Japan Kyoto Weather in February — Climate Guide
February in Kyoto is Good
February is Good for Kyoto.
February is the tail of winter with the first hints of spring. Temperatures are close to January's, but late month brings 13°C clear days. The Daigo-ji (醍醐寺) and Kitano Tenmangu (北野天満宮) plum festivals run mid-February to early March — 1,000 plum trees in full bloom, none of the cherry blossom crowds. It's the signature attraction of the month.
February 3 is Setsubun (節分), the traditional bean-throwing ritual to drive out bad spirits. Heian Jingu and Yoshida Shrine are Kyoto's two main Setsubun destinations, with celebrity-led mamemaki (bean-throwing) ceremonies. The festival is uniquely Japanese and rarely on tourists' radar.
Travel score
Kyoto February Weather Stats
Avg High
10°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
6.5
68mm total
Sunshine
4.8h
Daily avg
Humidity
64%
Dry
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 18
Sea Temp
13°C
Avg water temp
Snow Days
2.5
Monthly avg
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
February Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 2.5 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
7°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 18 km/h
Activities Recommended for February
February Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Off-season pricing — best value for flights and hotels
- Daigo-ji plum festival — temple plums without cherry blossom crowds
- Setsubun and Valentine's — winter-only cultural events
Cons
- Cold makes long outdoor temple days physically draining
- Short daylight — sunset 5:30 PM
- Lunar New Year overlap can spike prices short-term
February Events & Festivals
- Daigo-ji & Kitano Tenmangu plum festivals (mid-Feb to early March)
- Setsubun (節分, Feb 3) — bean-throwing at Heian Jingu and Yoshida Shrine
- Valentine's chocolate fairs — Shijo-dori and Daimaru basement
Kyoto in February — Full Picture
February is the tail of winter with the first hints of spring. Temperatures are close to January's, but late month brings 13°C clear days. The Daigo-ji (醍醐寺) and Kitano Tenmangu (北野天満宮) plum festivals run mid-February to early March — 1,000 plum trees in full bloom, none of the cherry blossom crowds. It's the signature attraction of the month.
February 3 is Setsubun (節分), the traditional bean-throwing ritual to drive out bad spirits. Heian Jingu and Yoshida Shrine are Kyoto's two main Setsubun destinations, with celebrity-led mamemaki (bean-throwing) ceremonies. The festival is uniquely Japanese and rarely on tourists' radar.
Off-season pricing continues — flights and hotels remain cheap. Early-to-mid February has no Japanese holidays, so hotel availability is broad. Ryokan packages run $165-265 / ¥25,000-40,000 per night with typical 30% off-season discounts. If your dates overlap with Lunar New Year (varies year to year), expect short-term spikes in flight prices.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Similar winter setup as January. Late February starts hinting at warmer days reaching 13°C — easily removable outer layers help. Plum blossom photography season, so pack camera-friendly outerwear plus comfortable walking shoes.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
18.7°C
9°C
9.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
30.3°C
22°C
10.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
22.3°C
13.3°C
8.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current10°C
2°C
5.7/mo
Kyoto Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9° | 1° | 5.5d·50mm | 4.5h | 65% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 2° | 6.5d·68mm | 4.8h | 64% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| March (Best) | 13° | 4° | 9.5d·113mm | 5.5h | 62% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 19° | 9° | 9.5d·116mm | 6.5h | 60% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 24° | 14° | 9d·161mm | 6.5h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| 27° | 19° | 12.5d·215mm | 4.5h | 75% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 23° | 11d·224mm | 5.5h | 75% | 11 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 33° | 24° | 8.5d·154mm | 7h | 70% | 11 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 28° | 20° | 11d·179mm | 5h | 70% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| October (Best) | 22° | 13° | 8d·124mm | 5.5h | 67% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| November (Best) | 17° | 7° | 6d·75mm | 4.8h | 65% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
| 11° | 3° | 5d·53mm | 4.5h | 65% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Kyoto February Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is February a good time to visit Kyoto?
Kyoto in February is Good. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Kyoto in February?
Kyoto February averages a high of 10°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in Kyoto in February?
Kyoto February averages 68mm of rainfall over about 6.5 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kyoto in February?
Similar winter setup as January. Late February starts hinting at warmer days reaching 13°C — easily removable outer layers help. Plum blossom photography season, so pack camera-friendly outerwear plus comfortable walking shoes.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kyoto in February?
Kyoto February sunrise is 06:48 and sunset is 17:32, with 10h 45m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kyoto in February?
Kyoto February air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kyoto in February?
In February, Kyoto is great for Daigo-ji plum festival, Setsubun shrine ceremonies, Ryokan kaiseki + hot spring.
Is February peak season in Kyoto?
Kyoto February crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Kyoto
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.