October is arguably Kyoto’s best month. Temperatures are comfortable, the summer crowds have eased, the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) is one of Japan’s finest historical processions, and the early foliage begins by late October. Here is the full picture.
Quick answer: October in Kyoto offers comfortable temperatures (18 to 23 degrees), the Jidai Matsuri historical procession on October 22, the Kurama Fire Festival on the same evening, Kibune autumn foliage beginning, and considerably fewer tourists than the November foliage peak. Fushimi Inari and the Arashiyama bamboo grove are at their least crowded in years with the summer visitors gone but before the autumn rush arrives.
Kyoto Weather in October
October is one of Kyoto’s most pleasant months climatically. Average temperatures drop from the summer heat to a comfortable 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. Days are typically clear and bright. Light layers are adequate for most of the month, though evenings can cool to 12-15 degrees by late October. Rain is less frequent than in the spring and summer months. The combination of comfortable temperature, lower humidity, and excellent walking conditions makes October ideal for exploring Kyoto’s outdoor temple circuits.
Jidai Matsuri – October 22
The Festival of the Ages is one of Kyoto’s three major festivals (alongside the Aoi Matsuri in May and Gion Matsuri in July). A 2-kilometre procession of approximately 2,000 participants in historically accurate costumes representing 12 different periods of Japanese history, from the Meiji Restoration back to the Heian period (794 AD). The procession departs from the Kyoto Imperial Palace at noon and arrives at Heian Shrine in the late afternoon.
Free-standing viewing along the procession route. Paid reserved seating at the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Heian Shrine is sold through ticket agencies in advance. The costumes and props are the work of Kyoto’s traditional craft industries and represent an extraordinary living exhibition of Japanese historical dress, one of the most accessible major traditional events in Japan for visitors.
Kurama Fire Festival – October 22 Evening
On the same evening as Jidai Matsuri, one of Japan’s most dramatic and intimate festivals, takes place, 30 minutes north of Kyoto. The Kurama Fire Festival (鞍馬の火祭) is held at Yuki Shrine in the mountain village of Kurama. The village is tiny, and the festival is intensely local: residents carry enormous flaming torches down the village’s steep stone steps, chanting traditional songs. The atmosphere after dark, with the torchlight and the mountain forest, is extraordinary.
Access: Eizan Dentetsu railway from Demachiyanagi Station to Kurama (about 28 minutes). The village is extremely crowded on festival night. Arrive b4 pmpm to get a good viewing position. Crowds begin dispersing at 10 pm0pm.
Early Autumn Foliage
Kyoto’s full autumn colour peak is typically in mid to late November. But by late October, the first colour changes begin at higher elevation locations. The mountains around Kibune and Kurama (north of Kyoto) show early foliage by late October, as does the Ohara valley (northeast of Kyoto, home to Sanzen-in Temple). Visiting these slightly elevated areas in late October gives early autumn colour with far smaller crowds than in November.
The forested approach to Kurama after the Fire Festival season, the maple trees around Enko-ji Temple in the Ichijoji area, and the hillside around Fushimi Inari Shrine all show early October colour that the November-focused visitor guides overlook.
Temple and Shrine Visits in October
October is one of the best months to visit Kyoto’s main sights without the frustration of extreme crowds. Fushimi Inari’s upper mountain trails, which are genuinely empty at dawn in October, give the experience that summer and November visitors crowd out. The Arashiyama bamboo grove is best before 8 am in any season, but October mornings are cool and foggy, making the visit particularly atmospheric. The Philosopher’s Path between Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji is lined with cherry trees that show warm autumn tones, a different and underrated version of the famous spring walk.
Practical Notes for October in Kyoto
Accommodation: October is easier to book than November, but it is still popular. Book 4 to 8 weeks ahead for the best options. The week around October 22 (Jidai Matsuri) fills early.
Getting around Kyoto: The Kyoto City Bus day pass (700 yen) remains the most practical way to reach the city’s dispersed temple sites. Download the Kyoto City Bus app for real-time schedules.
What to wear: Light layers for daytime, a jacket for evenings by late October. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the uneven stone temple paths.
