Month guide · Kyoto · Japan
Kyoto in October
What October is really like in Kyoto: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cheng-en Cheng from Taipei City, Taiwan, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 11.2 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and comfortable — excellent walking weather before the foliage crowds of November.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 11.2 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Kyoto: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with September (29°C (84°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 17°C (63°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 06:02
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:22
- Daylight
- About 11.2 hours
Autumn (September–November). A hot start, then dry, clear days and spectacular maple colour from mid-November, with evening temple illuminations.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- Jidai Matsuri — historical costume parade (22 October)
- Kurama Fire Festival in Kurama village (22 October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Arashiyama
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji
A short path between towering bamboo stalks leads from the north gate of Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO-listed Zen temple whose 14th-century pond garden borrows the hills behind it as scenery.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Kids
Neighbourhood · Gion
Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Photography is banned on some private lanes off Hanamikoji; never block or follow geiko or maiko for photos.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- History
Market · Downtown Kawaramachi
Nishiki Market
A five-block covered street known as 'Kyoto's kitchen', Nishiki has more than a hundred stalls selling pickles, tofu, dashi rolled omelettes, fresh seafood, wagashi and knives.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
- Iconic
Castle · Nakagyo
Nijo Castle
Walk the Ninomaru Palace corridors slowly to hear the nightingale floors chirp underfoot.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 14°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Kyoto?
One of the best months to visit Kyoto, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are March–May and November. Compare every month.
Kyoto in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Kyoto?
It is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Dry, sunny and comfortable — excellent walking weather before the foliage crowds of November.
+How warm is Kyoto in October?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in October?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.