Month guide · Kyoto · Japan
Kyoto in August
What August is really like in Kyoto: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 34°C (93°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. Kyoto's hottest month, with oppressive humidity; plan sights for early morning and evening and take heat warnings seriously.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 34°C (93°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in August
August is the warmest month in Kyoto: days average 34°C (93°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with July (32°C (90°F)), August is warmer; by September highs drop to around 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:17
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 18:46
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
Summer (June–August). The rainy season in June and early July, then intense heat and humidity; Gion Matsuri in July and the Okuribi bonfires in August.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in April). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in August
- Gozan no Okuribi — bonfires in kanji shapes on the hills for Obon (16 August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Kita
Daitoku-ji
A walled complex of more than 20 Zen sub-temples, Daitoku-ji is closely tied to the tea ceremony.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Waterfront · Downtown Kawaramachi
Kamo River and Pontocho
Cross the stepping stones at Demachiyanagi, where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, for a local favourite spot.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Food
- Outdoors
Park · Arashiyama
Iwatayama Monkey Park
A steep 20-minute climb from the south bank of the Oi River leads to a hilltop clearing where more than a hundred wild Japanese macaques roam freely.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Nature
- Active
Market · Downtown Kawaramachi
Nishiki Market
Eat at or beside the stall where you buy; the market asks visitors not to eat while walking.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 34°C, lows near 24°C and 9 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Kyoto?
A month many travellers avoid, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Kyoto in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Kyoto?
It is a month many travellers avoid. Kyoto's hottest month, with oppressive humidity; plan sights for early morning and evening and take heat warnings seriously.
+How warm is Kyoto in August?
Average highs are around 34°C (93°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in August?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.