Charming Kyoto, one of the most visited places in Japan, is well-known for its many temples as well as its historic alleys and structures. This historical capital of Japan is a must-see destination for those who are interested in local customs, religion, or culture. Beyond its temples, Kyoto is the most enchanting large city in Japan because of its welcoming residents, classic wooden homes, and lovely gardens. That being said, depending on when you visit, your experience in Kyoto may vary greatly. Kyoto boasts four distinct seasons and an extensive year-round activities calendar, so make sure to schedule your vacation appropriately.
Are you thinking about travelling to Kyoto but aren’t sure when would be the best time to go? You should use this guide.
To help you choose the ideal time to travel, we’ve put together information and facts on events, the weather, and peak travel times!
The Weather Seasons in Kyoto
Kyoto has four very distinct seasons, which all offer different types of weather and different events. Here’s a brief introduction to those four seasons:
Summer: June to August
Kyoto’s warmest season is summer, when temperatures can occasionally reach 38ºC. If you’re not a fan of hot weather, stay away from Kyoto in the summer, especially in July and August. Summertime brings not only high temperatures but also a lot of humidity and rain. June and July are particularly rainy, so expect to be wet in these months, whether it’s because of excessive humidity or summer’s regular downpours.
It is advisable to steer clear of June, July, and August if you wish to visit Kyoto during the nice seasons.
However, the summer months in Kyoto do provide a number of fascinating and thrilling activities. The Gion Festival, one of the biggest and most well-known in all of Japan, is among the best. It offers a fascinating look into both ancient and contemporary Japanese culture with its never-ending processions. Other major events are Daimonji, a fire festival with stunning illuminations, and the Gojozaka Festival, an extravagant ceramic celebration.
Fall: September to November
Autumn is a great time of year to visit Kyoto. The weather is ideal for strolling through the city and seeing all of Kyoto’s famous temples, with average highs of about 20ºC. While there may be some rain during this time of year, especially in September and October, it is far less than in the summer.
The city is bathed in lovely colours of autumnal colours, which are the true highlight of autumn. Autumn brings lovely hues of red, orange, and yellow throughout Japan, but Kyoto is especially noteworthy. Kyoto makes for an excellent autumn destination in Japan, with its many temples and expansive green areas serving as a stunning backdrop.
The Jidai Festival, which showcases traditional costumes in historical reenactment parades, is one of the most thrilling autumn festivals in Kyoto. Additionally, the hilly community of Kurama has the Kurama Fire Festival in the autumn, which displays hundreds of burning torches. It’s one of the most unusual events in Japan.
Winter: December to February
Kyoto’s wintertime temperatures, on average, drop to about 6ºC. It can be a nice time to visit despite the low temperatures because there isn’t much chance of rain. Moreover, there is minimal likelihood of snowfall, so visitors expecting a snow-free winter in Kyoto might be let down. However, if you’re fortunate enough to experience snowfall in Kyoto during the winter, the city will appear breathtaking.
Winter is traditionally a time of illuminations. This is celebrated in Kyoto during the Arashiyama Hanatouro in December, when thousands of lanterns illuminate various parts of the city, adding to the already wonderful atmosphere. Kyoto is a terrific place to be over the New Year’s holiday since the Japanese like celebrating the start of a new year in both traditional and modern ways.
Spring: March to May
It’s cherry blossom season! Kyoto is among the greatest locations in Japan to see the cherry blossoms. In addition to the abundance of cherry blossoms, Kyoto’s attractiveness provides the ideal setting for taking in all of Japan’s amazing springtime foliage. With ideal temperatures, low humidity, and a tiny probability of rain (though May can be a touch wet), the weather is also excellent for visiting the city. The average temperature is approximately 15ºC. Just a little springtime advice: this is the busiest time of year in Kyoto. Any time of year, Kyoto is one of the most well-liked travel destinations in Japan. However, Kyoto gets crazily busy during the final week of March and the first two weeks of April, when the blossoms are at their peak.
In addition to the stunning flowers, springtime highlights include the geisha-fest at Miyako Odori and the lantern spectacle at Higashiyama Hanatoro.
Busy Seasons in Kyoto
High Season
High season in Kyoto is spring, from March to May, when tourists from around the planet descend upon the city to indulge in the bloom of the city’s cherry blossoms.
Here are the best things to do in Kyoto in spring:
Cherry blossoms: If you haven’t experienced Japan’s cherry blossom season, you haven’t experienced the best of it. Despite the large number of visitors, this is one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. With Kyoto covered in an abundance of gorgeous pink petals, it seems and feels even more special than normal.
One of Kyoto’s most beautiful events, Higashiyama Hanatoro, sees the Higashiyama neighbourhood of the city decked out with about 2,500 lanterns. With performances, illuminations, and bamboo lanterns, Kyoto manages to combine the charming and majestic in a perfectly balanced manner. March is when this celebration takes place.
One of the most thrilling geisha festivals in Japan is Miyako Odori, which is a dance performance season that spans nearly the whole month of April. This performance is not to be missed if you’re interested in traditional Japanese culture.
Low Season
Japan’s summer low season runs from June to August. Not a great time to visit the city, with high temperatures, even higher humidity, and lots of rain. Summer, however, can be an excellent time to go if you want to avoid the crowds and score some deals. Even though summertime in Kyoto is somewhat quiet, visitors may still find a lot of interesting things to do there:
One of the biggest and most stunning events in all of Japan is the Gion Festival, which features two large processions of magnificent floats. Along with traditional clothes, dishes and beverages, there’s also a display of family house artefacts.
Gojozaka Festival: Known as Japan’s biggest ceramics market, this four-day event in August takes up Kyoto. Even if you have no interest in pottery, this is a fascinating look at a traditional Japanese craft.
Another event that takes place in August is Daimonji, which is characterised by large bonfires that light up the mountains that surround the city and lanterns that float on the Kamo River.
Shoulder Season
The shoulder season in Kyoto lasts from September to February and is quite long. Compared to the popular cherry blossom season, these six months in Kyoto see far fewer people and far more agreeable weather than the sweltering summer months.
- Oshogatsu: the Japanese new year, Oshogatsu is one of the country’s most traditional periods, so celebrating it in the country’s most traditional city is a very wise choice. The family-centred holiday features traditional foods and drinks and the charm of quiet streets. Kyoto’s temples, full of celebrating locals, are even more interesting during this time of year.
- Jidai Festival: this October event is one of Kyoto’s most famous festivals. With around 2000 people marching in traditional dress, a two-hour parade and recreations of historical characters, it’s a multi-sensory introduction to many key aspects of Japanese history.
- Arashiyama Hanatouro: if you like winter illuminations, you’ll love this. In December, many parts of Kyoto’s Arashiyama area are lit up by beautiful displays of light. Kyoto in December already offers off-the-scale charm – but this event makes the city even more alluring.
When to Visit Kyoto? Depending on the Type of Traveler You Are
The Best Time to Visit Kyoto for Shopping
Shopping in Kyoto is most enjoyable from October through January. There aren’t too many other visitors, the rains is minimal, and the temperatures are bearable. If you travel close to Christmas, you can enjoy buying and exploring traditional Japanese gifts – and you can watch as Japanese consumers buy their own! The days leading up to Christmas are fantastic times to shop in many parts of the world. That is also the case in Japan.
January frequently offers a tonne of amazing deals if you’re searching for a good deal.
The Best Time to Visit Kyoto for a Honeymoon
It’s ideal to visit Kyoto during its most romantic times if you’re going there for your honeymoon. The crisp autumnal period of autumn or the cherry blossom season of spring are your options. The famous sight of Japan’s cherry blossoms will greet you if you arrive during the former. If you can stand the nonstop throngs, Kyoto is the ideal place to witness Japan’s most romantic time of year—the cherry blossom season.
Autumn is perhaps preferable if you want to have a leafy experience away from the hordes of tourists. Autumn greets Kyoto with crisp leaves and a more relaxed atmosphere.
FAQ’S:
Q1. When is cherry blossom season in Kyoto?
Cherry blossom season typically occurs in late March to early April. This is a highly popular time to visit Kyoto as the city is adorned with beautiful pink cherry blossoms, and various festivals take place during this period.
Q2: How do I plan for transportation during my visit to Kyoto?
Kyoto is well-connected by trains and buses. Consider purchasing a Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Sightseeing Card for convenient travel. Additionally, renting a bicycle is a popular and eco-friendly way to explore the city.
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