Experiencing Autumn: Scenery and Activities to do in Japan in October 2026

Japan in October offers a captivating experience with pleasant weather, stunning autumn foliage, and a variety of cultural activities and festivals. It’s widely considered one of the best times to visit the country thanks to comfortable temperatures and generally lower humidity, though popular attractions can still be crowded.

Ideal weather conditions

October in Japan brings crisp, pleasant temperatures across much of the country. Humidity drops significantly, and typhoon season is largely over, meaning more sunny days and less rainfall compared to September.

Temperatures

• Tokyo: average daytime highs around 22°C (72°F), with early October seeing 23 to 28°C (77 to 86°F) and late-October nights dropping to 10°C (50°F). Monthly average is about 24°C (75°F).
• Kyoto: average daily highs fall from 24°C to 19°C (76 to 66°F) over the month; lows fall from 17°C to 11°C (63 to 51°F). Overall average around 18°C (64°F).
• Hokkaido: cooler, with daytime temperatures of 12 to 16°C (54 to 61°F) and nighttime temperatures of 2 to 7°C (36 to 45°F). Sapporo’s high is around 16°C (61°F), low around 7°C (45°F). Early October averages 19°C (66°F), dropping to 12°C (54°F) by late October, with a chance of first snow toward month’s end.
• Okinawa: stays warm, with daytime temperatures of 26 to 27°C (79 to 81°F), highs up to 31°C (88°F), and water temperature around 27°C (81°F).

Humidity and typhoons

Tokyo and Kyoto see moderate humidity (roughly 70 to 85%), with muggy conditions easing as the month goes on. Hokkaido is the least humid region and least affected by typhoons. Okinawa’s typhoon season is winding down but not over, so it’s worth checking forecasts if you’re headed there in October.

Sunny days

Tokyo sees around 15 sunny days in October with roughly 51% clear/sunny conditions. Kyoto gets around 18 sunny days and about 7.5 hours of sunshine daily. Hokkaido offers a good sun-cloud balance, and Okinawa keeps over 60% clear skies in Naha with rainfall tapering off through the month.

Breathtaking autumn foliage (momijigari)

October marks the start of Japan’s koyo (autumn leaves) season, the tradition of leaf-hunting known as momijigari. Colors move from north to south and from higher elevations down.

Hokkaido

The first place in Japan to see color, generally peaking mid-September to early November. Daisetsuzan National Park is the earliest spot in the country, starting end of August and peaking early September to early October, with Mount Asahidake peaking mid-September. The Shiretoko Peninsula peaks late September to mid-October, and Shikotsu-Toya National Park mid to late October.

Tohoku

Spectacular color throughout October. The Hachimantai mountains start mid-September and peak late September to mid-October. Lake Towada and the Oirase Stream peak mid-October into early November, Naruko Gorge mid-October through early November, and Urabandai and Shirakami Sanchi run late September through early November depending on elevation.

Central Japan (mountainous areas)

Mid-October to mid-November is prime time. The Japanese Alps’ highest elevations peak mid-September, while Kurobedaira and Kurobe Dam peak mid to late October. Kamikochi in Nagano peaks around mid-October, and Shirakawa-go in Gifu mid to late October.

Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture)

Okunikko is beautiful through most of October, with color descending into Nikko town by mid-November. Yumoto Onsen, Ryuzu Waterfall, and Senjogahara Marshland peak early to mid-October; Lake Chuzenji and Irohazaka Road peak mid to late October.

Around Tokyo

Tokyo’s main parks like Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen peak later, in November, but Mount Mitake in Okutama offers earlier autumn views, generally late October into mid-November.

Kyushu

Not as renowned for foliage as the north, but the Kuju Mountains in Oita Prefecture are among the best spots, with peak colors late October to mid-November.

Crowd levels

October is popular for its weather and early foliage, so busy sights stay busy, especially toward the end of the month and on weekends. Fushimi Inari Shrine gets extremely crowded; arrive around 7:00 AM or in the late afternoon to avoid the worst of it. Osaka Castle sees its peak season in late October and early November, so weekdays or early mornings are your best bet. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is almost always busy; visit before 8:00 AM or later in the day. Kyoto overall runs low to moderate in the first two weeks of October, picking up toward the end of the month, though still well short of the mid-to-late November peak.

Delightful seasonal cuisine

Autumn is a great season for food in Japan. Look for roasted chestnuts, warm sweet potato snacks, apples, and persimmons (kaki), the “fruits of autumn.” Hearty dishes like ramen, pine mushroom broth, pumpkin soup, and Pacific mackerel (saba) round out the season, alongside freshly harvested rice, soba noodles, and seasonal sake at harvest festivals.

Autumn festivals

October’s traditional matsuri calendar is packed, Takayama Autumn Festival, Jidai Matsuri, the Kurama Fire Festival, Kawagoe Festival, and more. Rather than repeat the full list here, we’ve covered every major regional festival with dates and access details in our Regional Guide to October Events and Festivals in Japan.

Other activities and attractions

Onsen with a view

Many ryokan offer outdoor baths surrounded by fall foliage. Notable October spots include Sounkyo Onsen and Jozankei Onsen in Hokkaido, Zao Onsen and Oirase Keiryu Onsen in Tohoku, the Nagano onsen areas (Kanbayashi, Yamada, Shibu, Nozawa), Minakami and Ikaho Onsen in Chubu, and Hakone Onsen in Kanto.

Hiking and outdoor activities

Mount Takao near Tokyo is pleasant at 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F) at the summit, though foliage doesn’t peak here until mid-November to early December. It gets very crowded, so arrive by 6:00 AM or visit on weekdays. Arashiyama in Kyoto starts showing hints of color in late October but doesn’t peak until late November to early December. Nikko is peak season for vibrant color through most of October, with hiking trails at Senjogahara Marshland, Ryuzu Falls, and Lake Chuzenji. Kamikochi in the Japanese Alps is at its best in October, though weather swings can be significant, layers, waterproofs, and proper trekking shoes are essential, and private cars are prohibited (use the shuttle buses). Hokkaido offers excellent hiking with crisp 6 to 16°C (43 to 61°F) weather, though nighttime frost and even first snow at higher elevations are possible.

Temples, shrines, and tea ceremonies

Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto are worth visiting even though peak foliage there doesn’t arrive until November, October is generally the quieter preview. October is also a good time for a traditional tea ceremony; look for the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony, typically held at venues like the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum and Hamarikyu Gardens, though exact 2026 dates are worth confirming closer to your trip. October 1 marks both Japanese Tea Day and the Uji Tea Festival.

Halloween celebrations

Universal Studios Japan’s Halloween Horror Nights, part of its wider autumn event, runs September 11 through November 8, 2026, and Tokyo Disney Resort’s Disney Halloween runs September 16 through October 31, 2026, at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. In Shibuya, large public gatherings have been curbed since 2024, with a year-round public drinking ban from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM now in effect.

Pampas grass and kochia

The Sengokuhara area of Hakone offers peaceful walks through fields of pampas grass (susuki), peaking in October as the fields shift from green to silver and gold. Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture is known for its kochia hills, which turn a vivid reddish-pink through the month, alongside blooming cosmos and buckwheat flowers, typically peaking around mid-October.

Chrysanthemum festivals

Chrysanthemums are a longstanding symbol of the Imperial House of Japan, and several places hold dedicated festivals for them through October. The Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival in Fukushima, running October 10 through mid-November 2026 at the Kasumigajo Castle ruins, is one of the best known, with life-sized dolls dressed entirely in chrysanthemum petals. Temples and shrines around Tokyo, including Sensoji Temple and Meiji Jingu Shrine, also put up smaller kiku displays through the month.

Sports Day

Supotsu no Hi, a national holiday observed on the second Monday of October, falls on October 12, 2026. It celebrates sports and an active lifestyle, and many schools hold field days (undokai) around this date, with track and field events, team games like tug-of-war, and group calisthenics. It’s a good date to be aware of if you’re visiting a school-adjacent neighborhood or planning around local holidays, since some attractions get busier around the long weekend.

Art, design, and film events

October is a strong month for Japan’s art and design calendar. Tokyo’s museums and galleries typically run major exhibitions through the autumn season, worth checking closer to your Japan travel dates since the lineup shifts month to month. The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), one of Asia’s major film festivals, is usually held in late October or early November across venues in Hibiya, Ginza, Yurakucho, and Roppongi.

Exoticca’s Treasures of Japan: The 360 Experience tour includes Mount Fuji and several of the regions mentioned here, making it a solid fit for an October foliage-focused trip.