Kyoto’s fall season marks a pretty clear shift from the lingering heat of late summer to the crisp, cool air that hints at early winter. Daytime highs start off in the mid-80s °F in September but drop to the mid-50s °F by late November. Autumn really is one of the most comfortable times to explore the city.
Evenings get noticeably cooler, so if you pack some layers, you’ll enjoy both daytime walks and nighttime strolls without any discomfort.
Rainfall drops off as the season goes on. September brings more showers, but by November, the days are much drier.
The skies clear up too, so you get more chances to enjoy bright sunshine and those classic blue autumn skies. When you add milder temperatures and lower humidity, you get some of the pleasantest weather of the entire year.
Seasonal changes don’t just affect how you feel—they shape the scenery that draws people to Kyoto every fall. As the air cools and the days shorten, temple gardens, riverbanks, and mountain trails light up with vibrant autumn colors.
If you time your visit right, you’ll catch both comfortable weather and Kyoto’s famous fall landscapes at their absolute best.
Overview of Kyoto’s Fall Climate
Kyoto’s fall climate moves from humid late-summer heat to cool, crisp conditions by early winter. You’ll notice shorter days, lower humidity, and clearer skies.
This makes it a great time to explore the city and the surrounding nature.
Location and Geography
Kyoto sits in a basin on Honshu Island, surrounded by mountains on three sides. These mountains trap heat and moisture in summer, but during fall nights, they let cooler air settle in.
The city itself is about 164 feet above sea level, while the nearby mountains rise much higher. These elevations make temperature swings more dramatic, especially in forested and river valley areas where evenings cool off quickly.
Since Kyoto is inland, it doesn’t get the strong sea breezes that coastal cities do. Instead, local winds usually come from the north in autumn, and by November, you’ll definitely feel the chill.
Northern Kyoto Prefecture, which faces the Sea of Japan, cools down earlier and gets more clouds. In the city, though, you’ll notice clearer skies and drier air as the season moves along.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Daily high temperatures fall steadily, from about 86°F (30°C) in early September to around 56°F (13°C) by late November. At night, lows drop from the low 70s °F (22°C) to the low 40s °F (5°C).
By the end of fall, frost can show up in the outskirts.
Rain drops off quickly. Early September brings heavy showers, with averages near 5–6 inches per month, but by late November, rainfall is closer to 3 inches.
November is usually one of the driest months.
Humidity decreases too. Early fall starts off muggy, but by mid-November, the air feels much drier.
Skies clear up as well, with cloud cover dropping from about half the days in September to less than a third in late November.
Daylight shrinks fast. You lose almost three hours of daylight from September to November, with sunsets moving from after 6:00 PM to before 5:00 PM.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall in Kyoto feels cooler, less humid, and just plain better for walking and sightseeing. Summer highs often hit the upper 90s °F (35–37°C) with sticky humidity, but fall brings milder afternoons and crisp evenings.
Spring is mild too, but fall is usually drier. In April, rain showers are still common, while October and November often bring more stable, clear weather.
Winter in Kyoto is colder, with average highs in the 40s °F (5–9°C) and an occasional dusting of snow. Fall avoids those harsher conditions and still gives you cool air.
If you look at daylight, summer days are long with early sunrises, but fall days get shorter fast. This change doesn’t just affect temperature—it also limits how much time you have for outdoor adventures.
Temperature Trends During Fall
Temperatures in Kyoto drop steadily from late summer warmth to early winter chill. You’ll get mild afternoons in September, crisp evenings in October, and cool days in November.
The difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows becomes more noticeable as you move through the season.
Average Highs and Lows by Month
In September, daytime highs usually hit around 29–30°C (84–86°F), while nights cool to about 20°C (68°F). The heat sticks around from summer, so afternoons can still feel warm.
By October, things get more comfortable. Highs drop to about 22–23°C (72–73°F) and lows dip to 13–14°C (55–57°F). This month feels balanced, with pleasant days and cooler nights.
In November, the change is more dramatic. Highs average 16–17°C (60–62°F), and lows fall to 7–8°C (44–46°F). You’ll want warmer layers, especially in the morning and evening.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| September | 29–30°C (84–86°F) | ~20°C (68°F) |
| October | 22–23°C (72–73°F) | 13–14°C (55–57°F) |
| November | 16–17°C (60–62°F) | 7–8°C (44–46°F) |
Hourly and Daily Temperature Changes
The contrast between daytime and nighttime temperatures gets sharper as fall goes on. In September, the difference between highs and lows is about 9–10°C (16–18°F), but by November it can go over 10°C (18°F).
You’ll find the warmest part of the day in mid-afternoon, usually between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Evenings cool down quickly after sunset, especially in October and November when the days get shorter.
Mornings often start off cool, then warm up through midday. Layering is key here. A light jacket feels good in the morning, but by mid-afternoon, you might just want a shirt or sweater.
Notable Temperature Fluctuations
Kyoto’s basin location, surrounded by mountains, makes temperatures swing more than in coastal cities. Cold air collects overnight, so mornings can feel chilly even when afternoons are mild.
In September, you might still get a sudden warm day that feels like summer. By late October, a short cold snap can drop nighttime lows close to single digits Celsius.
November brings the biggest swings. You could have a pleasant 17°C (62°F) afternoon, then a brisk evening near 7°C (44°F). These quick changes really show why it’s smart to dress in layers.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Fall in Kyoto shifts from the heavy summer rains to cooler, steadier precipitation. You’ll notice differences in rainfall amounts, how often it rains, and the lingering effects of typhoon season.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall in Kyoto goes down as autumn moves on. September stays pretty wet, averaging around 200 mm of rain. This comes from leftover summer humidity and the occasional storm.
By October, rainfall totals drop to about 120–130 mm. It’s less rainy, but still damper than winter. November is the driest fall month, with averages near 30–70 mm, depending on the year.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| September | ~200 | 15–17 |
| October | ~125 | 12–14 |
| November | ~50 | 10–12 |
This steady drop makes late autumn a great time to explore outdoors.
Chance of Wet Days
The number of days with measurable rain changes a lot through fall. In September, you might see rain on almost half the days. Showers tend to be brief but can get heavy.
October brings fewer wet days, averaging about 12–14 days with rain. These showers are usually lighter and often clear up by afternoon.
By November, rain is much less common. It usually falls on 10–12 days, and the amounts are small. You’ll probably get more crisp, dry air, especially at the end of the month.
So, while you should keep an umbrella handy in early fall, by mid to late November, you can expect longer stretches of dry weather.
Impact of Typhoons
September is still part of Japan’s typhoon season, which brings sudden heavy rain and strong winds. Kyoto sits inland, but it can still get a lot of rain from passing storms.
These storms don’t usually cause the same coastal damage seen elsewhere, but they can mess up travel and outdoor plans. Rain from a single typhoon might be more than you’d get in a whole week otherwise.
By October, typhoon risk drops off a lot. November barely sees any influence from tropical systems, making it the most stable fall month for rainfall.
If you’re planning to visit in September, keep an eye on the weather forecast and build a little flexibility into your plans.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
During fall in Kyoto, skies clear up as the season moves from September into late November. You’ll see fewer cloudy days, more crisp skies, and shorter daylight hours—all of which shape your sightseeing and daily routines.
Trends in Cloudiness
Cloud cover drops steadily through fall. In early September, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about half the time. By late November, that drops to about 30%, so clear or partly cloudy days are much more common.
The clearest stretch usually comes at the end of November, when skies are clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy about 70% of the time. Late fall is a reliable time for outdoor views, whether you’re exploring temple gardens or hiking in the hills.
For comparison, summer is much cloudier—July can see over 70% cloudy conditions. The shift from humid, cloudy summer skies to clearer autumn weather is one reason fall is such a comfortable season for travel.
Hours of Daylight and Twilight
Daylight hours shrink quickly in Kyoto during fall. On September 1, you get nearly 13 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 5:30 AM and sunset close to 6:25 PM.
By November 30, daylight lasts only about 10 hours, with sunrise at 6:45 AM and sunset at 4:45 PM.
That’s almost 3 hours of daylight lost over the season. Twilight also comes earlier, so evenings feel longer.
If you want to fit in outdoor activities, you’ll need to adjust your schedule. Early morning visits to temples or gardens get darker later in fall, and afternoon outings have to finish up before sunset. Kyoto doesn’t do daylight saving time, so this pattern happens every year.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
During autumn in Kyoto, weather patterns shift as summer heat fades and cooler air settles in. Winds lighten up compared to summer storms. Humidity drops, and the air just feels better for outdoor activities.
These changes make for stable and pleasant conditions for travel and daily life.
Average Wind Speed
You’ll get mild wind speeds in Kyoto during fall. On average, the wind blows between 6 to 9 mph (10–14 km/h)—gentle enough to feel calm but still providing some airflow.
Strong gusts are rare, and most days bring steady breezes that don’t interfere with plans.
Winds tend to be a bit higher in September, when late-summer systems might still pass through. By October and November, things settle down, and winds get lighter.
This makes the cooler months especially comfortable for walking through gardens, temples, or city streets without harsh conditions.
These moderate winds help keep the air fresh. When you combine them with falling temperatures, they clear out the muggy feeling of summer, leaving the air crisp and clean.
Prevailing Wind Direction
Kyoto’s valley setting shapes how winds move through the city. In autumn, the prevailing wind direction shifts from the south and southeast in early September to more frequent north and northwest flows by November.
Southern winds can bring leftover warmth and moisture from summer. As the season goes on, northern winds deliver cooler, drier air from inland Honshu, hinting at winter’s approach.
Since Kyoto is surrounded by mountains, wind direction can feel pretty local. You might notice breezes funneled along river valleys or stronger currents near open spaces.
These shifts are subtle, but they definitely help cool the city down each evening.
Dew Point and Humidity
Humidity in Kyoto usually stays pretty high throughout the year, but autumn slowly brings it down. Dew points drop from the upper 60s°F (around 20°C) in September to the 40s°F (5–9°C) by November.
As the dew point falls, the air feels less sticky and honestly, a lot more comfortable. Relative humidity sits somewhere between 73% and 82% most of the time.
Cooler temperatures stop the air from feeling heavy, even when humidity is up there. You’ll probably notice the difference as soon as you step outside.
Mornings can still bring a bit of mist or haze, especially by the rivers or in the lower parts of town. Usually, by midday, drier air moves in and clears things up.
That’s when you get those sharp, clear views of the autumn leaves across Kyoto’s hillsides.
Natural Scenery and Seasonal Changes
Kyoto’s fall season really mixes cooler weather with some amazing scenery. You can spot the slow shift in tree colors, and the city’s geography honestly plays a big part in how the weather feels in each area.
Autumn Foliage and Trees
Kyoto has a ton of deciduous trees that change color in the fall. Maple, ginkgo, and cherry trees show up everywhere, painting the city in layers of red, yellow, and orange.
You’ll see them in temple gardens, parks, and up in the mountains, so there’s no shortage of places to take it all in.
Leaves start turning earlier in the higher mountain areas. Down in central Kyoto, the peak color usually comes a bit later.
This staggered timing means you can catch the best foliage in different neighborhoods over several weeks.
People flock to spots like Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and the Philosopher’s Path. Tree-lined paths and historic temples make these places a photographer’s dream in autumn.
Landscape Influences on Weather
Kyoto sits in a basin, mountains all around, and that really shapes its fall climate. The mountains keep cooler air stuck in the city, so nights often turn chilly, even if the afternoon feels pretty mild.
Honestly, you’ll want to bring layers, just in case. The difference between day and night temperatures can catch you off guard.
Up in the forested parts of northern Kyoto, things cool down even faster than in the city center. You’ll probably spot leaves changing color earlier there, and the evenings feel noticeably colder.
Rainfall tends to stay moderate. You’ll get more quick showers than those long, dragging storms.
The mix of cool air and mountain moisture usually brings crisp, clear days. On those days, you can see distant hills and temples much better.
It really makes the scenery pop, and honestly, that’s part of what makes fall in Kyoto special.