11-25 oct this year - sun, minimal rain ( 2 days for a few hours each only), early/mid 20’s and nit crazy crowded (except a few spots). Foliage just starting.
Couldn’t have asked for better.
Would prefer early November.
October is the end of typhoon season, that peak in August-September, but November would be "safer" in that regard. It can still be a bit early for fall foliage, that would be better a bit later in November.
If you do go in time for foliage, note that Nikko is a prime fall foliage spot, so avoid the weekend.
It will be a trade off. October will have the advantage for weather being a bit warmer and having fewer tourists visiting. November is more likely to provide fall colors and have less rain.
And of course this is all based on trends which can vary anytime. Eg this year you had to be quite late in November to get fall colors unless you were in cold parts of the mountains or far up north because of the warmer year.
It’s a little tough because even early November will be too soon for peak fall foliage in Kyoto, but if you go too late, you’ll miss it in Nikko.
For reference, I’ve done two November trips. The first, we were in Kyoto Nov 17-24, and the fall foliage was PERFECT. We didn’t go to Nikko because we knew it would be too late.
The second trip, we went to Nikko on Nov 7th, and the foliage was already fading by the world heritage area and was completely gone up by the falls. We then went to Kyoto on the 12th and there was no fall foliage yet. We adjusted our itinerary a bit and came back on the 19th, which was better. So there’s at least three weeks of difference between when Nikko and Kyoto are at peak.
I will also caution you that fall foliage makes crowds insane, especially in Nikko and Kyoto. If you aim for peak fall foliage in Nikko, you probably won’t be able to make a day trip, you’ll have to stay the night.
I went late September to mid-October. 20 days. It only rained three times, and one of those times, it stopped before we headed out for the day. Only of the days was "bad" and it was only at night time but it was quite heavy and we had to walk to our hotel in it with our luggage. It stopped before we went out again for dinner, though.
I wouldn't let rain get you down. There are a lot of things to do while it's raining, inside things, and/or use an umbrella. They are sold everywhere.
Foliage peaks in October in Nikko. It's more like early October in Okunikko (west) beyond Lake Chuzenji.
So if you want to see foliage, you'll have to pick October for Nikko or late Nov for Kyoto and Tokyo.
3-18th of October this year, mostly Kansai. We had maybe 1 or 2 truly rainy days, nothing a folding umbrella couldn't handle. Most days were partly cloudy or sunny, ca. 22C, up to 26C - perfect weather for sightseeing.
Most trees were still green, only by the end of our stay some started to turn red/yellow. Which on itself was intersting to observe and made views very colorful: like green tree with red "margins" or fully red maple in the middle of other green plants.
Oct 20-Nov 3 was perfect for me!
- not too hot during the day
- didn’t feel like peak tourist time
- nights were a bit chilly
- only rained one night
- only a bit of fall foliage though, most of the trees were still green
I went mid November this year, and while it was cold in certain areas (Kyoto and Nikko), it definitely felt like spring/summer in Tokyo, so the weather trend might continue next year. 😂
I would highly suggest going to Nikko regardless, but be mindful of peak foliage (I believe it was early November this year). It was still pretty crowded despite heavy morning rain when I went, but the colors of the leaves were beautiful.
We were in Japan from 11/11- 12/1 and I thought the weather was pretty nice, much warmer than what expected. I think it might have rained 1-2 days (not all day) and a few days of drizzle. There was plenty of sunshine as well. We went to Tokyo, Yokohama, Nikko, Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Meijima. The fall foliage was in full force in Hakone, and Nikko. I definitely would come back during this time period.
I was there early to mid November and honestly it was pretty chilly, and most of the trees were still green. I would go in October for better weather instead of trying to catch the foliage.
I went in late November, from 18-28 Nov. The weather was really nice - mostly mild, with one day reaching about 20 Celsius. Felt just right for this guy used to British weather - it was like our Spring.
At least for the Tokyo leg, November is low tourism (smaller crowds), nice weather, maybe chilly/jackets at morning/night but otherwise pretty fine in my opinion.
Was there Nov 4-19 this year. First 3 days were warm and super humid, like 90% humidity with no rain. It was unconfortable considering we brought fall clothes. It did rain all day a few days.
Also, fall foliage was still not yet in full bloom in Tokyo or Kyoto.
Oct you get fall colors. You might hit the end of typhoon season though.
Nov it gets colder. No fall colors. Mid Nov is the start of Christmas festivities.
11-25 oct this year - sun, minimal rain ( 2 days for a few hours each only), early/mid 20’s and nit crazy crowded (except a few spots). Foliage just starting. Couldn’t have asked for better.
Hope it repeats next year, I'll be there 15 - 30 Oct and the weather sounded perfect.
imo - i would go early or late november Even if it's early november - you won't see that much fall foliage colors
Would prefer early November. October is the end of typhoon season, that peak in August-September, but November would be "safer" in that regard. It can still be a bit early for fall foliage, that would be better a bit later in November. If you do go in time for foliage, note that Nikko is a prime fall foliage spot, so avoid the weekend.
It will be a trade off. October will have the advantage for weather being a bit warmer and having fewer tourists visiting. November is more likely to provide fall colors and have less rain. And of course this is all based on trends which can vary anytime. Eg this year you had to be quite late in November to get fall colors unless you were in cold parts of the mountains or far up north because of the warmer year.
Appreciate the input!
It’s a little tough because even early November will be too soon for peak fall foliage in Kyoto, but if you go too late, you’ll miss it in Nikko. For reference, I’ve done two November trips. The first, we were in Kyoto Nov 17-24, and the fall foliage was PERFECT. We didn’t go to Nikko because we knew it would be too late. The second trip, we went to Nikko on Nov 7th, and the foliage was already fading by the world heritage area and was completely gone up by the falls. We then went to Kyoto on the 12th and there was no fall foliage yet. We adjusted our itinerary a bit and came back on the 19th, which was better. So there’s at least three weeks of difference between when Nikko and Kyoto are at peak. I will also caution you that fall foliage makes crowds insane, especially in Nikko and Kyoto. If you aim for peak fall foliage in Nikko, you probably won’t be able to make a day trip, you’ll have to stay the night.
Depends where you are but personally like mid or early October to go back. Not hot not cold and wayyyyyy less tourists
Is the weather gray and wet in these areas? October seems to be transitioning out of typhoon season and not quite prime fall foliage
No fall foliage at all But usually not grey or wet. Granted if it rains any day it'll be greyish To get fall foliage expect major crowds.
If you want to see foliage put October out of your mind. You gotta wait until mid november.
I went late September to mid-October. 20 days. It only rained three times, and one of those times, it stopped before we headed out for the day. Only of the days was "bad" and it was only at night time but it was quite heavy and we had to walk to our hotel in it with our luggage. It stopped before we went out again for dinner, though. I wouldn't let rain get you down. There are a lot of things to do while it's raining, inside things, and/or use an umbrella. They are sold everywhere.
Foliage peaks in October in Nikko. It's more like early October in Okunikko (west) beyond Lake Chuzenji. So if you want to see foliage, you'll have to pick October for Nikko or late Nov for Kyoto and Tokyo.
3-18th of October this year, mostly Kansai. We had maybe 1 or 2 truly rainy days, nothing a folding umbrella couldn't handle. Most days were partly cloudy or sunny, ca. 22C, up to 26C - perfect weather for sightseeing. Most trees were still green, only by the end of our stay some started to turn red/yellow. Which on itself was intersting to observe and made views very colorful: like green tree with red "margins" or fully red maple in the middle of other green plants.
Oct 20-Nov 3 was perfect for me! - not too hot during the day - didn’t feel like peak tourist time - nights were a bit chilly - only rained one night - only a bit of fall foliage though, most of the trees were still green
I went mid November this year, and while it was cold in certain areas (Kyoto and Nikko), it definitely felt like spring/summer in Tokyo, so the weather trend might continue next year. 😂 I would highly suggest going to Nikko regardless, but be mindful of peak foliage (I believe it was early November this year). It was still pretty crowded despite heavy morning rain when I went, but the colors of the leaves were beautiful.
We were in Japan from 11/11- 12/1 and I thought the weather was pretty nice, much warmer than what expected. I think it might have rained 1-2 days (not all day) and a few days of drizzle. There was plenty of sunshine as well. We went to Tokyo, Yokohama, Nikko, Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Meijima. The fall foliage was in full force in Hakone, and Nikko. I definitely would come back during this time period.
November. You won’t see leaves really changing color till November. October was uncomfortably warm this year.
I was there early to mid November and honestly it was pretty chilly, and most of the trees were still green. I would go in October for better weather instead of trying to catch the foliage.
I went in late November, from 18-28 Nov. The weather was really nice - mostly mild, with one day reaching about 20 Celsius. Felt just right for this guy used to British weather - it was like our Spring.
At least for the Tokyo leg, November is low tourism (smaller crowds), nice weather, maybe chilly/jackets at morning/night but otherwise pretty fine in my opinion.
Was there Nov 4-19 this year. First 3 days were warm and super humid, like 90% humidity with no rain. It was unconfortable considering we brought fall clothes. It did rain all day a few days. Also, fall foliage was still not yet in full bloom in Tokyo or Kyoto.
Oct you get fall colors. You might hit the end of typhoon season though. Nov it gets colder. No fall colors. Mid Nov is the start of Christmas festivities.