October offers some of Japan’s fairest and comfortable weather, making it a great time to head outdoors amid stunning landscapes covered in golden and fiery hues. In Tohoku, Hokkaido and more northerly and higher altitude locations, the autumn leaves peak at various times throughout October, while warmer locations are typically at their best in November.
It’s also a time of harvest and harvest festivals, autumnal hikes, and art and culture. Many of the harvest festivals have evolved from simple harvest festivals to the colourful parades and processions you can see today.
Many places hold chrysanthemum festivals around this time of year, too. In Japan, chrysanthemums are highly regarded as the noblest flower, and is used both as the symbol for the Imperial House of Japan as well as the cover of Japanese passports, making it a flower close to the hearts of Japanese people.
We've highlighted a few festivals below that may be of interest for future trips to Japan. They are selected from a list compiled by JNTO's Tourist Information Center, and the full list is available at the end of the article.
NOTES: Many websites only have information in Japanese so you may need to use an online translation service such as Google Translate 
or DeepL . Alternatively, the Chrome browser allows you to translate many webpages from Japanese into English.
The information is correct at time of publishing. Dates, times and functions are subject to change without notice and can vary slightly each year. In particular, the schedule of outdoor events may change due to the weather. Be sure to check the latest information in advance.
Seki Cutlery Festival
Where: Seki, Gifu Prefecture
When: 16-17 October 2021
Summary: Cutlery festival in Seki which is famous for its production of exquisite cutlery.
More information: Visit Gifu | Seki Cutlery Festival
Matsue Do Gyoretsu Drum Parade
Where: Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
When: 16-17 October 2021
Summary: Annual drum festival where giant drums are paraded on floats through the streets, accompanied by the sounds of taiko drums, bamboo flutes and changara cymbals.
More information: Visit Matsue | Matsue Do Gyoretsu Drum Parade
Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival
Where: Nihonmatsu, Fukushima Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on the first Saturday, Sunday and Monday of October)
Summary: The annual festival of the shrine, featuring seven floats decorated with some 3000 lanterns which are paraded through the streets of Nihonmatsu to a backdrop of festive music.
More information: Fukushima Travel | Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival
Nagasaki Kunchi
Where: Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year from 7-9 October)
Summary: A vibrant 400-year-old celebration of food, fun and Nagasaki's diverse cultural past and present.
More information: Japan Travel | Nagasaki Kunchi
Sawara-no Taisai Aki Matsuri
Where: Sawara, Chiba Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Originally scheduled for 7-9 October 2021)
Summary: A UNESCO heritage-listed festival with a 300-year history that is also designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. 14 beautifully sculptured floats carrying large dolls parade through the city to sawara-bayashi (festival music).
More information: Official site (JP only) | Sawara-no Taisai Aki Matsuri
Takayama Matsuri
Where: Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on 9 and 10 October)
Summary: A grand autumn harvest celebration which is registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The festival features ornately decorated floats illuminated with lanterns which are paraded through town to the sound of traditional music.
More information: Japan Travel | Takayama Autumn Festival
Kanuma Buttsuke Autumn Festival
Where: Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on the weekend before the second Monday of October)
Summary: A UNESCO heritage-listed festival dating back to the 17th century and designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The festival features 26 gorgeous hand-carved wooden floats, with the highlight being ‘buttsuke’, when three to seven festive floats face one another and compete in a Japanese orchestral showdown.
More information: Visit Tochigi | Kanuma Buttsuke Autumn Festival
Sanuki Toyohama Chosa Matsuri
Where: Kannonji, Kagawa Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on the second weekend of October)
Summary: Festival featuring 22 large ornate chosa (floats) that are up to 5 metres tall, carried on 13-metre-long poles and take around 70 people to manoeuvre.
More information: Japan Travel | Sanuki Toyohama Chosa Festival
Niihama Taiko Festival
Where: Niihama, Ehime Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year in mid-October)
Summary: Numerous 5.5m high taiko drum-shaped floats, weighing about 3 tons, are paraded through the town. The floats are adorned with figures of dragons, wild birds and beasts embroidered with gold and silver threads.
More information: Visit Ehime | Niihama Taiko Festival
Nagoya Festival
Where: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Originally scheduled for 16-17 October 2021)
Summary: The highlight of the festival is the ‘Procession of the Three Feudal Lords’ parade featuring the three legendary leaders: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
More information: Aichi Now | Nagoya Festival
Nikko Toshogu Shuki Taisai Grand Autumn Festival
Where: Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on 16-17 October)
Summary: A festival honouring the burial of one of Japan's most influential leaders, Tokugawa Ieyasu. The main event is the pricession of fully armoured samurai but there are also demonstrations of traditional warrior skills like longbow archery and horseback archery.
More information: Japan Travel | Nikko Toshogu Shuki Taisai Grand Autumn Festival
Jidai Matsuri
Where: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on 22 October)
Summary: One of the three most well-known festivals in Kyoto. The highlight is a procession of people dressed in historical costumes representing key periods and figures from Japan’s history.
More information: Japan Travel | Jidai Matsuri
Ueno Tenjin Matsuri
Where: Ueno, Mie Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Originally scheduled for 22-24 October 2021)
Summary: A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage listed festival featuring a parade of nine lavishly-decorated danjiri floats, mikoshi (portable shrines) and people wearing oni (ogre) costumes and masks.
More information: Official site | Ueno Tenjin Matsuri
Bizen Pottery Festival
Where: Bizen, Okayama Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on the third weekend of October)
Summary: Pottery fair held around Imbe Station selling Bizen pottery produced by local artists at a discounted price.
More information: Explore Okayama | Bizen Pottery Festival
Kawagoe Festival
Where: Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year on the third weekend of October)
Summary: The historic town of Kawagoe fills with gorgeously decorated festival floats, paper lanterns, music and dance in a mid-October celebration honouring the town’s rich heritage originating in the Edo Period (1603-1867). It’s designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
More information: Japan Travel | Kawagoe Festival
Yokoo Kabuki
Where: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture
When: Cancelled in 2021 (Usually held each year in October)
Summary: A free kabuki show performed by over 100 local residents, from children to adults.
More information: Shizuoka Guide | October
Kameido Tenjin Kiku Matsuri
Where: Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Tokyo Prefecture
When: 24 October to 21 November 2021
Summary: Annual chrysanthemum festival at Kameido Tenji Shrine where the enshrined god is also known as the god of flowers.
More information: Official site (JP only) | Kameido Tenjin Shrine
More information
- Calendar of Events | October 2021
- Guide | Japan in October
