Are you planning to visit Japan in November? We’ve put together the ultimate guide to visiting Japan during this month, including information about the weather, crowds and must-attend festivals and events.
If you’re looking for the best time to find Japan covered in a sea of radiant red maple leaves, November is the month for you. Having been to Japan in November a number of times, I keep wanting to return during this time of year.
The mild temperatures, the stunning sceneries and, not unimportantly, fewer crowds than cherry blossom season – November is the best time to visit Japan in my opinion.
This guide has everything you need to know before visiting Japan during this time of year – including information about weather, crowds, costs and important festivals you don’t want to miss.
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If you’re looking for the best time to find Japan covered in a sea of radiant red maple leaves, November is the month for you. Having been to Japan in November a number of times, I keep wanting to return during this time of year.
The mild temperatures, the stunning sceneries and, not unimportantly, fewer crowds than cherry blossom season – November is the best time to visit Japan in my opinion.
This guide has everything you need to know before visiting Japan during this time of year – including information about weather, crowds, costs and important festivals you don’t want to miss.
On This Page
- Is November a Good Time to Visit Japan?
- Weather in Japan in November
- What to Wear in Japan in November?
- Is Japan Crowded in November?
- Costs of Travelling to Japan in November
- Best Things to Do in Japan in November
- Festivals and Events in Japan in November 2023
- Conclusion – Visiting Japan in November
Is November a Good Time to Visit Japan?
November is one of the best months to visit Japan’s main tourist areas in Honshu (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 for “Kōyō” or “Momiji” (Autumn foliage). The red-tinted leaves will be at their peak from early to mid-November, allowing you to see some of the most beautiful sights in Japan. It’s the cherry blossom equivalent of Autumn – and in my opinion, sometimes even more beautiful.
On top of that, visiting Japan in November is also cheaper compared to other popular months like April. While you can expect some crowds, it’s nowhere near as busy as during cherry blossom season.
But Japan is bigger than Honshu. If you’re planning to visit Hokkaido, it’s important to note that 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 earlier. It’s also a lot colder in Hokkaido in November.
When it comes to Okinawa, the most Southern prefecture with a subtropical climate, November could be a great option to avoid the summer heat. Visiting Okinawa in November will still give you temperatures around 20°C. Due to its subtropical climate, you won’t see any autumn foliage here though – for this, it’s best to stick to the main island of Honshu.
Weather in Japan in November
Generally, the weather in November in Japan is great for travelling. If you’re planning to follow the Golden Route (a popular route for tourists, visiting cities on Japan’s main island including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima), you can expect mild temperatures without too much rain.
Wearing a light jacket is more than enough, which you may not even need depending on the day. On average there are about nine days of rain in November in Honshu, making it one of the driest months in Japan (apart from December).
When it comes to visiting Hokkaido in November, things are slightly different. Since Hokkaido is so much higher, the temperatures are much lower compared to places in Honshu and Kyushu. You can even expect some snow in November.
Further down south, in Okinawa, temperatures in November are still pretty warm (especially compared to the rest of the country). However, since Okinawa has a subtropical climate, you can’t expect to see the same beautiful Autumn foliage as on the mainland.
Below, you can find the mean, maximum and minimum average temperatures in Japan in November:
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (averages between 1991–2020)Mean temperature Max. temperature Min. temperature Sapporo, Hokkaido 5.2°C 8.7°C 1.6°C Tokyo 12.5°C 16.7°C 8.8°C Osaka 13.8°C 17.8°C 10.2°C Fukuoka, Kyushu 14.2°C 18.2°C 10.6°C Naha, Okinawa 22.5°C 25°C 20.4°C
Here are the average number of sunshine hours and millimetres of rain in Japan in November:
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (averages between 1991–2020)Sunshine hours Rain (in mm) Sapporo, Hokkaido 99.1 113.8 Tokyo 149.8 96.3 Osaka 152.6 72.5 Fukuoka, Kyushu 137.3 91.4 Naha, Okinawa 121.7 119.1
What to Wear in Japan in November?
When visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and/or Hiroshima (the route we recommend in our 3-week Japan itinerary), layers are your friend. An autumn capsule wardrobe would be perfect fort his. Early mornings and late evenings tend to get a bit cold, so bringing a jacket or sweater is a good idea to bring.
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/or longer shirts are essential too. Wearing shorts isn’t a good idea in November, it will most definitely be too cold.
Even though Japan doesn’t get a lot of rain in November, a light waterproof jacket is another great thing to bring. If you can pop it in your backpack, you’ll thank yourself in case it rains while exploring.
While thick gloves and hats aren’t essential in Japan in November, a scarf definitely can’t be missed. Especially during the colder days or 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 therefore 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.
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Is Japan Crowded in November?
While it obviously depends on where you go in Japan in November, it can get busy. Even though it’s less crowded than in cherry blossom season (March and April), the Autumn foliage will be at its peak in November which attracts large crowds.
Popular areas like Higashima in Kyoto can get very crowded, so be prepared to queue for places – however, these touristy spots tend to always be busy, no matter the time of year. If you’re planning to visit particularly popular sights, it’s best to leave your hotel as early as possible.
There are some lesser-known places that you could add to your itinerary for November to avoid the larger crowds. Nikko, for example, is one of the best places to enjoy the Autumn leaves and is only a couple of hours from Tokyo.
Since November is still a popular time to travel to Japan, it’s best to book your accommodation in advance.
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.
Generally, visiting Japan in November is cheaper than visiting it during spring. While the mild Autumn temperatures and the stunning sceneries will attract tourists, the crowds won’t be as big as during cherry blossom season, which makes accommodation cheaper than in spring.
Accommodation in Japan in November will be a bit more expensive than during the low season (December, January and February). But there will always be cheaper accommodation available in all major cities.
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, going for Autumn foliage viewings is one of the best things to do in Japan when visiting in November. The red maple leaves steal the show during this month, as they reach their peak in November.
There are some great spots to watch the leaves in Tokyo, but don’t forget to check out other places. 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 another popular spot to enjoy Momijigari (Autumn leaves viewing). Sights like Kiyomizu-dera Temple will be surrounded by a sea of red maple leaves, creating almost surreal views. This temple is even lit up at night during mid- and late-November!
Other great things to do in November in Japan include:
- Try an onsen: As temperatures are slowly lowering in November, it’s the perfect time to try a traditional Japanese hot spring (onsen). Hakone and Nikko are both places near Tokyo famous for their onsens. There are some incredible onsens 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 (especially near temples), Japan has a lot of stunning scenery to offer during November.
- Try seasonal dishes: Go mushroom picking, take a seasonal cooking class or enjoy one of the seasonal menus restaurants have to offer.
- Watch some winter illuminations: Even though November technically isn’t winter yet, 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, Shirakawago Autumn Leaves Illumination and Hamamatsu Flower Park Flower Illumination.
- Watch an official Sumo Grant Tournament in Fukuoka: If you happen to visit Fukuoka in November, you can try and get a ticket for the Sumo Grant Tournament (held between 12 November 2023 and 26 November 2023). You can buy tickets on the official website.
Festivals and Events in Japan in November 2023
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 (01/11/2023 – 10/11/2023): 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 pm. You can buy tickets on the official website.
- Karatsu Kunchi in Saga (02/11/2023 – 04/11/2023): Held near Karatsu Shrine, this festival involved a parade with beautiful floats. It’s one of the most popular festivals in Kyushu.
- Culture Day (03/11/2023): 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 (03/11/2023): At 2 pm in front of the Holy Fire Hall of Daiganji Temple in Miyajima, you can watch the Fire Walking Ceremony for free. Public visitors can even participate!
- Arashiyama Momiji Festival in Kyoto (mid-November): 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 (11/11/23): This annual festival is held on three different days in November. People come to shrines and temples to wish for good luck and business prosperity.
- Shichi-Go-San Festival (15/11/2023): This festival is for 3 and 5-year-old boys and 3 and 7-year-old girls in Japan. They dress up in traditional kimono and visit shrines to pray for a happy future. While you can’t partake in this festival, it’s lovely to see people dressed up in kimono.
- Labour Thanksgiving Day (23/11/2023): 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.
- Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (November – Specific dates to be announced): 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.
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 this 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 touristy 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.