October is one of the best times to visit Tokyo. The summer heat starts to fade away, replaced by cooler temps and gentle breezes. It is not quite time yet for the trees and foliage around Tokyo to show their autumn colors until later in the month, but there are more than enough events to fill your schedule up!
This guide brings together everything you need to know about Tokyo in October — from food and fireworks festivals 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 Japan's largest city.
Weather in October
October brings a cool shift in the weather for Tokyo, however with recent changes to weather patterns and behaviors, maybe not as cool as the historical data shows. The average temperature ranges from around 21°C - 24°C (70°F - 75°F) during the day and 13°C - 16°C (55°F - 60°F) at night. The rain also becomes less prevalent during this time; only raining about 8 days on average. You will want to bring long sleeve shirts or lighter jackets for those cool nights but still keep in mind it can get warm during the day.
The foliage starts changing colors around late October in Tokyo, but some of the surrounding areas will be starting around the middle of the month. The lakes surrounding Mount Fuji start closer to the end of the month and keep their bright colors going into November as well. The mountainous area of Hakone starts making the shift around the middle of October, hitting the peak towards the end of the month and in early November.
Festivals and Events
There are many festivals and events going on in Tokyo every day during every month, and October is no exception. From smaller local festivals like the Fukagawa Jugoya moon viewing festival to the internationally known Shibuya Halloween celebration, there is a wide variety and an event for everyone. Here we will go over some that will give you a good variety to choose from in order of when they take place.
Fukagawa Jugoya Festival
Dates: Friday, October 3rd - 6th
Location: Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Tokyo
Every year Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine hosts an autumn festival and have a 'tsukimi' (moon viewing). They will be serving special dumplings as well as putting on performances including dancers and singers. These performances usually run throughout the day ending at 16:30, but there are also shrine illuminations and lights to enjoy once it gets dark.
Fukagawa is a charming and historically rich district in eastern Tokyo, known for its Edo period importance. It was a bustling hub for rice, salt, fertilizer, and especially lumber. It was also important in the world of geisha culture and poetry, being the residence of the famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho.
Tamagawa fireworks
Dates: Saturday, October 4th 18:00 ~ 19:00
Location: Tama River, Tokyo
If you missed out on the summer firework festivals, don't worry! Setagaya ward is hosting their biggest fireworks show in October where they will launch around 6,000 fireworks. The show takes place on the Tama river near Futakotamagawa Station. The show will be from 18:00 - 19:00 but expect most people to arrive earlier to secure a good viewing position. The stages and stalls will open up from 15:00 so you won't be bored if you want to get there early to secure a standing spot or even bring a tarp so you can make a picnic out of it.
Vegan Gourmet Festival
Dates: Sunday, October 5th 10:30 ~ 16:00
Location: Kiba Park, Tokyo
Vegan food and even vegetarian food were very difficult to find in Tokyo just a few years ago, but vegan food is slowly making its way into some restaurants around Tokyo and into the public conscience. The lovely people behind Vegan Gourmet Festival put on events in the spring and autumn every year, with 2025's Tokyo festival being held on October 5th in Kiba Park. The event will be held rain or shine, so bring an umbrella if the forecast calls for it!
Shimokitazawa Curry Festival
Dates: October 9th - 26th
Location: Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
This curry festival takes place in the same ward as the above-mentioned fireworks, but in the more urban area of Shimokitazawa. Shimokitazawa is a popular area for students and young adults; known for its many thrift and vintage clothing stores, trendy cafes, and live music venues. For two weeks in the middle of October over 100 of the local restaurants will be showing off their own unique spins on a staple food here in Japan, curry. Check out which restaurants are participating on their website.
Halloween
Dates: Varying dates in October
Location: Varying locations
Japanese Halloween as most international people know it does not exist anymore. The infamous Shibuya Halloween celebrations have been curtailed by the mayor of Shibuya and authorities who have banned street drinking, closing roads and streets, and asking stores to not sell alcohol. However, this does not mean there isn't anything to do. Many bars and clubs will be hosting their own parties for those who still want to let loose. Here are our recommended alternatives:
Ikebukuro Cosplay Festival / October 24th - 26th
Ikebukuro is Japan's new capital for all things anime and collectable cards. Here more people will be dressed up as their favorite anime or manga characters rather than goblins and ghouls. It is free to see the cosplayers outside of the event venue, but you will need to purchase a ticket if you want to go inside and take photos or participate in the festivities yourself. The tickets are now on sale and can be purchased on the official website.
Tokyo Disney Resort / September 17th - October 31st
Disney gets a spooky makeover starting from the middle of September all the way up until Halloween on October 31st. The park will have special decorations, food menus, merchandise, and more during this time. They also let patrons wear costumes of their favorite characters while inside the park, which is usually forbidden unless under 12 years old.
Sanrio Puroland / September 5th - November 4th
Hello Kitty and friends will also be putting a spooky spin on their theme park from the first week of September until the first week of November. There will be special illuminations, foods, and parade during this time. If you are a fan of any of the Sanrio characters (Hello Kitty, Gudetama, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, and more), be sure to check this out!
Featured Tours in October
1 Day Trip to Kamakura and Enoshima: Shrines, Seaside, Temples and Tea
Highlights:
- The opportunity to have a traditional matcha and Japanese sweet experience in a Bamboo forest and temple!
- Feed Japanese Koi in a beautiful Japanese garden and pond!
- See the Great Buddha of Kamakura and go inside this amazing statue!
- Ride the iconic ’Enoden’ train through the picturesque streets and alongside the sea!
- Go to the top of Enoshima Island’s observatory and take in panoramic views of the sea of Japan and the coastline!
Kamakura is a popular day trip to do during your trip to Tokyo as it’s only just over 60 minutes away from Shinjuku station. This tour is a great opportunity to venture out and see a different part of Japan but with the ease of still being close to the city!
1 Day Tour: Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park
Highlights:
- Experience one of Japan’s most famous World Heritage sites and National Parks!
- See Nikko’s beautiful wood carvings of the famous ’Three Wise Monkeys’ and the ’Sleeping Cat’!
- See the resting place of Japan’s most famous Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Walk through a gorge filled with ’Jizo’ statues and see a waterfall!
- Enjoy exploring a traditional and historic Imperial villa and garden!
Get out of Tokyo and step back in time to Tochigi prefecture and explore the famous Nikko World Heritage Site and national park of Nikko! If you want to see some of Japan's most beautiful and culturally significant temples, shrines, traditional architecture and natural landmarks, then this tour is for you.
*this tour does not operate from Nov - March due to local seasonal business hours
Mount Fuji Day Trip: Adventure around Lake Kawaguchiko
Highlights:
- The opportunity to take a day trip from Tokyo to see Mount Fuji with an English speaking guide!
- Visit three popular vantage points to see Mount Fuji from different perspectives!
- Visit a unique museum and get up close to beautiful kimono!
- Enjoy a ropeway ride and enjoy views of Mount Fuji, and across Lake Kawaguchiko!
This tour has been designed to ensure customers will have opportunities to see Mount Fuji from many impressive locations around the Lake Kawaguchiko area. If you love nature and spending time outdoors, this tour is for you!
Hakone Highlights: Explore Japan’s Mountainous Region
Highlights:
- The opportunity to take a day trip to experience Hakone from Tokyo!
- Enjoy a relaxing pirate ship boat cruise on Hakone’s Lake Ashinoko!
- Visit the beautiful and picturesque Hakone Shrine and see its famous Red Torii Gate in Lake Ashinoko!
- Experience the volcanic valley of Owakudani and try an outdoor footbath!
Experience nature, the lush mountainous landscape and Japan’s most famous and iconic landmarks during your trip to Japan on this day trip from Tokyo! Due to the elevation in Hakone, the foliage starts changing colors a little earlier than in Tokyo, so this spot is perfect from late October onwards!
Mount Takao Adventure: Discover Nature and Tradition in Tokyo
Highlights:
- Climb one of Japan’s most popular mountains!
- See and feed Japanese Snow Monkeys, walk across a suspension bridge and marvel at ancient Cedar trees!
- Try the traditional Japanese snack of Dango freshly made on the mountain!
- Visit one of Tokyo’s most sacred temples and learn all about mountain worship!
- The opportunity to escape the metropolis of Tokyo’s city centre and experience being immersed in nature for the day!
When you think of Tokyo you probably don’t think of mountains and green landscapes. However, Tokyo prefecture is in fact home to many beautiful hiking trails and mountains. Mount Takao is beloved by the residents of Tokyo as the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Metropolis full of nature and tranquility.
Tips for Visiting & Travel in October
- Busy Season for Transport - October is one of the busiest months, seeing a decent uptick of visitors compared to the recent summer months. If you're looking to visit popular areas in or around Tokyo, be ready for decent sized crowds. Make sure to reserve your train tickets in advance if possible if you are taking the bullet train or any of the express trains like the Tobu SpaciaX. 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 Tokyo are starting to get cooler and more refreshing, but in recent years still warm. The average temperature ranges from around 21°C - 24°C (70°F - 75°F) during the day and 13°C - 16°C (55°F - 60°F) at night. Bring a light jacket for those cool nights.
- Timing Your Visit – Weekends and festival days are very busy. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting locations on weekdays so you don't also collide with local tourists, or earlier in the month if you want to avoid the autumn foliage crowds.
Where to stay
October is one of the most popular times to visit Japan. The extreme heat felt over summer has begun to dissipate and it is much more comfortable to make your way around the city. October also has several events, so many locals will also be out and about enjoying what their city has to offer.
Tokyo is a great hub to use in order to reach some of the more off-the-beaten path areas like Kamakura and Nikko. You can also then head out into other parts of the country such as Nagano, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. You can also easily get to some lesser visited cities like Toyama, Takayama, Kanazawa, or Nagoya. If you're looking for places to stay in Tokyo, here are a few areas that you should consider:
- Ikebukuro – The new and upcoming anime hub of Tokyo. This area has tons of shops that focus on anime goods, K-pop goods, collectable trading cards such as Pokémon and One Piece, and plenty of food options. It is also home to the second busiest train station, so you will be well connected to other parts of Tokyo with the JR, Marunouchi, Yurakucho, and Fukutoshin lines.
- Asakusa – This area of Tokyo is home to the oldest temple in the city and quite possibly the most famous. Because of this, the area has a more traditional vibe to it, and you can find many shops and locations that feel like they were stopped in time.
- Shimokitazawa – This area is the hip area popular with students and young adults. It is home to many trendy cafes and clothing stores. It is on the outskirts of the center of Tokyo, but still connected well enough that you won't have any trouble getting around. Consider this area if you want a more relaxed and quiet escape when staying close to your hotel.
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 Neighbourhoods & Accommodation Areas guide.
Plan your visit
October is one of the best times of the year to visit Tokyo and experience all it and the surrounding regions have to offer. The city has many events, festivals, and gardens where fall foliage can be enjoyed with a nice bowl of matcha and sweets. There are plenty of seasonals foods that start popping up on menus such as matsutake mushrooms, sanma (Pacific saury), chestnuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, persimmons, and more!
With large crowds expected and express trains like the bullet train often selling out, planning ahead is essential. If you're planning on getting out of Tokyo to experience more of Japan, why not check out some of our articles explaining October in other regions on our News page!
