Water hardness in Kyoto
45 mg/L soft
Tap water in Kyoto is soft: 45 mg/L (2.6 gpg · 2.5 °dH · 4.5 °fH).
Source: 京都市上下水道局 Kyoto City Waterworks & Sewerage Bureau, tap-water quality results FY2024 (water quality annual report) (2024) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 36–51 mg/L.
Kyoto's urban supply is Lake Biwa water brought by the Biwako Canal to the Keage, Matsugasaki and Shin-Yamashina plants. The utility's 2024 data give 44.5 mg/L CaCO₃ within a range of 36.0 to 51.0 mg/L. Scale builds slowly at this level; a light white film on kettles and taps is possible, and a softener is rarely needed.
Japanese waterworks report hardness (硬度) in mg/L CaCO₃; the standard is 300 mg/L and the target 10–100 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 45 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Kyoto City Waterworks & Sewerage Bureau |
How Kyoto compares
- Tap water in Kyoto is 11 % softer than the median of the 228 cities we track in Japan (50 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 138 of 228 in Japan (1 = hardest); 38 % of these cities have softer water.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Tondabayashi, 60 km away (17 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Shimamoto, 16 km away (83 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Japan →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Kyoto
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 2 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Kyoto water hard or soft?
It is soft: 45 mg/L as CaCO₃ (2.6 gpg, 2.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Kyoto safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Japanese waterworks report hardness (硬度) in mg/L CaCO₃; the standard is 300 mg/L and the target 10–100 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Kyoto water?
2.6 gpg, equal to 2.5 °dH, 4.5 °fH or 45 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Kyoto?
For 45 mg/L (2.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Kyoto?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: 京都市上下水道局 Kyoto City Waterworks & Sewerage Bureau, tap-water quality results FY2024 (water quality annual report) (2024). Method: figure published by the water supplier. 京都市上下水道局 Kyoto City Waterworks & Sewerage Bureau, tap-water quality results FY2024 (water quality annual report) · Outdated figure? Tell us