October is one of the best months to visit Kanazawa. The city is famous for its gardens and they begin to glow with autumn colours. The stifling heat of summer begins to dissipate and the autumn festivals begin to happen in earnest.
This guide brings together everything you need to know about Kanazawa in October — from the Horai Festival and seasonal highlights like the Kanazawa Marathon to travel advice and tips for making the most of your visit. Joining a guided tour is one of the easiest ways to experience the area without the stress of queues or missed connections, letting you focus on the views, the food, and the charm of the Kanazawa's rich history and cultural traditions.
Weather in October
October brings cool, crisp air to Kanazawa and the surrounding area and some of the most comfortable conditions of the year. Average daytime highs range between 18-22°C, while evening temperatures often dip to around12°C, so it’s wise to bring a warm jacket if you plan to stay after sunset. Early in the month feels mild, but by late October the air turns noticeably colder as winter approaches.
The autumn colours are at their best during this time, with clear skies making the nearby mountains and the famous Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road especially photogenic. Rain is occasional but usually light, and the cool air makes walking around the city much more comfortable. Snow does not usually fall until late November at the earliest, though the mountain peaks in the distance may start to show a dusting toward the end of the month.
Festivals & Events in October
Horai Festival (first full weekend of October)
The nearby town of Tsurugi, just south of Kanazawa, has held this harvest festival for more than 800 years. On the first full weekend of October, a portable shrine is carried through the town, accompanied by massive carvings of massive lions, fierce samurai and depictions of various yokai, spirits that can have the faces of animals and the bodies of humans. Usually, the leader of each team stands astride the float, urging those carrying it onwards and getting spectators to cheer for them. In the evening, everything is illuminated while the region's traditional lion dance is done. On Sunday, the groups compete to decide whose float will spend the year in a place of honour atop a steep hill overlooking the town.
Yuwaku "Bon Bori" Lantern Festival (October 18th)
Yuwaku Onsen was used as inspiration for a popular anime "Hanasaku Iroha" in 2011, which brought Ishikawa's smallest onsen town into the spotlight. Hoping to capitalise on the interest, the town decided to recreate the festival depicted in the anime and was met with great success. Thousands of lanterns are hung around the town, creating a soft and warm atmosphere in the October evenings. The lanterns light the way through the town for the god of Yuwaku Inari Shrine to get home without getting lost. As a thanks for being guided, the god brings the wishes of the people, written on the lanterns, to the wider pantheon in the realm of the gods.
Kanazawa Marathon (Last Sunday in October)
The Kanazawa Marathon has become one of the city's biggest events on the calendar, drawing thousands of runners excited to see all of Kanazawa's sights on the route, including Omicho Market, Kanazawa Station, Oyama Shrine, Nishi Chaya District, Higashi Chaya District, and ending at the Seibu Ryokuchi Park. The marathon is one of the most popular of its kind in Japan, so a must-see for avid runners visiting around the time!
If you'd like to run in the marathon, you can sign up for it in English on their website.
Seasonal Highlights in October
Autumn Colours in Kenrokuen Garden
People will say that the famous Kenrokuen Garden is beautiful all year round. It is, but autumn is when it is at its best. Everywhere you look are different shades of reds, oranges and yellows as the hundreds of trees in the garden move through the season. In late October, the garden opens in the evenings and illuminates the leaves from below to give them a stark contrast to the night sky.
Fall Flavours
October is also harvest season in the region. Around this time, persimmons are ripe around the area. Kanazawa is known specifically for Ruby Roman grapes, Kaga pears, and a variety of mountain vegetables like napa cabbage and matsutake mushrooms. Perhaps the most prominent of all of Kanazawa's October crops, though, is sweet potato. The local strain of sweet potato, called gorojima kintoki, is particularly famous for its intense sweetness and is used in a variety of local sweets through the month. All of these can be found in the city's famous Omicho Market, where you'll also be able to taste deep-water shrimp and flounder, which are also in season.
Featured Tours in October
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha
October is one of the most popular months to explore Kanazawa's historic streets and beautiful gardens. Our walking tour of the city takes visitors to all of its major sites in a single day. Bring your camera and clean your lenses!
Highlights:
- Walk through the streets of samurai bordered by the autumn leaves.
- Drink freshly-prepared, high-quality matcha while looking out at a beautiful garden.
- Try a host of fresh, local produce at the Omicho Market.
- Walk through the amazing Kenrokuen Garden.
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
One of the highlights of many visitors to the area is Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its gassho-zukkuri style farmhouses. Unfortunately for many, getting to the scenic village can be extremely difficult, especially in the peak season. With our Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village tour, we take care of it all so you can sit back and relax in comfort as we take you to the best sights in the area.
Highlights:
- Visit both Shirakawa-go and Gokayama World Heritage villages.
- Explore Inami, home to Japan’s renowned wood-carving artisans.
- Travel comfortably from Kanazawa with all transport included.
Best Selling
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
- Spots:
- KanazawaShirakawago
- Pick-up:
- Kanazawa
- Drop-off:
- TakayamaKanazawa
Day Tour in Kanazawa: Glamor of the Geisha, a Daimyo's Villa and a World-Class Garden
If you're looking to dive a bit deeper into two of Kanazawa's most famous areas, this is the tour for you! Our Glamor of the Geisha tour takes you on an extended walk through the Higashi Chaya District, one of the largest in Japan. You'll step into a preserved teahouse and learn about the culture and practices of the geisha. For the afternoon, we'll head to Kenrokuen Garden where we'll learn the history and see the nature in full force. We'll also go inside the opulent Seisonkaku Villa, an often-overlooked stop that really highlights the wealth the lords of the region wielded.
Highlights:
- Step into a preserved geisha house to learn the history and ways of the mysterious entertainers.
- A guided walk through Kenrokuen, one of Japan's "Three Great Gardens."
- Entry into Seisonkaku Villa, a mansion built for the mother of the last lord of Kanazawa.
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Beautiful Amaharashi, A Big Buddha and the Shogawa Valley River Cruise
This day tour from Kanazawa takes you to the coast to see the famous view of Amaharashi: a rock formation against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains. October is a little early for the mountains to have snow quite like the picture shown above, but it is still a beautiful sight.
In the afternoon, we'll ride the Shogawa Valley River Cruise. This boat ride is a magical journey through the valley to see all the radiant colours of autumn. The river is deep turquoise, perfectly contrasting the warm reds and oranges of the leaves. If you're a nature lover, this tour is guaranteed to be a highlight of your time in Japan!
Highlights:
- See the view of the Amaharashi rock formation, picturesque against the Tateyama mountain range.
- See the handsome "Big Buddha" at Takaoka.
- Ride the Shogawa Valley River cruise, a feast for the eyes, in its best season.
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Tedori Gorge, Hakusan White Road, and Shirakawa-go Village
Swapping boats for buses, this day tour from Kanazawa takes you to a place few visitors to Japan ever get to experience: the Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road. This 33km driving route through Hakusan National Park is considered one of the absolute best fall foliage spots in Japan and is in its peak season in October.
On this tour, we'll drive through the White Road, stopping at points of interest and having a picnic on the mountainside, before finally arriving at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, where you'll be guided through the town and taken inside one of the famous farmhouses to learn more about this unique area and its people.
Highlights:
- Travel the famous Hakusan White Road with ease and in comfort, allowing you to best experience this phenomenal national park.
- See the Tedori Gorge with its beautiful waterfall.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go and step inside one of the houses there.
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Tedori Gorge, Hakusan White Road and Shirakawago Village
- Spots:
- KanazawaShirakawago
- Pick-up:
- Kanazawa
- Drop-off:
- Kanazawa
More Ways to Visit
Alongside our guided tours, we also offer charters and other travel options to Kenrokuen. These are perfect for travellers who prefer private transport, customised itineraries, or more flexibility in planning their day. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or a group, charters provide comfort and convenience while still letting you experience the best of the village and surrounding region.
If you're looking for help planning your itinerary around Central Japan in October, be sure to check out our "Best Fall Spots and Tours Near Kanazawa" page for more information.
Tips for Visiting & Travel in October
- Busy Season for Transport - October is one of the busiest months for Kanazawa. If you're looking to visit areas like Shirakawa-go, buses from Kanazawa Station often sell out early in the day, and queues can be long during festival periods and weekends. By joining one of our tours, your transport is reserved in advance, ensuring you won’t miss out on seats or connections.
- What to Wear – October days in Kanazawa are starting to get cooler and more refreshing, with average highs around 18–22°C and evenings that begin to approach 12°C. It can spike in temperature, though, so bring layered clothing and a warm jacket for the evenings.
- Photography – October offers some of the best scenery of the year. The mountains in particular are in their best form.
- Timing Your Visit – Weekends and festival days are very busy. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting on weekdays or earlier in the month.
Where to Stay in October
October is one of the most comfortable times to stay in Kanazawa. The extreme heat felt over summer has properly begun to dissipate and it is much easier to make your way around the city. October also has several events, most notably the marathon on the last Sunday of the month, that are an exciting time to be in the area. If you prefer a quieter time in the city, though, consider visiting in the middle of the month when there are fewer events.
Kanazawa is also a great hub to use in order to reach more off-the-beaten path areas like Shirakawa-go, Eihei-ji Temple and the Noto Peninsula. If you're looking for places to stay in Kanazawa, there are three main areas that you should consider:
- Kanazawa Station Area – The most accessible area is, naturally, near to the station. From here, you can easily hop on a bus to travel around the city and have a host of restaurants at your doorstep.
- Higashi Chaya Area – The Higashi Chaya District area is home to many traditional ryokans and inns where you can stay in style. Higashi Chaya is much more quiet in the evenings than it would have been during its heyday, but the streets at dusk after usually very quiet which is a great opportunity to get pictures.
- Omicho Market Area – This area is a great middle ground, with convenient access to Kanazawa Station, a short walk into the Nagamachi Samurai District one way and the Katamachi bar area towards the river for a taste of Kanazawa's nightlife. This area is also packed with restaurants, so you'll never be too far from some good food in the cool evenings.
Wherever you choose to stay, autumn is one of the busiest times of year, so it’s best to make arrangements well in advance. For more guidance, see our Best Places to Stay in Kanazawa guide.
Plan Your October Visit
October is one of the best times of the year to visit Kanazawa and experience all it and the surrounding region have to offer. The city has many areas where the fall foliage can really be appreciated; plenty of local produce, such as sweet potato and deep sea shrimp, comes into season; and the city's easy access to the mountains offer a chance to get some crisp mountain air.
With large crowds expected and transport often selling out, planning ahead is essential. If you're planning to visit any of the locations on this list, consider joining one of our guided tours to make your journey as easy as possible. Even if you don't, though, visiting Kanazawa in October is a great opportunity to get the best the region has to offer with rich history, cultural heritage and natural beauty in abundance.
