What to Wear in Kyoto
Japan · 9 monthly packing guides
Kyoto runs Japanese-heritage temples-and-traditional — Kiyomizu-dera (cliffside Buddhist), Fushimi Inari Taisha (orange torii-gates Shinto), Kinkaku-ji + Ginkaku-ji (Golden + Silver Pavilions), Gion geisha district. SOU・SOU (founded in Kyoto in 2003; jika-tabi and textiles); Issey Miyake (Tokyo 1970, Pleats Please flagship); Chiso (1555 kimono); Eirakuya (1615 traditional textiles); 和傘 wagasa oiled-paper umbrella heritage. Temple etiquette: shoulders + knees covered, slip-on shoes (every inner hall removes), no flash photography during prayer. Tsuyu (Japanese plum-rains): JMA's 1991–2020 average for Kinki runs from about 6 June to about 19 July. Gion Matsuri (1,100-year-old festival) all of July with Yamaboko Junko parade July 17. Gozan no Okuribi Daimonji bonfires August 16.
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach 2°C / 36°F in January; average highs reach 33°C / 91°F in August.
Compare Kyoto by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | 2°C / 36°F | 9°C / 48°F | 6 | 10h 03m |
| February packing guide | 2°C / 36°F | 10°C / 50°F | 7 | 10h 55m |
| May packing guide | 14°C / 57°F | 25°C / 77°F | 11 | 13h 50m |
| June packing guide | 19°C / 66°F | 28°C / 82°F | 13 | 14h 25m |
| July packing guide | 23°C / 73°F | 32°C / 90°F | 14 | 14h 15m |
| August packing guide | 24°C / 75°F | 33°C / 91°F | 11 | 13h 30m |
| October packing guide | 14°C / 57°F | 23°C / 73°F | 8 | 11h 20m |
| November packing guide | 8°C / 46°F | 17°C / 63°F | 6 | 10h 20m |
| December packing guide | 4°C / 39°F | 12°C / 54°F | 7 | 9h 50m |
Choose your Kyoto packing list
Kyoto in January: 9°C / 48°F afternoons, 2°C / 36°F nights, snow falling on 16 days and lying on about one, and the quietest temples of the year after the 3rd.
In this capsule: Tobacco-brown down coat, below the knee, hood; Heather-grey chunky turtleneck; Slate merino base layer, long sleeves.
Kyoto in February: 10°C / 50°F afternoons, 2°C / 36°F nights, rain on about 7 days, and the open-air Baikasai tea at Kitano Tenmangu on Thursday 25 February.
In this capsule: Oatmeal wool cocoon coat, below the knee; Plum fine merino turtleneck; Light grey V-neck cardigan, five buttons.
Kyoto in May is Japanese late spring — 25°C / 77°F afternoons, 14°C / 57°F mornings, 11 rain days, the cherry blossoms gone but the maple-tree green at peak across the temples.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton or linen midi dress; Mid-weight cardigan or wool sweater; Packable rain shell — Patagonia, Uniqlo Pocketable.
Kyoto in June is tsuyu (plum-rains) season — 28°C / 82°F afternoons, 19°C / 66°F nights, 13 rain days. Humidity 80% peak.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton tee + cotton dress; Mid-weight cardigan or wool sweater; Packable rain shell + compact umbrella.
Kyoto in July is Gion Matsuri month — 32°C / 90°F afternoons, 23°C / 73°F nights, 14 rain days. The most-cited Kyoto festival running all of July.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton tee + cotton dress; Mid-weight cardigan or wool sweater; Packable rain shell + compact umbrella.
Kyoto in August is peak Japanese summer + Daimonji Festival August 16 — 33°C / 91°F afternoons, 24°C / 75°F nights, 11 rain days.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton tee + cotton dress; Mid-weight cardigan or wool sweater; Packable rain shell + compact umbrella.
Kyoto in October: 23°C / 73°F afternoons, 14°C / 57°F mornings, 8 rain days — a nine-degree basin swing and two festivals on one day.
In this capsule: Olive wool blazer, patch pockets; Charcoal-black crew knit, fine gauge; Ivory cotton button-down.
Kyoto in November: 17°C / 63°F afternoons, 8°C / 46°F nights, about 6 rain days, and a sunset near 4:50pm.
In this capsule: Light grey wool coat, single-breasted, mid-thigh; Rust V-neck cardigan; Sage long-sleeve merino top.
Kyoto in December: 12°C / 54°F afternoons, 4°C / 39°F nights, about 7 rain days, and maples that last into the first week.
In this capsule: Espresso-brown wool coat, below the knee; Cream cable-knit Aran sweater; Oat long-sleeve merino top.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- February: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- May: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- June: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- July: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- August: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- October: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- November: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
- December: Japan Meteorological Agency · Kyoto · 1991–2020 normals
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 9 published guides cover January, February, May, June, July, August, October, November, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, January has the lowest average low at 2°C / 36°F, while August has the highest average high at 33°C / 91°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.