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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
- Moon viewing: around the harvest moon (mid September to early October), temples and shrines hold moon-viewing events.
- Okinawa's islands: with summer holidays over, you can enjoy the seas of Ishigaki and Miyako more quietly.
- Early autumn colours: Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan has Japan's earliest autumn leaves, from mid September.
🌤 Weather and temperature
Tokyo averages about 23 °C, with 30 °C days still common early in the month. It is peak typhoon season and one of the rainiest months.
| City | Average temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 18.6 °C | 142 mm |
| Tokyo | 23.3 °C | 225 mm |
| Osaka | 25.2 °C | 153 mm |
| Fukuoka | 24.7 °C | 169 mm |
| Naha | 27.9 °C | 275 mm |
Monthly averages based on Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020).
🚄 Crowds, holidays and prices
When Respect for the Aged Day (third Monday) and the Autumn Equinox (around 22–23 September) fall close together, they create a 'Silver Week' holiday and crowds. Otherwise it is fairly quiet.
🏮 Festivals and events
- Owara Kaze no Bon (Toyama · September 1–3)
Men and women in woven hats dance quietly to the sound of the kokyu fiddle through the hillside town of Etchu-Yatsuo - 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 - Gujo Odori (Gifu · Mid-July to early September (all-night dancing August 13–16))
Japan's longest Bon dance, spanning 32 nights. A festival you join rather than watch - Kishiwada Danjiri Festival (Osaka · Mid-September (the weekend before Respect for the Aged Day))
Four-tonne wooden floats swing around corners at full speed in the "yarimawashi" - Fujisaki Hachimangu Autumn Festival (Kumamoto · Mid-September)
Around 60 decorated horses and handlers shouting "Dokai, dokai" - Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival (Okinawa · The weekend after Lunar Obon (late August to early September))
Youth associations from across the islands compete in eisa, dancing to pounding drums. Okinawa City
Dates change from year to year; always check the official announcement.
🌸 Flowers and autumn colours
- Autumn leaves of the Daisetsuzan range (Asahidake and Kurodake) (Hokkaido · Mid to late September)
Japan's earliest autumn colours. Rowan and alpine bearberry - Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Toyama · Late September to mid-October)
"Three-tiered" autumn colour descends from Murodo at 2,450 m - Red spider lilies of Kinchakuda (Saitama · Mid to late September)
A crimson carpet of 5 million blooms in a bend of the Koma River
🍣 Seasonal food and traditions
- Seafood in season: Pacific saury, returning bonito, mackerel, salmon roe
- Produce in season: Taro, chestnuts, Kyoho grapes, new-crop rice
- Traditions and daily life: Disaster Prevention Day (1st), Respect for the Aged Day, harvest-moon viewing, autumn equinox, Ohigan, school sports days
📍 Where to go this month
Ishigaki Kabira Bay
A three-star Michelin Green Guide bay. Glass-bottom boats glide over coral and tropical fish.
Taketomi Island
Ten minutes by boat from Ishigaki: a village of red-tiled roofs and white-sand lanes where water-buffalo carts amble. Shallow turquoise water at Kondoi Beach.
Shiretoko Peninsula
One of the densest brown-bear populations on Earth; in winter drift ice reaches the shore. Natural World Heritage.
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Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan
Fifteen-day tournaments in January, May and September. Doors open at 8 am; the top-division ring-entering ceremony is after 3 pm. Try chanko stew.
Tsunoshima Bridge
A 1,780 m bridge runs straight across emerald water: a toll-free drive that is one of Japan's most photographed roads, and a frequent film location.
Naoshima Art Island
A small Seto Inland Sea island turned into a contemporary-art mecca: Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin and Tadao Ando's underground Chichu Art Museum.
🧳 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
If a typhoon approaches, don't force your travel plans; check for cancellations. Travel insurance gives peace of mind.
🗓 Other months
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Frequently asked questions
Is Japan still hot in September?
The first half can still feel like midsummer; by the second half mornings and evenings cool down. Bring short sleeves and a light layer.
What is Silver Week?
It is a holiday cluster formed when September's Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumn Equinox join up with a weekend; its length varies by year.
