Japan Kyoto Weather in October — Climate Guide
October in Kyoto is Excellent
October is Excellent for Kyoto.
October pairs with April as Kyoto's most attractive month. Averages of 22°C/13°C are optimal for outdoor activity, with rainfall at 70% of September's level — clearer days are common. Foliage starts late October and peaks mid-November.
October 22 is Jidai Matsuri (時代祭, the Festival of Ages) — the final of Kyoto's three great festivals (alongside Gion Matsuri in July and Aoi Matsuri in May). 2,000 costumed participants representing 1,200 years of Japanese history (from the Heian period through the Meiji era) process 4.6 km from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu. Free to view, starts at noon. A must for history-minded travelers.
Travel score
Kyoto October Weather Stats
Avg High
22°C
Avg Low
13°C
Rainy Days
8
124mm total
Sunshine
5.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
67%
Comfortable
UV Index
5
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 20
Sea Temp
22°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
October Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
27 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
22°C
Nighttime
12°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for October
October Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best outdoor weather — 22°C/13°C autumn
- Jidai Matsuri (October 22) — third of Kyoto's three great festivals
- Foliage begins at Tofuku-ji
Cons
- Hotel prices rising for foliage season
- Early October may still face typhoon residuals
- Jidai Matsuri day closes Kamo River-area streets to traffic
October Events & Festivals
- Jidai Matsuri (時代祭, October 22) — one of Kyoto's three great festivals, 1,200-year procession
- Foliage begins (mid-late October to November) — Tofuku-ji and Tenryu-ji first
- Halloween illumination — Shijo-dori, Kawaramachi
- Korean Hangul Day weekend (October 9-12) — short flight spike
Kyoto in October — Full Picture
October pairs with April as Kyoto's most attractive month. Averages of 22°C/13°C are optimal for outdoor activity, with rainfall at 70% of September's level — clearer days are common. Foliage starts late October and peaks mid-November.
October 22 is Jidai Matsuri (時代祭, the Festival of Ages) — the final of Kyoto's three great festivals (alongside Gion Matsuri in July and Aoi Matsuri in May). 2,000 costumed participants representing 1,200 years of Japanese history (from the Heian period through the Meiji era) process 4.6 km from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu. Free to view, starts at noon. A must for history-minded travelers.
Foliage begins at Tofuku-ji (東福寺) and its Tsuten-kyo bridge, starting late October. Full foliage hits the second week of November. October visitors get partial foliage plus Jidai Matsuri plus relatively uncrowded temples — a smart compromise. Prices climb 20-30% above off-season but don't yet match November's peak. Korean Hangul Day weekend (October 9-12) overlap brings short-term flight and hotel spikes.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Best outdoor weather of the year. Day 22°C, night 13°C — similar to autumn in Korea or the US Northeast. Light jacket, trench coat, or knit pairings work. Foliage begins — red, yellow, and brown tones photograph well. Pack tatami socks for temple visits.
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 October Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October a good time to visit Kyoto?
Kyoto in October is Excellent. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Kyoto in October?
Kyoto October averages a high of 22°C and a low of 13°C.
Does it rain much in Kyoto in October?
Kyoto October averages 124mm of rainfall over about 8 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kyoto in October?
Best outdoor weather of the year. Day 22°C, night 13°C — similar to autumn in Korea or the US Northeast. Light jacket, trench coat, or knit pairings work. Foliage begins — red, yellow, and brown tones photograph well. Pack tatami socks for temple visits.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kyoto in October?
Kyoto October sunrise is 06:05 and sunset is 17:30, with 11h 25m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kyoto in October?
Kyoto October air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kyoto in October?
In October, Kyoto is great for Jidai Matsuri (October 22), Tofuku-ji early foliage, Gion evening walk.
Is October peak season in Kyoto?
Kyoto October crowds are 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.