Winter is cheaper rather than empty. Kyoto City hotel statistics put room rates in January and February 2025 about 42% to 48% below November and April, but hotels were still 69% to 72% full that winter. Nationwide visitor arrivals in January and February 2026 were only 8% to 11% below the April and October 2025 peaks.
Snow is a bonus, not a plan. Kyoto’s official climate normals show 2 cm of snowfall in December, 5 cm in January and 7 cm in February. Daytime highs stay between 9°C and 12°C, and some temples close at 16:30.
How much cheaper is winter? Room rates by month
These are average daily room rates and occupancy for Kyoto City hotels, from the Kyoto City Tourism Association’s annual reports. Switch the year to compare. The five months shown are the ones the reports let us compare directly.
The year switch needs JavaScript. Without it, the bars show 2025 and the table below lists both years.
November¥29,085
Occupancy 86.9%
December¥21,638
Occupancy 77.9%
January¥16,942
Occupancy 68.7%
February¥15,987
Occupancy 71.7%
April¥30,640
Occupancy 89.5%
In 2025, January and February rates were 42% to 48% below November and April.
| Month | 2025 rate · occupancy | 2024 rate · occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| November | ¥29,085 · 86.9% | ¥28,686 · 87.4% |
| December | ¥21,638 · 77.9% | ¥20,601 · 80.9% |
| January | ¥16,942 · 68.7% | ¥15,390 · 60.3% |
| February | ¥15,987 · 71.7% | ¥16,541 · 69.9% |
| April | ¥30,640 · 89.5% | ¥24,406 · 86.0% |
A Chinese government travel advisory affected visitor numbers in late 2025, so the 2025 gap may not be typical. The 2024 figures come from the 2024 annual report; later reports show slightly revised prior-year numbers, so treat that column as approximate. Lunar New Year falls on 6 February 2027, so expect higher demand and rates around it. For where to stay, see our guide to Kyoto’s areas.
What the weather is really like
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s 1991–2020 normals for Kyoto show a cold but not freezing city. Snowfall is small, so the postcard scene of a snowy golden pavilion is a matter of luck.
December
- Average7.2°C
- High / low11.6 / 3.5°C
- Snowfall2 cm
- Deepest cover2 cm
January
- Average4.8°C
- High / low9.1 / 1.5°C
- Snowfall5 cm
- Deepest cover3 cm
February
- Average5.4°C
- High / low10.0 / 1.6°C
- Snowfall7 cm
- Deepest cover4 cm
Pack layers and a warm coat for mornings and evenings. We found no official snow figures for hill areas such as Kurama and Ohara, so check the forecast if you plan to go there.
Opening hours change in winter
| Sight | Winter hours |
|---|---|
| Ginkaku-ji | 9:00–16:30 from 1 Dec to 28 Feb (8:30–17:00 from 1 Mar). The official Japanese page is dated 2019, so check before you go. |
| Nanzen-ji | 8:40–17:00, closing at 16:30 from December to February; last entry 20 minutes before closing. |
| Nijo Castle | Entry 8:45–16:00 (castle closes at 17:00). Ninomaru Palace is closed every Tuesday in December and January, and the castle closes from 29 to 31 December, and the palace interiors are also closed on 26–28 December and 1–3 January. |
| Kinkaku-ji | 9:00–17:00; the official page shows no seasonal change. |
| Kiyomizu-dera | Opens at 6:00 and closes at 18:00 most of the year; check the temple’s hours page for seasonal changes. |
Year-end closures are covered in New Year in Kyoto.
Winter events that fit a trip
- Setsubun, around 3 FebruaryAccording to Kyoto’s tourism listings for 2026, Yoshida Shrine held its festival from 2 to 4 February, Yasaka Shrine on 2 and 3 February with maiko and geiko, Kitano Tenmangu on 3 February with kyogen and dance, and Fushimi Inari on 3 February with bean-throwing. The 2027 programmes were not announced when we checked.
- Kitano Tenmangu plum seasonThe plum garden opened on 1 February in 2026, and the Baikasai plum festival is held on 25 February each year. The 2027 garden dates were not announced.
- Kyoto Marathon, Sunday 21 February 2027The race’s website gives the date. Expect road closures along the course.
Is winter right for your trip?
- You want lower hotel pricesJanuary and February were both well below November and April rates in 2024 and 2025. Book early for the Lunar New Year weekend.
- You want fewer crowdsExpect fewer, not none. Go to the big sights early, and check closing times.
- You want snowDon’t count on it in the city. Treat any snow as a bonus.
- You are planning the autumn insteadSee Kyoto autumn leaves 2026, or plan your days with the 3-day Kyoto itinerary.
FAQ
Does it snow in Kyoto in winter?
Rarely and lightly in the city. Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals for Kyoto show 2 cm of snowfall in December, 5 cm in January and 7 cm in February, with a deepest snow cover of 2 to 4 cm. Snow that settles on the ground is uncommon, so treat a snowy temple as a bonus, not a plan.
Is Kyoto cheaper in winter?
Hotels are. Kyoto City Tourism Association hotel statistics show average room rates in January and February 2025 about 42% to 48% below November and April rates. In 2024 the gap ranged from about 32% to 46%. Rates are higher in December and may rise again around the Lunar New Year in February.
Is Kyoto quiet in winter?
Quieter than November and April, but not empty. Kyoto hotel occupancy was still 69% in January and 72% in February 2025, and nationwide visitor arrivals in January and February 2026 were only 8% to 11% below April and October 2025.
What temperatures should I pack for?
December averages 7.2°C with highs of 11.6°C and lows of 3.5°C. January averages 4.8°C (high 9.1°C, low 1.5°C) and February 5.4°C (high 10.0°C, low 1.6°C). Layers and a warm coat for early mornings and evenings are enough for the city.
Do temples close earlier in winter?
Some do. Ginkaku-ji closes at 16:30 from 1 December to 28 February and Nanzen-ji at 16:30 from December to February. Kinkaku-ji’s official page shows 9:00 to 17:00 without a winter change.
When is the Kyoto Marathon?
The 2027 Kyoto Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 21 February 2027, according to the race’s website. Check the course map for closed roads.
Checked 5 October 2026 against the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Kyoto City Tourism Association’s hotel statistics, the Japan National Tourism Organization, the shrines’ and temples’ official pages and the Kyoto Marathon website. Room rates are Kyoto City averages, not a quote for any hotel; the 2027 event dates were not yet announced.
