Japan in Autumn: Weather, Crowd, & Packing Guide (Sept–Nov)​

Crisp air, glowing maples, and evening light-ups: autumn (September–November) is a gorgeous window for Japan. Colors arrive first in the north and mountains, then sweep south into the big cities by late November. Expect peak viewing in many Tokyo/Kyoto spots from late November into early December.

Weather at a Glance (By Month & Region)

Big picture: Dress in layers. Days are mild; mornings/evenings can be chilly by November. In 2025, the autumn equinox falls on September 22 (18:19 UTC)—a helpful seasonal marker.

September

• Feel: Late-summer warmth in Honshu/Kyushu; noticeably cooler in Hokkaidō.
• Foliage: Earliest colors start mid- to late September in Hokkaidō’s highlands (e.g., Daisetsuzan).

October

• Feel: Mild and comfortable nationwide; showers possible.
• Foliage: Colors progress across northern Japan and higher elevations; big cities begin turning in late October.

November

• Feel: Cool, often sunny—ideal for long walking days.
• Foliage: Tokyo/Kyoto peak mid–late November, sometimes spilling into early December. Typical Tokyo ranges run ~9–17 °C with cooler nights; Kyoto highs average in the mid-teens °C and slide as the month goes on.

Editor’s note: You’ll often notice a “double wave”—yellow ginkgo corridors (late Oct–early Nov) followed by deep-red maples (mid–late Nov).

Key Dates & Crowd Spikes (Plan Around These)

• Respect for the Aged Day: 3rd Monday of September—long-weekend crowds around popular parks and temples. 
• Autumnal Equinox Day: Sept 22–23; families travel and visit graves; some sites run special hours. 
• “Silver Week” (multi-day holiday cluster): The next full 5-day Silver Week runs Sept 19–23, 2026—useful if you’re pre-planning.

Crowd-Management Playbook

• Go early or late: Hit headline temples/gardens at opening or near closing; target weekdays. Kyoto’s crunch window is typically mid–late November.
• Pair icons with “calm” escapes: Balance Kiyomizu-dera/Arashiyama/Tōfuku-ji with quieter spots like Hama-rikyū or Meiji Jingu’s Inner Garden in Tokyo, or Ōkōchi Sansō in Kyoto.

Logistics that reduce friction:

• Hands-free sightseeing: Use same-day luggage delivery.
• Stay close to sunrise targets: pick lodgings near Higashiyama (Kyoto) if you’re keen on dawn strolls.
• Prebook light-ups/tours to avoid ticket lines and timed-entry bottlenecks.

What to Wear & Pack (Practical, Layered)

1. Tops: T-shirts/long sleeves + light sweater/cardigan; add a mid-weight jacket for evenings in Nov.
2. Outer layer: Packable waterproof shell (showers/wind).
3. Bottoms & shoes: Breathable trousers/jeans + cushioned walking shoes; add warm socks by late Nov.
4. Accessories: Compact umbrella, scarf (late Nov), sunscreen for clear days, power bank.
5. Connectivity: Go eSIM for instant activation, or pocket Wi-Fi if you’re sharing data across devices:

• eSIM (Unlimited 5G): 5G Travel eSIM for Japan with Unlimited Data & Hotspot
• Pocket Wi-Fi (Kansai pickup): Wi-Fi Router Rental at KIX

Getting Around Smoothly (Transport & Baggage)

• Airport transfers: Ideal for late-night arrivals, families, or lots of luggage.
  • Private Narita/Haneda ⇄ Tokyo 23 Wards: One-Way Private Transfer.
  • Value combo: Narita Transfer + Tokyo Subway Pass (24/48/72h). 
• Luggage delivery (takkyūbin): Send suitcases same-day between airports ↔ hotels ↔ stations, and roam hands-free at packed temples: Luggage Storage & Delivery (nationwide options). 
• Day-trip traffic reality:Nikkō roads (e.g., Irohazaka) back up in peak weeks—book a bus tour with fixed seats. See options below.

Sample 7-Day Autumn Itinerary (Crowd-Savvy)

Day 1 – Tokyo arrival: Private airport transfer; activate eSIM; courier luggage to hotel; sunset stroll in a nearby garden.

• Transfer: Private Tokyo ⇄ Airport | Connectivity: 5G eSIM | Bags: Luggage Delivery. 

Day 2 – Tokyo gardens (weekday): Early start at Hama-rikyū → Meiji Jingu’s Inner Garden → evening in Nakameguro.

Day 3 – Nikkō foliage day trip: Reserve a bus tour to skip parking/traffic crunch on Irohazaka.

• Options: Nikkō Autumn tour / Full-day bus.

Day 4 – To Kyoto (shinkansen): Ship luggage hotel→hotel; evening light-up tour (Eikandō/Chion-in).

• Light-up: Kyoto Bus Night Tour.

Day 5 – Kyoto (icons at off-peak): Dawn at Kiyomizu-dera; late-afternoon Arashiyama bamboo + Ōkōchi Sansō.

Day 6 – Kyoto cultural night: Maiko dinner + seasonal light-up (dates vary).

• Experience: Maiko dinner & light-up.

Day 7 – Depart: Transfer to the airport; return pocket Wi-Fi if rented.

• Pocket Wi-Fi (Kansai pickup): KIX Wi-Fi Rental. 

Budget & Booking Tips for Peak Foliage

• Book hotels 2–3+ months out for late-November Kyoto/Tokyo; weekend nights go first.
• Pre-reserve night light-ups and Nikkō tours during peak weeks to guarantee timed entry and seats. (See the Kyoto/Nikkō products above.)
• Watch for national holiday clusters (Sept long weekends; the 2026 Silver Week) if you’re booking far ahead.

Responsible Leaf-Peeping

Follow posted routes for night illuminations, keep tripods out of the way where restricted, and be mindful in active religious sites, especially during peak crowd control. (Many temples implement special rules during the rush.)

Leaf your Worries Behind​

Lock your plans now: book light-up tours, snag a Nikkō day trip, sort airport transfers, and grab eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi so your maps and pics don’t flop. Travel smart (early starts, luggage delivery, weekday moves) and you’ll catch peak color without the peak chaos. Tap those VELTRA picks and let the fall flex begin.