Measured, not vibes
Best Time to Visit Kyoto
By measured weather comfort, the top months for Kyoto are October, May, April — and RouteVerdict's editorial pick, which also weighs crowds and prices, is March, April, October, November. The table below is computed from ERA5 reanalysis data for 2020–2024, measured at Kyoto (50 m elevation).
Month by month
Kyoto weather and comfort, 2020–2024
| Month | Avg high | Wet days | Comfort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.5°C / 47°F | 7.5 | 23 | |
| February | 9.6°C / 49°F | 7.2 | 28 | |
| March | 14.2°C / 58°F | 10.5 | 49 | |
| April | 18.8°C / 66°F | 9 | 74 | Best |
| May | 22.9°C / 73°F | 10.2 | 80 | Best |
| June | 26.8°C / 80°F | 11.2 | 71 | Shoulder |
| July | 30.4°C / 87°F | 14.7 | 50 | |
| August | 32.4°C / 90°F | 12 | 44 | |
| September | 28.9°C / 84°F | 12.7 | 60 | Shoulder |
| October | 22.2°C / 72°F | 7.7 | 84 | Best |
| November | 16.9°C / 62°F | 5.5 | 71 | |
| December | 10.5°C / 51°F | 5.2 | 34 |
Comfort is RouteVerdict's 0–100 score: 100·exp(−(high−23)²/162) × (1 − min(0.35, wet days × 0.02)). The full method is on the methodology page. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (ERA5, CC BY 4.0), 2020–2024 normals. Wet day = ≥1 mm precipitation.
FAQ
Kyoto timing questions
What is the best month to visit Kyoto?
By measured weather comfort (ERA5 2020–2024), the top months are October, May, and April, with October scoring highest. RouteVerdict's editorial pick is March, April, October, and November, which also weighs crowds, prices, and events.
What is the hottest month in Kyoto?
August, with an average daily high of 32.4°C (90°F).
What is the rainiest month in Kyoto?
July, averaging 14.7 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.
When is shoulder season in Kyoto?
June and September — the best-scoring months outside both the measured top three and RouteVerdict's editorial peak-season pick.