Best time to visit Kyoto
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Kyoto
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Kyoto).
- 1
Nara: Half-Day Private Tour of 4 Must-See Spots & Deer Park - 2
Ultimate Kyoto Arashiyama Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys & Hidden Gardens - 3
10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour - 4
Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - 5
Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised - 6
Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - 7
Kimono Tea Ceremony Experience at Kyoto Orizuruya Gion - 8
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) - 9
PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour - 10
Kimono Tea Ceremony Experience at Kyoto Oritzuruya, Nishiki - 11
Private Kyoto Tour by Car with Optional Nara or Osaka Add-Ons - 12
Osaka and Nara Day Tour with Private Transportation - 13
Kyoto : Chopsticks Making Workshop in Gion with Engraving Option - 14
Kyoto Traditional Kintsugi Workshop in Gion Gold Repair Art - 15
Kyoto Private Customizable Day Trip With English chauffeur - 16
Kyoto Kintsugi Making Traditional Workshop - 17
No.1 Ramen Experience in Kyoto – 5.0 rated, 2,100+ reviews - 18
Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha - 19
Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available) - 20
1 Hour Geisha Show in Kyoto - 21
Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour - 22
Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide - 23
Kyoto: Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries - 24
Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour - 25
Sushi Making in Kyoto! Same-day bookings welcome! - 26
Kyoto Samurai Experience - 27
Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour - 28
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings) - 29
World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience - 30
Kyoto Gion Cultural Walk & Geisha Show with Dining Options
Last refreshed 2026-05-25.
Similar climatesOsaka96% · Hiroshima95% · Kamakura93%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Kyoto (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Kyoto's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -1–9 | 5 | 9 | 106 | 11.8 | 63% | 16 | 164 | 2 | Quiet | 5 |
| Feb | 0–10 | 6 | 8 | 97 | 12.1 | 60% | 17 | 152 | 3 | Quiet | 6 |
| Mar | 4–14 | 11 | 11 | 138 | 12.5 | 58% | 16 | 186 | 4 | Quiet | 6 |
| Apr | 8–19 | 17 | 10 | 134 | 13.4 | 56% | 17 | 189 | 5 | Quiet | 8 |
| May | 13–23 | 23 | 13 | 148 | 11.4 | 58% | 15 | 205 | 6 | Quiet | 8 |
| Jun | 18–27 | 28 | 13 | 179 | 13.8 | 63% | 14 | 190 | 6 | Quiet | 6 |
| Jul | 23–30 | 34 | 18 | 245 | 13.6 | 68% | 14 | 207 | 8 | Quiet | 2 |
| Aug | 24–32 | 37 | 14 | 163 | 11.6 | 62% | 14 | 237 | 7 | Busy | 2 |
| Sep | 21–29 | 32 | 15 | 159 | 10.6 | 65% | 13 | 202 | 6 | Moderate | 4 |
| Oct | 13–22 | 22 | 9 | 111 | 12.3 | 62% | 13 | 190 | 4 | Moderate | 8 |
| Nov | 7–17 | 15 | 7 | 75 | 10.7 | 63% | 13 | 177 | 3 | Peak | 8 |
| Dec | 1–11 | 7 | 6 | 79 | 13.2 | 62% | 15 | 182 | 2 | Moderate | 6 |
UV Index in Kyoto by Month
UV index in Kyoto peaks at 8 (high) in July, dropping to 2 (low) in December. May, June, July, August have high UV — SPF 30+ and sunglasses recommended.
Best months in detail
October
8/1013–22°C · 9 rain days (111h) · 190 sun hours · 62% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (moderate)
May
8/1013–23°C · 13 rain days (148h) · 205 sun hours · 58% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
November
8/107–17°C (feels 15°C) · 7 rain days (75h) · 177 sun hours · 63% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
5/10-1–9°C (feels 5°C) · 9 rain days (106h) · 164 sun hours · 63% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)
February
6/100–10°C (feels 6°C) · 8 rain days (97h) · 152 sun hours · 60% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
March
6/104–14°C (feels 11°C) · 11 rain days (138h) · 186 sun hours · 58% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (moderate)
April
8/108–19°C (feels 17°C) · 10 rain days (134h) · 189 sun hours · 56% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
June
6/1018–27°C (feels 28°C) · 13 rain days (179h) · 190 sun hours · 63% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
July
2/1023–30°C (feels 34°C) · 18 rain days (245h) · 207 sun hours · 68% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
August
2/1024–32°C (feels 37°C) · 14 rain days (163h) · 237 sun hours · 62% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
September
4/1021–29°C (feels 32°C) · 15 rain days (159h) · 202 sun hours · 65% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
December
6/101–11°C (feels 7°C) · 6 rain days (79h) · 182 sun hours · 62% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 2 (low)
Comparisons people search for
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Frequently asked questions about visiting Kyoto
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
October is the highest-scoring month (8/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 13–22°C (9 rainy days). The top three months by score are October, May, November.
What is the worst time to visit Kyoto?
August is the lowest-scoring month (2/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 24–32°C (14 rainy days).
Is Kyoto too hot in summer?
3 months (July, August, September) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Kyoto?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in May and peaks in November. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Kyoto have good weather but fewer tourists?
April (climate 8/10, crowd index 5) and May (climate 8/10, crowd index 0) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Kyoto by month?
UV peaks at 8 (high) in July and is lowest in December at 2 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 2, Feb 3, Mar 4, Apr 5, May 6, Jun 6, Jul 8, Aug 7, Sep 6, Oct 4, Nov 3, Dec 2.
What is the UV index in Kyoto in July?
July is the peak UV month in Kyoto, with a daily-peak UV index of 8 (high). Apply SPF 30+, wear sunglasses, and seek shade during midday hours.
How high can UV get in Kyoto on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. July is the worst case: typical days average UV 8 (high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 10 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Kyoto bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 11 months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November, December. The worst month is June with a typical-day mean of 17 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 29 µg/m³ (unhealthy) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.