01Weather
Kyoto weather in April
Afternoons in April average 20.9 °C (70 °F) and nights cool to 10.4 °C (51 °F). The month brings about 136 mm (5.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with March it is 5.1 °C warmer; May is 4.4 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical April | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 26 °C / 79 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 15 °C / 59 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 6 °C / 43 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.1 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 30 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest April day 2016–2025 | 30.6 °C / 2.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April | 05:43 | 18:17 | 12.6 h |
| 15 April | 05:24 | 18:29 | 13.1 h |
| 30 April | 05:06 | 18:41 | 13.6 h |
Daylight grows by about 60 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo).
03Crowds
How busy Kyoto is in April
very busy The main sights are very busy in April. What drives it:
- cherry blossom peak in the first ten days
- Miyako Odori geisha dances
- Golden Week starts 29 April
04Public holidays
Public holidays in April 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 29 Apr 2027 | Shōwa Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Kyoto in April
Every year in April
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry blossom (sakura) | late March to mid-April, Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park, Arashiyama | seasonal |
| Miyako Odori | April, Gion Kobu Kaburenjo | culture |
07Packing
What to pack for Kyoto in April
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
April is sakura month, with the Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park and Arashiyama at full bloom in the first ten days and the most crowded temple grounds of the year, with afternoons around 20 °C. The Miyako Odori geiko dances run all month at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. Golden Week begins on 29 April. Prices are the highest of the year. Rain falls on about ten days.
The late-blooming cherries at Ninnaji extend the season into the third week. The Kamo River banks are the free hanami. The Heian Shrine's garden and the Daigoji's cherry festival are the classic sights. The city buses are overwhelmed; walk or cycle. For the green weeks after Golden Week and the Aoi Matsuri, see May.
09Compare
Kyoto month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 °C | 2 °C | 6 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 11 °C | 2 °C | 8 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 6 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| April | 21 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 25 °C | 15 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 29 °C | 20 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 33 °C | 25 °C | 13 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 34 °C | 26 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| September | 30 °C | 23 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| October | 24 °C | 16 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 10 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| December | 12 °C | 4 °C | 7 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about April? See the best time to visit Kyoto.
10Elsewhere
April in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo in April | 20 °C | 10 |
| Seoul in April | 20 °C | – |
| Shanghai in April | 22 °C | 11 |
| Beijing in April | 23 °C | 4 |
| Bangkok in April | 36 °C | – |
| Singapore in April | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Kyoto in April: your questions
Is April a good time to visit Kyoto?
April is a good month to visit Kyoto. Daytime highs average 21 °C (70 °F), rain falls on about 9 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in April?
Expect mild days around 21 °C (70 °F) and nights near 10 °C (51 °F). One April in ten brings afternoons above 26 °C, and one in ten stays below 15 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in April?
April brings about 136 mm (5.4 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is showery by Kyoto standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 30 percent.
What should I wear in Kyoto in April?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three.
Is Kyoto crowded in April?
The main sights are very busy in April. Main drivers: cherry blossom peak in the first ten days; Miyako Odori geisha dances; Golden Week starts 29 April.
What time does it get dark in Kyoto in April?
Around the middle of April the sun sets at about 18:29 and rises at 05:24, giving 13.1 hours of daylight.