Japan in November 2026: Weather, Festivals, Travel Tips & More

November is the best time to visit Japan. As the nights draw in, parks, gardens and forests across the country transform into a sea of radiant red maple leaves in an explosion of colour that rivals the famous cherry blossom.

With the mild temperatures and stunning scenery, November is the best time to visit Japan in my opinion. Having been to Japan in November a number of times, I keep wanting to return during this time of year. It’s the ideal time to visit if you’re planning a first trip to Japan (I prefer it over cherry blossom season for many reasons!).

This guide has everything you need to know before visiting Japan during this time of year, including information about weather, crowds, costs and events you don’t want to miss.

No official predictions have been released for the autumn foliage just yet. I will update this guide when more information has been published.

Is November a Good Time to Visit Japan?

November is one of the best months to visit Japan’s main tourist areas: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Having visited Japan multiple times in November, I would recommend it to anybody, especially first-time visitors. The temperature is very comfortable, making it easy to explore without getting too hot.

November is also the best time to see the kōyō, Japan’s spectacular autumn foliage. The crimson momiji (maple) leaves will be at their peak around mid to late November. It’s the cherry blossom equivalent of autumn. And in my opinion, even more beautiful.

But Japan is bigger than Honshu. If you’re planning to visit Hokkaido, November is when this part of Japan is entering winter. If you want to see the autumn foliage in Hokkaido, it’s better to visit around a month earlier, with the best of the foliage usually on display in late October or early November. It’s also a lot colder in Hokkaido in November.

In the south, Okinawa is also worth a visit in November if you’re interested in exploring the islands without the summer heat. Visiting Okinawa in November will still give you daytime temperatures of around 23°C. Due to its subtropical climate, you won’t see any autumn foliage here though, it’s best to stick to Honshu for that.

Wherever you choose to go in Japan, keep in mind that November is the peak of one of Japan’s two high seasons for travel: spring for the cherry blossom, and autumn for the red leaves. While the cherry blossom is the more popular of the two, the red leaves last longer and are more predictable, and that means that popular travel spots can get very crowded in November.

You should also expect travel (accommodation in particular) to be more expensive than in less popular seasons like summer or winter.

Weather in Japan in November

Generally, the weather in November in Japan is great for travelling. If you’re planning to follow the classic Golden Route through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, you can expect mild temperatures without too much rain.

A light jacket is usually more than enough to keep you warm during the day, and you may not even need it every day of your trip. On average, there are about nine days of rain in November in Honshu, making it one of the driest months in Japan.

For Hokkaido, things are slightly different. The temperatures are much lower compared to places in Honshu and Kyushu, and you can even expect some snow in November. In contrast, the islands of Okinawa are still pretty warm at this time of year compared to the rest of the country.

Below, you can find the mean, maximum and minimum average temperatures in Japan in November:

Here are the average number of sunshine hours and millimetres of rain in Japan in November:

What to Wear in Japan in November?

When visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima (the route I recommend in my 3-week Japan itinerary), layers are your friend. Early mornings and late evenings tend to get a bit cold, so bringing a jacket or sweater is a good idea.

Make sure to bring some T-shirts, along with some longer shirts, sweaters and/or cardigans. In November, it’s best to dress in layers. Wearing a T-shirt with a light sweater gives you the option to take off the sweater if you get too warm. There have been many days in November when I walked around Japan in a T-shirt, but I’ve always been happy to have a sweater in my backpack for the evening.

Jeans, long trousers and longer shirts are essential too. Wearing shorts isn’t a good idea in November, as it will most likely be too cold.

Even though Japan doesn’t get a lot of rain in November, it’s an excellent idea to pack a light waterproof jacket. Thick gloves and hats aren’t essential, but it’s worth packing a scarf just in case. On windy days or during the colder evenings, you’ll be happy to have brought one.

Comfortable and sturdy shoes are essential no matter what month you visit Japan. You’ll be surprised at how many steps you’ll take while exploring the cities. However, keep in mind that you may be required to take off your shoes at certain temples or restaurants. Having shoes that you can easily put on and take off is a great idea.

If you’re planning to visit northern Japan, including the Tohoku and Hokkaido areas, it’s best to pack some warmer clothes. Temperatures are much lower in this part of Japan in November, and you can even expect some snow.

Is Japan Crowded in November?

While it varies depending on where you go, expect Japan to be busy in November. The changing leaves are a draw for tourists from across the world, and their peak in November is drawing larger and larger crowds every year.

Popular areas like Higashiyama in Kyoto or gardens in Tokyo can be extremely crowded, particularly during the weekend closest to the foliage’s peak. These touristy spots are always busy, but the foliage can push things to another level.

Kyoto in particular struggles to cope with the huge influx of visitors. While visiting the old capital during autumn can be an unforgettable experience, consider mixing up your itinerary with some off-the-beaten-path destinations so that you can also experience the autumn foliage on your own terms. If you’re planning to visit popular sights like Kiyomizu-dera, leave early, be prepared to queue and try to be patient with your fellow travellers!

Lesser-known destinations close to the big cities are a great option for sharing your kōyō experience with the locals. Nikko, for example, is one of the best places to enjoy the autumn leaves and is only a couple of hours from Tokyo. In the Kansai area, consider visiting Kurama or Hiei-zan on the outskirts of Kyoto.

Last year, I spent most of November travelling in Kyushu and it was very, very quiet (even during peak autumn colours). You can use my 7-day Northern Kyushu itinerary as a base for your trip. The year before that, we drove around Shikoku from mid-November until the start of December and again, it was beautiful but very quiet!

Costs of Travelling to Japan in November

Japan may not be the cheapest country to visit in Asia, but it probably isn’t as expensive as you’d expect. We’ve broken down the budget of one of our 2-week trips, but you can make your own trip as expensive as you want.

Having said that, the price of visiting Japan in November is similar to visiting during the spring. Since November falls during one of the peak seasons for travel to Japan, expect accommodation to be comparatively more expensive than during the low season (January–February or July–August).

If you have your heart set on a certain itinerary, it’s essential to book your accommodation weeks or months in advance. For last-minute bookings, you may need to stay in major cities like Tokyo or Osaka where there is nearly always accommodation available.

Best Things to Do in Japan in November

November is one of the best times to visit Japan, but what are the must-see and must-do things during this time of year? The majority of the best things to do in Japan can be done year-round, but there are some things that are best in November. Don’t forget to add these to your itinerary!

For starters, viewing the autumn foliage is one of Japan’s most memorable seasonal experiences. In November, the red maple leaves reach their peak and steal the show with stunning crimson colours that fill parks, gardens and forests throughout Japan.

There are some great spots to view the leaves in Tokyo, but don’t forget to explore a few other famous spots for foliage during your travels through Japan. Nikko is one of the best places to see beautiful autumn foliage and is only around 2-3 hours by train from Tokyo (check out our Nikko itinerary for all the best things to do). Another place near Tokyo where you can enjoy the beautiful leaves is Kamakura.

Kyoto is an extremely popular spot to enjoy the autumn leaves. If you don’t mind the crowds, wandering the city in November can be a truly breathtaking experience, as major sights like Kiyomizu-dera Temple will be surrounded by a sea of red maple leaves. There are many temples in the city that also open their doors for evening illuminations, giving you another way to enjoy the famous leaves.

Travelling further from the main tourist routes offers some unique experiences at this time of year. In the mountains of central Honshu, Shirakawa-gō, Takayama and Kanazawa are great spots to visit in early November.

You could also visit Yufuin in Kyushu or Takamatsu and the Iya Valley in Shikoku as part of an adventure through Japan’s lesser-known islands.

Other great things to do in November include:

• Try an onsen: As temperatures are slowly lowering in November, it’s the perfect time to try a traditional Japanese onsen, or hot spring. Hakone and Nikko are both places near Tokyo famous for their onsen. There are some incredible onsen near Mount Fuji with stunning views too. 
• Enjoy Japanese gardens: It’s not just the maple trees that turn into art during November, it’s all of nature. And with so many beautiful gardens in the palaces, temples and castles of Japan, there are a lot of stunning places to visit during November.
• Try seasonal dishes: Go mushroom picking, take a seasonal cooking class or enjoy one of the seasonal menus that restaurants have to offer.
• View the winter illuminations: Even though November technically isn’t winter, it is the start of many winter illumination events in Japan. Some of the best ones include Rikugien Garden Autumn Illumination in Tokyo, Nabana no Sato Winter Illuminations in Mie, Shirakawa-gō Autumn Leaves Illumination and Hamamatsu Flower Park Flower Illumination.
• Watch an official sumo tournament in Fukuoka: If you happen to visit Fukuoka in November, you can try and get a ticket for the final Sumo Grand Tournament of the year (held 8– 22 November 2026). You can buy tickets on their official website.

Festivals and Events in Japan in November 2026

Make sure you’re aware of the main festivals and events that are happening in November when visiting Japan! Here are some of the most important ones:

• Gion Odori in Kyoto (01/11/2026 – 10/11/2026): In the Gion district of Kyoto, you can find traditional dance and music performances in November during Gion Odori. Every day, there are two showings starting at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm. You can buy tickets on the official website.
• Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (07/11/2026 – 29/11/2026): One of the best spots to enjoy the autumn leaves is near Mount Fuji. During this festival, the famous Momiji tunnel is lit up and you can find food and craft stalls nearby.
• Karatsu Kunchi in Saga (02/11/2026 – 04/11/2026): Held near Karatsu Shrine, this festival involves a parade with beautiful floats. It’s one of the most popular festivals in Kyushu.
• Saga International Balloon Fiesta (30/10/2026 – 03/10/2026): One of the world’s largest hot air balloon events happens early November in Saga City. It brings together hundreds of hot air balloons in a stunning display of early-morning colour. I got to visit in 2025, and it was incredible!
• Culture Day (03/11/2026): This national holiday is celebrated to promote culture and arts. You can find special exhibitions in art museums and even some parades.
• Fire Walking Ceremony in Miyajima, Hiroshima (03/11/2026): At 2:00 pm in front of the Holy Fire Hall of Daiganji Temple in Miyajima, you can watch the Fire Walking Ceremony for free. Visitors can also participate!
• Arashiyama Momiji Festival in Kyoto (08/11/2026): This is a recreation of the Heian Court on the river around Togetsu Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto. People on the boats will be dressed up and play traditional instruments, a beautiful sight alongside the autumn leaves of Arashiyama.
• Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi Fair in Tokyo (07/11/2025 & 19/11/2026): This annual festival is held on two days in November. People come to shrines and temples to wish for good luck and business prosperity.
• Shichi-Go-San Festival (15/11/2026): This festival is for 3 and 5-year-old boys and 3 and 7-year-old girls in Japan. The children dress up in traditional kimonos and visit shrines with their families to pray for a happy future. If you visit shrines over this weekend, you may be able to witness a small milestone in the life of Japanese locals.
• Labour Thanksgiving Day (23/11/2026): A national holiday in Japan to celebrate workers across the country. Since it’s a national holiday, you can expect it to be busier at popular sights.

Conclusion – Visiting Japan in November

Japan has a lot to offer all year round, but November is by far one of the best months to visit. With mild temperatures, lots of sunshine and not too much rain, you’ll be sure to have a great time exploring the country.

With autumn foliage at its peak in Honshu, you’ll be in for some of the most beautiful views Japan has to offer. While it can get crowded at popular tourist sights, it’s not as busy as in March and April, when cherry blossoms are blooming. November is a perfect time to visit Japan, especially as a first-time visitor.

Looking for the best time of year to visit Japan? Check out our article about Japan in April to compare spring and autumn trips, or read our Japan in January article to discover what would await you during a low-season winter adventure.