Japan, Asia

Kyoto in September

A quiet in-between month. Still warm, occasional typhoon disruption, but temples are calm and hotels reasonable.

GoodSlowly cooling, highs near 85F (29C), typhoon risk

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

The straight answer

September is a good month to visit Kyoto. A quiet in-between month. Still warm, occasional typhoon disruption, but temples are calm and hotels reasonable.

Weather: Slowly cooling, highs near 85F (29C), typhoon risk
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What September is like in Kyoto

September is a quiet in-between month. Highs are still around 85F (29C), but the heat slowly eases. Typhoons can sometimes disrupt travel, so leave some slack in your plans. Temples are calm, and hotels are reasonably priced. Mornings and evenings get more comfortable as the month goes on, and the big sights are easy to enjoy without the summer crowds or the fall rush. Rain comes in bursts rather than whole days.

It suits flexible travelers and families who want a calm Kyoto without summer crowds. Late September is more comfortable than early. If you want crisp, clear weather and a festival, October is right around the corner.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Kyoto this month.

Calm temples

Crowds are low, so Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera feel relaxed, especially on weekdays.

Good hotel rates

Prices are lower than in spring or fall, a nice time to book a ryokan.

Evening walks in Gion

As nights cool, dusk strolls through Gion's lantern-lit streets become pleasant again.

What to pack for September

Light clothes for warm days
A compact umbrella
Shoes that slip off easily
Sunscreen

Our timing tip

Check the typhoon forecast in the days before your trip, and keep a flexible day for any rail delays.

Book Kyoto for September.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Kyoto
Opens a hotel search for Kyoto in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for September
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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 September. 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 September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Kyoto?

September is a good month to visit Kyoto. A quiet in-between month. Still warm, occasional typhoon disruption, but temples are calm and hotels reasonable.

What is the weather like in Kyoto in September?

Slowly cooling, highs near 85F (29C), typhoon risk.

Is Kyoto crowded in September?

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