The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Kyoto. Temperatures rise (24°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 30% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
May is the best month of the year in Kyoto. Compared to April: +5°C daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
6 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
13°
Daylight
13.8h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 40
Compare
Is May the right month?
May is actually the best month of the year in Kyoto. Good timing.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Kyoto
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Kyoto
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · Japan
🗣️LanguageJapanese
💶CurrencyYen japonais (¥)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.26°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 32°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 8°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 40%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Kyoto ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
JapanTemperate climate with a 7.9 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
35.01°N · 135.77°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Kyoto?
September is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 21.0°C lows, 4.8h of sunshine and 35.0% rainy days. The months of September & May offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Kyoto get in September?
Kyoto averages 4.8 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.5/10.
What is the rainiest month in Kyoto?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Kyoto in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 21.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Kyoto good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Kyoto scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 7.5/10.
When should you avoid Kyoto?
January is the most difficult month to visit Kyoto, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Kyoto in May?
The average UV index reaches 6 in May in Kyoto (high), with about 13.8h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.