Kyoto Weather by Month: Temperatures, Rain and What to Pack

Kyoto is hottest in August, with an average high of 33.7°C and a low of 24.7°C, and coldest in January and February, when highs sit near 9°C to 10°C and lows near 1.5°C. July is the wettest month at 224 mm. The table below has every month, and each season gets a few lines on what the numbers mean for a trip.

Kyoto weather by month

The figures are the Japan Meteorological Agency’s normals for the Kyoto station, averaged over 1991 to 2020 (JMA temperature table, JMA rainfall table). High and low are the averages of the daily maximum and minimum. Rainy days are days with 1 mm or more.

Month	Average high	Average low	Rain	Rainy days
January	9.1°C	1.5°C	53 mm	6.4
February	10.0°C	1.6°C	65 mm	7.3
March	14.1°C	4.3°C	106 mm	9.5
April	20.1°C	9.2°C	117 mm	9.4
May	25.1°C	14.5°C	151 mm	9.7
June	28.1°C	19.2°C	200 mm	11.5
July	32.0°C	23.6°C	224 mm	11.6
August	33.7°C	24.7°C	154 mm	8.3
September	29.2°C	20.7°C	178 mm	9.8
October	23.4°C	14.4°C	143 mm	8.2
November	17.3°C	8.4°C	74 mm	6.3
December	11.6°C	3.5°C	57 mm	6.6

These are averages. A single week can run several degrees either side, so pack for the range in the table and check the forecast before you travel. Don’t plan around one number.

Kyoto weather in winter: December to February

Winter is cold and fairly dry. January has 53 mm of rain, the lowest in the table, but rain still falls on 6 to 7 days a month. Highs of 9°C to 10°C and lows near 1.5°C mean you’ll want a proper coat and a warm layer under it. The December events page lists what’s on at the start of the season.

Kyoto weather in March and April

March averages 14.1°C by day and 4.3°C at night, with 106 mm of rain on 9.5 days. April jumps to a 20.1°C high and 9.2°C low, and that’s easy walking weather for a full day of temples. The blossom is covered in the cherry blossom guide.

Kyoto weather in May and June

May is warm at 25.1°C with cool nights at 14.5°C. June is hotter at 28.1°C and wetter, with 200 mm of rain on 11.5 days. Those wet days suit the indoor options in the rainy day Kyoto guide.

Kyoto weather in July and August

July is the wettest month, with a 32.0°C high, a 23.6°C low, 224 mm of rain and 11.6 rainy days. August is hotter again, at 33.7°C and 24.7°C, but with less rain (154 mm, 8.3 days). The nights don’t cool off much either. Plan temples and walks for early morning, as the early morning guide suggests.

Kyoto weather in September and October

September is still hot, at 29.2°C by day, and it’s wet, with 178 mm over 9.8 days. October cools to 23.4°C by day and 14.4°C at night, with 143 mm over 8.2 days.

Kyoto weather in November

November is the driest month of the autumn at 74 mm, over 6.3 rainy days. The average high is 17.3°C and the low 8.4°C, so a jacket for mornings and evenings is enough. It’s also the main leaf season, which the autumn leaves guide follows, and the November events page lists what’s on.

Which month has the best weather?

The comfortable stretches are April to early May and late October to November, when average highs sit between about 17°C and 25°C. Of the two, November has the lowest rain. The cost of the best months is crowds, and the Kyoto travel tips cover how to beat them.

Planning around the weather

Use the map to find indoor places for wet days, and events for what is on the dates you travel.
The where to stay in Kyoto guide compares the areas, and things to do in Kyoto lists what to plan around the forecast.