Only in the southern part of Kyoto City, there is no mountain. Those mountains keep hot air during summer in the city, and in winter cold breezes blow from the mountains. The big Kamo River, which helped people to transport stuff a long time ago, runs in the center of the city. The climate of Kyoto is very different in summer and winter. Kyoto is humid and warm in the summer, and cold in winter.
Japan has four exact seasons.
Surrounding mountains are not so high, but these mountains keep humid and warm air in the city during summer. In the winter cold breezes blow from the mountains, and sometimes the breeze brings snow. Kyoto City is in a basin, so the cold air does not escape to anywhere. In front of Kyoto station Brief History of Kyoto Kyoto City was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. It was the capital of Japan for the long time.