Visiting Japan In October – 24 Best Things To Do In 2024!

Take advantage of the best time of year to visit and explore Japan.

Japan in October is a time of change. With pleasant temperatures, Halloween festivities, and the emergence of autumn colors, October is one of the best times to visit Japan. In many parts of the country, the heat of the summer has subsided, and with the chill of winter still far away, there are plenty of festivals and celebrations to enjoy.

From October until early November, towns and cities often hold matsuri, a festival or event that celebrates some aspect of the local community or culture. It is a wonderful opportunity to explore some of the unique aspects of Japanese culture and dive deeper into the country in a way most tourists miss.

From lesser-known celebrations and events like the Saijo Sake festival and Naha Tug-of-War to huge festivals such as the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony or Halloween in Tokyo Disney, there is so much that makes October one of the most popular months to visit Japan.

In this article, we’ll explore 24 of the best things to do in October in Japan FOR 2024!

Planning a trip to Japan? Take a look at my guide for Things to do in Japan for first-time visitors. Or, if you’re looking for some inspiration for your upcoming trip, download your 2024 Kyoto Bucket List, or check out these 15 Best Kyoto Food Tours and Foodie Experiences!

Average Temperatures in October Across Japan

Japan in October is one of the best times of year for weather. There is very little rain and temperatures start to drop after the summer heat, averaging between 60 and 70 Fahrenheit during the day, and between 45 and 55 Fahrenheit at night, depending on the part of Japan you’re visiting.

The day is mostly warm enough for a shirt or blouse, but a sweater is generally recommended in the afternoons, especially the further north you go beyond Tokyo, such as Ashikaga, Nagano, and Hokkaido.

October is a great time to travel throughout Japan. There are very few public holidays, travel prices are yet to rise ahead of the Christmas period, and there is plenty to see and do, just be sure to avoid traveling the weekend before Sports Day, the second Monday in October, when the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics is celebrated, and domestic can increase.

Japan in October – 24 best things to do in 2024!

1. USJ Halloween Horror Nights

If you happen to find yourself in the Kansai area in the weeks running up to Halloween, you must visit Universal Studios Japan for their special series of events.

The park is open as normal during the day, but as the sun sets it transforms into a real-life interactive horror experience as actors dressed as zombies roam the streets and haunted house walkthroughs pop up throughout the park. It’s a lot of fun for teens and adults but please note it may be a bit too intense for young children.

• Where & When: Universal Studios Japan, Osaka. September 6 to November 4, 6 PM until the park closes

• Interesting Fact: Unlike Universal Studios Orlando, visitors at USJ are encouraged to dress up for Halloween Horror Nights

• More Information: Usj.co.jp

2. Autumn Dessert Buffets

The arrival of Halloween is marked by a series of amazing all-you-can-eat Halloween-themed dessert buffets around central Tokyo. Extremely popular among groups of Japanese girlfriends and couples, you must make a reservation in advance to secure entry to some of the city’s top buffets.

If you’re looking to satisfy your scary season sweet tooth, you can usually find the best buffets in some of the city’s luxury hotels. The Hilton properties, Grand Nikko Hotel, and the Westin usually go all-out in their efforts.

• Where & When: Hilton Tokyo – Marble Lounge, Conrad, Grand Nikko, Prince Hotel, Beginning of October to early November

• Interesting Fact: Halloween dessert buffets are often themed. Popular choices have included Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Witch’s Castle, & this year in the Hilton’s Marble Lounge, Marie Antoinette – The Queen’s Masquerade Ball

3. Odaiba Sea Lights Lantern Festival

During this popular lantern festival, hundreds of colorful lanterns decorate Odaiba Beach. On the evenings of October 5 and 6, visitors trickle off the overground train line within minutes they will be greeted by a huge display of paper lanterns arranged in various patterns and designs across Odaiba Marine Park Beach. As the sun sets, the city and the Rainbow Bridge glow across the bay in the background creating a memorable scene that you will want to capture on camera.

Traditionally held on Marine Day in July, the event was moved this year to protect visitors from the extreme summer heat.

• Where & When: Odaiba Marine Park, October 5 & 6, from around 5 PM

• Interesting Fact: Odaiba is a manmade island in Tokyo Bay built in the late 19th century as a fort to defend Tokyo from naval attacks. It is known for several landmarks including the Rainbow Bridge, a lifesize Unicorn Gundam, and a 1/7 replica of the Statue of Liberty
• MORE INFORMATION: Tokyo-Odaiba.net

4. Ibaraki Kochia Festival

While Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture is open to the public year-round, between late September and early November the park is best known for the vibrant red and golden colored pom-pom-looking plants called Kochia (summer cypress).

An excursion to Hitachi Seaside Park in October is an easy trip from central Tokyo, making it an ideal day trip. As you enter the park you will quickly spot Miharashi Hill covered in the brilliant red and gold colors of more than 30,000 Kochia.

• Where & When: Miharashi no Oka Hill, Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibarashi Prefecture. Mid-to-late October 2024

• Interesting Fact: Kochia seeds are edible and are known by the name Tonburi (land caviar). Although quite bitter on their own, the seeds can be used as a garnish

• More Information: Hitachikaihin.jp

5. Cosmos Flower Festival

From mid-September until late October, Showa Kinen Park is filled with millions of colorful cosmos flowers across three fields offering a delightful photo opportunity at one of the largest flower festivals in the country.

Visitors are free to wander around the park and explore the 20,000 square meters of cosmos flowers in full bloom or participate in the cosmos-picking events and workshops taking place throughout the weeks-long event. The festival can be easily reached from Nishi-Tachikawa Station which is a 2-minute walk away.

• Where & When: Showa Kinen Park, Tokyo, end of September to late October, 9:30 to 17:00

• Interesting Fact: The park is actually known for many beautiful seasonal flowers, including Cherry Blossoms in Spring, Lotuses and Lilies in Summer months, and Christmas Roses in Winter

• More Information: Showakinen-koen.jp

6. Tokyo Ramen Festa

The Tokyo Ramen Festa (formerly the Tokyo Ramen Show) is an annual event held in late October in Komazawa Olympic Park in southwest Tokyo. The 11-day festival is the largest outdoor ramen event in Japan with more than 28 different kinds to try across 14 food stalls.

The festival has taken place every year since 2009 to help promote local seasonal foods and culture. Although entry is free, tickets are required to purchase ramen at one of the many stalls.

• Where & When: Komazawa Olympic Park, Tokyo, 10:30 to 20:30, October 26 to November 5, 2024

• Interesting Fact: Japan’s most famous dish may have originated in China, but Japan’s first ramen shop, which opened in Tokyo in 1910, quickly became very popular, serving as many as 3,000 customers a day

• More Information: Ra-fes.com

7. Tokyo Disney Halloween

This year, Tokyo Disney Resort celebrates its 40th anniversary, and visitors planning a trip to the most magical place on earth may be interested in the special anniversary Halloween events that take place during October, which are much more child-friendly than the ones at Universal Studios Japan.

The festivities at Disneyland, which occur over a 6-week period, include a special spooky parade, a haunted mansion, fireworks, and novelty food items such as spooky-looking desserts and Nightmare Before Christmas-themed hamburgers. Visitors are also encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite Disney character as part of the Halloween celebrations.

• Where & When: Tokyo Disney Resort, Chiba, October 1 to November 7, 2024

• Interesting Fact: There is an exclusive, invitation-only restaurant inside the Tokyo Disney theme park called ‘Club 33’. It is said that the original restaurant in Disneyland California was commissioned by Walt Disney himself to entertain his private guests

• More Information: Tokyodisneyresort.jp

8. Karuizawa Momiji

Any fans of the Japanese TV reality show Terrace House may recognize the small town of Karuizawa as the setting for the 2018 series, where the fall foliage is in peak season in mid-October. The festival period lasts around six weeks in total, with popular leaf-viewing spots including Kumobaike Pond and Kumanokotai Shrine, or guided walking tours of the area.

• Where & When: Shirato Falls, Nagano, via Karuizawa station, late September to early November

• Interesting Fact: Just like the cherry blossom season in the spring, Kōyō is the act of viewing the color changes of autumn leaves. The changes in colors can be seen moving further north between late September and early December

• More Information: Visitkaruizawa.com

9. Saitama Kawagoe Matsuri

Usually held near the end of October, this festival just outside Tokyo features elaborate two-story floats with giant dolls on top paraded through the city’s streets. The festival has taken place for more than 300 years and the highlight of the event is the “Hikkawase,” where festival floats compete through a traditional Japanese orchestra performance.

• Where & When: Kawagoe Station, Kawagoe city, Saitama, October 19 & 20, 2024

• Interesting Fact: The most significant event in the Kawagoe calendar, in 2016 UNESCO placed the festival on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, ensuring better protection and awareness of the 360-year-old event

• More Information: kawagoematsuri.jp

10. Nagoya Festival

Nagoya’s biggest autumn season event sees more than seven hundred participants in samurai costumes parade through the city’s streets to celebrate three local heroes who were influential during the Sengoku ‘warring provinces’ Period of the 16th century: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Festival sites, including marching bands, festival floats, battle reenactments, samurai horseback archery, and martial arts performances, take place across the center of Nagoya City and concerts are held around Hisaya-Odori Park. The two-day event is usually held around mid-October and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city.

• Where & When: The float parade will take place in the east square of the Dolphins Arena in the evening, lit with lanterns, on October 19 & 20, 2024

• Interesting Fact: Toyotomi Hideyoshi is often credited with establishing and spreading the way of tea as a way of consolidating his political power, known today as the traditional Japanese tea ceremony

• More Information: Nagoya-festival.jp

11. Kyoto Jidai Matsuri

Considered one of the top festivals in Kyoto, the Jidai Matsuri (Festival for the ages), takes place on 22nd October every year.

This event starts around midday at the Imperial Palace and features a five-hour-long procession to Heian Jingu Shrine to celebrate the history and culture of Kyoto. Participants wear costumes inspired by different periods and famous individuals from Japanese history, with many outfits made using the same techniques that were used 1,000 years ago.

• Where & When: Between Kyoto Imperial Palace and Heian Shrine, October 22, 2024

• Interesting Fact: Despite being relatively new (128 years old) it is one of the three main festivals of Kyoto, along with Aoi Matsuri in Spring, and Gion Matsuri in Summer

• More Information: Heianjingu.or.jp

12. Sawara-no-Taisai Aki Matsuri

The charming Edo-period town of Sawara holds a large autumn festival during the second weekend of October and makes for an easy day trip from Tokyo. Together with the summer festival ‘Yasaka-jinja Gionsai’, they are known collectively as the Sawara Grand Festival.

The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage-listed festival, which has taken place for more than 300 years, sees 14 giant floats bearing four-meter-tall historical figures pass through the town whilst paper lanterns light the streets lined with food stalls. It’s a real glimpse into old Japan.

• Where & When: The Sawara Autumn Festival is due to take place in Katori City, in Chiba Prefecture from October 11 to 13 2024

• Interesting Fact: Matsuri floats, known as dashi or sansha, were originally constructed to look like mountains, where people believed spirits resided. People often used to ride on top of the floats to welcome the gods during festivals

• More Information: City.katori.lg.jp

13. Nagasaki Kunchi Festival

Nagasaki’s famous autumn festival of Suwa Shrine began around 400 years ago.

One of the main highlights includes dance performances by one of seven groups representing the 58 different city districts, each year the groups are rotated. Dances such as the dragon dance, whale spouting dance, and kokkodesho are designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.

The festival lasts three days from October 7th to 9th every year. Delicious foods include hashimaki-okonomiyaki wrapped around chopsticks and mochi potato.

• Where & When: Suwa Shrine, Nagasaki City, October 7, 8 & 9, 2024

• Interesting Fact: One of the original purposes of the festival was to check for hidden Christians after Christianity was banned. During the three-day event, neighborhoods would open their homes to public scrutiny making forbidden religious objects difficult to hide

• More Information: Nagasaki-kunchi.com

14. Takayama Autumn Festival

Thousands of people travel annually to the small mountain town of Takayama to see the handcrafted floats covered with colorful decorations and marionettes.

The Takayama Festival includes two festivals, Sanno Matsuri in spring, and Hachiman Matsuri in autumn. The autumn season festival is a new harvest celebration and is usually held on October 9th and 10th. The festival atmosphere comes to life after dark when hundreds of lanterns are lit on each float and the procession begins so if you can stop overnight you can enjoy it to the fullest.

• Where & When: Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, October 9 & 10, 2024

• Interesting Fact: The autumn festival, which originated sometime in the 16th century, is the annual festival of the Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine, which is home to Ujigami, a guardian god that protects the residents from the northern half of Takayama city

• More Information: Hida.jp

15. Onomichi Lantern Festival

The scenic coastal town of Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture has its own stop on the Shinkansen (bullet train) line making it an easy place to visit.

During the lantern festival in early October, approximately 30,000 lanterns are placed around the town. An overnight stay here is highly recommended to spend time the following day exploring the Shimanami Kaido, Japan’s most scenic cycling route that crosses the Inland Sea via a series of suspension bridges.

• Where & When: The 19th Onomichi Lantern Festival will occur in Onomichi City, Hiroshima, on October 12 from 18.00 to 20.30. See the link below for a breakdown of locations around the city

• Interesting Fact: The lanterns are placed to represent the night lights of the many ships that came into the popular port when it opened almost 900 years ago

• More Information: Onomichi-matsuri.jp

16. Nada Fighting Festival

Held annually in late October, the Nada Fighting Festival is one of the most popular events in the castle city of Himeji, which sees participants slam their portable shrines into each other to the sounds of drums and chanting in a tussle for the prize of approval from the gods!

As the festival opens the mikoshi (floats) are taken to the shrine for a special purification ceremony by a Shinto priest. On the second day, the action begins as participants dressed in ceremonial headbands and fundoshi are also blessed before fighting their mikoshi until one of them breaks.

• Where & When: Matsubara Hachiman Shrine, Himeji City, October 14 & 15, 2024

• Interesting Fact: Only men between high school age and 45 can participate in the fighting mikoshi and are separated by the weight of their mikoshi according to their age, with the oldest men carrying the heaviest float

• More Information: Nadamatsuri.jp

17. Naha Tug-of-War

The Naga Giant Tug of War event in Okinawa takes the tug-of-war games you played at school to another level!

Attracting thousands of visitors and with up to 30,000 participants, all are welcome to participate. The rope used in the event weighs 40 metric tons and is 200 meters in length, making it the world’s largest tug-of-war event. Alongside the tug-of-war, there are also other events including the traditional Eisa folk dance, festival stalls, and a parade that features lion dancing and martial arts performances.

• Where & When: Onoyama Sports Park in Naha City, Okinawa, in early October 2024

• Interesting Fact: After the event in 1995, the rope used in the festival was measured by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest rice-straw rope used in a tug-of-war

• More Information: Nahaotsunahiki.org

18. Shimanami Kaido

Also called the Nishiseto Expressway, the Shimanami Kaido is a 70 km long scenic but challenging expressway across the network of bridges that span Japan’s Inland Sea, connecting Onomichi city in Hiroshima with Imabari city in Ehime prefecture.

For lovers of the Japanese countryside, a cycling route was constructed as part of the expressway with easily accessible ramps, inclines, and stops along the route. Since opening in 1999, it has become one of the most popular long-distance cycling routes in Japan due to the attractions and natural beauty of the islands. Early October is the best time of year to travel across the route due to the ideal average temperature and pleasant weather conditions.

• Where & When: Starting points include Imabari or Onomichi, in October (recommended)

• Interesting Fact: Each bridge along the route has a stamp, available for only cyclists or pedestrians. Collect all five to complete the ‘Stamp Rally’ for a prize

• More Information: Shimanami-cycle.jp

19. Halloween Festival at Huis Ten Bosch

Things are done a little differently at Huis Ten Bosch throughout October as the entire park embraces the Halloween season with a spectacular month-long festival. Some of the special Halloween events at the park include the Haunted Halloween Palace horror walkthrough experience, the Nighttime Lantern Show projected onto the side of one of the main buildings along the canal, and the huge Halloween Night Fireworks event along with a fountain and music display.

Visitors are also encouraged to come to the park dressed in their own Halloween costumes and those who do so will be invited to join in the Halloween parade and have their photo taken in front of the spectacular backdrop.

• Where & When: Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo, Nagasaki, September 13 to November 4, 2024

• Interesting Fact: Japan’s largest theme park features the world’s largest triple-decker Sky Carousel

• More Information: Huistenbosch.co.jp

20. Ashikaga Flower Park Illuminations

Wisteria was introduced to Japan from the United States at the end of the 19th century and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and romantic flowers in Japan. One of the best places to view wisteria flowers in Japan is Ashikaga Flower Park where different colors and species of wisteria cover 23 acres of parkland.

In October, the ‘Light Flower Garden’ display covers the park with spectacular illuminations. Thousands of colorful blinking lights in tunnels, themed displays, and fields give the Ashikaga Flower Illuminations the title of one of the top illuminations of Japan.

• Where & When: Ashikaga Flower Park, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, from the end of October 2024 to early February 2025

• Interesting Fact: The park is perhaps best known for its impressive 150-year-old Wisteria tree which was designated as a national monument by Tochigi prefecture

• More Information: Ashikaga.co.jp

21. The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony

Now in its fifteenth year, the Grand Tea Ceremony in Tokyo is a display and a celebration of one of Japan’s most famous and cherished cultural pastimes, the tea ceremony. It is an opportunity for masters and beginners alike to enjoy and discover the history and traditions surrounding the ceremony.

The event isn’t just for locals, as foreign tourists can also watch and participate in outdoor tea gatherings in English. The event takes place over two weekends in mid to late October, at the Hama-rikyu Gardens and the Edo Tokyo Architectural Museum.

• Where & When: The 2024 Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony is due to be held at Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum on October 19 and 20 and at Hama-Rikyu Gardens on October 26th and 27th

• Interesting Fact: Until the end of the Edo Period, the Tea Ceremony in Japan was both performed and attended by men only

• More Information: Tokyo-grand-tea-ceremony.jp

22. Saijo Sake Festival

This small town 30 minutes outside of Hiroshima city is famous for its premium sake. The annual outdoor festival takes in early October over a weekend and draws hundreds of thousands of sake lovers to sample more than 900 different types of sake.

The event opens with Osakebayashi Mikoshi, a Shinto ritual that pays gratitude to the god of sake for a safe event. It is packed with other events including live music, tours of the 10 local breweries, a water tea ceremony, a karaoke tent, parade floats, a bishunabe stand, and a meat and vegetable hot pot dish cooked in sake.

• Where & When: Saijō Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, October 12 (10.00 to 20.00), and 13 (10.00 to 17.00)

• Interesting Fact: Saijo Sake is known as one of the premium sakes in Japan. In a narrow strip of land surrounded by mountains and nearby wells, sake has been brewed in Saijo for more than 370 years

• More Information: Sakematsuri.com

23. Ueno Tenjin Festival

Not to be confused with Ueno in Tokyo, the Ueno Tenjin autumn festival is located at Sugawara Shrine in Iga City, Mie Prefecture. The UNESCO cultural heritage-listed festival takes place across three days and features nine hand-decorated wooden floats pulled through the city by ropes.

One of the most popular elements of the festival is the procession of demons, or Oni, which can be seen nowhere else in Japan. When the celebrations move into the evening, thousands of paper lanterns beautifully light up the floats as they pass the many stalls of crafts and seasonal foods that line the streets.

• Where & When: Sugawara Shrine, Ueno Higashimachi, Iga City, on October 18, 19, and 20, 2024

• Interesting Fact: As they move through the streets, the demons stagger toward children to make them cry. According to legend, the children who cry will grow up in good health, so parents often move their children in front of the demons’ path hoping to be seen

• More Information: Ueno-tenjin-matsuri.com

24. Kanuma Autumn Festival

Almost every autumn since the 17th century, the citizens of Kanuma City in Tochigi prefecture take to the streets to give thanks to the gods for bringing rain and to celebrate overcoming the hardships of the year with a procession of Yatai, large hand-carved wooden floats.

The festival’s biggest draw by far is Buttsuke, a passionate musical performance between the floats where they attempt to outdo each other in front of the lively crowd. The performances continue into the evening beneath the light of hundreds of lanterns and onlookers.

The two-day festival also includes a citizen’s parade. Dance, theater performances, and food and drink stands throughout the parade.

• Where & When: Imamiya Shrine, Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture, October 12 & 13, 10 AM to 9 PM

• Interesting Fact: The event started in 1608 as a rain-making festival in response to a prolonged drought. When a thunderstorm occurred the following day, the citizens continued the festival for three days and nights

• More Information: Buttsuke.com

Dates to Avoid Traveling Around Japan in October

Sports Day – This annual national holiday is held on the 2nd Monday of October to commemorate the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and promote sports. Expect domestic travel over the weekend prior to be busier than usual so it is a good idea to plan ahead as much as possible.

Japan in October Autumn Foliage Guide

Japan in October – Autumn Packing Guide

Looking for more ideas on what to do in Japan? Check out my 1-day Osaka itinerary, 5-day Tokyo itinerary, and 3-day Kyoto itinerary to help you plan the perfect trip!