01Weather
Kyoto weather in October
Afternoons in October average 23.8 °C (75 °F) and nights cool to 15.8 °C (60 °F). The month brings about 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with September it is 6.5 °C cooler; November is 5.6 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical October | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 29 °C / 83 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 19 °C / 67 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 11 °C / 51 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 1.9 | 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 | 27 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest October day 2016–2025 | 33.6 °C / 8.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October | 05:51 | 17:41 | 11.8 h |
| 15 October | 06:02 | 17:22 | 11.3 h |
| 31 October | 06:17 | 17:03 | 10.8 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 60 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo), including the clock change on the last Sunday of October.
03Crowds
How busy Kyoto is in October
busy The main sights are busy in October. What drives it:
- Jidai Matsuri on 22 October
- Kurama Fire Festival
- pleasant weather
04Public holidays
Public holidays in October 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 11 Oct 2027 | Sports 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 October
Every year in October
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jidai Matsuri | 22 October, historical costume parade | festival |
| Kurama Fire Festival | 22 October, Kurama village | festival |
07Packing
What to pack for Kyoto in October
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
October is dry, warm by day around 23 °C and cool at night, with the Jidai Matsuri costume parade from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine and the Kurama Fire Festival both on 22 October. Early foliage begins in the mountains at Takao. It is a pleasant, busy month, with rates rising toward the November peak. Sports Day on the second Monday is a holiday. Rain falls on about eight days.
The Zuiki Matsuri at Kitano Tenmangu in the first week and the Kyoto Experiment performing-arts festival fill the calendar. The Nishiki market's autumn produce arrives. Daylight shrinks from twelve hours to eleven. For the autumn-leaf peak and the temple night illuminations, see November; book months ahead.
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 October? See the best time to visit Kyoto.
10Elsewhere
October in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo in October | 22 °C | 10 |
| Seoul in October | 20 °C | – |
| Shanghai in October | 24 °C | 8 |
| Beijing in October | 20 °C | 5 |
| Bangkok in October | 33 °C | 22 |
| Singapore in October | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Kyoto in October: your questions
Is October a good time to visit Kyoto?
October is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Daytime highs average 24 °C (75 °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 October?
Expect mild days around 24 °C (75 °F) and nights near 16 °C (60 °F). One October in ten brings afternoons above 29 °C, and one in ten stays below 19 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in October?
October brings about 139 mm (5.5 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 27 percent.
What should I wear in Kyoto in October?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Kyoto crowded in October?
The main sights are busy in October. Main drivers: Jidai Matsuri on 22 October; Kurama Fire Festival; pleasant weather.
What time does it get dark in Kyoto in October?
Around the middle of October the sun sets at about 17:22 and rises at 06:02, giving 11.3 hours of daylight.