Travel Info : Weather & Temperature, and What to Wear in Kyoto in May

The chart above is the average high and low temperatures in Kyoto by month.

In May, as the chart shows, both average high and low temperatures are comfortable, sometimes it gets cold in the early morning, and sometimes gets hot in the daytime.

Statistically, to the late May, the average temperatures get higher little by little, but actually, those high and low temperatures are various depending on the day. 

Next, the chart above shows average rainfall in Kyoto by month.

Statistically, we have gradually more than average rainfalls in May.

Fortunately, it is not rainy seasons or typhoon season, but we have rainy days several times a month.

For your reference, the average probability of the weather in Kyoto in May is the following, according to Japan Metorological Association.

You don’t worry about the probability of the snow. For my experience, it seldom snows in May in Kyoto.

So, what to wear in Kyoto in May ?

Let’s take a look at pictures below.

At first, the one taken in the early May. (the temperatures of the day : highest: 24.9°C≈77°F, lowest: 16.4°C≈62°F)

Next, the one taken in the middle of May. (the temperatures of the day : highest: 23.7°C≈75°F, lowest: 18.5°C≈65°F)

Then, in late May, the highest temperature is sometimes over 30°C≈86°F, though the lowest one is aroud 17°C≈63°F.

Statistically, it is getting warmer day by day to the end of May. Usually, only early mornings are a little bit cold, but daytime temperatures are warm, and sometimes hot days in late May.

In the case of early & mid May, people appear to wear differently. Some wear long sleeves, some short sleeves, and some wear jackets.

All pictures are taken in the daytime.

Please note that, May can be a little cold only in the early morning, and daytime is warm, sometimes gets hot, and cooler in the evenings.

We don’t have many rainy days in May, but it is near the rainy season in June, so, it woul be useful to take compact umbrella with you to prepare for rainy day sightseeing.

Kyoto in May is, so to speak, changing seasons, late spring to early summer, so it varies from day to day, and there is also a large difference between early morning (late night) and daytime in temperatures.

Some days are as hot as summer, while others are chilly in early spring.

So, please wear clothes that is easy to take on and off to adjust the difference.