01Weather
Kyoto weather in May
Afternoons in May average 25.3 °C (78 °F) and nights cool to 15.3 °C (60 °F). The month brings about 136 mm (5.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with April it is 4.4 °C warmer; June is 3.4 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 30 °C / 87 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 20 °C / 69 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 12 °C / 53 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 3.6 | 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 May day 2016–2025 | 34.2 °C / 6.5 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:05 | 18:42 | 13.6 h |
| 15 May | 04:53 | 18:53 | 14.0 h |
| 31 May | 04:44 | 19:04 | 14.3 h |
Daylight grows by about 42 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo).
03Crowds
How busy Kyoto is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Golden Week to 5 May
- Aoi Matsuri on 15 May
- fresh green (shinryoku)
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 3 May 2027 | Constitution Memorial Day |
| 4 May 2027 | Greenery Day |
| 5 May 2027 | Children's 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 May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aoi Matsuri | 15 May, procession from the Imperial Palace | festival |
07Packing
What to pack for Kyoto in May
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 4 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is beautiful once Golden Week ends on 5 May, with fresh green maples, the Aoi Matsuri procession on 15 May from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo shrines, afternoons around 25 °C and warm, mostly dry weather. Late May is a quiet, underrated window before the rains. Kibune's riverside restaurants open their platforms over the stream. Rain falls on about ten days.
The Mifune Matsuri boat festival on the Oi River in Arashiyama falls on the third Sunday. Hotel rates fall sharply after Golden Week. The Kamogawa Odori dances run in the Pontocho district. Daylight passes fourteen hours. For the rainy season, hydrangeas and the cheapest early summer, see June.
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 May? See the best time to visit Kyoto.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo in May | 24 °C | 9 |
| Seoul in May | 24 °C | – |
| Shanghai in May | 26 °C | 10 |
| Beijing in May | 29 °C | 6 |
| Bangkok in May | 36 °C | 22 |
| Singapore in May | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Kyoto in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Kyoto?
May is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Daytime highs average 25 °C (78 °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 May?
Expect warm days around 25 °C (78 °F) and nights near 15 °C (60 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 30 °C, and one in ten stays below 20 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in May?
May brings about 136 mm (5.4 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 May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Kyoto crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Golden Week to 5 May; Aoi Matsuri on 15 May; fresh green (shinryoku).
What time does it get dark in Kyoto in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 18:53 and rises at 04:53, giving 14.0 hours of daylight.