Kyoto Weather in July

Season: Summer
In short:
1. The weather of Kyoto is hot all month long, which is not so comfortable for outings.
2. Plum rain season ends in the second half month, followed by some continuous sunny days.

Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka in July

High Temperature Continues.

The weather of Kyoto in July is hot in general, with the daily highest temperatures mostly in 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and above. In late July, the highest temperature can even reach 38°C (100°F), in which people feel extremely hot and are prone to heatstroke. Periods more suitable for sightseeing in the daytime are early morning and late afternoon.

When night falls, the weather gets a little cooler, and the daily low mainly ranges from 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), which is in a comfortable range. To make good use of it, you can consider arranging some night-tour activities.

Wettest Month in a Year

The precipitation of 223 mm in July makes this month the rainiest one throughout the year. Plus, this month has about 14 days with precipitation averagely, also the most all year round.

Kyoto experiences more rainy days in the first half of July, when the city is still in its plum rainy season featuring wet weather for continuous days. In this period, the intensity of rain is basically not so high, and drizzles show up more frequently.

In the second half of July, as the plum rainy season gradually comes to an end, the city has more sunny days. But after noon, convective rain is still likely to occur, and just after that, the weather gives you a sense of coolness.

What else is brought by abundant precipitation is excessive moisture in the air, and the weather this month is marked by high humidity of about 71% on average. Under this condition, people are likely to feel muddy this month.

Typhoon Season Comes, with Still Limited Effects

Another noteworthy thing is that the typhoon season of Kyoto starts in July, but the city will not be seriously affected at that time. Reasons are as follows: typhoons haven’t been quite active this month and seldom strike the city directly. Even though, once it happens, strong winds and short thundershowers will come together.

Long Daytime More Than 14 Hours

Sunrise Time: 04:46-05:05
Sunset Time: 19:14-19:00

In July, the daytime of Kyoto gets shorter from about 14.5 to 14 hours, which is still long. Visitors hence have enough time to travel around. More than that, you can even have a break during the hottest midday from 12:00-14:00 to escape from the baking heat: even so, you have around 12 hours of daylight left to pay a visit.

The UV index can reach 11 the highest, indicating a high risk of sunburn. Besides, Kyoto weather in July is extremely clear, with only a few clouds, making sun protection even more essential.

Yasaka Shrine on Sunny Day

Is July a Good Time to Visit Kyoto?

Not really.

From the perspective of comfort, the hot and rainy climate of Kyoto in July doesn’t make this month a good time to visit. Long exposure to strong sunlight and stuffy air is not a pleasant thing, and sudden downpours probably make your tour not that convenient.

From the perspective of costs and crowds, summer vacations of Japanese schools start around mid-July, and the number of family trips increases a lot, especially on weekends. As a result, you will visit famous attractions together with crowded tourists and book tickets and hotels at quite high prices.

What to Wear in Kyoto in July, 2026

Breathable clothes: To make you as comfortable as possible, wear quick-dry summer and breathable clothes such as T-shirts, shorts, and dresses.

Non-slippery shoes: Sandals with non-slippery soles make your feet cooler and comfortable. For those who want to visit mountain areas, breathable sneakers are better choices.

Others:
(1) Umbrella: An all-weather one is more suggested, to prevent both rain and intense sunlight.
(2) Sun-protective items: Sunblock, sunglasses and a sun-protective jacket with a wide-brimmed hat are of great importance.
(3) Cooling items: A handheld fan and a cooling towel.
(4) Mosquito repellent: Mosquitos breed in hot and humid environments, so please bring this to prevent bites.

Advice for a Kyoto Tour in July

In July with muggy climate, you can consider arranging some famous attractions for cooler and cozier nights and adding some summer resorts to your daytime routes.

Best Places to Enjoy Night Views in Kyoto in July

1. Yasaka Shrine

Lighted lanterns under the dark sky are undoubtably a highlight in the Yasaka Shrine. At the entrance, warm-yellow lanterns are hung under the dark red gate eaves. In the shrine, lanterns in the dance hall with their number reduced row by row are the best photo background.

Night View of Yasaka Shrine in July

2. Gion District

As one of the most popular places in Kyoto to take a city walk, the Gion District probably presents you with the most authentic Japanese street sights. The tea houses and restaurants are all decorated in a traditional style. What’s more, on the Hanamikoji Street in the district, you may encounter geishas in kimonos.

Encounter Geishas in Gion District

3. Kamo River

There are plenty of restaurants and cafés along the Kamo River, and here is the most convenient place to enjoy a riverside dinner in the downtown area.

Summer Resorts in Kyoto in July

Nijo Castle in Good Weather in July

Take Pictures in front of Summer Greenery

1. Kifune Shrine

This shrine holds a high position, so you’ll feel a few degrees cooler here than you do in the downtown area. Stroll up the ancient stone stairs lined with crimson lanterns, and you’ll enter this summer escape with lush and towering trees and a flowing river.

2. Enryaku-ji Temple

This temple complex is located on Mount Hiei with primeval forests, and anyone who visits this temple will feel refreshingly cool. On the cable car to the mountain top, you’ll be impressed by a sea of verdant green below.

3. Shimogamo Shrine

In July, the deep green primeval forests around the shrine set well off the large red torii gate. Every July, people hold candles, wade barefoot into the water channel, and light the candles to pray for health.

4. Bamboo Forests in Arashiyama

Thousands of bamboo stalks in Arashiyama constitute an emerald green world, in which you can soak in a serene atmosphere, feeling the gentle cool breezes.

Tips for a Kyoto Tour in July

Tofuku-ji Temple in July

1. To avoid crowds in hot attractions such as the Fushimi Inari Taisha, the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, better to arrange your sightseeing in the early morning and late afternoon, which are also cooler. Just remember to check the last admission time of the temple. Plus, although the Fushimi Inari Taisha opens for all day long, a night tour here is not suggested, because the illumination is not that bright for photography and climbing at night could be more exhausting.

2. To celebrate the Gion Festival, one of the three major festivals in Japan in summer, people hold lively activities in the entire month of July. The grandest ones are two processions composed of well-decorated floats on July 17 and 24 each year. On the eve of these two days, the whole celebrating district is ever-bright, and people can watch how the floats are constructed.

Kyoto Weather by Month