Japan's Kyoto Weather Strategy: Large Temperature Difference between Morning and Evening in Autumn, Light and Thin Jacket with You in April

Before the free trip to Kyoto, did you worry about how to bring clothes to be fashionable and more functional? In fact, there are four distinct seasons in Kyoto. Compared with other places, there is less rain. Most of them are sunny and the air is relatively dry. This article will analyze the weather in Kyoto and the four seasons in detail, and then make a comparison with the four seasons average temperature of Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, China, which are similar in climate, so that we can quickly catch the key points of wearing according to the starting season and arrange luggage more efficiently!

what is the overall climate of Kyoto? 3 charts in seconds to understand the four seasons of Kyoto!

The whole Kyoto city belongs to the basin terrain, surrounded by many mountain ranges such as Arashiyama, Bichuo Mountain, Dawen Mountain, Anma Mountain, Daohe Mountain and so on. The whole Kyoto Prefecture belongs to the complex of Pacific Ocean climate, Japan Sea climate, Seto Inland Sea climate and inland climate. Therefore, the heat is not easy to disperse in summer, the whole body is hot and hot, but it is extremely cold in winter. The overpass on the side of Japan Sea will even snow, therefore, it is also called "the cold bottom of Kyoto. No matter in summer or winter, the temperature difference between morning and evening is very severe, and it is the city with the highest number of hot days in Japan. The following line chart compares the average temperatures in Kyoto, Taipei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, China:

the above ※ are the average figures
from 1991 to 2020 (Kyoto data source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism/Taipei City, Taiwan Province, China Data source: Central Meteorological Administration of the Ministry of Communications/Hong Kong, China Data source: Hong Kong Observatory, China)

it can be found in the chart that the hot summer season in Kyoto is mostly concentrated in July, August and September, which belongs to the Seto-style climate with more rain in summer and less rain in winter. The center of Kyoto City is influenced by the Tanbo Highlands, and its geographical location is just at the junction of the Pacific Ocean climate and the Sea of Japan climate, so the climate is relatively more unstable than other major cities in Kansai. Although less rain, but sunny cloudy days are also quite a few. The following is an introduction to the highest and lowest temperatures in Kyoto for a more accurate reference.

※ above are average figures from 1991 to 2020

comparing the rainfall in the three places together, it can be seen that Kyoto is the driest city among the three regions. The annual rainfall in Kyoto is 1522.9mm, far less than 2368.5mm in Taipei City, China, 2431.2mm in Hong Kong and even 1598.2mm in Tokyo. The main rainfall is concentrated in the plum rainy season in May, June and July. After August, the rainfall is obviously less. In addition, it is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan and is less likely to be hit by typhoons in summer. There are many sunny days, so there is little need to worry about rain. But also because of less rain, the weather is relatively dry and hot, summer visits should pay attention to sun protection, but also frequently add water, so as to avoid heatstroke!

the above ※ are the average figures
from 1991 to 2020 (Kyoto data source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism/Taipei City, Taiwan Province, China Data source: Central Meteorological Administration of the Ministry of Communications/Hong Kong, China Data source: Hong Kong Observatory, China)

"Kyoto Four Seasons Table": From the weather to the seasonal activities at a glance!

Kyoto is full of various cultural festivals all year round. People who love outdoor school can also feel full of seasonal feeling from the changing scenery. No matter what season is suitable for coming. The following is a table for everyone to integrate Kyoto's four seasons information, weather and clothing suggestions for each season, and seasonal activities to help everyone master climate information before departure, and can also be used as thoughtful suggestions for arranging trips!

what to play in the season? Kyoto spring, summer, autumn, winter four seasons activities total arrangement

spring: Cherry Blossom Festival, Kwai Festival

the cherry blossom season in Kyoto is from late March to mid-April every year. There are many famous cherry blossom viewing attractions: "Qingshui Temple" is surrounded by pink cherry blossoms. The long and quiet "philosophical way" can see the romantic scenery of cherry blossoms reflecting the river surface. The "Kyoto Imperial Garden" with free admission has the largest number of cherry blossoms. From March onwards, the cherry blossoms are welcomed all the way to May, it is the cherry blossom attraction with the longest flower season. Surrounded by pink cherry blossoms throughout the spring, Kyoto is the most romantic time of year. At the end of spring and the beginning of summer, May ushered in the "Kwai Sacrifice", one of the three major sacrifices in Kyoto, and saw the people dressed in the traditional clothes of the period of peace, unfolding the solemn and elegant "ritual of the road 」.

qingshui Temple in Spring

the Philosophical Way of Romance

summer: only garden sacrifice, yachuanna cool bed

in general, summer in Japan is always full of fireworks and ceremonies, while summer in Kyoto is full of strong traditional customs! The "only garden festival" is also one of the three major festivals in Kyoto. Since ancient times, it has been a festival to remove epidemic disasters and pray for the peace of the country and the people. It has a history of more than a thousand years and lasts for one month from July 1 to 31. It contains the "Shen Yu Du Yu" of the Yasaka Shrine, the "Screen Sacrifice" of the Yasaka Mountain and the magnificent "Tour of the Mountain", and has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Restaurants and tea houses near Yagawa began to build open-air seats on the Sichuan bed that can enjoy the scenery, so that guests can enjoy the comfort of outdoor cool air while tasting delicious food, which is the representative of Kyoto summer scenery poetry. In addition, there is the "Kyoto Five Mountains Fire Sacrifice" held on August 16 each year. It is very shocking to see all kinds of words and graphics discharged by fire on the distant hills!

five Mountains in Kyoto Send Fire Sacrifice

scenery of Auckagawa Bed

autumn: maple appreciation with red leaves, era sacrifice

autumn is the busiest time in Kyoto! Since mid-November, the hills near Kyoto have gradually been dyed red by maple leaves. Red leaves can be seen first in higher altitudes such as Arashiyama, Fushi Daohe Shrine, and Qingshui Temple. The luxurious and extraordinary Golden Pavilion Temple is in the same frame as the red leaves in autumn. It is unexpectedly charming and is also one of the scenic spots that cannot be missed in autumn. In addition, there are only limited to open during the maple season "glass light courtyard", as well as limited to hold lighting activities in the autumn "Gui Ship Shrine", are popular attractions. It is suggested that if you want to come to Kyoto to enjoy maple in autumn, you must reserve tickets, transportation and accommodation in advance, otherwise it will be easy to sell out completely in peak season!

kōboatan Shrine

coloured glaze light courtyard

winter: except the night clock, New Year worship

december is very cold in Kyoto, and even snow begins to fall in the surrounding mountains, reflecting the cold atmosphere of "the cold bottom of Kyoto. It was only at this time that all the excitement began to calm down, and one could experience the rare quiet beauty of Kyoto in the winter. For example, the "Great Sweeping" of Nishimunganji Temple (Otoji), the "Night Festival" of Pingan Temple on December 31, and the "Night Bell" and "New Year's visit" of Gaotai Temple from December 31 to January 1 are all representative activities that symbolize the elimination of the old and the new and prepare for the New Year.

after reading the introduction of the four seasons in Kyoto, we can find that Kyoto has four distinct seasons. With the rich natural and human festivals in different seasons, it is different from the atmosphere full of western celebration in other parts of Japan, and the traditional scenery poems of various seasons in Japan are completely preserved. After you have a basic understanding of the four seasons of Kyoto, you can further decide the departure date and start planning your free trip to Kyoto!