Essential Tips for Attending October Events in Japan

October in Japan offers a delightful travel experience with pleasant weather and a variety of vibrant events. To make the most of your trip, consider these practical tips designed to enhance your comfort and cultural understanding.

Weather and What to Wear

October marks the heart of autumn in Japan, bringing mild and comfortable conditions across most of the country, with less rain. The typhoon season generally subsides by late September, leading to more frequent sunny days and decreased rainfall.

Temperatures:

• Major Cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto): Average daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 23°C (59°F to 73°F). Evenings can be cooler, dropping to around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F).
• Northern Regions (Hokkaido, Tohoku): Cooler, with temperatures between 7°C and 16°C (45°F and 61°F). Early signs of winter, including frost or light snow, may appear towards the end of the month, especially at higher altitudes.
• Southern Areas (Okinawa, Kyushu): Remain warm, averaging 23°C to 27°C (73°F to 81°F). Occasional strong winds or lingering typhoons can still occur in early October in these southern regions.

Packing Tips:

• Layering is key: Bring a mix of T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts to adjust to fluctuating temperatures throughout the day.
• Outerwear: Pack light jackets, sweaters, or cardigans for daytime. A medium-weight jacket or coat (like a trench coat or denim jacket) is essential for cooler evenings, especially in central and northern Japan.
• Accessories: Lightweight scarves and hats can provide extra warmth and style, particularly useful in the evenings or in cooler regions.
• Footwear: Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are essential as you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking at festivals and sightseeing spots. Choose shoes that are easy to slip on and off, as you will frequently remove them when entering temples, traditional inns (ryokans), and some restaurants.
• Modesty: While generally relaxed, dress sense in Japan leans towards more conservative styles. Avoid overly revealing clothing, especially when visiting temples or shrines.

Popular October Events

October is a fantastic time for festivals, often celebrating the autumn harvest and historical events. Be aware of these major events as they can impact crowds and accommodation availability.

• Takayama Matsuri (Gifu Prefecture): October 9th-10th.
• Tokyo Yosakoi (Ikebukuro): October 11th-12th (as part of the 58th Fukuro Festival).
• Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto): October 22nd.
• Kurama Fire Festival (Kyoto): October 22nd.
• Bizen Pottery Festival (Okayama): October 18th-19th.
• Paantu Festival (Okinawa): Two nights, usually in early October.
• Nagoya Festival (Aichi): October 18th-19th.
• Odaiba Sea Lights Lantern Festival (Odaiba, Tokyo): Anticipated for early October, though specific 2025 dates are pending. (Note: Separate ‘Rapunzel Lantern’ events are scheduled on other dates).
• Halloween: Various events in major cities and theme parks throughout October.

Crowd Levels

October generally sees moderate tourist crowds, making it a pleasant time to visit compared to peak seasons like cherry blossom or Golden Week. However, popular tourist spots, especially in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and locations hosting major festivals can still be quite busy. Theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan can be particularly crowded, especially on weekends and around Halloween.

Booking in Advance

Given the moderate to high crowds, especially around popular events and attractions, it is highly recommended to book certain aspects of your trip in advance.

Accommodation:

Secure your lodging early, particularly if you plan to visit a city during a major festival, as hotels can sell out quickly and prices may surge.

Event Tickets:

For high-demand events, especially concerts and some festivals, tickets may be sold months in advance through lottery systems or presales. Major Japanese ticketing platforms include Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket (L-tike), and eplus. Some sites offer English interfaces or have authorized international resellers. For popular attractions like the Ghibli Museum, tickets are released on the 10th of each month for the following month and sell out quickly, while Shibuya Sky tickets are released approximately 28 days in advance, with sunset slots being highly popular. While some smaller events might have tickets available at the venue on the day, it’s generally discouraged to rely on this for major festivals to avoid disappointment.

Transportation:

While Japan’s public transportation is highly efficient and punctual, booking the Japan Rail Pass or specific Shinkansen tickets in advance is advisable, especially for popular routes or during busy periods. Shinkansen seats with a JR Pass can be reserved up to one month in advance (or up to one year for Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen via online service/Smart EX) at JR Ticket Offices, green ticket machines, or online if purchased officially.

Transportation within Japan

Japan boasts a world-class public transportation system, making it easy to navigate cities and travel between regions.

• Trains: The Japan Railways (JR) network, including the Shinkansen (bullet trains), connects major cities efficiently. Consider a Japan Rail Pass if you plan extensive long-distance train travel.
• Subways and Buses: Major cities have extensive subway and bus networks for local travel. An IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) makes paying for most public transport seamless. Public transport requires orderly queuing, quiet behavior (no phone calls), and mindfulness of personal space. Priority seats are for specific individuals.
• Taxis: Taxis are readily available and clean, though generally more expensive than public transport.
• Private Drivers/Charter Buses: For corporate events or VIP guests, private transportation services are available, offering expertise in navigating local intricacies and language barriers.
• Arriving at Events: Use public transportation where possible, as parking can be limited and streets may be closed for parades.

Event Etiquette

Understanding and respecting Japanese etiquette will enhance your event experience:

• Punctuality: Arrive on time, which in Japan often means 10 to 15 minutes early, to show respect for organizers and other attendees.
• Dress Appropriately: For formal events or welcome parties, business casual attire is generally recommended unless a specific dress code is provided. For festivals, comfortable shoes are essential, and while casual clothes are fine, wearing traditional attire like a yukata (summer kimono) or happi coat can enhance the experience. Comfortable footwear, such as jika-tabi or geta, and accessories like hachimaki headbands are also common.
• Respectful Behavior:
• Keep your voice low in public spaces and avoid interrupting others.
• Be mindful of your energy at festivals; take breaks and pace yourself.
• When visiting temples or shrines at festivals, lower your voice, avoid eating or drinking in sacred areas, and observe quietly. Do not imitate rituals unless you understand them.
• Always seek explicit permission for close-up photos of individuals, especially children, respect ‘No Photography’ signs, be mindful of surroundings to avoid obstruction, and understand that photos are generally for personal, non-commercial use only.
• Chopsticks and Dining: If food is part of the event, be aware of basic chopstick etiquette. Avoid common taboos such as sticking chopsticks vertically into rice (Tate-bashi), passing food chopstick-to-chopstick (Hashi-watashi), stabbing food, or licking chopsticks. Using a chopstick rest is polite. It’s customary to wait for your host to initiate eating.
• Tipping: Tipping is generally not customary in Japan and can often be considered rude, as excellent service is a standard part of ‘Omotenashi’ (hospitality). A polite ‘Arigatou gozaimasu’ is usually sufficient. Rare exceptions might include discrete offerings in an envelope for private guides or ryokan attendants, but this is uncommon.
• Bowing: A small nod of the head is usually sufficient for foreigners, as Japanese people generally don’t expect them to know all bowing rules.
• Cash: Many festival food stalls and vendors, especially in rural areas, primarily accept cash, so carry small bills. Cash remains prevalent, especially outside major cities and in smaller businesses, making up over 60% of payments. While credit/debit cards are widely accepted in major urban establishments, it’s advisable to carry a mix of cash (suggested ¥10,000–¥20,000 daily) and cards. IC travel cards (like Suica or Pasmo) are convenient for public transport and small purchases.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy the diverse and culturally rich October events in Japan.

Photo link by Talha Resitoglu