Autumn Guide in Japan: Top Things to Do, Festivals & Tips for Fall 2025 - Tabigo Japan Seasonal Guide

 

Welcome to another blog post for today. If you've followed us from the start, you'll notice that so far, we've covered blog posts from spring to summer. Today, the Tabigo Japan team will introduce some local tips and things you can do during your autumn trip in Japan, so you can make the most of your trip! 😉

Autumn Foliage Viewing

When we mention autumn, of course everyone won't want to miss the autumn leaves viewing. We're not going to introduce "the best autumn leaves viewing spot" for today, as you can easily find where to go on the internet, depending on which part of Japan you're traveling. Our tip here is that going into nature is always the best way to enjoy the foliage without the crowds. For Tokyo (Kanto area), mid- to late November is the best time to view it.

Autumn Festivals

If you think only summer has matsuri, think again. 🤔 Autumn is the season when locals hold festivals to celebrate the harvest as well as moon-viewing parties (Tsukimi). A few famous festivals across Japan are the Kurama Fire Festival (Kyoto), Takayama Autumn Festival (Gifu), Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi Fair (Tokyo), Karatsu Kunchi (Kyushu), and Nikko Toshogu Autumn Grand Festival (Tochigi). These can provide an immersive experience into Japan's rich traditions, often featuring stunning processions, local cuisine, and a sense of communal joy.

Best Time for Outdoor Activities

With dry air and comfortable temperatures, autumn is prime time for outdoor activities in Japan. From hiking to camping or picnics, you can do all these even as a traveller. There are a few lower mountains like Mt. Takao, Mt. Mitake, and Mt. Oyama that you can tackle on a day trip. These usually have cable cars to access close to the peak, so they don’t really require too much proper hiking gear. (Check out our previous post here.)

For camping, you might worry about all the gear. However, rental sites like Japan Camp Easy or Japan Camper offer all the gear to rent. Most famous campsites have all the basic gear to rent too, so all you have to do is make a reservation in advance and go there. Still think it's too much work? Of course, Tabigo Japan is always ready to assist you with our booking and reservation service!

Seasonal Food & Drinks

When it comes to food, here are some recommendations from us. Hotpot (nabe) hits differently when you eat it during autumn. Other than that, sanma (grilled Pacific saury), kuri gohan (chestnut rice), and hiyaoroshi (autumn sake) are all seasonal foods and drinks commonly found during autumn.

There's just so much to do when it comes to traveling to Japan, and we understand that too much information across the web for trip preparation can be exhausting. If you want to avoid all the hassle, leave that to us. Contact us now, leave it to the professionals, and sit back and relax. 😎

Need more inspiration? Check out our Mt. Fuji Tour or Kawagoe Tour!