Spring in Kyoto feels like a steady shift from cool, crisp days to mild, comfortable afternoons. Average daytime highs usually climb from the low 50s °F (about 12 °C) in March up to the low 70s °F (around 22 °C) by May, while nights stay much cooler. This balance makes spring one of the best times to get out and explore the city.
As the season moves along, daylight lasts longer, and the chance of rain stays moderate. You’ll get plenty of bright days, but also some cloud cover. Cherry blossoms in late March and early April steal the show, but honestly, the fresh greenery in May feels just as special—plus, you’ll dodge most of the crowds.
If you know what to expect with temperature, rainfall, and seasonal changes, you can plan your trip with a bit more confidence. Whether you’re chasing peak blossoms, hoping for perfect walking weather, or just want to pack the right layers, Kyoto’s spring sets you up for both cultural adventures and time outside.
Overview of Spring Weather in Kyoto
Spring in Kyoto means steady warming, longer days, and changing cloud cover. As the weeks go by, comfortable conditions become more common, but you’ll also notice more rainfall and humidity compared to winter.
Typical Spring Climate Patterns
Spring runs from March through May and marks the jump from cool, dry winter to warm, humid summer. Early March still feels pretty chilly, but by late May, the air turns milder and a bit more humid.
Cloud cover picks up as spring goes on. In early March, the sky stays clear or partly clear about half the time. By late May, you’ll see more cloudy days. Rainfall also ramps up, with monthly totals going from about 3.5 inches in March to nearly 5.6 inches in May.
Daylight grows fast, adding almost three hours of sunlight from early March to late May. Even with more rain, spring is one of the brighter seasons.
Temperature Ranges and Seasonal Changes
Temperatures in Kyoto change a lot during spring. Daily highs start around 49°F (9°C) in early March and reach 77°F (25°C) by late May. Nighttime lows move from 36°F (2°C) to 62°F (17°C) over those same months.
You should pack for a range of weather. Mornings in March can feel cold, but afternoons in May get pretty warm. By late spring, humidity creeps up, though it’s nowhere near summer levels.
Plants and trees snap to life with the warmer weather. By mid-March, frost is pretty much gone. This makes spring a big deal for gardens, farms, and natural spots all around Kyoto.
Comparison With Other Seasons
Spring in Kyoto feels milder than the muggy, hot summer and warmer than the chilly winter. Autumn is also popular, but spring usually brings more clouds and rising rainfall.
Summer hits with the most humidity and heavy rain, while winter stays dry and has shorter days. Spring falls somewhere in between, giving you moderate temps, longer daylight, and manageable rain.
Compared to the extremes of other seasons, spring offers a nice mix—cool mornings, warm afternoons, and steady changes that shape Kyoto’s climate each year.
Monthly Spring Weather Breakdown
Spring in Kyoto means steady warming, longer days, and shifting rain patterns. Early on, you’ll notice brisk days, but late spring brings warmer, more humid weather with frequent rain showers.
March Weather Highlights
March signals the end of winter and the start of spring. Daytime highs reach about 49–57°F (9–14°C), with nights dropping to 36–42°F (2–6°C). Early mornings still feel cold, so you’ll want a warm jacket.
Rain picks up, with around 3.5 inches (90 mm) for the month. About a third of the days bring rain, but snow’s pretty rare now. Winds blow stronger in early March, usually near 10 mph, mostly from the north.
Daylight stretches quickly. By the end of March, you get almost an hour more sunlight than at the start. Sunrise comes earlier, and evenings last longer, so you have more time outside.
Humidity stays low, so the air feels crisp and dry. March is great for walking tours, but you’ll want to bundle up for chilly evenings.
April Weather Highlights
April feels like one of the best months of spring in Kyoto. Highs rise to around 64–70°F (18–21°C), and lows hover near 46–52°F (8–11°C). Light layers usually do the trick.
Rain chances stick at about 32–35% per day, but total rainfall climbs. Expect 4–5 inches (100–130 mm) this month, mostly in short, frequent showers.
Clouds show up more often, with plenty of partly to mostly cloudy days. Still, you get over 13 hours of daylight by late April.
Winds calm down compared to March, averaging closer to 8 mph. Humidity bumps up a bit, but muggy days are still rare.
This is prime cherry blossom time, so you get mild temperatures and beautiful scenery, though you’ll run into crowds.
May Weather Highlights
By May, Kyoto feels much warmer. Highs reach 73–77°F (23–25°C), and lows stay mild at 57–62°F (14–17°C). Heavy jackets? You probably won’t need them, but evenings can still cool off.
Rain keeps increasing, averaging 5–6 inches (130–150 mm) for the month. Showers are more common, but they usually don’t last long. The chance of a wet day holds around 32%, so an umbrella comes in handy.
Daylight peaks with over 14 hours by late May. Sunsets stretch past 7:00 PM, giving you long evenings to explore.
Humidity starts to climb, and you might notice muggy spells, but it’s still nothing like summer. Winds drop to about 7 mph, so the air feels calmer.
Nearby water temperatures warm into the mid-60s °F, and the growing season is in full swing. May is a great time for gardens and outdoor spots before summer humidity rolls in.
Temperature Trends and Daylight Hours
Spring in Kyoto brings steady warming, longer days, and obvious changes in daily conditions. Temperatures rise fast from early March to late May, and daylight stretches out by almost three hours.
Average Highs and Lows
At the start of spring, average highs sit near 49°F (9°C), and lows hover around 36°F (2°C). By late May, highs climb to about 77°F (25°C), and lows reach 62°F (17°C).
This steady rise means early March feels brisk, but late May is comfortably warm. Nights start out cool, then shift to mild evenings where you just need a light layer.
For a bit of context, January is coldest at 33–45°F (1–7°C), while August tops out at 76–89°F (24–32°C). Spring lands right in the middle, with a moderate climate—not too hot, not too cold.
Day-to-Day Variability
Expect some swings in daily weather during spring. Early in the season, temperatures can still dip below 42°F (6°C), and warmer days might briefly hit 75°F (24°C). By May, things settle down, usually staying between 65°F and 80°F (18–27°C).
Cloud cover also changes. March brings clearer skies, with about 55% of days partly sunny or better. By May, cloudier days become the norm, with overcast skies on almost 60% of days.
Rainfall goes up through spring. The average 31-day rainfall jumps from about 3.5 inches (89 mm) in March to 5.6 inches (142 mm) by late May. Plan for some wet days, especially as the season winds down.
Changes in Daylight Length
Daylight grows fast in spring. On March 1, you get about 11 hours 26 minutes of daylight. By May 31, that’s up to 14 hours 20 minutes, so nearly three extra hours.
Sunrise shifts from 6:26 AM in early March to 4:44 AM by late May. Sunset moves later too, from 5:52 PM to 7:05 PM.
With all that daylight, you’ve got more time for Kyoto’s gardens, temples, and festivals. Early sunrises and late sunsets are perfect if you’re into outdoor activities or photography.
Precipitation and Cloud Cover in Spring
During spring, rain in Kyoto pops up often enough to change your plans, and both cloud cover and humidity rise as the season goes on. You’ll see the switch from cool, crisp March days to warmer, wetter weather by May.
Rainfall Patterns and Wet Days
Rain in Kyoto during spring stays moderate but frequent. In March, you’ll get about 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, which bumps up to around 68–73 mm (2.7–2.9 in) in April and May. That steady increase signals summer’s rainy season is on the way.
Rain falls over 12–13 days each month, so expect showers to pop up and interrupt outdoor plans here and there. Unlike summer’s heavy downpours, spring rain is lighter and usually doesn’t last long. An umbrella or light raincoat usually does the trick.
Rain becomes more consistent in May as humidity rises and the first hints of Japan’s rainy season show up. Spring isn’t the wettest time of year, but you’ll still want to prep for occasional damp conditions.
Cloudiness and Sunshine
Cloud cover changes a lot through spring. March gives you clearer skies, but by May, overcast or mostly cloudy days jump to nearly 60%. You’ll see fewer bright, sunny days as spring winds down.
Even with clouds, daylight hours are long. By May, you get about 14.5 hours of daylight, plenty of time to explore, even if it’s not always sunny. Sunshine averages 6–8 hours per day, enough to light up cherry blossoms and the lush greenery later on.
Cloudy afternoons are pretty common, especially in May, so mornings usually offer the best light for sightseeing and photos.
Humidity Levels
Humidity in Kyoto stays pretty high all year, and spring is no exception. Relative humidity averages between 70% and 75%, so the air feels moist even when it’s mild outside.
In March, the air feels cool and damp. By May, higher humidity and warmer temps can feel sticky, especially on rainy days. It’s not as intense as summer, but you might notice the air getting heavier as spring goes on.
If you don’t love humidity, try to get outside earlier in the day when it’s more comfortable. Light, quick-drying clothes help you deal with the moist spring air.
What to Wear and Pack for Spring in Kyoto
Spring in Kyoto means mild afternoons, cooler mornings, and lots of temperature swings. You’ll want clothes that work for daytime sightseeing, keep you warm in the evenings, and handle whatever the weather throws your way.
Clothing Recommendations by Month
March usually feels pretty chilly, with daytime highs around 12–15°C (mid-50s °F). I’d pack a medium-weight coat, a couple of sweaters, and some long pants.
A warm inner layer or tights under skirts really helps on colder days.
April gets more comfortable, though nights can still surprise you with a chill. A light jacket, long-sleeved shirts, and cardigans all work.
You might want a thin scarf for those early mornings. Temperatures often reach 18–20°C (mid-60s °F).
May is definitely the warmest spring month, with highs around 23–25°C (low to mid-70s °F). Short sleeves, light trousers, or skirts work just fine for daytime.
Keep a thin jacket or sweater handy for the evening when it cools down.
A simple packing list for spring looks like this:
- Outerwear: coat (March), light jacket (April–May)
- Layers: sweaters, cardigans, long-sleeve tops
- Bottoms: pants, skirts with tights in early spring
- Extras: scarf, comfortable walking shoes
Adapting to Temperature Swings
Kyoto sits in a basin, so temperatures can jump between day and night. Humidity stays lower in spring than in summer, but the air can still feel crisp in the morning.
Plan outfits you can adjust on the fly.
Layering really is the way to go. Try a breathable shirt under a sweater, and top it with a jacket—then you can peel things off or add them back as needed.
Tossing a foldable jacket or shawl in your bag means you’re ready if the temperature drops.
Public transport and shops often feel warmer inside, so lightweight layers are easier to deal with than one big coat.
Packing a thin wrap or even some hand warmers can make early mornings and late evenings much more comfortable.
Seasonal Events and Experiences
Spring in Kyoto brings mild weather, blooming flowers, and cultural traditions that really shape your experience here.
You’ll find seasonal festivals, illuminated streets, and outdoor activities highlighting both nature and history.
Cherry Blossom Viewing
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are honestly one of the most anticipated sights in Kyoto during spring. The peak bloom usually happens from late March to early April, but it depends on the year’s weather.
Popular spots include Maruyama Park, the Philosopher’s Path, and the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Locals and visitors gather for hanami—flower viewing picnics. You’ll see groups stretched out under the trees with food, drinks, and blankets.
This custom goes back centuries and still feels like one of the best ways to enjoy the blossoms.
If you want a quieter scene, temples like Ninna-ji and Daigo-ji offer less-crowded views.
These places also have later-blooming varieties, so you might catch blossoms even after the main season winds down.
Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro
The Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro is a spring illumination event in the Higashiyama district. Streets, temples, and gardens fill up with thousands of lanterns, casting a soft glow over the historic area.
You can stroll along routes lined with paper lanterns and seasonal flowers.
The event highlights landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Pagoda, which stay open for special evening hours.
The gentle lighting brings out Kyoto’s traditional architecture and those narrow old lanes.
Since the weather is mild, you can explore at night without bundling up in heavy winter layers. This event really gives you a different perspective on the city compared to daytime sightseeing.
Outdoor Activities and Sightseeing
Kyoto’s spring feels pretty gentle, with daytime temperatures usually landing somewhere between 10 and 20 °C. Honestly, it’s a great time to get outside and explore.
You can walk, cycle, or even hike without sweating through your shirt or freezing your hands off.
People love the Philosopher’s Path, a lovely canal-side walk lined with cherry trees. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is another favorite, mixing dramatic bamboo with old temples.
Both spots are easy to reach, and they show off Kyoto’s best seasonal scenery.
If you’re into hiking, head up to the Takao area north of the city. You’ll find trails winding through forested hills, and in spring, the views really open up.
Blossoms and fresh greenery are everywhere. Renting a bike is a smart move too, letting you see more of the city while soaking in that crisp spring air.