Avg High
Kyoto in May
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
14h
What to expect
May in Kyoto is late spring, a shoulder-season window, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. The month is warm and inviting for long walks, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. There is plenty of daylight to stretch outdoor time.
May in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Kyoto.
Hottest (avg)
#5 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#3 / 12
Daylight Hours
#3 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#6 / 12
Highest UV
#3 / 12
Most Humid
#9 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 14 h
- UV index (max)
- 8
- Typical sun hours
- 04:52 - 18:52
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 13 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 67%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 76%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for May. Typical high 22.2°C and low 12.7°C.
Typical disruptions in May
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in May.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.0 days / month
~26% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.0 days / month
- Probability ~26% of days
- Intensity Up to ~52mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~8 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 25% of days (7.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.7 days / month
~25% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.7 days / month
- Probability ~25% of days
- Intensity Up to ~53mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~8 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 17% of days (5.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.2 days / month
~17% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.2 days / month
- Probability ~17% of days
- Intensity Up to ~61mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 8% of days (2.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.4 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.4 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~89km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.8 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.8 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~91km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Visibility Moderate
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.3 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.3 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Show all disruptions (17 more)
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 2.2 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.2 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.2 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~88mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.8 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.8 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~113mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cold Moderate
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Heat Moderate
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 63% of days (19.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.7 days / month
~63% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.7 days / month
- Probability ~63% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~20 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 51% of days (15.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.9 days / month
~51% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.9 days / month
- Probability ~51% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~16 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 45% of days (13.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.8 days / month
~45% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.8 days / month
- Probability ~45% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~14 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 41% of days (12.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.6 days / month
~41% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.6 days / month
- Probability ~41% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 36% of days (11.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.0 days / month
~36% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.0 days / month
- Probability ~36% of days
- Intensity Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~11 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 32% of days (9.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.9 days / month
~32% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.9 days / month
- Probability ~32% of days
- Intensity Up to ~95% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~10 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 31% of days (9.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.5 days / month
~31% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.5 days / month
- Probability ~31% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 23% of days (7.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.2 days / month
~23% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.2 days / month
- Probability ~23% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.3 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.3 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 4% of days (1.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.1 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.1 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~1 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Humidity Minor
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Kyoto?
Typical May days in Kyoto reach highs of 23°C (73°F) with nights around 13°C (55°F). It usually feels warm by day and cool after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in May?
Daytime temperatures in May typically peak near 23°C (73°F), while nights drop to around 13°C (55°F). Expect warm afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in May?
Rainfall in May averages 151 mm (5.9 in) across roughly 13 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in May?
You can expect about 14 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 04:52 and sunset near 18:52. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in May?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 8), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in May?
In May, average wind speeds are around 8 km/h (5 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 49 km/h (30 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.