October in Tokyo Travel Guide: The Answer to “When Is the Best Time to Travel to Tokyo”
- Shinya Yamada
- Sep 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 27
If you're asking yourself, “when is the best time to travel to Tokyo?” you're not alone. While spring’s cherry blossoms get much of the attention, official data reveals a different story. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, October is the single most popular month for international visitors, with overnight stays hitting 121% of the monthly average for Japan and 118% for Tokyo.
Source: Japan Tourism Agency’s lodging statistics
Note: Indexed with the annual average set at 100%
Why travel to Tokyo in October? The answer is simple: comfort and culture. After the intense humidity of a Japanese summer, autumn offers a welcome escape. The weather in Tokyo, Japan, in October is simply delightful, with the Japan Meteorological Agency reporting an average temperature of a pleasant 18.8°C (65.8°F). This perfectly crisp Tokyo in October weather makes it the ideal season for exploration.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
Your Ultimate Guide to an Unforgettable October in Tokyo
So, is October a good time to visit Tokyo? Absolutely. But to make the most of your trip, you need to look beyond the typical postcard images. This guide will walk you through the realities of autumn colors, the deep cultural significance of the harvest season, and the vibrant local festivals that make October in Tokyo truly special.
The Honest Truth About Autumn Leaves in Tokyo
Many travelers dream of seeing Japan's stunning autumn colors, a key reason why Tokyo in fall is so popular. But here’s a critical question: can you actually see them in October? Due to the effects of climate change, with record-breaking heat in summers like 2025's, the peak season for autumn leaves has been shifting later each year. In 2024, the only places to see significant color in October were in northern regions like Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Nikko. In major hubs like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, the leaves didn't reach their peak until early December.
This doesn't mean you should cancel your trip. It simply means that if vibrant foliage is your top priority, you should carefully choose where to travel to in October or consider shifting your travel dates to November or early December.
Deeper than a Date: Harvest and Japan's Ancient Calendar
While the leaves may be late, October connects you to a more ancient rhythm: the rice harvest. Rice is more than just food in Japan; it's considered to have spiritual power, forming the heart of festivals, mochi (rice cakes), and sake.
To truly understand this season, we must look to Japan's traditional calendar. This ancient system, the Nijushi Sekki (24 Solar Terms) and Shichijuni Kō (72 Micro-seasons), was born from centuries of agricultural observation. It doesn't just mark dates; it captures the subtle, poetic shifts in the natural world. The year is divided into 24 terms (sekki), and each term is further divided into three micro-seasons (kō), each lasting about five days.
Let's look at early October. This period falls within the micro-season known as Mizu hajimete karuru (水始涸), from around October 3rd to 7th. The name beautifully translates to “Water Begins to Dry Up.” This isn’t a sign of drought; it’s a direct description of a crucial farming activity: the draining of water from the rice paddies so the golden stalks can be harvested.
👉 Want to dive deeper? For a closer look at all 72 seasons, see our full blog on the [Japan Seasons Calendar: Encyclopedia of the 72 Microseasons].
A Feast for the Senses: The Flavors and Arts of Autumn
In Japan, autumn is famously called Shokuyoku no Aki, or "the autumn of appetites." The cooler air stimulates the appetite, and a bounty of seasonal ingredients arrives. Key autumn flavors include:
Grains: Freshly harvested rice
Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, taro, pumpkin, burdock root, lotus root
Mushrooms: Maitake, shiitake, shimeji, and the prized matsutake
Fruits: Chestnuts, grapes, pears, persimmons
Seafood: Sanma (pacific saury), mackerel, sardines, autumn salmon, crab, oysters
Autumn is also the "season of arts." There is no better way to experience both than at a geisha banquet in Kagurazaka. Here, you can enjoy traditional Japanese dance (Nihon Buyo) with your eyes and ears while savoring a meal crafted exclusively from seasonal ingredients—a perfect two-in-one cultural experience.
Kagurazaka in October: The Heart of Tokyo's Cultural Festivals
October is when the charming neighborhood of Kagurazaka truly shines. The soft autumn light filters through bamboo fences and onto the stone-paved alleys of Kagurazaka street and Kagurazaka dori, creating an atmosphere of profound beauty.
This is the most exciting month of the year for the neighborhood. While its main shrine events are a notable Tokyo festival in September 2025, October is when the Kagurazaka Matsuri season peaks with the Kagurazaka Machi Tobi Festa, a massive "Town Culture Festival." From October 11th to November 3rd, 2025, the area buzzes with activity. This Kagurazaka festival offers many authentic cultural experiences, including Noh, kumihimo braiding, and geisha entertainment—many of which are things to do in Shinjuku, Kagurazaka that we offer as tours.
A highlight of this Tokyo autumn festival is the Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival (“Cat Halloween Festival”) on October 12th. This cat-themed costume parade has become a global phenomenon. It’s a stark contrast to the issues surrounding Halloween in Shibuya and Shinjuku. The Bakeneko Festival is incredibly safe for children and women, maintaining perfect order without a heavy security presence. This is thanks to the iki (chic and sophisticated) atmosphere that defines Kagurazaka.
Conclusion: Your Answer to the Perfect Time to Visit
So, is October a good time to visit Japan? For the traveler seeking more than just surface-level beauty, it is unequivocally the best. While the autumn leaves may peak later, October delivers pleasant weather, deep-rooted harvest traditions, and a calendar full of authentic local festivals. If you want to experience Japanese culture in a calm and sophisticated environment, then when to travel to Tokyo is clear: it has to be October, and the place to be is Kagurazaka.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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