PURPOSES : This study aims to reduce the urban heat island phenomenon via utilization of porous asphalt pavements. METHODS : One of the many known functions of porous asphalt is that it reduces the urban heat island phenomenon. Indoor experiments were conducted to compare the surface temperature of sprinkled dense-graded and porous asphalt and outdoor experiments were conducted to verify the difference between the two asphalt pavements under external conditions. RESULTS : The results of the indoor experiment demonstrated that the temperatures of the two pavements were similar and that the porous asphalt pavement exhibited low temperature when sprinkled; the temperature of the porous asphalt was approximately 2 °C lower than that of the dense-graded asphalt pavement. The results of the outdoor experiment showed that the peak temperatures of the two pavements were approximately the same as usual. However, it was confirmed that the surface temperature of the porous asphalt pavement at night after sunset was lower than that of the dense-graded asphalt pavement and that the peak temperature dropped for approximately 1~2 days after the rainfall.. CONCLUSIONS : Porous asphalt pavement has a lower surface temperature than normal dense-graded asphalt pavement, under the presence of moisture in the pavement. In addition, it was confirmed that the lower surface temperature of the porous asphalt pavement is due to the low heat emission of the pavement at night. Accordingly, it is believed that the application of the porous asphalt pavement will not only have known effects but also significant impacts on the reduction of urban heat island phenomena.