Autumn Festivals in Japan: Top 6 to Visit & How to Enjoy Them

Visiting Japan in autumn (September to November) is a perfect idea. It's one of the best times to explore the country, especially with the highlight of the multicolored fall foliage from late October to November.

But if you want to take your trip beyond the scenery, join in the autumn festivals! These events bring local traditions to life: daytime parades, evening lantern floats, and plenty of street food stalls.

The real question is: How can you enjoy these festivals like a local, not just a tourist?

In this article, we've selected the 6 most worthwhile autumn festivals in Japan. We'll also provide essential tips to help you plan a better autumn trip.

1. Takayama Autumn Festival: The Most Popular Fall Event

• Date: October 9th and 10th
• Highlight: Enjoy elegantly decorated float parades during the day and at night.

If you can experience only one autumn festival in Japan, it must be the Takayama Autumn Festival.

The highlight of the celebration is the 11 elegantly decorated float parades. Locals in traditional attire pull these floats through the main streets during the parade.

I suggest arriving at the venue around 4 pm on October 9th. This way, you can enjoy both the daytime and evening parade.

The evening float parade offers a more authentic festival experience compared to the daytime parade. Illuminated with lanterns, the floats showcase kids playing traditional Japanese music inside.

Moreover, this festival is very popular, meaning that hotels get booked up fast. So, we strongly advise booking your hotel at least 6 months in advance for more choices and better prices.

2. Kyoto's Jidai Matsuri: Enjoy Japan's Hundred Years of History

• Date: October 22nd
• Highlight: People wearing traditional clothing from various Japanese historical periods.

Interested in learning about Japan's different eras in a short time? Don't miss the Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto. It's one of Kyoto's top three festivals and the most important autumn event in the city.

During the two-hour parade, you can see people in traditional Japanese clothing from different historical periods. As Kyoto is an ancient capital, the parade also passes by shrines, giving a feeling of stepping back in time.

Wondering where the best spot is to see the festival? We'll take you to Heian Shrine. It's less crowded, perfect for photos, and easy to move around.

After the celebration, you can also explore the shrine. The red torii gate and well-designed Japanese gardens will make your trip even more unforgettable.

Unlike other visitors who simply admire the costumes, our private guide will accompany you and share stories about the historical periods behind each outfit. This will help you gain deeper insights into the Japanese culture.

3. Enjoy Autumn Foliage at Evening Light-up Events

• Date: Late October to mid-December
• Highlight: Watch fall foliage and the shrine illuminated by evening light.

Although not a traditional festival, this limited-time autumn activity can take your leaf-viewing to the next level.

Kyoto is the perfect place for enjoying evening light-ups. Many shrines feature vibrant maple leaves and hold evening light-up events. You'll have a unique chance to appreciate autumn leaves in a more Japanese vibe.

Kodaiji Temple is my top recommendation. With its abundance of maple trees, light shows, great for taking photos, and convenient city center location, it's a must-visit in the fall.

Looking for a special experience? You can also take a train through a lit-up maple tree tunnel. It feels like stepping into a whole world of maple leaves.

4. Mid-Autumn Festival: Admire the Full Moon the Traditional Japanese Way

• Date: September or October in the solar calendar
• Highlight: Enjoy the full moon at the shrine with traditional Japanese performances.

If you want to experience a festival that represents autumn in Japan, check out the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which usually falls in September or October in the solar calendar.

Among all these cities, Kyoto is my top pick for admiring the full moon. The shrines in this ancient capital offer authentic performances to view the moon, bringing you closer to Japanese culture.

Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto is a wonderful place for moon viewing. You can see a variety of performances on a stage surrounded by lanterns, including orchestral music, dance, and taiko drumming.

Moreover, it is conveniently situated near the Gion district. If you stay at a hotel in this area, you can reach the shrine within a 10-minute walk.

5. Kyoto's Kurama Fire Festival: A Night Parade with Large Torches

• Date: October 22nd
• Highlight: Men carrying massive torches parade through the streets.

Looking for a special autumn evening festival? Try the Kurama Fire Festival in Kyoto.

This festival occurs every year on the evening of October 22nd, at the same time as Jidai Matsuri. The highlight is watching men in traditional attire carry massive torches weighing about 80 kilograms as they parade through the streets. It's a truly spectacular sight.

The most exciting part of the parade is after 8:30 pm. You'll see two groups meeting on the street to start a traditional handover ceremony, followed by performances featuring traditional Japanese musical instruments.

However, this place is a bit far and not easy to get to on public transport. It's about an hour from downtown Kyoto by subway. Also, since this festival draws many people, you might have to wait around 1.5 hours just to get on the subway back to the city.

6. Osaka's Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri: See the Floats Speed By

• Date: The second Saturday and Sunday of September
• Highlight: The floats speed through the streets, making sharp turns.

Unlike most Japanese parade floats, the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka is an exciting parade. You will see hundreds of people pulling four-ton floats racing through the streets, rushing past you, and making sharp turns.

The whole parade feels like a carnival with 34 floats participating. Sometimes the floats hit electric poles or walls, and at times they look like they might topple over. However, this is exactly what makes this festival so thrilling.

At the same time, you'll hear the loud cheers and shouts from both the participants and the visitors. This will add to the vibrant atmosphere and help you fully enjoy the celebration.

If you want to avoid the crowds on the main parade day, you can attend the rehearsal on the Sunday a week before. It offers nearly the same experience as the actual event.

Let's Plan Your Visit to Japan in Autumn Together!

Whatever you want to experience in Japan in autumn, our Japan travel advisors can make it happen. We're here to answer any questions you may have and ensure you have a hassle-free trip. Contact us now!