November is a great time to visit Tokyo. The summer heat has gone; now replaced by cooler temps and gentle breezes. The trees and foliage around Tokyo are showing their autumn colors as well as all over the country!
This guide brings together everything you need to know about the Tokyo area in November. 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 November
November days in Tokyo are cooler and a jacket or sweater will be necessary. The average temperature ranges from around 12°C - 17°C (54°F - 62°F) in the beginning of the month and 8°C - 14°C (46°F - 57°F) towards the end of the month.
The foliage around all of Japan starts changing from mid to late October and continues on into November. The best time to see the autumn leaves in and around the Tokyo area is the last week of October and the first week of November. Most autumn leaves festivals will be taking place during this time. Check out our guide to autumn leaves in Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, and Mt. Fuji to get some ideas on what to do!
Festivals and Events
Tokyo has anything and everything for anyone and everyone! Here are some events going on in November that you should check out in the greater Tokyo area:
Autumn Leaves
Dates: mid-October - mid-November
Location: Country-wide
The beginning of November is when most locations across the country hit peak autumn foliage colors. You can experience the wonderful oranges, reds, and yellows within the Tokyo city limits, but don't be afraid to get lost in nature. Check out our articles about the autumn colors and consider taking one of our tours!
Doge Day
Dates: Sunday, November 2nd
Location: Kabosu the Doge statue - Sakura, Chiba
Doge Day is a day to remember one of the internet's most famous dogs, Kabosu. The event is open to everyone, but you will need to sign up on their website. There will be speeches by Kabosu's owner and the mayor of the city that hosts the event, Sakura City. There are many other activities going on that day and guests so be sure to check it out! Such WOW much fun
Meiji Shrine Autumn Grand Festival
Dates: Saturday, October 26th / Saturday, November 1st - Monday, November 3rd
Location: Meiji Shrine, Tokyo
The first event of the celebrations is 'Bugaku' and held on the 26th of October. Bugaku is a traditional Japanese dance that has been performed to select elites, mostly the imperial court, for over 1,200 years. Other events worth noting are the music, archery, and ancient martial arts. One of the main highlights is the horseback archery performance. This takes place on the last day of the festival.
World Character Summit
Dates: Saturday, November 15th - Sunday, November 16th
Location: Aeon Mall - Hanyu, Saitama
Japan is famous for its fun and lively drawn characters, but that's not all. There are also many 'Yuru Chara', or mascots, that represent regions of the country, businesses, and various groups. One of the most well-known characters from Japan is Kumamon - the character representing Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan. One of the main attractions of this festival are the smaller, local characters that support smaller businesses and areas.
Christmas Markets
Dates: Friday, November 21st - Thursday, December 25th
Location: Varying locations
Another popular activity during this time is going to a Christmas market. Christmas markets feature a wide variety of European-style foods and drinks, as well as some limited-edition mugs and items. The markets will be taking place in Meiji Jingu Gaien from November 21st and Shiba Park from December 5th. Another popular Christmas market is the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market that also starts from November 21st. These are perfect places to spend an evening and warm up with a mug full of hot chocolate!
Featured Tours in November
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 November
- Busy Season for Transport - November is also 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 – November days in Tokyo are cooler and a jacket or sweater will be necessary. The average temperature ranges from around 12°C - 17°C (54°F - 62°F) in the beginning of the month and 8°C - 14°C (46°F - 57°F) towards the end of the month.
- 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 later in the month if you want to avoid the autumn foliage crowds.
Where to Stay
Not sure where to stay during your visit to Tokyo? Check out our article that covers the major areas of the city and what they have to offer.
Plan Your Visit
November 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. The surrounding mountains are spectacular with their blazing red and orange colors.
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 November in other regions on our News page!
