Things to Do and Places to Visit in Japan During Autumn

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Japan. From admiring the fall foliage in iconic locations like Kyoto and Tokyo to enjoying autumn-themed foods, there’s something for everyone — and a breathtaking backdrop of fiery reds and oranges to oversee it all.

Whether you’re interested in nature, culture or culinary experiences, this guide helps you plan the perfect autumn trip to Japan. It also provides practical tips on when to visit and how to make the most of your fall adventure in Japan.

While you’re all up in your fall feelings, check out the best places to see fall leaves in Japan, warm up with Japan’s fall foods, and check out the best fall foliage spots in Kyoto and Tokyo.

Fall in Japan is a gradual affair, beginning in the northeast lands of Hokkaido and working its way towards the southwest, stretching into mid to late-December in places as far as Okinawa. 

So, while you may need to wait a little longer before you can experience this beloved season in Japan, it does mean that you’ll have longer to enjoy it than certain seasons — looking at you, cherry blossom season.

That means even if you’re deep into your fall feelings in September, when the leaves have barely begun to change, you’ll still have plenty of time to organize your fall foliage viewing trips and revisit areas multiple times as the landscapes burst into color.

Find out more: Ultimate Guide to Japan's Fall Colors: Fall Foliage Forecast 2024

September will retain much of summer’s heat, so you won’t need a full wardrobe change until October and November. Below are the average temperatures in Tokyo across the autumn months.

If you’ve read our Kyoto Fall Guide 2024 or Tokyo Fall Guide 2024, you likely already know that these temperatures mean a light breeze and cooler evenings may warrant longer sleeves and a thin jacket or sweater in the evenings.

Typhoon season: This period of time is also typhoon season in Japan, so keep an umbrella handy for any unexpected downpours until the end of October.

As the most northeastern point of Japan, the leaves will begin to change in Hokkaido around mid-October — though they’ve been seen changing as early as September! 

Some of the best places to view fall leaves in Hokkaido include Jozankei, Daisetsuzan Mountain Range, Lake Akan, Noboribetsu Hot Springs and the wider Sounkyo Onsen area.

You may think of Tokyo as a glass-and-concrete monstrosity of a metropolis, and while it may be the largest city in the entire world and have its fair share of towering skyscrapers, it also has plenty of lush green spaces — or should we say red and orange?

Some of Tokyo’s most popular spots for fall foliage viewing are Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Hamarikyu Gardens and Yoyogi Park, each offering a variety of different colors and views as the leaves change throughout fall.

Read more: Fall in Tokyo 2024: Experience Autumn Colors and Fall Foliage

As one of Japan’s most beautiful areas for tradition and culture, you didn’t think the fall foliage would be anything less than magical, did you? 

Kyoto’s most beautiful fall foliage spots include Tofukuji Temple, Arashiyama, which you may already know for its iconic bamboo grove, and Bishamon-do Temple, which will have you strolling along a carpet of fallen red maple leaves if you arrive early enough.

Read more: Fall in Kyoto 2024: Enjoy Autumn Colors and Fall Foliage

Fly or ferry over to Fukuoka, based in Japan’s southern Kyushu island, and witness the wonders of autumn all the way into early December. 

Some of Fukuoka's best places for viewing the fall foliage are Maizuru Park, Yusentei Park, Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple and Akizuki Castle.

Read more: Coastal City Escape: 3-Day Fukuoka Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Although we’ve highlighted certain areas above, there likely isn’t a spot in Japan that won’t be blessed by some splashes of red, orange and yellow throughout fall in Japan.

No matter where you find yourself over Halloween — and the weekend closest to it, since Halloween lands on a Thursday this year — there’s sure to be Halloween celebrations going on.

Though the infamous Shibuya Halloween in Tokyo is “canceled” since 2023 due to an increasingly energetic and, let’s face it, drunken crowd of people, you’ll still find plenty of people dressed up throughout the city. 

You could join the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival, head to Tokyo Disney or Sanrio Puroland for their Halloween events, or visit the iconic Tokyo Tower for spooky events and games under Japan’s striking skyline-piercing landmark.

Alternatively, hit Tokyo’s clubs and bars for Halloween-themed nights:

• Halloween Ball at Shinjuku LOFT

• Tokyo Decadance Halloween at DecaBarS

• Womb Halloween Party at Womb

• Halloween Party at Maharaja Roppongi

Universal Studios Japan is famous for its Halloween Horror Nights, giving its popular theme park a horrifying makeover for the majority of fall in Japan.

Lasting from September 6 to November 4, 2024, you can expect nightly parades of zombies and all things that go bump in the night, themed menus and limited-time rollercoaster rides.

Cuisine in Japan is extremely seasonal, with a rotating selection of colors, smells and flavors returning each year along with their respective seasons. Fall is no different.

Here are four fall foods in Japan you need to try:

1. Kuri (chestnuts): From chestnut rice (kuri gohan) to chestnut mont blanc desserts, taste the versatility of this autumnal delicacy. 

2. Nabe (hot pot): Nabe, or hot pot, is the epitome of comfort food in the fall and winter, bringing people together around a flavorful broth filled to the brim with fresh vegetables, meats, tofu and, well, anything you want!

3. Yaki-imo (grilled sweet potato): Perhaps the most well-known fall food in Japan is the humble sweet potato. When grilled, you’re likely to smell it before you spot it, instantly evoking autumnal scenes with each sweet-savory bite.

4. Kaki (persimmon): Kaki, or persimmons, are a symbol of fall in Japanese. You’ll spot them bringing a splash of orange to gardens across the country and they have a unique sweetness and texture you’ll grow to love.

These are four of the most common fall foods, but for a deep dive into Japan’s seasonal dishes, read our full blog on Japan’s 12 must-try fall foods.

While you’ve got food on your mind, we’d recommend joining a Japanese cooking class, sending you home with a few extra skills and a lot more memories.

From traditional wagashi sweets to more hearty home-cooked meals like Japanese curry, ramen and omurice omelet, there are more than enough options to keep you cozy through fall in Japan.

Browse cooking classes throughout Japan!

Tokyo: Best Tokyo Cooking Classes to Level Up Your Japanese Cooking Skills

Kyoto: Best Cooking Classes in Kyoto

Osaka: Best Osaka Cooking Classes to Master Japanese Food

Famous for being the highest peak in the Daisetsuzan volcanic mountain group of Hokkaido, Mt. Asahi (or Asahidake) towers over central Hokkaido with a height of 2,291 meters. 

That means that serious hikers will be well catered for, but the Asahidake Ropeway means that the mountain is also accessible for beginners, so everyone can enjoy its sweeping autumnal colors during fall.

Mt. Takao is where Tokyoites head when they want an escape from the non-stop atmosphere of the capital, taking only 50 minutes to reach by train from Shinjuku Station. 

This mountain offers a number of hiking trails, including varying views and hiking levels, and there’s even a cable car and chair lift that can reduce your journey to the summit to a mere 45 minutes.

Find out more: Hiking Heaven: Mt. Takao's Scenic Trails and Secret Beer Garden

Mitsutoge is actually made up of three mountains: Mount Kaiun (1,785m), Mount Osutaka (1,775m) and Mount Kinashi (1,732m). Like Mt. Takao, it gives hikers multiple options for reaching the — or in this case, one of three — summit.

Unlike Mt. Takao, however, Mitsutoge is quite the hike, potentially taking 7-8 hours to get up and down whichever mountain you choose. 

Or, if you happen to be on the eastern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and simply want to enjoy autumn views without the effort, catch the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, a cable car that takes you 400m up to an observation deck that promises gorgeous views of Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Tsurugi (1,955m) is the second tallest mountain in western Japan and takes its rightful place in “Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.” Despite this, it's still one of the more relaxing fall hikes you can take — you can thank the chairlift, taking you 330m up in around 15 minutes.

From there, take the Ridge Trail Course and you’ll reach the summit in only 40 minutes. For more of a challenge, take the Tsurugi Trail Course (taking 60 minutes) or the Yuhodo Trail Course (taking 80 minutes), beloved for trails that wind through mountainside forests.

The scenic Mt. Karakuni (1,700m) borders the Kagoshima and Miyazaki Prefectures, beginning at the Ebino Eco Museum Center. As you climb, you’ll enjoy unforgettable views of the Ebino Highland — likely bursting with fall colors at this time — followed by the famous Onamiike Crater Lake, Kinkowan Bay and Mount Sakurajima (1,117m) as you continue to climb.

An easy escape from Tokyo, Okutama is blessed with natural beauty, boasting rivers, waterfalls, onsen hot springs and more. So, grab your tent and spend a weekend within its wonders. 

One of the best campsites in the area is Hikawa Campsite, set by the river — a river where you can even go fishing for trout, if you prefer to catch your own dinner! Since Hikawa sells firewood for use, you’ll be able to cook your fish, toast marshmallows or keep cozy while enjoying the autumnal views. 

Minami Alps Sankeien Auto Camping Ground is located in a spot with stunning views of the Minami Alps, and even takes its name of “Sankeien” from its ability to see three mountains: Houou Sanzan, Kaikomagatake and Yatsugatake.

You’ll have unforgettable views of mountains, rivers and forest — hopefully fiery with reds and oranges while you’re there — and you can choose between your own tent or rent a cottage, if you want the fall foliage without setting up your own bed for the night.

Note: This campsite also has a sanitary building with shower facilities!

If you’re a fan of the Yuru Kyanpu (Laid-Back Camp) anime, you may also recognize the scenes of Koan Camping Ground: Lake Motosuko in the foreground, and Mt. Fuji towering above the clouds in the background. Could you imagine a more beautiful camping spot?

You can either pull up with your own tent and portable camping BBQ, or you could rent one of their cabins and make use of their toilets and communal kitchen area. And if you do want those Laid-Back Camp vibes, don’t forget your curry-flavored instant ramen!

Find out more: Cooking and Food Anime: 5 Dishes That Look Amazing and Where To Find Them In Japan

If you want to combine camping with a hike, there’s nowhere better than Raichozawa Campsite. Located on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine, you’ll be sleeping in a valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides and starry skies above.

Honestly, this campsite opens from April and is perfect for spring, summer and fall camping — it only costs ¥1,000 per adult per night, so you can come back with each season.

Yes! You can expect blue skies, gentle breezes and comfortable temperature during the day with the potential for a chill in the air as the evenings set in. 

However, it is also typhoon season from September to October, so remember to carry an umbrella with you for unexpected showers.

Similar to the cherry blossom season of March to April, fall is another peak season for people traveling to Japan. That may bring a lot of people to Japan in October, especially if they also want to experience Halloween in Japan.

Even so, you won't see the best fall foliage until late October or throughout November, when the autumn leaves fully sweep across Japan.

There’s no wrong time to visit Japan, but Japan gets especially busy during spring (March, April and May) and fall (September, October, November). Of course, with cherry blossoms and autumn leaves coloring the cities and countrysides during these periods, it's no surprise.

So, if you want to see these things, you might consider these months to be the best times to visit Japan. If, however, you'd prefer to avoid the crowds, avoid these months!