Kyoto is the city in central part of the Honshu Island. It is situated in depression that stretches from north to south and surrounded by mountains. Weather conditions in Kyoto are different comparing to other localities due to surrounding mountains.

Climate of the region is considered are humid subtropical, though there are hot and humid summers and rainy seasons. Winters are usually cool and dry with occasional snowfall. Average annual amount of precipitation is around 1500 mm (59”). Local Mountains are relatively low (shorter than 1000 m of 3280 ft.) and they aren’t protecting the city from summer typhoons.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Kyoto

Weather in March is shifting from cold to warmth without any pattern. On top of it there is even slight probability of snow. First half of spring is the great time to visit Kyoto and Japan in general for it is time of blooming plums and cherries. Temperature ranges from 4 °C (39 °F) at night to 13 °C (55 °F) at afternoon. Blossoms last through first 10 days of April too, but weather is much warmer with daily range of temperature of 9-20 °C (48-68 °F). Sudden cool downs might occur too.

May is one of the best months in Kyoto. Bright and warm days with lush and fresh spring greenery are perfect for wandering around tidy streets of the city. Daily temperature is in the range of 14-24 °C (57-75 °F). On top of it there are not much crowds.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 124 mm (4.9")

April Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 135 mm (5.3")

May Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 156 mm (6.1")

Spring Holidays

March – Southern Higashiyama Temple Illuminations.
March 3-12 – Higashiyama Hanatoro.
Around March 20 – Vernal Equinox Day.
March 25-Aril 7 – Kitano Odori Geisha Dance.

April – Miyako Odori Geisha Dance.
April 2-17 – Kyo Odori Geisha Dance.
April 29 – Showa Day.

May 1-24 – Kamogawa Odori Geisha Dance.
May 3 – Yabusame Shinji (horseback archery contest), Constitution Memorial.
May 4 – Greenery Day.
May 5 – Children’s Day.
May 15 – Aoi Matsuri Festival.

Summer in Kyoto

June is great month to visit Kyoto. It is warm and bright even despite occasional showers. Rainy season begins latter in the June, but it rains not each day usually at afternoon. Temperature is rather hot at afternoon and breezy at night. It ranges from 28 °C (82 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) respectively. In July rainy season is at its peak with around 220 mm (8”) of monthly precipitation.

Last summer month in Kyoto is hot, humid and sunny. It is good time for visit for those who aren’t afraid of heat and not actually fond of crowds. In August rainfall decreases by half comparing to July, but instead temperature reaches range of 24-33 °C (75-91 °F) at night and afternoon respectively.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +26 °C (78 °F) Min average t°: +17.5 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 213 mm (8.4")

July Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (71 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 228 mm (9")

August Max average t°: +30 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 148 mm (5.8")

Summer Holidays

June – Kyoten (art exhibition).

Third Monday of July – Marine Day.
July 6-7 – Tanabata.
July 14-24 – Gion Mastsuri.

August 7-10 – Gojo-zaka Pottery Festival.
August 11 – Mountain Day.
August 16 – Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji Fire Festival).

Autumn in Kyoto

Weather in September is quite hot with daily average temperature of 20-29 °C (68-84 °F). Amount of rainfall temporally increases unlike prices for accommodation. October is cooled and drier with more pleasant averages of 13-23 °C (55-73 °F). Evenings are cool, but afternoons are completely comfortable. In addition latter in October Mountains that surround the city start to change their color to autumn palate of warm shades of yellow, orange, brown and red.

In November weather becomes cool and rains are rare. Temperature of 8-17 °C (46-62 °F) is cool, but it fits mood of the Fall Foliage Season. It is splendid and picturesque time that lasts much longer than cherry blossoms.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +26 °C (80 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 200 mm (7.9")

October Max average t°: +21 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (56 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 160 mm (6.3")

November Max average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 90 mm (3.5")

Autumn Holidays

September – Autumn Moon Viewing.
Third Monday of September – Respect for the Aged Day.
Around September 23 – Autumnal Equinox Day.

Second Monday of October – Health and Sports Day.
October 22 – Jidai Matsuri, Kurama Fire Festival.

November 1-10 – Gion Odori.
November 3 – Culture Day.
November 23 – Labor Thanksgiving Day

Winter in Kyoto

Winter weather is cool in Kyoto. Temperature drops below freezing occasionally, but only at night. Daytime average varies between 11 °C (52 °F) and 9 °C (48 °F) through whole season. Usual nighttime temperature is in range of 1-3 °C (34-37 °F). In general winter weather is clear with less rain or snow. Precipitation occurs only couple times per month. There’s almost no accumulation of snow and besides New Year and Christmas celebrations the city is relatively quiet and uncrowded. Between December 29 and January 3 most of businesses will be closed.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +11 °C (51.8 °F) Min average t°: +1 °C (33.8 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

January Max average t°: +8 °C (46.4 °F) Min average t°: -2 °C (28.4 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2")

February Max average t°: +9 °C (48.2 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30.2 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 75 mm (2.9")

Winter Holidays

December – Arashiyama Hanatoro.
December 31 – Joya-no-Kane (New Year’s Eve Ceremony).

Second Monday of January – Coming of Age Day.
January 1-3 – First Shrine Visit of the New Year (Hatsumode).
January 8-12 – Toka Ebisu Festival.

February 2-3 – Setsubun.
February 11 – National Foundation Day.