Japan In November 2025: Climate, Festivals, Journey Ideas & Extra

Are you planning to go to Japan in November? We’ve put collectively the last word information to visiting Japan throughout this month, together with details about the climate, crowds and must-attend occasions.

November is a ravishing time to discover Japan. Because the nights attract, parks, gardens and forests throughout the nation rework right into a sea of radiant purple maple leaves in an explosion of color that rivals the well-known cherry blossom.

With the delicate temperatures and beautiful surroundings, November is the very best time to go to Japan for my part. Having been to Japan in November a variety of instances, I preserve desirous to return throughout this time of 12 months. It’s the perfect time to go to in case you’re planning a first journey to Japan.

This information has all the pieces it is advisable to know earlier than visiting Japan throughout this time of 12 months – together with details about climate, crowds, prices and occasions you don’t need to miss.

Resulting from an extended, sizzling summer season, the autumn leaf foliage has been predicted to peak barely later than traditional this 12 months, with some cities seeing the very best of the autumn colors in December. Verify the official predictions to remain knowledgeable in your November Japan journey.

Is November a Good Time to Go to Japan?

November is likely one of the greatest months to go to Japan’s essential vacationer areas: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Having visited Japan a number of instances in November, I’d advocate it to anyone, particularly first-time guests. The temperature may be very comfy, making it straightforward to discover with out getting too sizzling.

November can also be the greatest time to see the kōyō, Japan’s spectacular autumn foliage. The crimson momiji (maple) leaves shall be at their peak round mid to late November. It’s the cherry blossom equal of autumn – and for my part, generally much more lovely.

However Japan is greater than Honshu. In case you’re planning to go to Hokkaido, it’s vital to notice that November is when this a part of Japan is getting into winter. If you wish to see the autumn foliage in Hokkaido, it’s higher to go to round a month earlier, with the very best of the foliage often on show in late October or early November. It’s additionally quite a bit colder in Hokkaido in November.

Within the south, Okinawa can also be price a go to in November in case you’re eager about exploring the islands with out the summer season warmth. Visiting Okinawa in November will nonetheless offer you daytime temperatures of round 23°C. Resulting from its subtropical local weather, you gained’t see any autumn foliage right here although – it’s greatest to stay to Honshu for that.

Wherever you select to go in Japan, understand that November is the height of considered one of Japan’s two excessive seasons for journey: spring for the cherry blossom, and autumn for the purple leaves. Whereas the cherry blossom is the extra widespread of the 2, the purple leaves last more and are extra predictable – and that implies that widespread journey spots can get very crowded in November.

You also needs to count on journey, and lodging particularly, to be dearer than much less widespread seasons like summer season or winter.

Climate in Japan in November

Usually, the climate in November in Japan is nice for travelling. In case you’re planning to observe the traditional Golden Route by Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, you may count on delicate temperatures with out an excessive amount of rain.

A lightweight jacket is often greater than sufficient to maintain you heat throughout the day, and you might not even want it on daily basis of your journey. On common there are about 9 days of rain in November in Honshu, making it one of many driest months in Japan.

For Hokkaido, issues are barely totally different. The temperatures are a lot decrease in comparison with locations in Honshu and Kyushu, and you may even count on some snow in November. In distinction, the islands of Okinawa are nonetheless fairly heat presently of 12 months in comparison with the remainder of the nation.

Under, yow will discover the imply, most and minimal common temperatures in Japan in November:

Listed here are the common variety of sunshine hours and millimetres of rain in Japan in November:

What to Put on in Japan in November?

When visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima (the route we advocate in our 3-week Japan itinerary), layers are your pal. Early mornings and late evenings are inclined to get a bit chilly, so bringing a jacket or sweater is a good suggestion.

Ensure that to convey some T-shirts, together with some longer shirts, sweaters and/or cardigans. In November, it’s greatest to decorate in layers. Sporting a T-shirt with a lightweight sweater provides you the choice to take off the sweater in case you get too heat. There have been many days in November after I walked round Japan in a T-shirt, however I’ve at all times been joyful to have a sweater in my backpack for the night.

Denims, lengthy trousers and longer shirts are important too. Sporting shorts isn’t a good suggestion in November, as it can probably be too chilly.

Although Japan doesn’t get quite a lot of rain in November, it’s a wonderful concept to pack a mild waterproof jacket. Thick gloves and hats aren’t important, but it surely’s price packing a shawl simply in case. On windy days or throughout the colder evenings, you’ll be joyful to have introduced one.

Snug and durable footwear are important it doesn’t matter what month you go to Japan. You’ll be stunned at what number of steps you’ll take whereas exploring the cities. Nonetheless, understand that you might be required to take off your footwear at sure temples or eating places. Having footwear which you could simply placed on and take off is a good concept.

In case you’re planning to go to northern Japan, together with the Tohoku and Hokkaido areas, it’s greatest to pack some hotter garments. Temperatures are a lot decrease on this a part of Japan in November, and you may even count on some snow.

Is Japan Crowded in November?

Whereas it varies relying on the place you go, count on Japan to be busy in November. The altering leaves are a draw for vacationers from internationally, and their peak in November is drawing bigger and bigger crowds yearly.

Fashionable areas like Higashiyama in Kyoto or gardens in Tokyo might be extraordinarily crowded, notably throughout the weekend closest to the foliage’s peak. These touristy spots are at all times busy, however the foliage can push issues to a different stage.

Kyoto particularly struggles to deal with the large inflow of holiday makers. Whereas visiting the outdated capital throughout autumn might be an unforgettable expertise, think about mixing up your itinerary with some off-the-beaten-path locations so to additionally expertise the autumn foliage by yourself phrases. In case you’re planning to go to widespread sights like Kiyomizu-dera, go away early, be ready to queue and attempt to be affected person together with your fellow travellers!

Lesser-known locations near the massive cities are an incredible possibility for sharing your kōyō expertise with the locals. Nikko, for instance, is likely one of the greatest locations to benefit from the autumn leaves and is just a few hours from Tokyo. Within the Kansai space, think about visiting Kurama or Hiei-zan on the outskirts of Kyoto.

Prices of Travelling to Japan in November

Japan might not be the most cost effective nation to go to in Asia, but it surely most likely isn’t as costly as you’d count on. We’ve damaged down the finances of considered one of our 2-week journeys, however you may make your individual journey as costly as you need.

Having stated that, the value of visiting Japan in November is just like visiting throughout the spring. Since November falls throughout one of many peak seasons for journey to Japan, count on lodging to be comparatively dearer than throughout the off-season (January–February or July–August).

You probably have your coronary heart set on a sure itinerary, it’s important to e book your lodging weeks or months prematurely. For last-minute bookings, you might want to remain in main cities like Tokyo or Osaka the place there may be practically at all times lodging accessible.

Finest Issues to Do in Japan in November

November is likely one of the greatest instances to go to Japan, however what are the must-see and must-do issues throughout this time of 12 months? Nearly all of the greatest issues to do in Japan might be accomplished year-round, however there are some issues which are greatest in November – don’t neglect so as to add these to your itinerary!

For starters, viewing the autumn foliage is considered one of Japan’s most memorable seasonal experiences. In November, the purple maple leaves attain their peak and steal the present with beautiful crimson colors that fill parks, gardens and forests all through Japan.

There are some nice spots to view the leaves in Tokyo, however don’t neglect to discover just a few different well-known spots for foliage throughout your travels by Japan. Nikko is likely one of the greatest locations to see lovely autumn foliage and is just round 2-3 hours by practice from Tokyo (take a look at our Nikko itinerary for all the very best issues to do). One other place close to Tokyo the place you may benefit from the lovely leaves is Kamakura.

Kyoto is a particularly widespread spot to benefit from the autumn leaves. In case you don’t thoughts the crowds, wandering the town in November could be a actually breathtaking expertise, as main sights like Kiyomizu-dera Temple shall be surrounded by a sea of purple maple leaves. There are various temples within the metropolis that additionally open their doorways for night illuminations, providing you with one other solution to benefit from the well-known leaves.

Travelling farther from the primary vacationer routes affords some distinctive experiences presently of 12 months. Within the mountains of central Honshu, Shirakawa-gō, Takayama and Kanazawa are nice spots to go to in early November. You can additionally go to Yufuin in Kyushu or Takamatsu and the Iya Valley in Shikoku as a part of an journey by Japan’s lesser-known islands.

Different nice issues to do in November embrace:

• Strive an onsen: As temperatures are slowly reducing in November, it’s the proper time to attempt a conventional Japanese onsen, or sizzling spring. Hakone and Nikko are each locations close to Tokyo well-known for his or her onsen. There are some unbelievable onsen close to Mount Fuji with beautiful views too. 
• Take pleasure in Japanese gardens: It’s not simply the maple timber that flip into artwork throughout November, it’s all of nature. And with so many lovely gardens within the palaces, temples and castles of Japan, there’s quite a lot of beautiful locations to go to  throughout November.
• Strive seasonal dishes: Go mushroom choosing, take a seasonal cooking class or take pleasure in one of many seasonal menus that eating places have to supply.
• View the winter illuminations: Although November technically isn’t winter, it’s the begin of many winter illumination occasions in Japan. Among the greatest ones embrace Rikugien Backyard 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 match in Fukuoka: In case you occur to go to Fukuoka in November, you may try to get a ticket for the ultimate Sumo Grand Match of the 12 months (held 9– 23 November 2025). You should buy tickets on their official web site.

Festivals and Occasions in Japan in November 2025

Be sure you’re conscious of the primary festivals and occasions which are occurring in November when visiting Japan! Listed here are a few of the most vital ones:

• Gion Odori in Kyoto (01/11/2025 – 10/11/2025): Within the Gion district of Kyoto, yow will discover conventional dance and music performances in November throughout Gion Odori. Daily, there are two showings beginning at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm. You should buy tickets on the official web site.
• Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Pageant (1/11/2025 – 30/11/2025): The most effective spots to benefit from the autumn leaves is close to Mount Fuji. Throughout this pageant, the well-known Momiji tunnel is lit up and yow will discover meals and craft stalls close by.
• Karatsu Kunchi in Saga (02/11/2025 – 04/11/2025): Held close to Karatsu Shrine, this pageant concerned a parade with lovely floats. It’s some of the widespread festivals in Kyushu. The timing of the Karatsu Kunchi typically dovetails with the Saga Worldwide Balloon Fiesta in Saga Metropolis, which brings collectively tons of of sizzling air balloons in a shocking show of early-morning color.
• Tradition Day (03/11/2025): This nationwide vacation is well known to advertise tradition and humanities. You’ll find particular exhibitions in artwork museums and even some parades.
• Fireplace Strolling Ceremony in Miyajima, Hiroshima (03/11/2025): At 2:00 pm in entrance of the Holy Fireplace Corridor of Daiganji Temple in Miyajima, you may watch the Fireplace Strolling Ceremony without cost. Guests may take part!
• Arashiyama Momiji Pageant in Kyoto (9/11/2025): It is a recreation of the Heian Courtroom on the river round Togetsu Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Individuals on the boats shall be dressed up and play conventional devices – a ravishing sight alongside the autumn leaves of Arashiyama.
• Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi Honest in Tokyo (12/11/2025, 24/11/2025): This annual pageant is held on two days in November. Individuals come to shrines and temples to want for good luck and enterprise prosperity.
• Shichi-Go-San Pageant (15/11/2025): This pageant is for 3 and 5-year-old boys and three and 7-year-old ladies in Japan. The kids costume up in conventional kimonos and go to shrines with their households to hope for a contented future. In case you go to shrines over this weekend, you might be able to witness a small milestone within the lifetime of Japanese locals.
• Labour Thanksgiving Day (23/11/2025): A nationwide vacation in Japan to have fun employees throughout the nation. Because it’s a nationwide vacation, you may count on it to be busier at widespread sights.

Conclusion – Visiting Japan in November

Japan has quite a bit to supply all 12 months spherical, however November is by far top-of-the-line months to go to. With delicate temperatures, a number of sunshine and never an excessive amount of rain, you’ll remember to have a good time exploring the nation.

With autumn foliage at its peak in Honshu, you’ll be in for a few of the most lovely views Japan has to supply. Whereas it will probably get crowded at widespread touristy sights, it’s not as busy as in March and April, when cherry blossoms are blooming. November is an ideal time to go to Japan, particularly as a first-time customer.

In search of the very best time of 12 months to go to Japan? Try our article about Japan in April to match spring and autumn journeys, or learn our Japan in January article to find what would await you throughout a low-season winter journey.