Japan in October

Clear, mild and dry: the best all-round month.

• Hokkaidō · Sapporo, Nisekofine

  Snow Dec–Mar (ski season); the only main region without a real rainy season.

• Honshū cities · Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshimabest weather

  Rainy season June to mid-July; humid heat July–August; typhoon risk peaks in September.

• Okinawa · Naha, Ishigakibest weather

  Subtropical; rainy season May–June, typhoons July–September.

• Kansai: Kyoto / Osaka · Kansai basin and baybest weather

  Rainy season (tsuyu) June to mid-July; Kyoto's basin holds heat — 35 °C+ days in August; typhoons Aug–Sep can shut KIX for a day.

• Kyoto23° / 14°, 9 rain days
• Osaka24° / 16°, 8 rain days
• Tokyo22° / 15°, 10 rain days
• Nagoya23° / 14°, 9 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Jidai Matsuri

  Oct 22 · Kyoto

  Historical procession; road closures in the centre.

• Typhoon season

  Peaks late August–September · Osaka

  Trains and KIX flights can stop for a day; watch the forecast two days out.

• Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri check

  Mid-September weekend; a second round in October in nearby districts (check) · Osaka

  Heavy wooden floats pulled at a run round corners; trains packed.

• Midōsuji Autumn Party check

  October (check) · Osaka

  Parades and street events on a closed boulevard.

• Halloween in Shibuya check

  Around 31 October · Tokyo

  Police crowd control and a street-drinking ban around the station; many shops close early.

• Tokyo International Film Festival check

  Late October – early November (check) · Tokyo

  Screenings with English subtitles; open to the public.

Crowds · Japan

Medium

Prices · Japan

Medium

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Honshū cities

  Best weather of the year (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima)

• Okinawa

  Best weather of the year (Naha, Ishigaki)

• Kyoto

  Comfortable walking weather.

• Osaka

  Best walking weather.

• Tokyo

  Good walking weather.

• Nagoya

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Fukuoka

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (mild, before/after the rains)

• Hiroshima

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (mild, cherry blossom or autumn colour)

• Yokohama

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (mild, and clearer harbour views)

• Nara

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (cherry blossom or autumn colour in the park)