Climate in Kyoto — Annual Weather Overview
Kyoto has a continental climate — hot summers, cold winters and moderate rainfall. The hottest month is August (average high 32.1°C) and the coolest is January (8.4°C). The seasons are strongly defined — a 23.7°C swing between August highs and January lows. Annual rainfall totals around 1836mm. July is the wettest month at 336.7mm, while February averages just 54.5mm. Average daily sunshine is 8.3 hours.
**Spring (March, April, May):** average highs 18.8°C, 490mm rain. **Summer (June, July, August):** average highs 29.6°C, 767mm rain. **Autumn (September, October, November):** average highs 22.3°C, 414mm rain. **Winter (December, January, February):** average highs 9.5°C, 166mm rain.
Kyoto — Monthly Temperatures
Kyoto — Monthly Rainfall
✅ Best months to visit
All year
ℹ️ No months to avoid
Weather in Kyoto stays reasonable all year.
Kyoto weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun/day | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4°C | -0.8°C | 56.2mm | 7.0h | 8 | 10/10 |
| February | 9.4°C | -0.2°C | 54.5mm | 7.4h | 6 | 10/10 |
| March | 14.9°C | 3.8°C | 121.7mm | 8.2h | 10 | 9/10 |
| April | 18.4°C | 7.5°C | 170.9mm | 8.7h | 10 | 9/10 |
| May | 23.0°C | 12.8°C | 197.2mm | 8.9h | 12 | 9/10 |
| June | 26.8°C | 17.9°C | 231.8mm | 8.3h | 13 | 8/10 |
| July | 30.0°C | 22.4°C | 336.7mm | 8.7h | 18 | 8/10 |
| August | 32.1°C | 24.0°C | 198.4mm | 10.0h | 14 | 9/10 |
| September | 28.3°C | 20.6°C | 193.0mm | 8.8h | 15 | 9/10 |
| October | 21.7°C | 12.2°C | 139.6mm | 8.5h | 8 | 9/10 |
| November | 16.9°C | 6.9°C | 81.3mm | 7.9h | 6 | 10/10 |
| December | 10.6°C | 0.9°C | 54.8mm | 7.7h | 7 | 10/10 |
For the full verdict on when to go, see the best time to visit Kyoto and the Kyoto rainy season guide. Seasonal breakdowns: spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Sorted on weather — now sort the packing
Our sister site has a ready-made checklist for this exact trip.
Kyoto packing list →More about Japan — currency, language and key facts at 247CountryInfo →
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of climate does Kyoto have?
Kyoto has a continental climate — hot summers, cold winters and moderate rainfall. Average highs range from 8.4°C in January to 32.1°C in August.
What is the hottest month in Kyoto?
August is the hottest month in Kyoto, with average highs of 32.1°C and lows of 24.0°C.
What is the coldest month in Kyoto?
January is the coolest month, with average highs of 8.4°C and lows of -0.8°C.
What is the wettest month in Kyoto?
July is the wettest month, averaging 336.7mm of rainfall over around 18 rainy days.
When is rainy season in Kyoto?
Rainy season in Kyoto runs March to October, when rainfall is significantly higher than the rest of the year. Full rainy season guide →
How much rain does Kyoto get per year?
Kyoto receives around 1836mm of rain per year. The driest month is February (54.5mm).
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
The best time to visit Kyoto is All year. See the full month-by-month guide →
Compare Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt and 800+ rental companies — book now, pay at pickup.
Compare car hire prices → Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to youAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
For the packing side of things, our sister site has a ready-made checklist: Kyoto packing list at 247PackingList. For currency, language and country facts see the Japan guide at 247CountryInfo.
Trip essentials for Kyoto
Universal travel adapter
Worldwide plug coverage with USB-C — one adapter for every leg of the trip.
Check Price →Check clothing sizes in Japan at 247Sizing before you shop for the trip.
More Kyoto travel essentials
Book UK airport parking
Flying out to Kyoto from the UK? Compare Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Compare Airport Parking →Travel first aid kit
Compact, TSA-friendly — covers the basics wherever you travel.
Check Price →Last updated:
Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.