As a traveller, there are a lot of factors that go into the planning of a trip. Sure you could just fly on the seat of your pants and that works for a lot of people but at the same time, you could miss out on a lot of things in Kyoto, Japan if you don’t do a little due diligence beforehand.
What’s the weather like at different times of the year? When are the festivals to keep an eye out for? Ultimately, when is the best time to go to Kyoto? This guide should help you plan that perfect trip!
Read more about Japan
- The best ryokans in Kyoto
- The Ultimate Kyoto 4 Day Itinerary
- The 12 day Japan itinerary you need to help plan your trip
- Kamakura day trip from Tokyo
- Ramen etiquette to brush up on before you go to Japan
How to get the best deals in travel
- Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
- Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
- Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
- Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
- Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.
What’s the weather like throughout the year?
Kyoto is a city that experiences all four seasons. Winter (December – February) is actually quite mild and averages 10C/50F, but don’t be surprised if December drops below 0C/32F. January is typically the coldest month of the year.
From there, things begin to warm up into spring (March – May) with March receiving averages of 14C/57F. Spring shows up in earnest in April and the temperatures only go up from there.
Summer (June – August) averages at 28C/82F which makes for very hot days. One thing to note is that June also marks the start of rainy season towards the end of the month. Expect the humidity to be also very high.
September marks the start of autumn (September – November) and a dramatic end to the rainy season with more than 210mm of rainfall in the month. From there the temperature starts to taper off going from the highs of summer down to 17C/62F.
Festivals you don’t want to miss
Without a doubt, the cherry-blossom season is what Kyoto is known for. Although not marked by specific dates, the blooming of cherry-blossoms typically occur early April. That being said, the blossoms are extremely fickle, occurring any time between late March to mid-April. Maruyama Park is a great place to see the cherries.
Setsubun is a spectacular fire festival held at Yoshida Shrine February 2, 3 or 4 where lucky travellers will see a large bonfire and Shinto ceremony.
In July, the Gion Matsuri festival is something not to be missed and one of the top three festivals in Japan. Three evenings prior to the main parade, the streets of downtown are closed off to traffic and locals party among decorated floats while dressed in yakuta (cotton robes). All of this culminates in a huge float parade on July 17th.
At 8 p.m. on August 16th, the hillside surrounding Kyoto is set ablaze in shapes of ideograms for the Daimon-ji Fire Festival. It’s quite the spectacle you won’t see anywhere else.
Japan Trip Planning Essentials And Discounts
If you’re in the middle of booking your trip to Japan, here are the most important places you need to go to book:
- JR Pass – The two most reliable places we always check are JRailPass and JRPass. If you are taking long distance Shinkansen across multiple region, get the full JR Pass. If you’re focusing on one specific area, you only need a JR regional pass. The official booking platform is Smart-Ex.
- Shinkansen – The JR Pass prices have gone up and for many of you, it’ll make more sense to book tickets individually. The secret is that when you buy your Shinkansen tickets through Klook offers special vouchers for Don Quijote and BIC when booking. Their tickets are super easy to redeem as well. Right now, use code SKS10OFF to save $10 USD off.
- Hotels/Ryokans – In Japan, the best website for accommodations, hands down is Agoda. When we’ve compared them against Booking, Agoda consistently came out cheaper.
- Tours – While Viator and GetYourGuide are our go-to’s, Klook and KKDay are much popular in Asia so it’s always worth comparing across all of them to make sure you get the best price. With Klook, use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save up to 10% on your first booking.
- Pocket Wifi – While we do love eSIMs, having a pocket wifi is great for sharing data with a large group. The most popular is NinjaWifi which is easy to pick up at the airport. Use code AWESOME15 to save 15% (automatically applied). Alternatives are offered by JRPass and JRailPass but they aren’t as cheap. For a more global solution, consider Solis and PokeFi.
- eSIM – The best one is Airalo. Save money by getting the Japan region eSIM and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. From now to Feb 29, the 10GB package is half price as well! Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
- Car Rental – Big companies like Budget, Avis, and Enterprise operate in Japan but they’re usually the most expensive. The best companies are the local Japanese ones such as Toyota Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar, Orix Rentacar, Nissan Rentacar, and Times Car Rental. To make things easier, use Rentalcars and Klook to compare prices all in one place. Don’t forget, you need an IDP to drive in Japan so get one before you leave your home country.
- Learn Japanese – It helps to know even a bit of the language before you go. Start your learning with Rosetta Stone Japanese.
- Cash or credit – Cash is still very important to have in Japan but when you use credit cards, make sure you’re not getting charged those extra exchange rate fees. The best card right now is the Wise Multi-Currency Card which is actually a debit card where you can convert at favorable rates beforehand. This cuts out any sneaky transaction fees.
- Travel Insurance – Make sure you’re covered in case something happens. Get quotes from HeyMondo where booking through our link gets you 15% off automatically and if you’re from Canada, get quotes from RATESDOTCA.
- Shopping – Discovering Don Quijote is a quintessential part of the Japan experience. The secret for tax-free shopping is that they have a coupon that can help you save 10% off + additional 5% off if you spend ¥10,000 or more.
When’s the best time to visit Kyoto?
It’s no surprise that the most popular times to visit Kyoto are when the climate is the most pleasant and stable.
March to May are fantastic months when things are starting to warm up and is most comfortable. October and November during the autumn season are equally desirable because it’s sunny and warm during the day and the evenings are refreshingly cool.
The Cherry Blossom Festival offers a compelling reason to go to Kyoto in April, but keep in mind that the city becomes crowded with domestic and international tourists during this time.
Similarly, the picturesque autumn foliage produces a high turn out of tourists. As a result, make sure you book your accommodations well in advance if you’re visiting during these times.
If I was to pick two of the best months to go to Kyoto, I’d say March and September.
Both early to mid March and late September gets you into Tokyo before the start of high season which means you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of fantastic weather without massive crowds. Low season also means that hotels can be had at a bargain price.
Where are the best places to stay in Kyoto?
Regardless of when you decide to go, make sure you do your research to find a place to stay that not only have good prices but are located in prime spots to launch your adventures.
Finding great accommodations in Kyoto isn’t easy because places can get pretty expensive. If you’re looking to stay in a traditional Japanese accommodation, make sure you see my list of the top budget ryokans in Kyoto. We also have a full neighborhood breakdown which will help you decide where to stay in Kyoto.
Here are two properties that I’d definitely consider.
BEST OVERALL RYOKAN
While this might not be the fanciest ryokan out there, on balance of the price, the staff, the rooms, and amenities, I was very happy to stay here last time we were in Kyoto.
BEST BUDGET HOTEL
A highly rated property in the Gion area of Kyoto that I’ve seen under $100 which is very reasonable. Don’t let the price fool you though, it’s a fantastic and well-respected property in Kyoto.
Do you need a JR Pass?
If you’re looking to do any travelling around Japan, I highly recommend picking up a JRailPass. Keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase it before your trip and ship it to your home.
Looking for other things to do in the city?
Your Go-To Japan Trip Planning Resources
Are you in the process of planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan? Here are a few important pieces that you’ll want to read or bookmark before oyu go.
Where to stay in Kyoto – A neighborhood guide
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
- Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
- KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
- AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
hey Will, thanx for such informative and detailed post!
I’ve been to Japan once and it was definitely that charming April when me and my girlfriend spend a month in my uncle’s house in Kyoto. Cherry blossom was fantastic and I’ll never forget this spring.
I used site https://www.rove.me/to/kyoto for our trip as it helped me to choose the right season by activities, and by the virtue of the blog https://www.kyotoursjapan.com/blog/2017/2/14/the-best-season-to-visit-kyoto I got that the weather is going to be mild and pleasant in April. What a pity I didn’t come across your article before our journey, it looks like 2 in 1! gorgeous!
I guess we should try again in golden September! Which activities in autumn would you recommend in Kyoto?
Hey Chris! Thank you so much for dropping a line. I would love to do Cherry Blossoms at some point in Japan. How is it there in terms of crowds? For autumn, I would say that the fall colours and the changing of the leaves are absolutely stunning to see. Exact timing is hard to say because it really depends on how quickly the temperature drops.
Summer is the absolute worst time to visit Japan and East Asia … humidity is at 80% and heat index is sky high. Great post!
I went in October and I have to agree with your assessment-it’s a great time to visit! The weather was so gorgeous. I would have liked to see fall leaves but I guess those are in November.
It’s tough to see all the seasons of Kyoto! If only we lived there right? October is still an awesome time to go. I was there in the summer one time and like I mention, it gets pretty crazy hot and crowded!
I’ll be heading over to Japan in mid-May and visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. In May there’s a sumo tournament in Tokyo so we’re hoping to catch a match.
Oh so jealous Barry! I did that jaunt a few years back. You’re going to love it :) Missed out on the sumo though so let me know how that is!!