Autumn season in Japan is a time of vibrant colours and comforting traditions.
Various big festivals are happening then that showcase Japanese culture.
If you explore Japan during this season, you’ll find that autumn festivals, known as “aki matsuri,” are the heart and soul of the community.
They celebrate the harvest, honour local deities, and bring history to life.
Fall is one of the best times to visit Japan! Many local festivals celebrate the autumn harvest. The festivals highlight the fall. They feature activities and delicious traditional food. Different parts of Japan have their famous autumn festivals. The Takayama Festival features huge floats paraded by residents. Autumn in Japan offers a unique festival for every traveller.
Adam Payne
Autumn Festivals Overview
Most Autumn festivals in Japan are connected to the lunar calendar or a good harvest.
And many feature cultural performances from the Edo period highlighting local culture.
The Takayama Hida festival at Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine is one of several big festivals that celebrate a good autumn harvest.
Significance of Autumn in Japan
Autumn is a much-cherished time in Japan.
The dramatic transformation of leaf colours symbolises change.
Known locally as koyo, viewing autumn leaves is a popular activity that parallels the cherry blossoms of spring.
Cooler temperatures bring the much-awaited harvest moon.
It’s a natural spectacle celebrated with tsukimi (moon-viewing parties).
Here, you can reflect on the year’s bountiful harvest and the beauty of nature.
Major Autumn Festivals
Japan’s calendar has many festivals, or matsuri, heralding autumn.
- The Nagasaki Kunchi Festival is held in early October and is a main event in Nagasaki Prefecture. The festival’s mix of Dutch and Chinese influences reflects the area’s historical trading connections.
- The Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival dates back 370 years. It’s held on the first Saturday to Monday of October in Fukushima Prefecture. The festival is celebrated with hundreds of beautiful lanterns.
- The Festival of the Ages, or Jidai Matsuri, is on October 22nd in Kyoto prefecture. It honours the city’s founding. Processions show traditional costumes from different periods of Japanese history.
- The Takayama Festival, known for its fancy floats and old music, takes place on October 9th and 10th in the mountainous Gifu Prefecture.
The celebrations are not limited to traditional rituals.
They often include food stalls, games, and performances.
They invite you to experience the communal spirit of the season.
Festival Features
Autumn in Japan is when you can experience a rich cultural heritage through vibrant festivals.
Traditional Performances and Parades
You’ll see traditional performances as you wander through an autumn festival in Japan.
These include various activities, from classical dance to traditional music, that showcase Japan’s long artistic traditions.
The Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival is notable.
It brings history to life with enchanting lantern displays.
They light up the night. Meanwhile, festival floats and mikoshi (a portable shrine) often take centre stage.
They are adorned with intricate designs and carried through town in a parade.
They embody the spiritual and communal essence of the festivities.
Seasonal Foods and Harvest
With the arrival of autumn, you’re invited to savour the taste of the season.
Festivals are the perfect place to try a variety of seasonal foods.
You might enjoy sake while appreciating the crisp air and the changing leaves.
The celebrations also honour the harvest, a time of great importance in Japan.
As part of this, the community gives thanks for the year’s bounty.
It’s seen in the offerings and food at the festivals.
Regional Festivals Highlights
The processions in Kyushu are vibrant. Honshu has rich cultural pageantry, and Hokkaido has serene beauty.
These festivals highlight the season’s charm.
Kyushu’s Vibrant Celebrations
The Nagasaki Kunchi Festival happens in early October.
Visiting Kyushu’s Nagasaki rewards you with floats, dragon dances, and theatre.
They fill the streets with an exciting atmosphere.
- Location: Nagasaki
- Dates: October 7-9
Karatsu Kunchi Festival — Prepare to be enthralled by the Karatsu Kunchi Festival in Saga in early November.
Large, elaborate floats, known as Hikiyama, parade through the town to the rhythm of chants and drums.
- Location: Karatsu
- Dates: November 2-4
Honshu’s Cultural Gems
The stunning floats are the highlight of the festival.
It graces the streets of Takayama on October 9th and 10th.
It is recognised as one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals.
This is because of its intricate yatai floats and marionette performances.
- Location: Takayama
- Dates: October 9-10
In Osaka, see the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri.
Teams race elaborate floats through the city in a dazzling show of local spirit and teamwork.
- Location: Osaka
- Dates: Mid-September
Kurama Fire Festival is near Kyoto.
It has a fiery spectacle with a nighttime procession of blazing torches and chanting locals.
You can feel the ancient tradition there.
- Location: Kurama (Kyoto)
- Dates: October 22
Jidai Matsuri is celebrated at Kyoto’s Heian Jingu Shrine every October 22nd.
It is the “Festival of the Ages” that honours Kyoto’s history.
People wear elaborate historical costumes and act out scenes from different eras in processions.
- Location: Heian Jingu Shrine (Kyoto)
- Dates: October 22
Shizuoka Prefecture boasts the stunning Shuzenji Niji no Sato Autumn Light Up.
This festival illuminates over 1,000 Japanese maple trees at night, creating a magical display of colourful leaves.
It’s a breathtaking way to experience the beauty of the autumn harvest.
- Location: Shuzenji, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Dates: Mid-November to Early December
Hokkaido’s Autumnal Splendour
Sapporo Autumn Fest is a place to Discover Hokkaido’s bounty.
In Odori Park, amid a backdrop of golden leaves, you can taste the region’s best produce and dishes.
- Location: Sapporo
- Dates: September
Travel Tips for Autumn Festival Goers
To ensure your trip is enjoyable, consider these friendly travel tips:
Accommodation: Book your accommodation well in advance.
Festivals like the Takayama Autumn Festival in October see a surge in visitors, so it’s best to secure your stay early.
Transport: Use Japan’s efficient public transport system.
Trains are reliable for travel. But remember to reserve seats for long journeys.
This is especially true during festivals.
Weather: Autumn weather is usually mild, but it can be unpredictable.
Pack layers, including a light raincoat, to adapt to changing conditions.
Crowds: Heed the reality of crowds.
Events like Nagasaki Kunchi can become very busy, so prepare for densely packed streets.
Also, allocate extra time for travel and sightseeing.
Souvenirs: Look for unique festival souvenirs.
From local handicrafts to special festival merchandise, these items can serve as charming reminders of your trip.
Camera: Remember your camera to capture the beauty of events.
For example, the floral displays at the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum Festival create perfect photo opportunities.
Living in Japan: If you live in Japan, check local listings for community-led festivals.
These might be less advertised but are just as enriching.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you prepare for Autumn festivals in Japan.
- Accommodation: [ ] Booked
- Transport: [ ] Train tickets and schedules checked
- Weather: [ ] Appropriate clothing packed
- Crowds: [ ] Itinerary includes crowd management
- Souvenirs: [ ] Extra space in luggage for purchases
- Camera: [ ] Battery charged and memory card empty
The Bottom Line
Early September to late October and spring are my favourite time of year in Japan.
If you visit Japan in the fall season, you can attend a cultural festival and experience Japan like the local residents.
Enjoy the traditional dances, large floats and the festival celebrations.
Then relax in one of Japan’s many hot springs afterwards
And make sure to witness the colourful celebration of nature.
You’ll have a great time!
