Japan, Asia

Kyoto in February

Plum blossoms open at Kitano Tenmangu late in the month. Temples nearly to yourself, prices at their softest.

Quiet valueCold and dry, highs near 50F (10C)

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, reflected in its pond, Kyoto — KyotoPhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Kyoto. Plum blossoms open at Kitano Tenmangu late in the month. Temples nearly to yourself, prices at their softest.

Weather: Cold and dry, highs near 50F (10C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What February is like in Kyoto

February is cold and dry, with highs near 50F (10C). It is one of the cheapest and calmest months in Kyoto, and you can often have temples nearly to yourself. Late in the month, plum blossoms start to open at Kitano Tenmangu, a first hint of spring before the cherry trees.

It suits budget travelers, temple lovers, and anyone who hates crowds. The trees are still bare, so it is not the month for lush gardens. If blossoms are the goal, aim for late March to early April and book early.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Kyoto this month.

Plum blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu

The shrine's plum trees bloom late in the month, an early and much calmer taste of the blossom season.

Empty temples

Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama lanes are pleasantly quiet, especially early in the morning.

Ryokan at low prices

Traditional inns with in-room dinners are easier to book and cheaper now than in spring.

What to pack for February

A warm, windproof jacket
Thick socks for temple floors
Shoes that slip off easily
Lip balm and lotion for dry air

Our timing tip

Visit Kitano Tenmangu in the last week of February for the plum blossoms, and go on a weekday morning.

Book Kyoto for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Kyoto
Opens a hotel search for Kyoto in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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Vacation rentals in Kyoto
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Kyoto
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Kyoto for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Kyoto

Full guide

Fushimi Inari Taisha

The thousand-gate mountain shrine, open 24 hours. Go at dawn or after dinner; by mid morning the lower gates are a slow-moving line.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Gleaming above its pond and busy all day. Arrive at opening or in the last hour for the calmest light.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Arashiyama bamboo grove and river

The bamboo path is short and mobbed by 9am. Come very early, then give the rest of the day to the riverside, monkey park, and Okochi Sanso garden.

Tickets and tours →

Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama lanes

The hillside temple's veranda view is the classic Kyoto panorama. The preserved streets below (Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka) are best before the shops open.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Gion at dusk

Lantern-lit Hanamikoji street and the Shirakawa canal. Be respectful: photographing geiko and maiko on private lanes is restricted.

Tickets and tours →

Nishiki Market

Five blocks of food stalls, pickles, knives, and skewers. Go hungry, midmorning, before the afternoon crush.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Kyoto rewards early risers more than any city in Asia: Fushimi Inari at 6:30am and the bamboo grove at 7am are transcendent, and both are shoulder to shoulder by 10.
In blossom and maple season, hit the famous gardens at opening, then spend afternoons at second-tier temples (Shoren-in, Honen-in, Daitoku-ji's subtemples) that see a fraction of the traffic.
Stay overnight rather than day-tripping from Osaka: the magic hours are before the day-trip waves arrive and after they leave.
Skip the buses at peak season; they jam solid. The subway, JR lines, and a bike cover most of the city faster.

Know before you go

December 29 through January 3: many restaurants and shops close for the New Year holiday while shrines see their heaviest crowds of the year.
Golden Week (late April to early May) and the mid-November maple peak are Kyoto's two sold-out windows: nothing closes, everything fills. Book transport and rooms far ahead or shift your dates.
Some temples close irregularly for private ceremonies, and several famous gardens admit visitors only in short spring and fall windows. Check specific temples before anchoring a day to them.
Obon in mid August brings closures at some family-run restaurants and shops while the big sights run normally.

Kyoto in February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Kyoto?

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Kyoto. Plum blossoms open at Kitano Tenmangu late in the month. Temples nearly to yourself, prices at their softest.

What is the weather like in Kyoto in February?

Cold and dry, highs near 50F (10C).

Is Kyoto crowded in February?

February is one of the quieter months in Kyoto; most sights can be done without long waits.