ATTRACTION BY SEASON
Autumn
Discover the breathtaking colors of Japanese autumn with Explorer Japan! Wander through vibrant red maple tunnels, join historic harvest festivals, and savor seasonal culinary delights. We craft your perfect autumn journey.
- Various Matsuri
- Autumn Festivals
- kochia bushes
- Momiji
- Traditional Japanese Events
Japanese Traditional Activities
Kawagoe Matsuri
Saitama Prefecture
Usually held on: The 3rd Saturday and Sunday of October
Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this festival has a 370-year history. It beautifully preserves the grand style of the Edo Period’s “Tenka Matsuri” festivals. The ultimate highlight is “Hikkawase,” an energetic musical battle where several massive, gorgeously decorated floats face each other and compete with lively traditional music and dancing.
Nikko Toshogu Autumn Festival
Tochigi Prefecture
Usually held on: October 16th and 17th
Held at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, this festival’s main attraction is the “Hyakumanni Sennin Gyoretsu” (Procession of 1,000 Samurai). This spectacular event accurately re-enacts the grave transfer and funeral procession of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Edo period. It offers a majestic glimpse into Japan’s samurai history amidst stunning autumn leaves.
Asakusa Tori no Ichi
Tokyo
Usually held on: November
Originating in the Edo period, this lively autumn festival is held to pray for good fortune, health, and business prosperity. The shrine grounds are packed with vibrant stalls selling “Kumade” (decorative bamboo rakes). These rakes are adorned with lucky symbols, signifying “raking in” wealth and success. It is a famous traditional event that signals the coming of winter to Tokyo.
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
Osaka Prefecture
Usually held on: Mid-September
Originating in 1703 during the Edo period, this festival began as a prayer for an abundant harvest by the lord of Kishiwada Castle. It is world-renowned for its thrilling intensity, as massive, beautifully carved wooden floats called “Danjiri” are pulled through narrow streets and made to execute sharp turns at full speed, known as “Yarimawashi.”
Jidai Matsuri
Kyoto
Usually held on: October 22nd
Celebrated since 1895, this festival marks the anniversary of the relocation of Japan’s capital to Kyoto in 794. The highlight is a grand historical parade stretching about two kilometers, featuring around 2,000 participants dressed in authentic, meticulously recreated costumes representing various eras of Japan’s history spanning over 1,000 years.
Nara’s Antler-Cutting Ceremony
Nara Prefecture
Usually held on: Early October
This unique autumn tradition dates back to the Edo period (1671). It is held to safely trim the sharp antlers of male deer before their mating season to prevent injuries to humans and other deer. It showcases the historic, harmonious relationship between the people of Nara and their sacred deer, combining brave actions with a deep spiritual respect for nature.
Events
Hitachi Seaside Park Kochia Carnival
Ibaraki
Usually held on: Early to late October
Hitachi Seaside Park is a massive national park famous for its spectacular seasonal landscapes. In autumn, about 33,000 kochia bushes (summer cypress) covering the vast Miharashi Hill turn from bright green to a deep, vibrant crimson red. This breathtaking red carpet, contrasting with the blue sky, has become one of Japan’s most famous and photogenic autumn spots.
Tokyo Ramen Festa
Tokyo
Usually held on: Late October to early November
As one of Japan’s largest outdoor food events, it gathers top-tier, popular ramen shops from all over the country in one location. Visitors can taste a wide variety of regional ramen styles, from rich tonkotsu to delicate soy sauce, without traveling far. It is a must-visit modern culinary festival for foodies wanting to experience authentic Japanese ramen culture.
Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival
Tokyo
Usually held on: Mid-November to early December
The 300-meter-long avenue lined with 146 towering ginkgo trees is Tokyo’s most iconic autumn foliage destination. When the leaves turn a brilliant yellow, it creates a stunning, natural golden tunnel. During the festival, the area is bustling with food stalls, allowing visitors to enjoy a romantic and scenic autumn stroll right in the heart of the metropolis.
Minoh Park
Osaka
Usually held on: Mid-November to early December
Located just north of Osaka city, Minoh Park is a forested valley famous for its stunning autumn colors and majestic waterfall. A unique cultural tradition here is “Momiji Tempura” (deep-fried maple leaves). Practiced for over 1,300 years by mountain ascetics, real maple leaves are carefully gathered, preserved in salt for a year, and fried in sweet batter, offering a crispy, iconic autumn snack.
Sagano Romantic Train
Kyoto
Usually held on: Mid-November to early December
This scenic railway runs along the beautiful Hozu River ravine in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Originally an abandoned diesel train route, it was revived as a retro sightseeing attraction. In autumn, the open-air train travels through a breathtaking tunnel of vibrant red and gold maple trees, offering a nostalgic and thrilling close-up view of Kyoto’s natural canyon beauty.
Lohas Festa Banpaku
Osaka
Usually held on: Late October to early November
Held in the expansive Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, this is one of Japan’s largest outdoor eco-friendly lifestyle festivals. It brings together hundreds of booths selling handmade crafts, antique goods, and organic, locally sourced foods. It offers visitors a relaxing, modern autumn picnic experience under the iconic “Tower of the Sun” statue amidst autumn breeze.