Kyoto by season
When to Visit Kyoto
Each season in Kyoto suits a different kind of trip. Spring brings cherry blossoms and geiko dance performances under mild skies, at the cost of the year's biggest crowds. Summer brings the Gion Matsuri's float processions, though the midday heat and humidity empty the streets. Autumn rivals spring for beauty, with koyo foliage turning temple gardens red and gold. Winter is quieter: the year's shortest queues, lower prices, and an outside chance of snow on Kinkaku-ji's gold roof. Here's what you're choosing between.
March · April · MayKyoto in Spring
Best all-roundCherry blossoms along the Philosopher's Path, mild walking weather, and Kyoto's single most crowded and most beautiful season.
- Cherry blossom (sakura) season, late March to early April
- Miyako Odori, the geiko cherry dances in Gion
- Comfortable walking temperatures
- The year's busiest, most expensive weeks
June · July · AugustKyoto in Summer
Peak festival seasonThe Gion Matsuri's float processions fill July, and long daylight hours stretch sightseeing into the evening, if you can handle the heat.
- Gion Matsuri festival throughout July
- Daimonji Gozan Okuribi bonfires (mid-August)
- Long daylight hours for evening sightseeing
- Hot, humid days: plan around the midday sun
September · October · NovemberKyoto in Autumn
Smartest choiceKoyo foliage turns the temple gardens red and gold through November, under some of the year's most comfortable walking weather.
- Koyo foliage usually peaks mid-to-late November
- Comfortable, mild temperatures
- Temple night illuminations
- Crowds and beauty rival cherry blossom season
December · January · FebruaryKyoto in Winter
Best valueThe year's shortest queues and lowest prices, with an outside chance of snow dusting Kinkaku-ji's gold roof.
- Lower hotel prices outside New Year
- Shortest queues at major temples
- Mild days, cool nights, rare snow on temple roofs
- Hatsumode crowds at shrines around January 1st
At a glance
- Spring Mar–May
- CrowdsHighPricesPeakBest forFirst visit, mild weather, cherry blossom
- Summer Jun–Aug
- CrowdsHighPricesPeak (Gion Matsuri, July)Best forFestivals, long evenings
- Autumn Sep–Nov
- CrowdsHigh (peaks mid-Nov)PricesPeak in NovBest forKoyo foliage, mild weather
- Winter Dec–Feb
- CrowdsLow (except New Year)PricesLowestBest forBudget travellers, quiet temples
| Season | Months | Crowds | Prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar–May | High | Peak | First visit, mild weather, cherry blossom |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | High | Peak (Gion Matsuri, July) | Festivals, long evenings |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | High (peaks mid-Nov) | Peak in Nov | Koyo foliage, mild weather |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Low (except New Year) | Lowest | Budget travellers, quiet temples |