Japan, Asia
Kyoto in October
Superb weather and the Jidai Matsuri costume procession late in the month. The smart-money alternative to November.
The straight answer
October is one of the best months of the year to visit Kyoto. Superb weather and the Jidai Matsuri costume procession late in the month. The smart-money alternative to November.
- Weather
- Crisp and clear, highs near 74F (23C)
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What October is like in Kyoto
October has superb weather. Highs sit near 74F (23C), skies are often clear, and the air is crisp. Crowds are moderate and prices are fair. Late in the month, the Jidai Matsuri, the Festival of the Ages, parades through the city in costumes spanning Kyoto's history. Everything is open and trains run smoothly.
This is the smart-money month for almost everyone: families, first-timers, and homeschoolers. The maples have not turned yet, so if fall color is the goal, go in November. But for comfort and value, October is hard to beat.
Make the most of October
What is especially good about Kyoto this month.
Jidai Matsuri
In late October, a long procession in period costume walks from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. It is a history lesson on foot.
Perfect walking weather
Cool, clear days make it easy to walk from temple to temple all day long.
Arashiyama at a gentler pace
Go very early for the bamboo grove, then enjoy the river and the monkey park in mild weather.
What to pack for October
- Layers for cool mornings
- Comfortable walking shoes that slip off easily
- A light jacket
- Sunglasses
Our timing tip
Plan a late-October visit to catch the Jidai Matsuri, and save the bamboo grove for your first morning so you can get there before 8am.
Book Kyoto for October.
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- Hotels for October
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in KyotoOpens a hotel search for Kyoto in October, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in KyotoWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in KyotoTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Kyoto for October. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in October
Jidai Matsuri
Late October
The Festival of the Ages: a procession through Kyoto's history in period costume, from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine.
Things to do in Kyoto
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.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Gleaming above its pond and busy all day. Arrive at opening or in the last hour for the calmest light.
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.
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.
Gion at dusk
Lantern-lit Hanamikoji street and the Shirakawa canal. Be respectful: photographing geiko and maiko on private lanes is restricted.
Nishiki Market
Five blocks of food stalls, pickles, knives, and skewers. Go hungry, midmorning, before the afternoon crush.
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 October, quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Kyoto?
October is one of the best months of the year to visit Kyoto. Superb weather and the Jidai Matsuri costume procession late in the month. The smart-money alternative to November.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in October?
Crisp and clear, highs near 74F (23C).
Is Kyoto crowded in October?
Crowds in Kyoto are moderate in October; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
What is happening in Kyoto in October?
Jidai Matsuri (late october).
Keep planning Kyoto.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in October
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