November is one of the busiest months for tourism in Japan, and Hiroshima is no exception. Most, if not all, travelers are drawn to the country by its iconic and breathtaking autumn foliage. Locals also do a lot of sightseeing during this month for the same reason. While places can become extremely crowded, the vibrant autumn colors and picturesque landscapes make a November trip to Japan entirely worth it.
Hiroshima Prefecture in November offers a multitude of prime autumn leaves viewing locations along with some special evets and festivals. Below you can find all you need to know to best prepare for your visit to Hiroshima and make the most of your stay.
Weather in November
November in Hiroshima is fairly cool, with temperatures seldom rising above 20ºC (68ºF). The average low temperature during this month is 7ºC (45ºF) and the average high is 17ºC (63ºF). On sunny days, a light jacket or long-sleeved top is usually warm enough for most people; however cloudy days with strong winds might require bundling up further. Those who are not used to colder temperatures might feel more comfortable wearing multiple layers or heavy outerwear.
Festivals & Events in November
Shukkei-en Garden Momiji Festival
- November 22nd - December 1st
- 9:00 - 21:00 (Last Entry 20:30) *Illumination starts after sunset*
- Shukkei-en Garden, Hiroshima
- Entry Fee- Adults: JYP 350 Children: Free
Shukkei-en is a scenic feudal lord's garden located near the city centre of Hiroshima, and every year a special "Momiji Festival" is held there so that visitors can admire the beautiful autumn foliage during nighttime. For only a limited amount of days, people can enter the garden once the sun has set and enjoy a stroll around the illuminated garden. This is a unique experience which is only available in the last days of November, so we definitely recommend visiting if you are planning to spend the more than one day in Hiroshima.
Daisho-in Fire Walking Ceremony
- November, 15th, Starting from 11:00 AM
- Daisho-in Temple, Miyajima
While the island Miyajima is mostly known for its iconic Itsukushima Shrine, it is also home to Daisho-in Temple, a Buddhist temple which dates back to the 9th century. The Shingon sect of Buddhism, which this temple belongs to, is known for its "Fire Walking" ritual in which people walk over hot coals which have been used to burn wooden prayer sticks. The burning of the sticks symbolizes the destruction of negative energies and the fire walking serves as a way to purify oneself.
The head Buddhist monk is the first to walk over the coals, followed by other monks, and finally any attendees who wish to participate. Those not wanting to walk over the coals are allowed to simply observe the ritual. Entry to the temple and participation in this ceremony are both free. As this event only takes place twice a year (once in April as well), we suggest trying to time your visit to the island with it.
Hiroshima Ebisu Festival
- November 18th-20th
- Ebisu-dori Street & Chuo-dori Avenue
Every year, the Hiroshima Ebisu festival, often shortened to Ebessan, is held for three days in November. This is one of Hiroshima's "three great festivals," (along with Tōkaksan and Sumiyoshi-san) and the last one of the year. It is dedicated to the deity Ebisu, one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods and the god of fisherman and prosperous business.
People who wish to pray to Ebisu for good fortune visit the eponymous Ebisu Shrine, but many simply choose to walk around the nearby Chuo-dori Avenue which becomes completely covered in street vendors and food stalls. Those in attendance can also purchase komazarae, decorated bamboo rakes which are considered good luck charms and are unique to this festival. The lively atmosphere, delicious treats, and local customs of Ebessan make it one of the great highlights of the month.
Hiroshima Dreamination
- November 17th - January 3rd, 17:30-22:30
- Heiwa Ōdōri (Peace Boulevard)
Starting in late November, the Peace Boulevard of Hiroshima becomes a breathtaking illumination known as "Dreamination." This display of more than one million LED lights starts every day at 17:30 and can be enjoyed by visitors for free. If you happen to be in Hiroshima around this time of the year, we encourage you to take a stroll down Peace Boulevard and enjoy the stunning light displays.
Seasonal Highlights in November
Autumn Foliage
November is the month in which leaves in Hiroshima start changing into their autumn colors. Those visiting the Prefecture early in the month will see some yellows and oranges start to appear, but the best autumn foliage can only be experience in late November. This year, the 30th of November will mark the peak red colors of the season.
If you'd like to learn about the best places to enjoy this breathtaking foliage in Hiroshima, we recommend visiting our dedicated "Autumn Leaves in Hiroshima: When and Where to Enjoy the 2025 Season" page.
Featured Tours in November
1-Day Miyajima Tour: One of Japan's Most Scenic Spots
Miyajima is the best place in Hiroshima to enjoy the autumn foliage, so visiting it is a must in November. This tour will help you navigate the island at its most crowded and make the experience much less stressful. You will be able to visit shrines and temples, and also experience a ropeway ride towards the summit of Mount Misen. Your guide will also take you on a stroll through Momijidani Park, the most ideal location to view maple trees in Miyajima.
Highlights:
- Visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Observe the "floating" torii gate at both low and high tide
- Ride the Miyajima Ropeway and take in the stunning sights from inside the cable car
- Stroll through Momijidani Park, the best place to enjoy maple leaves on the island
1-Day Tour: Hiroshima Hidden Gems & Highlights
If you are not able to visit Shukkei-en at night for the "Momiji Festival," you can still enjoy the remarkable autumn colors of the garden during the day time. This 1-day tour will allow you to explore this beautiful nature spot along with other major sightseeing locations such as the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum.
You will also have the opportunity to visit one of Hiroshima's hidden gems, Mitaki-dera temple, a stunning Buddhist temple which curiously does not receive many visitors throughout the year. It also happens to be located at the base of a mountain and its natural surroundings make it a prime location for viewing maple leaves.
Highlights:
- Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Enjoy the breathtaking autumn foliage of Shukkei-en Garden
- Fold an origami paper crane and offer it at the Children’s Peace Monument
- Explore Mitaki-dera temple, one of Hiroshima's hidden gems
Tips for Visiting & Travel in November
- Busy Season for School Trips – Most schools in Japan will be going on school trips all throughout November, so expect large groups of children at major tourist attractions such as Peace Memorial Museum and Itsukushima Shrine. To avoid the large crowds, we recommend heading to these locations very early in the morning. The Peace Memorial Museum in particular can be difficult to navigate from 10:00 to 16:00 so we advise visiting outside those hours.
- National Holidays – Every November two national holidays are observed in Japan. This year they will be on Monday, November 3rd, and Monday, November 24th. On these days, buses will operate on weekend schedules, and stores, restaurants, etc. might have different opening times (or not open at all).
- Advanced Reservation – November is an extremely busy month for tourism in Japan. We recommend getting advanced reservations for tourist attractions which offer them and booking accommodations as early as possible.
- What to Wear – Long-sleeved tops, light jackets, and sweaters are ideal for November. On windy and cloudy days, a scarf and thin gloves are recommended for those who are not used to colder temperatures.
- Timing Your Visit – Weekends, national holidays, and festival days are very busy. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting on weekdays and avoiding festivals.
Where to Stay in November
There are multiple convenient locations to stay around in Hiroshima. Usually it is not too difficult to find reasonably priced accommodations, but hotel costs tend to rise for the month of November. Thus, we highly recommend making your bookings as far in advance as possible.
- Around Hiroshima Station – Most visitors will arrive to and leave from Hiroshima Prefecture via Hiroshima Station. Many tours, including ours, also have the station as their meeting point. Thus, this is an extremely convenient location with a great variety of hotels to choose from.
- Miyajima Ryokan & Inns – Staying on Miyajima will allow you to enjoy the island early in the morning and late at night when there are very few tourists around, something which is particularly relevant in November. Those wishing to book their accommodations on the island will need to do so many months in advance as it is an extremely popular location.
- Near Peace Memorial Park – Booking a hotel near Peace Memorial Park will not only place guests close to the city's most highlighted location, but also right in the city center. Additionally, it is a very convenient area due its abundance of stores, restaurants, bars, karaoke facilities, etc.
For more guidance and thorough details, see our 30 Things to Do Around Hiroshima & Where to Stay page.
Plan Your November Visit
Given the busyness of November, planning your trip many months in advance is key. Otherwise, you run the risk of encountering fully booked hotels, sold-out experiences, and unexpectedly crowded locations. If you are thinking of joining a tour, which we recommend for simplifying the planning process, we also suggest reserving your spot well in advance as these tend to fill up quickly. Lastly, try to time your visit to Hiroshima with some of the special events and festivals mentioned above so that you can have a more comprehensive experience.
Ready to discover Hiroshima in November? Take a look through our other tours offered in Hiroshima and its surrounding area to discover the wide range of locations and experiences you can enjoy when visiting Hiroshima.
