Kyoto in August
The hottest month in a basin that traps heat; see temples before nine, then hide indoors until the evening cools.
Is August a good time to visit Kyoto?
August is a middling month in Kyoto — crowds around 62/100. Not the worst, but January is noticeably calmer.
What’s on in August
- Gozan no Okuribi (Aug 16) — farewell bonfires lit on the surrounding hills
- Obon — peak domestic travel week
Best days in August
Weekdays are almost always calmer than weekends.
Tue is normally the calmest day of the week.
Best hours in August
The daily rhythm, hour by hour.
The 9:00 AM window is usually the calmest of the day.
Weather in August
Typical highs, lows and wet days.
How August compares
Every month in Kyoto, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in Kyoto.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in Kyoto, from our booking partner.


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Frequently asked questions
Is August a good month to visit Kyoto?
August is a middling month in Kyoto — crowds around 62/100. Not the worst, but January is noticeably calmer.
How crowded is Kyoto in August?
Kyoto sits at roughly 62/100 in August on our crowd scale, which is 2 points below the yearly average. The quietest month is January.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in August?
Expect highs around 34°C and lows near 24°C in August, with about 9 wet days across the month.