Most of September is still summer, but it also marks the beginning of autumn. October is one of the most popular months to visit Japan. Autumn brings the delicious foods associated with the season and reminds everyone why fall is known as the foodie season of Japan. During these two months, people are preparing for the briskness that fall will bring, and bidding farewell to what usually is a hot summer. School is usually back in session full-swing by September, which means that it'll be a little less crowded, although October tends to see a bit more crowds, especially nonlocals, due to the popularity of seasonal events and activities including foliage.
As we often like to reiterate, there is never really a bad time to go to Japan. It sounds too good to be true, but there truly isn't a bad time! It all depends on what you look for in travel, what weather patterns you prefer, and the experiences, events, and festivals that you wish to experience. Although there may be different factors that change including the weather and environmental conditions, the constant of Japan's beauty and historical landmarks is unchanging.
September in Tokyo
The temperatures in Japan start to cool down with the change in season. For many people, this becomes a blessing from the cloying humidity that summer can bring. The change of weather and season also signifies an end in the fun, summer festivities and a time to start moving towards a more serious focus with school and work.
Late October in Osaka
September brings an average high that is in the 80s (Fahrenheit) and the average lows being in the 70s in Tokyo. September is sometimes referred to as the second rainy season due to a relatively high amount of rainfall due to the typhoon season continuing from August. However, the rain actually provides welcome relief from the heat and humidity of summer and brings clear skies and crisp air after. The rain also isn't every day and often doesn't last all day, so those worried about not being able to go outside need not worry. Further north, like in Sapporo, there is less rainfall than the rest of Japan, but it is actually still considered the rainiest month in Sapporo. The Osaka/Hiroshima area tends to be sunnier than the Tokyo area. Japan as a whole tends to have periods of rain and there isn't a definite escape from it, but there also are sunny and/or rain-free days and plenty to do that makes going worthwhile. Just prepare by packing appropriately and prepare for a mix of weather patterns. If you head up north towards Hokkaido in late September, you may catch the beginning of autumn foliage and the turning of the leaf colors.
Still summery looking skies. September in Kochi
October is probably one of the most recommended and popular times to visit Japan. There is a noticeable drop in temperature, with an average temperature in the 60s (°F). October has mild weather patterns in comparison to the recent months and brings drier and crisper air. There are still certain regions that may see some sporadic heavy rainfall including Tokyo but not to the extent of June or September usually. Everything is much milder than it was for recent months past, including the heat, humidity, and rain. If you go up north towards Hokkaido, fall foliage is usually in full-swing and drier than the rest of Japan. Okinawa sometimes sees strong winds and rain but warm weather as well. Towards mid to late October, there is more fall foliage through a greater area of Japan including Tokyo, so if you want to get a glimpse of the acclaimed fall foliage view of Japan, late October is the best time to go!
October Sunset in Sapporo. Leaves beginning to turn.
*Weather is ever-changing and not guaranteed. Information is based on past weather patterns. H.I.S. holds no liability should you choose to book your trip during these months.
September is a calmer month to visit and is great for first-timers to Japan who would want to see the classic sights of Japan and explore cities without the craze of people on vacation and holiday crowds. October is not without its fair share of events, so if you're in the country, you can explore the fall foliage as well as the month's festivities. Fall is also known as the foodie season, so look out for more seasonal ingredients and local and unlisted food festivals here and there!
Kaze no Bon
September 1 - 3
Kaze no Bon takes place in Yatsuo, Toyama annually starting on the first of September and ending on the third. The festival is known for the traditional folk songs and dance that are performed, and it is a lively and enchanting event that draws the community together. The festival originated from a response to appease the winds and protect the crops that grew there from natural disasters, as such was a prevalent occurrence.
Kitazawa Hachiman Festival
Early September
Usually, the festival takes place on the first weekend of September, with the main event taking place on Sunday. Omikoshis or portable shrines are walked through the streets of Tokyo in a parade of sorts. On the main shrine grounds, there are many stalls including food stalls to be found. To get a glimpse into a traditional side of Japanese culture, this is a great festival to come see!
Choyo no Sechie Festival
September 9
The Choyo no Sechie Festival is a chrysanthemum festival, this one taking place in Arashiyama, Kyoto. During the festival, people enjoy Chrysanthemum themed events and activities such as flower viewing and Chrysanthemum-flavored sake tasting. There is also a ceremony of prayer involving the flower.
Seto Festival
2nd weekend of September
Seto is known as one of the important and ancient kiln towns of Japan, and the Seto festival is well known amongst pottery-lovers and those who have an appreciation for arts and/or ceramics. During the Seto Festival, many stalls open selling the pottery and ceramics at deals and very low prices, including the widely known maneki neko.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Festival - Reitai-sai
September 14 - 16
The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Festival is an annual major festival that usually lasts three days in Kamakura. Each day brings something a little bit different in terms of events and activities. One of the most popular events for people to view is the yabusame contest or horseback archery, which used to be an important military skill during the Kamakura period. Now it is honored during traditional festivals such as these. In addition to seeing the yabusame, people can enjoy performances of song and dance, and some various Japanese festival foods.
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
September 13 - 15
If you ever had a desire to see a loud and somewhat wild (within reason) Japanese festival, this might be one of the ones to check out. That's because the Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka has a reputation for getting a little bit dangerous. During the event's festivities, wooden floats are hauled and pulled by teams of usually men through the streets of Kishiwada's neighborhoods, and it is a competition of speed as well. The dangerous parts come from when the people carrying the floats attempt to turn a corner with as much speed as possible, as it takes precision and care to make it without toppling over. Enjoy delicious treats at food stalls while watching the days procession.
Seiryu-e Festival
September 14 - 15
The Seiryu-e Festival is also known as the Blue Dragon Festival and occurs in Kyoto. There is one that takes place in March/April, and also one that takes place in September at Kiyomizu Temple. A blue dragon is said to be a deity that protects the temple and city from evil karma and bad luck. People in costumes and people carrying dragon figures are paraded through the grounds of the temple and nearby areas.
Furusato Hyappei Festival
September 17- 19
As you will notice, many of Japan's festivals and events have the common theme of honoring deities or places, or as ways of prayer and appeasement for bountiful harvests or health. This falls closely in line with much of the nation's spirituality and traditional belief systems, and the Furusato Hyappei Festival is an example of such. The festival honors Iwamizawa as well as the rice that the town provides, and offers prayers for another year of abundance and success.
Okuma-kabuto Festival
September 20
The Okuma-kabuto Festival takes place in Nakajima of the Ishikawa Prefecture and is known as the "20th Day Festival" hence the day of the event. Portable shrine floats called mikoshi representing 19 shrines of the Noto Peninsula come together in Nakajima. The day's festivities include a parade with said mikoshi as well as musicians and dancers.
Fukuro Matsuri
Late-September TBA
Fukuro Matsuri started off as a way to promote tourism and local shopping districts in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, but it has grown to be one of the largest and most popular events in the area. There are all of the makings of a traditional Japanese festival including mikoshi parades, taiko shows, festival song and dance, and great food. If you apply in advance, you (the traveler) can even get the opportunity to carry the mikoshi.
Tokyo Detention House Exhibition/Festival
Late-September TBA
The Tokyo Detention House Exhibition/Festival is an event that may strike some as a little unusual, but often has quite a turnout and is quite popular, and it takes place at a famous Tokyo prison that once housed notorious criminals. Although essentially a normal festival that just happens to take place on prison grounds, with performances and food stalls, visitors do not actually go inside or interact with the inmates. Instead, many stalls selling goods and food are set up that people can look into. Inmates of the prison get a chance to sell some goods that they make inside including shoes and bags. The Tokyo Self Defenses Force, Fire Department, and Police sometimes do some recruiting here as well.
Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival
October 4 - 6
The Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival takes place in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima and is considered one of the great lantern festivals of Japan. For those with an appreciation for whimsical light festivals and the like, this may be a festival that you want to check out. Large lanterned floats are moved throughout the streets, the dim glow of each lantern coming together to set a romantic-like and inspiring mood. Looking at the awe-inspiring floats, you know you're looking at something important. With its origins in spirituality and religion, the festival is an important tradition.
Warai Festival
October 6
This unique festival is perfect for those who want to experience a local and traditional experience that is sure to uplift your spirits. Head on over to Wakayama Prefecture for the Warai Festival, a festival where laughing the main event and whose name literally translates to "Laughter Festival." The festival has its origins based on a local legend where the people of the town needed to use laughter to cheer up a goddess at Niu Shrine. The festival involves someone dressing up as a clown leading a group of people while laughing and celebrating to the Niu Shrine. Once at the shrine, there are dances, performances, and much more celebratory activities.
Nagasaki Kunchi
October 6 - 9
The Nagasaki Kunchi is notable as it is said to be the biggest festival in Nagasaki and goes back about 400 years. During the event's festivities, various dances and performances are done by locals on Nagasaki's various districts in front of a large audience. However each district can only participate once every 7 years, so it ends up being different districts with a fresh performance every year. The event has influences in Dutch and Chinese origins, as Nagasaki was a major port area with many countries coming in and out. Tickets need to be bought to sit and watch the performances, but they tend to sell out very fast. There are some viewing areas outside where people can watch for free, but those tend to fill up fast as well. If you're in the area however, it is an event worth checking out and trying to get tickets for.
Otsu Matsuri
October 11 - 13
Otsu Matsuri is considered one of the major festivals in Shiga Prefecture. It usually takes place on the weekend before the second Monday of the month of October. Sounds a little confusing, but if you look on a calendar to see the second Monday of the month, the weekend that came just before that Monday is considered the festival weekend. 13 large and intricate floats are walked through the streets of Otsu in a parade.
Naha Ohtsunahiki Festival
October 12 - 14
This event takes place in Naha, Okinawa, and centers around sportsmanship. The main event is a huge tug-of-war rope called ohtsunahiki that weighs about 27 tons. About 15,000 people participate in the tug of war event where everyone grabs the smaller ropes that make up the main rope to pull. Anyone is allowed to join in on the huge tug of war, and it is said by participating you can tug in some good fortune, and at the end, pieces of rope are cut and given out as a way to also bring good luck.
Sanuki Toyohama Chosa Matsuri
October 11 - 13
In Kannoji, Kagawa Prefecture, you can attend and view the Sanuki Toyohama Chosa Matsuri that is held every year. Floats with various performers and drummers are carried around as part of the festivities. The festival goes on for three days with the purpose of offering prayer for abundant crop harvests, safety at sea for fishermen, and good fish catch.
Nada Fighting Festival
October 14 - 15
This Hyogo Prefecture event sounds a little intimidating, but it's certainly exciting to watch. Despite the name, people are not involved in hand to hand combat, but teams do slam the mikoshi, portable shrines, that they carry into one another's. If the shrine ends up breaking, the team loses. It is often a loud, upbeat, and sometimes a little wild event.
Hiraoka Matsuri
October 14 - 15
Hiraoka Matsuri takes place in Osaka Prefecture and is a two-day affair. During the festival, locals will carry something called futon taiko around. Just like any good Japanese festival, there will also be food stalls and the like adding to the festive vibe of the occasion.
Nagoya Festival
Mid-October - Dates TBA
Nagoya Festival is considered the largest festival in Nagoya of the Aichi Prefecture, and it occurs every year. Large floats go down the streets of Nagoya during the Nagoya Festival, and people dress in samurai costumes and celebrate some of Japan's great historical figures. You can also enjoy some local Nagoya cuisine including miso katsu, kishimen noodles, and fried shrimp.
Niihama Taiko Festival
October 16 - 18
Taikos are a big part of Japanese culture in terms of music and art. In this festival in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, portable floats are carried with taiko drummers standing atop of it and huge drums can be seen. Sometimes various floats have known to be rammed into others with the motivation of knocking them over, and it sometimes does tend to get a little rowdy. The locals sometimes refer to this festival as the "men's festival."
Yabusame Festival/Kasagake Ritual
Both October 19
The Yabusame Festival and the Kasagake Ritual are both separate events occurring in two completely different locations, but they both happen to fall on the same day and center around Yabusame, or horseback archery. The Yabusame Festival takes place in Koyama, Kagoshima Prefecture and the Kasagake Ritual in Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto. If you have an interest in traditional Japanese sports and activities and happen to be in close vicinity to one of these locations, why not check it out?
Jidai Matsuri
October 22
Jidai Matsuri is held annually on October 22nd in Kyoto Prefecture on the anniversary of the foundation of the prefecture. Translated to "Festival of the Ages", locals dress in period clothing and historical figures during this festival. You can watch the parade of people going by, dressed in their historical garments, all intricate and accurately done.
Hi Matsuri (Kurama Fire Festival)
October 22
Hi Matsuri also known as Kurama Fire Festival takes place in Kyoto and is a famous and popular fire festival in Japan. The local men and some children will carry huge torches that are on fire in a ceremony to welcome the spirits and gods of the Yuki-jinja Shrine to the village.
Ton Ten Ton Festival
October 25 - 27
Known as a fighting festival, and considered by many to be one of the biggest fighting festivals in Japan, this festival goes on for three days in Imari City of Saga Prefecture. Some local men will carry 2 mikoshis through the streets. When they run into each other, they will proceed to yell at each other, and drums will start beating three high beats, at which point the two groups will run at each other and crash their mikoshis into the other. This goes on until one of the shrines fall to the ground. The festival is known to be somewhat dangerous, in that some people get injured during the mikoshi crashes every year. The finale event on the last day involves the biggest shrine race/fight that takes place in a river.
Ueno Tenjin Matsuri
October 23 - 25
Ueno Tenjin Matsuri occurs in Iga City in Ueno Higashimachi at the Ueno Tenjin Shrine. Portable shrines, mikoshi, are carried through with "demons" and 9 danjiri festival floats following behind. The festival is designated as an 'important intangible folk cultural property of Japan and was also added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Kyoto Antique Fair
4th Weekend in October
For those that enjoy shopping and the traditional, the Kyoto Antique Fair is a must not miss event! One of the largest antique fairs, there are so many things to look at and browse through, including pottery and ceramics, clothing and fabric pieces, and even old armory. The event is a great place for collectors, for those with traditional and/or eccentric tastes, and for everyone in between! Some may make great souvenirs, albeit delicate and fragile. But if you have a taste for antiques and Japanese culture, this is a great place to even just come to look at. And it's located in the cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto!
In addition to the traditional and annual festivals listed amongst this list, there are also many sporting events happening this year including many rugby matches and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. It's a great year to be in Japan for sporting events! Many areas in Japan may also have smaller, local events happening so make sure to check the local tourism website for some information. Tokyo often holds many antique sales and flea markets, and you're sure to find some festivals celebrating other cultures around various areas of Japan too!
Of course, many of you were probably expecting to see some Halloween related events up here too. And of course, I wasn't going to leave it out! While Halloween is more of a modern thing and not a traditional Japanese festival like many of the other things on this list, it has become more and more of a popular event within the last decade. In Tokyo, there are full-on Halloween "parades" (more so crowds of costumed people walking around) with many people dressing in funny or cute, and occasionally scary costumes. Many places in Tokyo take part in the Halloween fun, though many people head over to popular theme parks such as Disneyland. Usually, the celebrations aren't just on the 31st, and many of the festivities occur on the weekend; it just depends on what day the 31st happens to fall. If you're a Halloween fiend, it is definitely recommended to lookup local events going on in the area you're going to be in!
*Disclaimer: Dates are for 2019 events and are subject to change without notice. Events may be canceled or postponed based on weather conditions and other factors. HIS is not responsible for any changes in the dates or itineraries of these events or the consequences therefore after. We recommend always double-checking for the latest information online.
September: Take a 10-day tour exploring both popular destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto, and also less commonly talked about locations like Niigata. Enjoy the experience of both the modern and the traditional on this private tour! October: With beautiful fall foliage turning the surroundings orange and gold and creating a mesmerizing golden hue, October is the perfect time to visit the Niigata area. Take this 10-day group tour exploring all the wonderful sights, smells, and tastes of autumn. Flights: Departures from many cities all around the United States. Your Japan trip awaits you~
Read our other monthly guides here:
January and February: Coming soon March and April: HERE May and June: HERE July and August: HERE September and October: HERE November and December: Coming Soon
