Month guide · Kyoto · Japan
Kyoto in May
What May is really like in Kyoto: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Warm and green, with long days; Golden Week at the start of the month is very busy, then crowds ease.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Kyoto: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with April (20°C (68°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 04:53
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:53
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
Spring (March–May). Plum blossom in March, cherry blossom in early April and fresh green maples in May; Golden Week and blossom season bring heavy crowds.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Golden Week holidays (late April to early May)
- Aoi Matsuri — Heian-era costume procession (15 May)
- Kawayuka river-terrace dining season opens (May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Higashiyama
Sanjusangen-do
Look for a face that resembles someone you know; tradition says you can find one among the statues.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Religious site · Gion
Kennin-ji
Kyoto's oldest Zen temple, founded in 1202, sits just south of Gion's teahouses.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Kyoto Station area
Kyoto Railway Museum
Check the steam-train ride schedule on arrival, and book simulators early on school holidays.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Higashiyama
Kyoto National Museum
Opposite Sanjusangen-do, the Kyoto National Museum shows Buddhist sculpture, painting, calligraphy and ceramics from Kyoto's temples in the modern Heisei Chishinkan wing, beside a red-brick Meiji-era hall and garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 14°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Kyoto?
One of the best months to visit Kyoto, with 3 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are March–April and October–November. Compare every month.
Kyoto in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Kyoto?
It is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Warm and green, with long days; Golden Week at the start of the month is very busy, then crowds ease.
+How warm is Kyoto in May?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in May?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.