01Weather
Kyoto weather in August
Afternoons in August average 34.4 °C (94 °F) and nights cool to 25.8 °C (78 °F). The month brings about 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with July it is 1.2 °C warmer; September is 4.1 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical August | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 38 °C / 100 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 30 °C / 86 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 23 °C / 74 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 27.6 | 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 | 28 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest August day 2016–2025 | 39.5 °C / 18.6 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 August | 05:06 | 19:00 | 13.9 h |
| 15 August | 05:17 | 18:45 | 13.5 h |
| 31 August | 05:29 | 18:25 | 12.9 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 60 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo).
03Crowds
How busy Kyoto is in August
busy The main sights are busy in August. What drives it:
- Obon and Daimonji bonfires on 16 August
- summer heat
04Public holidays
Public holidays in August 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 11 Aug 2027 | Mountain 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 August
Every year in August
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji) | 16 August, bonfires on five mountains | festival |
07Packing
What to pack for Kyoto in August
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 28 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
August is the hottest month, often above 35 °C with heavy humidity, and the Daimonji bonfires on 16 August close the Obon period with fires on five mountains visible across the city from the Kamo River banks. Domestic travel peaks mid-month. Mountain Day on 11 August is a holiday. Rain falls on about ten days, as thunderstorms. The bamboo grove at Arashiyama is cooler at dawn.
The Toji temple's flea market on the 21st and the Kitano Tenmangu market on the 25th run every month. The Kamo River evening breeze is the only outdoor relief. Hotel rates are moderate outside the Obon week. Daylight shrinks from fourteen hours to thirteen. For the typhoon-season shoulder month, see September.
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 August? See the best time to visit Kyoto.
10Elsewhere
August in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo in August | 32 °C | 8 |
| Seoul in August | 31 °C | 19 |
| Shanghai in August | 34 °C | 14 |
| Beijing in August | 32 °C | 10 |
| Bangkok in August | 34 °C | 23 |
| Singapore in August | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Kyoto in August: your questions
Is August a good time to visit Kyoto?
August is a good month to visit Kyoto. Daytime highs average 34 °C (94 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in August?
Expect hot days around 34 °C (94 °F) and nights near 26 °C (78 °F). One August in ten brings afternoons above 38 °C, and one in ten stays below 30 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in August?
August brings about 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by Kyoto standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 28 percent.
What should I wear in Kyoto in August?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Kyoto crowded in August?
The main sights are busy in August. Main drivers: Obon and Daimonji bonfires on 16 August; summer heat.
What time does it get dark in Kyoto in August?
Around the middle of August the sun sets at about 18:45 and rises at 05:17, giving 13.5 hours of daylight.