Top things to do and places to visit

Japan Travel Overview in October

• The weather in October is exceptionally mild, making it a great time to visit Japan and travel.
• Although there won’t be as much fall foliage color in October as last year due to climate change, you might be able to see some fiery red leaves in cooler places like Hokkaido. Or wait until the end of the month for more beautiful views.
• We recommend you check out the Takayama Autumn Festival in Gifu Prefecture.
• Hakone and Kyoto will be very popular, so remember to book in advance.

October is one of the most popular times of year to visit Japan. With the arrival of fall, the mosquitoes disappear, the air becomes crisp, and the humidity of summer dissipates. Japan’s landscape slowly begins to turn bright reds, oranges, and yellows. Although October is the best month to see Japan’s landscapes, study The time to see fall foliage is usually November, but October also has a riot of colour and cooler temperatures mean it’s a great time for hiking.

The best things to do in Japan in October

Take a haunted house tour or haunted house

In Japan, October is the season of horror. While summer is traditionally the season for horror stories and supernatural events, Halloween becomes more and more popular every year. Ghost tours and Minibus home Haunted houses are popular activities, especially around Halloween.

Ghost Tours

For a spooky evening, try the Kyoto Haunted and Horror Sites Tour. This tour takes visitors to spooky locations around Kyoto that are connected to Japan’s rich folklore and ghost stories. In Tokyo, the Tokyo Haunted Site Tour explores the city’s paranormal hotspots, weaving together history and supernatural lore. If you’d like to investigate some haunted sites yourself, check out our guide to Tokyo’s most haunted locations.

Practical Tips for Ghost Tours

• Wear comfortable shoes, as tours usually involve a lot of walking.
• Book your trip well in advance, especially in October.
• If you plan to visit the haunted house, be prepared to wait in line. It is recommended to arrive early.

Haunted House

For a more dramatic horror experience, head to Obaken, a haunted house experience center in Tokyo that uses cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling.

Photo from the famous Chureito Pagoda near the Kawaguchiko area

Explore the outdoors or go hiking

The most quintessential October activity in Japan is hiking and outdoor adventures. The best places to enjoy the mild climate include:

Lake Kawaguchi

If you’re looking for a truly immersive experience, why not go hiking and camping near Mount Fuji? Spots such as Lake Kawaguchi offer the perfect opportunity to camp amidst the stunning fall scenery.

Hakone

Take in the fall colors from the Hakone Ropeway, or soak in a traditional Japanese onsen and enjoy the view. Japanese Inn (Japanese inn) and relax in the open-air bath and breathe in the fresh air.

Kurobe Dam

The area around Kurobe Dam, located on the Tateyama Alpine Route in Toyama Prefecture, turns orange from early October, so you can see the flame trees no matter when you visit.

Practical Tips for Hiking and Leaf Viewing

• Plan your trip for mid to late October, as this is when the leaves usually begin to change color.
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers for walks in parks and the countryside.
• Book your accommodation in advance, especially in popular areas like Hakone and Kyoto.
• Check the weather before you go. October is sunny with record low rainfall, but climate change is making the weather erratic and you may run into trouble.

Kifune Shrine, Kyoto Prefecture

Visit temples

Visiting Japanese temples in October allows for a leisurely stroll without the sweltering heat, humidity, and insects. Whether Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, sacred sites look even more divine when they are adorned with fiery autumn colors.

Kifune Shrine, Kyoto Prefecture

Kibune is famous for its Torii Gate and Water Shrine. Ox Time Dancewhich is a ceremony of wearing candles on the head and casting spells in the shrine during the “Ox Hour”.

Myomanji Temple, Kyoto

Located slightly north of Kyoto, Myomanji Temple is famous for its gorgeous fall colors and peaceful atmosphere.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

This UNESCO World Heritage site is set in an ancient cedar forest and is breathtaking in the fall.

Key customs to follow when visiting temples

• Washing your hands: Before entering a temple, purify yourself by washing your hands in the basin near the temple entrance.
• Pray: At a temple, bow and make a five-yen donation (a 5-yen coin will do). Sometimes people light incense. At a shrine, bow twice, clap twice, bow once, and make a wish.

The best destinations to visit in October

sunlight

Nikko is close to Tokyo and is one of Japan’s premier hiking destinations. One of the area’s most famous tourist attractions, Toshogu Shrine, holds its autumn festival every year on October 16 and 17. The event includes horseback archery and a parade of about 800 warriors dressed in samurai costumes.

Other popular attractions include Setoai Gorge, Kegon Falls, and the Irohazaka winding road. For the adventurous, Nikko has several Haiku (abandoned buildings), such as the West Village Amusement Park.

Local food

try Bean curd sticks (tofu skin) dishes, a local specialty, and warm up with a bowl of Nikko’s famous soba noodles.

Tips for visiting Nikko

• Take the Tobu Railway from Asakusa, Tokyo to Nikko and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
• Be prepared for cooler temperatures, especially at night.

Mount Kurama, Kyoto

Kyoto Countryside

Away from the temples and tourist-heavy areas of Kyoto city, the surrounding countryside offers a peaceful haven. Areas such as Kurama and Kibune are known for their autumn beauty and hot spring baths. Hike up Mount Kurama, passing ancient temples and cedar forests.

Local food

Kyoto’s countryside is known for its Kaiseki Gourmet cuisine (traditional multi-course meals) using seasonal ingredients.

Tips for Visiting Kyoto Countryside

• Take the Eizan Electric Railway from Kyoto to Kurama and enjoy a scenic train journey.
• Try staying at a ryokan to experience true hospitality.

Jigokudani, Nagano Prefecture

Jigokudani in Nagano Prefecture is famous for the snow monkeys that bathe in the hot springs. While it’s more popular here in winter, the experience is quieter in October, giving you more time to relax and warm up, though you probably won’t see the monkeys (the best time to see them bathing is December to March). The surrounding forests are also full of autumn colour, so you can enjoy the fall foliage while you bathe.

Local food

Nagano is famous for Shinshu Soba and You heard (dumpling).

Tips for visiting Hell Valley

• Be prepared for some chilly weather as the area will begin to cool significantly in October.
• Please wear sturdy shoes as the path may be uneven.
• You can stay at the nearby ryokan “Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan”, which is conveniently located.

Nikko Longtou Waterfall

Travel Tips and Advice

transportation

For local travel, buses and regional trains are efficient and convenient. If you can, take a tourist train.

stay

Book ahead for popular destinations. Consider staying at a ryokan to support locals.

Packaging Tips

October weather can be warm and cool, so dress in layers. Bring a light jacket for daytime outings and a warm jacket for nighttime outings.

Autumn Leaves

The best area to view autumn leaves in October is Hokkaido, especially areas like Lake Shikotsu and the onsen town of Noboribetsu.

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