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Best time to visit Kyoto: month by month
Short answer
Late March to early April (cherry blossom, highs around 15–19°C) and mid-to-late November (autumn maples, highs around 17°C) are Kyoto at its most beautiful, and also its most crowded and expensive. October and May (22–23°C) are pleasant compromises. January and February are cold (8–9°C highs, lows near 0°C) but quiet and cheap.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8°C | -1°C | 9 | low |
| Feb | 9°C | 0°C | 7 | low |
| Mar | 15°C | 5°C | 11 | high |
| Apr | 19°C | 9°C | 11 | very high |
| May | 23°C | 13°C | 12 | high |
| Jun | 27°C | 18°C | 12 | medium |
| Jul | 31°C | 23°C | 15 | high |
| Aug | 32°C | 24°C | 17 | medium |
| Sep | 29°C | 21°C | 15 | medium |
| Oct | 22°C | 12°C | 8 | high |
| Nov | 17°C | 7°C | 7 | very high |
| Dec | 11°C | 1°C | 8 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 15°C in March to 23°C in May. Cherry blossom usually peaks in late March or early April; Golden Week (around 29 April–5 May) is busy.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is the rainy season (about 12 rainy days, 27°C). July and August are hot and humid at 31–32°C with lows of 23–24°C; Gion Matsuri fills July.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still hot (29°C) and typhoon-prone; October (22°C) is comfortable and November (17°C) brings the maples, usually peaking mid-to-late month.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of 8–11°C and lows around -1 to 1°C, with occasional snow that makes Kinkaku-ji famous in photos. Few crowds apart from New Year.
Events worth planning around
- Aoi Matsuri, a costumed Heian-era procession (15 May)
- Gion Matsuri, with the great float processions on 17 and 24 July
- Gozan no Okuribi, bonfires on the mountains around the city (16 August)
- Jidai Matsuri, the Festival of the Ages procession (22 October)
When to avoid
The peak weeks of cherry blossom and autumn maples if you dislike crowds and high prices, and Golden Week. July and August are hot, humid and tiring for temple walking.
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Common questions
When do the maples peak in Kyoto?
Usually mid-to-late November, sometimes into early December, depending on the year.
Is Kyoto worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you like quiet temples. Highs are 8–11°C, but there are far fewer visitors and hotels are cheaper.
When is Gion Matsuri?
Throughout July, with the main float processions on 17 and 24 July.