ⓘ This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this guide free.
This translation was generated by AI and may contain wording that differs from the facts. Please check the Japanese original or official sources for anything important. Japanese original
Key points
- Mountain foliage: Tateyama Kurobe, Kamikochi, the Oirase Gorge and Nikko peak in mid to late October.
- Autumn festivals: Takayama (9–10 October), Kyoto's Jidai Matsuri (22 October) and Nagasaki Kunchi (7–9 October).
- Halloween: costumed crowds gather in Shibuya and elsewhere — expect crowds and restrictions.
🌤 Weather and temperature
Tokyo averages about 18 °C, comfortable by day and cool in the mornings and evenings. Hokkaido can see its first snow late in the month.
| City | Average temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 12.1 °C | 110 mm |
| Tokyo | 18 °C | 235 mm |
| Osaka | 19.5 °C | 136 mm |
| Fukuoka | 19.6 °C | 86 mm |
| Naha | 25.5 °C | 179 mm |
Monthly averages based on Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020).
🚄 Crowds, holidays and prices
The Sports Day long weekend (second Monday) is busy, but overall October is an easy month to travel. Famous foliage spots get crowded at weekends.
🏮 Festivals and events
- Kawagoe Festival (Saitama · Third weekend of October)
Floats in the style of Edo's "Tenka Matsuri" face off in musical duels known as "hikkawase" - Noto Kiriko Festivals (Ishikawa · July–October (across the Noto Peninsula))
Giant lantern floats (kiriko) over 10 m tall are carried through the streets. Resuming across the region after the 2024 earthquake - Takayama Autumn Festival (Hachiman Matsuri) (Gifu · October 9–10)
Eleven floats and lantern-lit evening parades. Together with the spring festival it is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as the "Takayama Matsuri" - Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto · October 22)
Marks the founding of the Heian capital. A 2,000-strong procession spanning eight eras, from the Meiji Restoration back to Heian - Nada Fighting Festival (Hyogo · October 14–15)
At Matsubara Hachiman Shrine, three mikoshi are crashed together and seven floats jostle for position - Niihama Taiko Festival (Ehime · October 16–18)
Over 50 drum floats, each 5.5 m tall and weighing 3 tonnes, are hoisted aloft in the "kakikurabe" contest - Saga International Balloon Fiesta (Saga · Late October to early November)
Over 100 hot-air balloons rise from the banks of the Kase River. One of Asia's largest balloon events - Nagasaki Kunchi (Nagasaki · October 7–9)
The autumn festival of Suwa Shrine. Exotic votive dances such as the dragon dance (ja-odori) and Kokkodesho - Naha Great Tug-of-War (Okinawa · October (Sports Day long weekend))
East and west pull a Guinness-certified rope 200 m long and weighing 40 tonnes
Dates change from year to year; always check the official announcement.
🌸 Flowers and autumn colours
- Oirase Gorge (Aomori · Mid to late October)
Autumn leaves and moss along 14 km of stream flowing out of Lake Towada - Naruko Gorge (Miyagi · Late October to early November)
Autumn colour fills a gorge 100 m deep. Trains on the Rikuu East Line make a picture-perfect scene - Nikko Irohazaka and Lake Chuzenji (Tochigi · Mid-October to early November)
48 hairpin bends and Kegon Falls. The range of altitudes stretches the season to a month - Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Toyama · Late September to mid-October)
"Three-tiered" autumn colour descends from Murodo at 2,450 m - Kamikochi (Nagano · Mid to late October)
Golden larches at Taisho Pond and Kappa Bridge, with the first snow on the Hotaka peaks
🍣 Seasonal food and traditions
- Seafood in season: Salmon, shishamo smelt, Okhotsk atka mackerel, mackerel
- Produce in season: Mushrooms, sweet potatoes, persimmons, apples, new-crop soba
- Traditions and daily life: Switch to winter uniforms, Sports Day, Halloween, autumn leaves (Hokkaido to Tohoku), autumn festivals
📍 Where to go this month
_24_Oct,_2011_-_panoramio.jpg)
Kamikochi
An alpine resort at 1,500 m: the Hotaka peaks seen from Kappa Bridge over the Azusa River. Private cars are banned; open late April to early November only.
Oirase Gorge
A 14 km stream flowing from Lake Towada, with a walking trail along mossy rocks and a chain of waterfalls. Autumn colours peak in late October.
Tateyama Kurobe Snow Corridor
In spring buses drive between snow walls up to 20 m high. Reach the 2,450 m Murodo plateau entirely by cable car, bus and ropeway.
.jpg)
Shirakawa-go Gassho Villages
Over 100 steep thatched farmhouses built for heavy snow. The winter light-up is otherworldly.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum, decorated with over 5,000 carvings including the 'three wise monkeys' and the sleeping cat.
Biei Blue Pond
Dissolved aluminium scatters light and turns the pond a glowing blue. Once an Apple wallpaper.
🧳 What to pack
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Layers: September is still summer, November is almost winter
- Check typhoon forecasts in September
- Autumn leaves peak mid to late November: book lodging early
- Comfortable walking shoes
💡 Travel tip
Autumn colours start high in the mountains and take about a month to reach the lowlands; check the peak for your destination.
🗓 Other months
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Frequently asked questions
Can I see autumn leaves in October?
Yes, in Hokkaido, Tohoku and the high mountains. Kyoto and Tokyo peak later, from mid November to early December.
Is October a good time to visit Japan?
Yes — sunny, comfortable days make it one of the best months of the year to travel.
