Kyoto in May
Fresh green and riverside dining
The short answer
May is one of the best months to visit Kyoto.
Golden Week is busy, but once it ends the city eases into warm, dry, brilliantly green days. Kawadoko terraces open along the Kamogawa and the Aoi Matsuri procession runs on 15 May.
7/10 overall14–25°CModerate-High crowds$$$
Weather9/10
Crowds5/10
Prices$$$
Events8/10
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 14–25°C
- Fresh green and riverside dining
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- $$$
- $$$
+Great weather and lush scenery
–Golden Week is very crowded and expensive
My tip for May
Visit after 6 May to skip Golden Week crowds.
- Green maples
- Riverside dining
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
2nd of 12 overall in Kyoto, 1st for weather, 9th for space, 9th for value. The emptiest month is February; the best value is February.
See all twelve months for KyotoPlan around
What’s on in Kyoto in May
- Golden Week
- Japan's domestic travel peak. Trains, hotels and major sights are packed, so book early or avoid these dates.
29 Apr–5 May
Not set on May?