Month guide · Kyoto · Japan
Kyoto in September
What September is really like in Kyoto: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Moja, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. Still hot early in the month with a chance of typhoons; it cools late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in September
September is the 3rd-warmest month in Kyoto: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 30 days. Compared with August (34°C (93°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 05:40
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:04
- Daylight
- About 12.3 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, September 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 September
- Moon-viewing events at Daikaku-ji and Shimogamo Shrine (mid-September or early October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Gion
Kennin-ji
Photography is allowed in most areas, and it is usually calmer than the temples up the hill.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Kyoto Station area
Kyoto Railway Museum
Japan's largest railway museum displays more than 50 trains, from steam locomotives in a working roundhouse to early shinkansen, with driving simulators and a short steam-train ride.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Higashiyama
Kyoto National Museum
Major special exhibitions draw long queues; the permanent collection is calmer and well labelled in English.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Religious site · Fushimi
Fushimi Inari Taisha
The head shrine of Inari, god of rice and commerce, is famous for the thousands of vermilion torii gates donated by businesses that tunnel up Mount Inari.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Active
- Kids
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 20°C and 11 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Kyoto?
A shoulder-season month, 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 September a good time to visit Kyoto?
It is a shoulder-season month. Still hot early in the month with a chance of typhoons; it cools late in the month.
+How warm is Kyoto in September?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in September?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.