Japan Kyoto Weather in November — Climate Guide
November in Kyoto is Excellent
November is Excellent for Kyoto.
November is foliage peak — pairs with April cherry blossom as Kyoto's most popular month. 17°C/7°C is comparable to Korean or American Northeast autumn. Rainfall of 75 mm is one of the year's lowest, with frequent clear days perfect for photography.
The five top viewing spots: Tofuku-ji (東福寺) Tsuten-kyo bridge with its valley-of-foliage view from above, Eikan-do (永観堂, Kyoto's #1 foliage temple), Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) main hall with foliage night views below, Arashiyama (Hogon-ji, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge), and Toji Pagoda (東寺) with pond reflection shots. Night illuminations ($5.30-8 / ¥800-1,200) are the season's signature — best from sunset to 9 PM.
Travel score
Kyoto November Weather Stats
Avg High
17°C
Avg Low
7°C
Rainy Days
6
75mm total
Sunshine
4.8h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
Comfortable
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 20
Sea Temp
19°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
November Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
26 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
16°C
Nighttime
5°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for November
November Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Foliage peak — Kyoto's annual highlight
- Temple night illuminations — Japan's autumn signature
- Clear days predominate (75 mm rainfall) — photography ideal
Cons
- Foliage hotels at yearly maximum, 6-month advance booking required
- 1-hour waits at temple entries standard
- Mornings and evenings at 7°C are chilly
November Events & Festivals
- Foliage peak (mid-November to early December) — Kiyomizu-dera, Tofuku-ji, Arashiyama, Eikan-do
- Tofuku-ji Tsuten-kyo bridge foliage night illumination (mid-November)
- Eikan-do (永観堂) foliage illumination — Kyoto's #1 autumn light-up
- Kiyomizu-dera night illumination (late November to early December)
Kyoto in November — Full Picture
November is foliage peak — pairs with April cherry blossom as Kyoto's most popular month. 17°C/7°C is comparable to Korean or American Northeast autumn. Rainfall of 75 mm is one of the year's lowest, with frequent clear days perfect for photography.
The five top viewing spots: Tofuku-ji (東福寺) Tsuten-kyo bridge with its valley-of-foliage view from above, Eikan-do (永観堂, Kyoto's #1 foliage temple), Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) main hall with foliage night views below, Arashiyama (Hogon-ji, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge), and Toji Pagoda (東寺) with pond reflection shots. Night illuminations ($5.30-8 / ¥800-1,200) are the season's signature — best from sunset to 9 PM.
The downsides are price and crowds. The third and fourth weeks of November hit yearly hotel highs — business hotels at $120-165 / ¥18,000-25,000, ryokan at $535-1,000+ / ¥80,000-150,000. Round-trip flights also peak. Temple entry waits of 1 hour are normal. Weekday mornings and early evening illuminations (until 7 PM) are noticeably less crowded. The first week of November still sees foliage starting but at lower prices — a smart-value window.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Foliage peak season — Kyoto's annual highlight. 17°C/7°C is similar to late autumn in Korea or New York. Trench coats, wool cardigans, and knits work. Mornings and evenings at 7°C are chilly — bring a scarf. Beige, brown, and burgundy tones complement the foliage photography.
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)
Current22.3°C
13.3°C
8.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
10°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 November Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is November a good time to visit Kyoto?
Kyoto in November is Excellent. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Kyoto in November?
Kyoto November averages a high of 17°C and a low of 7°C.
Does it rain much in Kyoto in November?
Kyoto November averages 75mm of rainfall over about 6 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kyoto in November?
Foliage peak season — Kyoto's annual highlight. 17°C/7°C is similar to late autumn in Korea or New York. Trench coats, wool cardigans, and knits work. Mornings and evenings at 7°C are chilly — bring a scarf. Beige, brown, and burgundy tones complement the foliage photography.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kyoto in November?
Kyoto November sunrise is 06:30 and sunset is 17:00, with 10h 30m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kyoto in November?
Kyoto November air quality (AQI) averages 40, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kyoto in November?
In November, Kyoto is great for Eikan-do foliage illumination, Tofuku-ji Tsuten-kyo bridge foliage, Kiyomizu-dera night light-up.
Is November peak season in Kyoto?
Kyoto November crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
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.