Kyoto Weather in August

Season: Late Summer
In Short: Burning hot, stuffy air, possible typhoon season

Kyoto weather in August is burning hot. The temperature in the northern Kyoto may be slightly lower than in the southern region but visitors who travel in northern Kyoto should still take measures to prevent heat stroke. The Kyoto has a basin topography so the air is relatively stuffy. It is advisable to bring a small fan while traveling outside. What’s more, August is the possible month of typhoon, so please don’t forget to check the weather forecast before travelling.

Temperature

The average temperature is about 30°C (86°F) and sometimes the highest daytime temperature exceeds 35°C (95°F), which is easy for visitors to get heatstroke. Please bring the parasol and sunhat when you are travelling there. The average low temperature at night is 25°C (77°F), still hot, so you need to turn on the air conditioner to help you have a good sleep.
Average High Temperature: 33°C / 91.4°F

Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 77°F

Rainfall

The monthly rainfall has dropped somewhat in August but is still not low, which is about 154mm in total. The 11 rainy days on average contributes to the humidity of about 67% and the air is sometimes stuffy. Thunderstorm and typhoons are more possible in this month, so please remember to check the weather forecast before traveling there.
Average Rainy Days: 11 days

Average Humidity: 67%

Sunrise & Sunset

The sun is likely to rise at around 05:18 and fall at 18:45. The duration of daylight hours is about 13.3h. The sunshine hours are surprisingly long in this month, reaching 9.6h. In the hot sunshine hours, visitors can choose to visit some cool indoor places.
Daylight hours: about 13h
Sunshine hours: around 9.6h

Recommended Clothes to Wear in August

In the burning August, clothes should be light and breathable enough to fit the weather. Considering most of the indoor places have air conditioners, visitors who are easily to get cold can bring one more piece of light coat.

Girls

Tops: For tops, girls can choose some short sleeves clothes like T-shirt or wear the beautiful dresses. If needed, a thin coat can be prepared while entering cool indoor places

Bottoms & shoes: For bottoms, skirt and shorts are advisable. Sandals are more suitable compared with the sneakers because it can dissipate the heat better.

Boys

Tops: Boys can wear very simple clothes in summer. Any kind of T-shirt in light colors can be the good choice in hot weather.
Bottoms & shoes: For bottoms, boys can wear light pants or shorts. Both of them can adapt to the weather perfectly. A pair of casual shoes can give you a comfortable feeling while traveling.

Accessories: Because the sunlight is pretty strong, the sunglasses, sunhat and parasol are also important in this month.

Top Things to Do in Kyoto in August

Travel Recommendation:

The August in Kyoto is hot, so does the festive atmosphere. When travel to some crowded places, it is advisable to follow the instructions of the field staff to avoid the accidents.

1. Gozan no Okuribi in 2025

In middle August, there’s a big festival in Japan named Bon Festival. As the legend says, the souls of the people who passed away will return to their home on this day. In Kyoto, one more traditional festival related to Bon, named Gozan no Okuribi is held, to express their respect for the people who passed away. During the Gozan no Okuribi, people ignite five characters to send the souls back to the paradise. Visitors can experience the traditional customs then with the lively atmosphere. In 2025, Gozan no Okuribi would be held on 16th August.

Tip: Although the Gozan no Okuribi Festival is at night, the temperature is still high and the burning fire makes the sensible temperature even higher. Please drink enough water to prevent getting heatstroke.

2. Miyazu Tōrō Nagashi Fireworks Show in 2025

Travelling in summer in Kyoto, fireworks must be the highlight of the whole trip. In August, the Miyazu Tōrō Nagashi Fireworks in Miyazu, Kyoto is the best fireworks show. Following the traditions, Japanese people use the water lanterns to console souls of the passed-away people. The lanterns on the water and the fireworks in the sky can give visitors an unforgettable memory. This Fireworks Show will be held in the mid-August in 2025.

Gozan no Okuribi

Visitors with Kimono in Tofuku-ji Temple

Tofuku-ji Temple in August

3. Tōfuku-ji Temple

If you want to find a place to escape from the hot weather, Tōfuku-ji Temple is highly recommended. The green maples can give you a totally different feeling from the red maples in autumn. The spring from the valley and the fresh maples can provide you with a cool feeling. At night, the Tōfuku-ji Temple also has the lighting shows for visitors to view.

Tip: It is more convenient to take the electric bus to go to the Tōfuku-ji Temple. Starting from the JR Kyoto station, it only takes you 15 minutes to arrive there.

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