Best Time to Visit Kyoto, Kyōto Prefecture, Japan
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Kyoto.
Kyoto does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (August, 27.9°C / 82.2°F) and driest (December, 56 mm / 2.2 in) months. The drier stretch runs through October–April; the wetter half falls in May–September. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 4.5°C / 40.1°F in January to 27.9°C / 82.2°F in August, with rainfall from 56 mm / 2.2 in (December) to 239 mm / 9.4 in (June). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Kyoto, Kyōto Prefecture, Japan's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Kyoto's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 27.9°C82.2°F | 156 mm6.1″ | — |
| November | 11.8°C53.2°F | 79 mm3.1″ | — |
| December | 6.8°C44.2°F | 56 mm2.2″ | — |
No month at Kyoto matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
Kyoto doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on December (driest, ~56 mm / 2.2 in) and August (warmest, 27.9°C / 82.2°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Japan's national average.
When is the rainy season in Kyoto?
The rainy season at Kyoto, Kyōto Prefecture runs through May–September, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 146 mm / 5.7 in. The wettest single month is June (239 mm / 9.4 in).
What is the driest month in Kyoto?
The driest month in Kyoto is December, averaging about 56 mm / 2.2 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 6.8°C / 44.2°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Kyoto?
The least comfortable months for travel to Kyoto — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, June, July, September, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 239 mm / 9.4 in in June, and the coldest month averages 4.5°C / 40.1°F.
Is Kyoto climate different from Japan overall?
Yes, usually. Our Kyoto figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Japan figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Kyoto specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.