°C (40.5°F) |
| March | 14.2°C (57.6°F) | 3.5°C (38.3°F) | 8.7°C (47.7°F) |
| April | 18.8°C (65.8°F) | 8.1°C (46.6°F) | 13.3°C (55.9°F) |
| May | 23.0°C (73.4°F) | 12.7°C (54.9°F) | 17.7°C (63.9°F) |
| June | 26.8°C (80.2°F) | 17.8°C (64.0°F) | 22.1°C (71.8°F) |
| July | 30.3°C (86.5°F) | 22.6°C (72.7°F) | 26.1°C (79.0°F) |
| August | 32.4°C (90.3°F) | 24.1°C (75.4°F) | 27.8°C (82.0°F) |
| September | 28.9°C (84.0°F) | 21.0°C (69.8°F) | 24.5°C (76.1°F) |
| October | 22.2°C (72.0°F) | 13.0°C (55.4°F) | 17.2°C (63.0°F) |
| November | 16.9°C (62.4°F) | 7.2°C (45.0°F) | 11.7°C (53.1°F) |
| December | 10.5°C (50.9°F) | 0.9°C (33.6°F) | 5.3°C (41.5°F) |
Monthly Precipitation (mm)
| Month | Avg Rainfall | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 56.7 mm | |
| February | 72.2 mm | |
| March | 134.2 mm | |
| April | 171.2 mm | |
| May | 208.8 mm | |
| June | 244.9 mm | |
| July | 321.2 mm | |
| August | 193.4 mm | |
| September | 168.7 mm | |
| October | 147.1 mm | |
| November | 87.8 mm | |
| December | 45.6 mm |
Monthly Rainy Days (avg days with rain > 0.1mm)
| Month | Avg Rainy Days | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15.0 | |
| February | 12.8 | |
| March | 15.4 | |
| April | 14.4 | |
| May | 15.8 | |
| June | 17.4 | |
| July | 23.0 | |
| August | 21.4 | |
| September | 20.6 | |
| October | 13.0 | |
| November | 10.4 | |
| December | 10.8 |
Monthly Humidity (%)
| Month | Avg Humidity | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 76.3% | |
| February | 74.1% | |
| March | 73.4% | |
| April | 71.9% | |
| May | 74.5% | |
| June | 78.5% | |
| July | 81.6% | |
| August | 77.2% | |
| September | 79.0% | |
| October | 77.8% | |
| November | 77.9% | |
| December | 76.1% |
Monthly Wind Speed (avg max km/h)
| Month | Avg Max Wind | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15.5 km/h | |
| February | 16.8 km/h | |
| March | 16.4 km/h | |
| April | 16.6 km/h | |
| May | 15.0 km/h | |
| June | 14.3 km/h | |
| July | 14.1 km/h | |
| August | 14.2 km/h | |
| September | 13.0 km/h | |
| October | 13.2 km/h | |
| November | 13.3 km/h | |
| December | 15.2 km/h |
Monthly UV Index (avg max)
| Month | UV Index | Risk Level | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | — | — | |
| February | — | — | |
| March | — | — | |
| April | — | — | |
| May | — | — | |
| June | — | — | |
| July | — | — | |
| August | — | — | |
| September | — | — | |
| October | — | — | |
| November | — | — | |
| December | — | — |
Monthly Snowfall (cm)
| Month | Avg Snowfall | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.4 cm | |
| February | 1.7 cm | |
| March | 0.2 cm | |
| April | 0.0 cm | |
| May | 0.0 cm | |
| June | 0.0 cm | |
| July | 0.0 cm | |
| August | 0.0 cm | |
| September | 0.0 cm | |
| October | 0.0 cm | |
| November | 0.0 cm | |
| December | 2.2 cm |
Monthly Sunshine Hours (daily average)
| Month | Avg Daily Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7.0 hrs | |
| February | 7.1 hrs | |
| March | 8.0 hrs | |
| April | 8.4 hrs | |
| May | 8.8 hrs | |
| June | 8.4 hrs | |
| July | 8.9 hrs | |
| August | 10.2 hrs | |
| September | 9.0 hrs | |
| October | 8.2 hrs | |
| November | 7.9 hrs | |
| December | 7.8 hrs |
Frequently Asked Questions
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).
What is the rainiest month in Kyoto?
July is the wettest month with an average of 321.2mm of precipitation. The city experiences about 190.0 rainy days per year.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
The best time to visit Kyoto is during June, September, July, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.
Cities with Similar Climate (Humid Subtropical)
Other Cities in Japan
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.