July is the second hottest and the rainiest month in Kyoto, but it is also when Kyoto's biggest festival is held — Gion Matsuri. There are plenty of other events including the Kodai-ji Tanabata Star Festival. Given the hotter weather and the higher chance of rain, we also suggest planning to visit one of Kyoto's many amazing museums.
Kyoto's Weather and Climate in July
July in Kyoto is one of the hottest months of the year. Average temperatures range from 24 to 32°C (75–90°F). Due to high humidity, it can feel like an average high of 41°C (106°F).
It also is very rainy in Kyoto in July, with approximately 22 cm (or 9 inches) of high rainfall. The peak of Kyoto's rainy season brings rain for almost half of the days of the month, with more in the beginning of July.
As a result of the rainy season, there are some overcast days in Kyoto in July. However, showers come down quickly and pass quickly too, and particularly towards the end of the month, you'll have more sunny days.
Kyoto Weather in July Summary Table
| Averages | Description | |
| Temperature Range | 24–32°C (75–90°F) | Warm-Hot |
| Rainfall | 22 cm (9"), 13 days | High, some storms |
| Humidity | 69% | Humid |
| High Feels Like | 41°C (106°F) | Dangerous |
| Sunshine | 5 hours | Overcast half the time |
Is July a Good Time to Visit Kyoto?
While July in Kyoto is very hot, rainy, and humid, it is when the city's biggest festival is held: Gion Matsuri. This month-long celebration sees parades going through the city, alongside traditional music and street vendors selling food and drinks. It's worth visiting the city to see the festival, if you are okay with the temperatures and humidity.
As a result of the weather, July in Kyoto is not too crowded with tourists, making it a quieter and less expensive time of the year to visit. This is another thing to bear in mind when you are preparing for your trip.
To plan your visit in July, we do recommend thinking through whether you are okay with the hot weather, and high humidity levels. If you're not used to it, or are sensitive to heat, we would suggest picking another month to visit Kyoto. If you are fine with the weather conditions, don't forget to pack a fan, wear breathable clothing, and drink lots of water during your time in Kyoto.
Top Places and Activities in Kyoto in July
1. Watch the Gion Matsuri Parades
Gion Matsuri, or Gion Festival, is one of Japan's biggest and most popular summer events.
One highlight is the parade of floats called Yamaboko Junko. You can watch it in front of Kyoto City Hall, where there are paid seats, or find a spot nearby. Kawaramachi Street is another great viewing location. On some evenings, you can enjoy street food, stalls, and festive displays, which are also fun to experience.
2. Enjoy the Kodai-ji Tanabata Star Festival
On July 7, the Tanabata Star Festival is held at Kodai-ji temple. During this festival, an ancient Chinese legend of star-crossed lovers is celebrated. The two are, according to legend, separated by the Milky Way and only meet once a year, on this day.
Young children decorate bamboo branches and set them up along the temple path for visitors to enjoy. The decorations are usually lit up from 5 PM to 9:30 PM, depending on when the sun sets.
3. See a Rain-Calling Ritual at Kifune Shrine
In July, you can experience Mizu Matsuri, a rainfall ritual at Kifune Shrine that thanks the gods for water. At the shrine, people offer food and tea to the gods and perform a traditional Japanese dance called bugaku. The highlight of the event is the shiki-bocho, a cooking ritual where a fish is sliced without the chef touching it, keeping the dish pure for the gods.
The dates for this ceremony in 2025 are not confirmed yet, but it usually happens in the first week of July. Asia Highlights can keep you updated on local decisions and help plan your trip to Kyoto to include this event.
4. Cool Down or Shelter from the Rain in a Kyoto Museum
Given that the weather is very hot in Kyoto, and there is a high chance of rain, we thought it worth mentioning there are some great museums to enjoy if you need to escape into the air conditioning or shelter from the rain.
The newly opened Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, for example, is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in video games. For those with an interest in history or art, there is the Kyoto National Museum.
What to Wear in Kyoto in July
Kyoto is hot and rainy in July, and we recommend dressing for this and packing to prepare. A fan comes highly recommended, both a manual fan and a little electric one (which you can also buy while you are in Japan, as they are popular there). We also suggest wearing light-colored clothing in natural fabrics, such as loose-fitting cotton t-shirts, linen trousers, or breezy summer dresses.
While there are no official dress codes for Japanese shrines, we do recommend dressing respectfully. If you are wearing a cap or a hat, which we recommend to protect against the sun, it is necessary to remove this before entering a shrine.
For the rain, we recommend packing an umbrella or a poncho. It will likely be too hot to wear a proper raincoat, but a light and loose poncho is not a bad idea to have just in case you are caught out.
Plan Your Trip to Kyoto in July
Our team of Japan experts at Asia Highlights has planned a range of Japan tours that work throughout the year. These take in the most popular places in Japan, including time in Kyoto, and they are great for first-timers as well as return visitors to the country:
If there is something else you want to see or do in Kyoto, or you want to combine it with visiting cities or sights not listed in these itineraries, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to tailor your experience and ensure you do and see everything you want to while in Japan. Contact us for more information.
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