01Weather
Kyoto weather in February
Afternoons in February average 10.7 °C (51 °F) and nights cool to 2.5 °C (36 °F). The month brings about 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with January it is 1.1 °C warmer; March is 5.1 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical February | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 15 °C / 59 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 6 °C / 43 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -1 °C / 31 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 5.8 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 26 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest February day 2016–2025 | 21.3 °C / -3.3 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 February | 06:55 | 17:25 | 10.5 h |
| 15 February | 06:42 | 17:39 | 10.9 h |
| 28 February | 06:27 | 17:51 | 11.4 h |
Daylight grows by about 54 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo).
03Crowds
How busy Kyoto is in February
quiet The main sights are quiet in February. What drives it:
- Setsubun at Yoshida Shrine
- plum blossom at Kitano Tenmangu
- coldest month
04Public holidays
Public holidays in February 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2027 | Foundation Day |
| 23 Feb 2027 | The Emperor's Birthday |
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 February
Every year in February
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Setsubun | 2–3 February, Yoshida Shrine fire ceremony | tradition |
| Plum blossom at Kitano Tenmangu | February to early March | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Kyoto in February
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 6 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
February is the coldest month, with afternoons around 10 °C and nights near freezing, often grey, with plum blossom at Kitano Tenmangu from early February and Setsubun bean-throwing on 3 February at Yoshida Shrine with its fire ceremony and at Yasaka Shrine with maiko. It is the best-value month of the year, with temples nearly deserted on weekdays. Snow is possible but rarely lasts past midday.
The Kitano Tenmangu plum festival on 25 February has an outdoor tea ceremony by geiko. National Foundation Day on 11 February is a holiday. Daylight passes eleven hours by month-end. The Arashiyama bamboo grove is empty at opening time. For the lantern-lit paths and the start of cherry blossom, see March.
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 February? See the best time to visit Kyoto.
10Elsewhere
February in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo in February | 12 °C | 7 |
| Seoul in February | 6 °C | – |
| Shanghai in February | 11 °C | 12 |
| Beijing in February | 7 °C | 3 |
| Bangkok in February | 34 °C | – |
| Singapore in February | 31 °C | 6 |
11FAQ
Kyoto in February: your questions
Is February a good time to visit Kyoto?
February is a good month to visit Kyoto. Daytime highs average 11 °C (51 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in February?
Expect cool days around 11 °C (51 °F) and nights near 2 °C (36 °F). One February in ten brings afternoons above 15 °C, and one in ten stays below 6 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in February?
February brings about 78 mm (3.1 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 26 percent.
What should I wear in Kyoto in February?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Kyoto crowded in February?
The main sights are quiet in February. Main drivers: Setsubun at Yoshida Shrine; plum blossom at Kitano Tenmangu; coldest month.
What time does it get dark in Kyoto in February?
Around the middle of February the sun sets at about 17:39 and rises at 06:42, giving 10.9 hours of daylight.