World Guide

Kyoto

City in Japan

Kyoto
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kyoto is a city in Japan with a population of about 1.45 million people. It is located 364 kilometers from Tokyo and is a destination for travelers interested in its many historic monuments and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

What to see

Kyoto contains numerous sites designated as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto by UNESCO, including temples like Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Ryōan-ji, Tenryū-ji, Enryaku-ji, Tō-ji, Shimogamo Shrine, Nishi Hongan-ji, Daigo-ji, and Saihō-ji. Other notable religious sites include Fushimi Inari-taisha, Yasaka Shrine, and Sanjūsangen-dō. Visitors can also explore historical architecture such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijō Castle, and Fushimi Castle. Nature and outdoor areas are accessible at Arashiyama, the Bamboo Forest, and Mount Hiei. Kyōto Station serves as a central hub for navigating these locations.

When to go

Spring and autumn offer moderate temperatures, with highs ranging from 12 °C in March to 22 °C in May, and 15 °C to 21 °C in the fall. Summers are warm, reaching highs of 31 °C in August, but also experience high rainfall, particularly in June and July with 198 mm and 199 mm respectively. Winters are cold, with temperatures often dropping to near or below freezing, and rainfall is frequent throughout the year.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Osaka Itami International Airport, located 39 kilometers away.

Top sights in Kyoto

  1. Fushimi Inari-taishaFushimi Inari-taisha
  2. Kiyomizu-deraUNESCOKiyomizu-dera
  3. Kinkaku-jiUNESCOKinkaku-ji
  4. Kyoto Imperial PalaceKyoto Imperial Palace
  5. Nijō CastleUNESCONijō Castle
  6. Fushimi CastleFushimi Castle
  7. Ryōan-jiUNESCORyōan-ji
  8. Tenryū-jiUNESCOTenryū-ji
  9. Yasaka ShrineYasaka Shrine
  10. Enryaku-jiUNESCOEnryaku-ji
  11. Ginkaku-jiUNESCOGinkaku-ji
  12. ArashiyamaArashiyama
  1. Tō-jiUNESCO
  2. Mount Hiei
  3. Sanjūsangen-dō
  4. Kyōto Station
  5. Bamboo Forest
  6. Historic Monuments of Ancient KyotoUNESCO
  7. Shimogamo ShrineUNESCO
  8. Nishi Hongan-jiUNESCO
  9. Daigo-jiUNESCO
  10. Saihō-jiUNESCO

Weather by month

The warmest month is August, with an average high of 31 °C. The wettest is July, with about 199 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C7812182226293127211510
Average low, °C-103813172223191372
Rainfall, mm63751111101511981991161661187658
Rainy days161312121115191717131217

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Kyoto (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

  • Heian Shrine
  • Kyoto National Museum
  • Kyoto Tower
  • Kōzan-ji
  • Nanzen-ji
  • Ninna-ji
  • Tōfuku-ji

Other cities in Japan