VoyaggoraTop-rated tours in Kyoto
Planning your trip to Kyoto
Best time to visit
Late March to early April brings cherry blossom, and mid to late November brings red leaves, and both are very busy. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is quiet and cold.
How many days you need
Three to four days covers the main temples, gardens and the old districts. Leave time for a slower morning in a neighborhood instead of a checklist.
Getting around
Buses can be crowded, and the subway covers only some areas, so many visitors combine buses, trains, bikes and walking. Go to the most popular temples early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
What to skip
In the traditional entertainment district, be respectful of local residents and the geisha: do not block them or chase them for photos, and note that photography is restricted in some private alleys.
Where to stay in Kyoto
Hotels and vacation rentals around Kyoto with live prices from the big booking sites. Pick your dates on the map to compare.
Hotel map by our partner Stay22. If you book through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Best time to visit Kyoto
The most comfortable months in Kyoto are April to May and October to November, with average daytime highs of 62 to 74°F and 6 to 11 rainy days a month. August is the hottest month, averaging 90°F, and January the coolest at 47°F. July sees the most rain, around 18 days, while November is the driest with about 6.
Average daily high / low and days with rain, from Open-Meteo ERA5 records for 2019-2024. Highlighted months are the pick above.
Plan the rest of your trip to Kyoto
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Kyoto: common questions
- When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
- The most comfortable stretch is April to May and October to November, when average highs run 62 to 74°F with 6 to 11 rainy days a month. August is the hottest month at 90°F on average, and January the coolest at 47°F.
- What is the rainiest month in Kyoto?
- July, with roughly 18 days of rain. The driest is November, with about 6. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.
- How warm does it get in Kyoto?
- July averages 86°F by day and 73°F at night, and January averages 47°F and 31°F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.
- How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in Kyoto?
- Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.
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