Come October, many visitors to Japan will start to wonder where they can find the stunning fall colors the country is famous for. In Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and the other large cities in Central and Western Japan, the best colors don't start to appear until November, leaving October visitors left out. However, Matsumoto, thanks to its high elevation and cooler climate, begins to experience the changing of the season earlier than the big cities in the lowlands. With beautiful mountains, including the Japanese Alps, surrounding the city in all directions, there will be fall colors on display somewhere in the area for the whole month.
This page brings together all of our best tips and ideas on how to enjoy Matsumoto in October, whether that be at Matsumoto Castle, in the city's parks, or elsewhere! For visitors looking to make the most of their day, consider one of our many guided tours in the area, and if you do join you will have a great day with a friendly and knowledgeable guide to look forward to.
Weather in October
With the hot summer finally over, October will bring cool, or sometimes even cold, air to the city with dry sunny days and crisp clear nights for much of the month. Expect that the early part of the month will still be warm, with daytime highs between 18-22°C on average, but possibly lower. Nighttime even early in the month will be be often cold, possibly below 10°C even early on. By the middle and later parts of the month, you can expect the weather to still be pleasant, but some days me see highs of no more than 10-13°C with lows down to almost freezing to be expected. On average, you can expect daytime highs to be between 14-18°C in the second half of the month.
For those venturing in to the mountains, please be aware that temperatures will be even lower than what is written above. For that reason, it is recommended to bring a variety of clothing items composed of easily removable layers to accommodate for both warm and cold days.
Festivals and Events in October
Asama Onsen Taimatsu Festival (October 11th)
Held every year in October, this is one of the most fascinating fire festivals in Japan. Taking place in the Asama Onsen neighborhood, Matsumoto's very own hot spring town in the north of the city, thousands gather to watch locals carry large bails of straw that have been lit on fire as part of a ceremony to pray for a good harvest. These bails are no slackers either - they require several men to carry! Raucous and lively, by the end of the tour those carrying the fires will be covered in soot and sweat, but very happy. The festival will start at 19:00 and finish at around 21:30, and can be easily accessed by bus from Matsumoto Station.
Seasonal Highlights in October
Matsumoto Castle with Autumn Colors
Matsumoto's top attraction, Matsumoto Castle, is surrounded by an expansive park area full of trees which make for a great autumnal backdrop to the castle tower. Here, some trees will be turning by the second half of October, and they will continue to develop before the leaves fall in the middle of November. The castle is also lit up at night, and the reflection in the moat is well worth a view, so if you are staying in the area make sure to come back after dark for a bonus viewing.
Take a Stroll at Yohashira Shrine
Located right on Nawate Street (also known as Frog Street), Yohashira Shrine is one of Matsumoto's most important shrines. The surroundings of the shrine building are planted with all sorts of trees, including maples, zelkova, and more. Starting from mid-October, they will begin to change and delight visitors and faithful parishioners at the shrine with their bright reds and golds.
Featured Tours in October
1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle
The perfect tour to enjoy fall colors in October, this tour brings you both to Matsumoto Castle and the gorgeous alpine valley of Kamikochi. Aim for mid-October onwards to enjoy the fall colors in Kamikochi, and late October for the best chance of good fall colors around Matsumoto Castle.
Highlights
- Enjoy fall colors around Matsumoto Castle and good mountain views from the top floor
- Hike in Kamikochi, one of Japan's most beautiful natural areas during peak season for colors
- Learn about the cultural and natural history of the Matsumoto area
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1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle
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1-Day Walking Tour In Matsumoto: Matcha Tea and Modern Art
For those looking to make the most out of a day in Matsumoto, this tour is for you. Your guide will walk you around the whole city with an engaging and easy route that takes you by some of the cities biggest attractions - and in late October, you can enjoy the fall colors around town!
Highlights
- Enter the Matsumoto Art Museum, dedicated to Yayoi Kusama
- Enjoy making your own Matcha at a local tea house
- Stroll by Matsumoto Castle and more sites around the city
1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Experience Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku
Are you interested in seeing Japan as it used to be during the time of the Samurai? Then this is the tour for you! With a climb to the top of Matsumoto Castle in the morning, and an afternoon in Narai-juku, Japan's longest preserved post town, you will have the chance to see Japan as it once was - and see fall colors in Matsumoto and the Kiso Valley!
Highlights
- Enter Matsumoto Castle and climb to the top floor
- Enjoy fall colors in the Kiso Valley from the bus window on your drive to Narai-juku
- Stroll the Nakasendo in Narai-juku, home to over 600 preserved houses
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1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Experience Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku
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1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Step into the Past on the Nakasendo
Stray a little further from Matsumoto and stretch your legs on the Nakasendo trail with this fun day trip. Offering pickup from Matsumoto Station, our bus will take you to the town of Tsumago from where you will have an 8km hike through beautiful autumn scenery with your guide, ending in the town of Magome.
Highlights
- Convenient pickup from Matsumoto Station
- Learn about Old Japan in Magome and Tsumago
- Hike through autumn forests on the Nakasendo
Popular
1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Step into the Past on the Nakasendo
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Local News & Travel Updates
- Asama Onsen Taimatsu Festival Crowds - If you are attempting to book a room in the Asama Onsen area, be aware that the weekend starting from October 11th is both the day of the festival and a three day weekend, meaning rooms may be hard to find.
- Transport Updates - During the fall color season, buses and trains to Matsumoto will book out faster than in other times of the year. In particular, Kamikochi may see full buses and long wait times due to crowds at peak times.
- Unusually Warm Weather This Year - The weather forecast for the early autumn period this year is showing warmer than averages temperatures - this may mean that the fall colors are slightly delayed, so plan accordingly.
Where to Stay in October
October is a great time of year to visit Matsumoto, when the weather is almost perfect and the cities and its surroundings are full of possible activities to enjoy. While here, you will of course need a place to stay, and luckily Matsumoto offers a wide variety of accommodations in several key areas of the city.
- Matsumoto Station Area - Conveniently close to both the station and Matsumoto's principle nightlife districts, this area has numerous western style business hotels that can cater to single travelers or families.
- Matsumoto Castle Area - While a little further from the station (around 15 minutes walk), this area includes Matsumoto Castle and several of Matsumoto's other top attractions like the Kaichi School. Business hotels, Japanese style ryokan, and hostels are all available here.
- Asama Onsen - In the north of the city, this area can be accessed by bus in around 15-20 minutes from the station. While a little harder to reach, it boasts natural hot springs and dozens of ryokans which make use of that water in their in-house baths.
Autumn is a busy time of year in all of these locations, so we recommend booking as early as you can. See our Best Places to Stay in Matsumoto page for more information.
Plan Your October Visit
We highly recommend visiting in October, as one of the best times of the year in Matsumoto both for scenery and weather. Visitors may enjoy the perfect stroll through town, the great views from Matsumoto Castle, or the stunning autumn colors and snow capped mountains of Kamikochi during their stay. Of course, it can be confusing to plan your travel out, especially because some resources may only be available in Japanese. That's where we can offer our help.
If you’re visiting this October, explore our seasonal tours and let us help you experience the highlights of Matsumoto with ease and comfort.