When to catch the colours in Kyoto?
Average cherry blossom and autumn foliage dates for Kyoto, from the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals — the fortnight to aim for, not a promise for any particular year.
- Cherry blossom
- First flowersMar 26
- Full bloomApr 4
- Autumn foliage
- Leaves turnDec 5
- Peak viewingDec 5 – Dec 19
Where to look next?
The prefectures we've mapped so far, nearest to Kyoto first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Go early — the marquee temples at opening time are a different world from midday. Mix one headliner a day with the quieter northern and western districts, and use the evenings: Gion and Higashiyama after dark are the calm Kyoto people come looking for.
Two full days at minimum — the eastern temple walk plus Arashiyama. Three or four lets you add Fushimi Inari at dawn, a day trip along the coast or to Nara, and the unhurried temple time that is the whole point of Kyoto.
Photograph buildings, not people — some private Gion lanes ban photography outright, and stopping a passing geiko or maiko for photos is a hard no. Inside temples, shoes off where indicated, voices low, and follow the posted rules; they vary.