This guide highlights what to expect from the weather, must-see seasonal attractions, and the best foods to enjoy during your visit.
Weather in September
September marks the gradual transition from summer to autumn across Nagoya and the wider Tokai region. Temperatures begin to ease from August's peak, but generally still feel hot and humid, particularly during the daytime. September is one of Japan's wetter months, with tropical systems and typhoons occasionally bringing periods of heavy rain and strong winds. By late September, cooler temperatures and lower humidity generally make sightseeing more comfortable especially in the surrounding mountains and coastal towns.
Daytime highs in Nagoya typically range from 28°C to 32°C (82°F–90°F), while nighttime temperatures usually fall to around 20°C to 24°C (68°F–75°F). Early September can still see temperatures above 30°C (86°F), but conditions generally become milder as the month progresses. Humidity remains noticeable, particularly during the first half of September, while sunny days are often interspersed with cloudy periods and rain. Typhoons can affect the region during September, so visitors should keep an eye on weather forecasts when planning outdoor activities.
Along the coast, destinations such as Ise experience warm and humid conditions, with daytime temperatures generally ranging from 27°C to 31°C (81°F–88°F). Sea breezes can provide some relief, but coastal areas may be affected by heavy rain and strong winds when tropical systems approach. So travelers should remain flexible with plans during periods of unsettled weather.
Mountain destinations are noticeably cooler, particularly later in the month. In Kamikochi, daytime temperatures typically range from 17°C to 23°C (63°F–73°F), while mornings and evenings can drop to around 8°C to 14°C (46°F–57°F). The first signs of autumn begin to appear, especially toward the end of September, although the autumn foliage season generally comes later.
The Kiso Valley, including the historic Nakasendo Trail towns, also begins to take on an autumn feel in September. Daytime temperatures generally range from 23°C to 28°C (73°F–82°F), with cooler mornings and evenings, particularly at higher elevations. The forests remain lush and green for much of the month, while the milder temperatures make hiking considerably more comfortable than during the peak summer months. Rain and occasional typhoon-related weather can still disrupt hiking plans, so checking the forecast before setting out is recommended.
Visitors to the Tokai region in September should pack lightweight clothing for warm days, along with a light jacket or long-sleeved layer for cooler mornings and evenings. An umbrella or lightweight rain jacket is particularly useful, as September can bring frequent showers and occasional heavy rain. Sunscreen and a hat are still worthwhile, while comfortable, quick-drying footwear is recommended for sightseeing and hiking.
Seasonal Highlights in September
Moon Viewing (Tsukimi)
Tsukimi, or autumn moon viewing, takes place around the September full moon. It is associated with the Mid-Autumn Moon (Chūshū no Meigetsu), traditionally celebrated on the 15th night of the eighth lunar month (though the date in the Gregorian calendar changes each year).
Tokugawa Garden is one of the best options for visitors based in Nagoya to enjoy a moon viewing festival. The festival includes music, food vendors, and children's moon-viewing activities. And the garden is decorated with pampas grass and a traditional boat in the middle of the lake.
Recommended Tour: Snow Monkey Resort's 1-Day Guided Garden Walk through Nagoya's Castle, Gardens, and Historic Estates will take you into several historical estates and private gardens of Nagoya's titans of industry. Marvel at the gilded artwork and golden screens in Honmaru Palace and sip tea while gazing at a garden designed for a daimyo as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide through Nagoya on this full-day tour.
Grape and Season Fruit Harvests
September is a good month for enjoying freshly harvested grapes and other autumn fruits.
The Chita Peninsula of Aichi Prefecture is particularly well-known for their grape production. The region has around 33 vineyards and grows 21 grape varieties, with picking generally running from mid-August to mid-September.
Festivals and Events in September
September marks the beginning of the region's major autumn matsuri. Shrines and communities across Aichi, Gifu, and Mie hold celebrations connected to harvests, prayers for prosperity, and local traditions.
Seto Pottery Festival
- September 12 (Sat) - September 13 (Sun), 2026
- Seto City, Aichi
The Seto Pottery Festival is one of Japan's largest pottery celebrations, held in the historic ceramic town of Seto. The festival takes over the streets around the Seto River, with around 200 shops and stalls offering everything from everyday tableware to distinctive handmade ceramic works.
Seto has been one of Japan's most important pottery centers for centuries, and the festival is a wonderful opportunity to browse directly from local makers and discover pieces that reflect the region's long ceramic tradition.
The festival also features demonstrations and displays of Seto Sometsuke ware, a traditional blue-and-white style of Seto pottery. On Saturday evening, approximately 1,000 fireworks light up the autumn sky, adding a spectacular finish to the first day.
Tokugawa Garden Moon Viewing Party
- September 22 (Tue) - September 23 (Wed), 2026
- 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM (Last entry 8:00 PM)
- Tokugawaen Garden, Nagoya
Celebrate tsukimi, the traditional Japanese custom of appreciating the autumn moon, at the elegant Tokugawa-en.
During the evening, a beautifully decorated Japanese boat carrying traditional moon-viewing decorations floats on Ryusen Lake and is illuminated against the night sky. The garden provides a peaceful setting for experiencing one of Japan's most evocative autumn traditions.
Visitors can also enjoy classical music performances, children's moon-viewing activities, and food from local kitchen cars while exploring the garden after dark. The event is particularly appealing for visitors who want to combine traditional Japanese scenery with a relaxed evening in central Nagoya.
Toride Shrine Whale Boat Festival
- September 26 (Sat) - September 27 (Sun), 2026
- Toride Shrine, Yokkaichi City, Mie
Witness one of Mie's most spectacular traditional festivals at the Toride Shrine Whale Boat Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event that recreates a dramatic battle between elaborate festival boats and a model whale.
The festival's beautifully decorated whale boats feature intricate carvings and colorful embroidery. During the main performances, the boats pursue and battle the whale, symbolizing the struggle to secure a prosperous harvest and abundant catch.
September 26 features processions through the surrounding neighborhood, while September 27 centers on performances at Toride Shrine, including the dramatic main ritual and evening shrine procession. The festival is a powerful example of the distinctive maritime traditions found along Mie's northern coast.
Maneki Neko Festival
- September 26 (Sat) - September 27 (Sun), 2026
- Around Owari Seto Station, Seto City, Aichi
Celebrate Japan's beloved lucky cat at the KURUFUKU Maneki Neko Festival in Seto, a city with more than a century of history producing ceramic maneki nekofigures.
The festival brings the streets around Owari Seto Station to life with cat-themed activities, including an exhibition featuring 100 Japanese maneki neko artists, hands-on workshops, cat-themed merchandise, face painting, and special festival food.
Visitors can even create their own one-of-a-kind beckoning cat, making this a particularly fun event for families and anyone interested in Japanese crafts and popular culture. Admission to the festival area is free, although some activities have separate charges.
Iga Railway Moon Viewing Train
- September 26 (Sat), 2026
- Iga Railway, Mie
Enjoy Japan's autumn moon from a moving train aboard the Iga Railway Moon Viewing Train. The special evening service travels between Uenoshi (Ninja City) Station and Iga-Kanbe Station, allows you to enjoy the traditional Japanese custom of tsukimi with a journey through the countryside of Iga.
The 2026 event marks the 15th edition of the Moon Viewing Train. The experience includes a violin performance and a commemorative souvenir, creating a relaxed and atmospheric way to enjoy the September night sky. It is an especially appealing option for visitors who want to experience tsukimi in an unusual setting rather than at a temple or Japanese garden.
Recurring Monthly Events in Nagoya
Higashibetsuin Morning Market
- The 8th, 18th, and 28th of every month (canceled if rain)
- 10:00 - 14:00
- Nagoya Betsuin: 〒460-0016 Aichi, Nagoya, Naka Ward, Tachibana, 2 Chome−8
- Okaya Nagoya Hall (1-1-3 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi)
A morning market featuring vendors selling all kinds of vegetables, breads, sweets, and miscellaneous goods.
Nagaragawa Night Market
- Every Saturday from mid-March to mid-October
- 17:00 - 21:00
- Nagaragawa River Right Bank Promenade Area: 51-2 Nagara, Gifu, 502-0071
This night market offers food and drinks and sells miscellaneous goods, allowing visitors to enjoy the river while also viewing cormorant fishing.
Nagoya Tsurumai International Shogi Class
- Every Second and fourth Sun of the month
- 9:30 - 11:30
- Okaya Nagoya Hall (1-1-3 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi)
Learn how to play shogi from a basic level. The instructors will teach you how to move the pieces and some strategy tips. The class is appropriate for all ages and nationalities. (Reservation required)
Featured Tours in September
See Some of Nagoya's Best Gardens Decorated for Tsukimi
1-Day Guided Garden Walk through Nagoya's Castle, Gardens, and Historic Estates / All Year Round
Centrally located and surrounded by fertile plains, mountains, rivers, and the sea, it is easy to understand why Nagoya is known as “the Heart of Japan.” This castle city attracted samurai and craftsmen alike and, later, wealthy merchants and innovative leaders of industry. Today, Nagoya has cemented itself as Japan’s center of industry and is home to manufacturing giants such as Toyota, Brother, Noritake, Ibanez, Buffalo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
This tour will take you into several historic estates and private gardens of these titans of industry. Marvel at the gilded artwork and golden screens in Honmaru Palace and sip tea while gazing at a garden designed for a daimyo as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide through Nagoya on this full-day tour.
Check out Famous a Famous Pottery Town Before the Seto Pottery Festival
1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Crafting Traditions in Tokoname and Arimatsu / All Year Round
Explore Japan’s rich craftsmanship on a full-day tour from Nagoya! Visit Tokoname, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, and discover the history of traditional pottery. Stroll the Tokoname Pottery Path, where winding pottery lined paths filled with traditional houses, artisan shops, and cafes await. Marvel at the intricate porcelain tiles, step inside a historic kiln, and enjoy the quirky exhibits—including a museum dedicated to toilets!
Next, head to Arimatsu, a village renowned for its labor-intensive indigo-dyeing technique, Arimatsu Shibori. Watch skilled artisans create stunning textiles, and shop for one-of-a-kind hand-dyed fabrics. This tour offers a unique blend of history, artistry, and local charm, as you are led by an experienced, English speaking guide on this unforgettable one-day tour from Nagoya.
Discover Japan's Sacred Sword Shrine
1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Atsuta Shrine, Arimatsu, & Traditional Shibori Dyeing Experience / All Year Round
Combining mythology, history, and traditional craftsmanship, our 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Atsuta Shrine, Arimatsu, & Traditional Shibori Dyeing Experience offers a deeper look at Japan's spiritual and artistic traditions that have shaped Japan for centuries.
In the morning, you'll visit Atsuta Jingu, one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines. You'll explore its peaceful forest grounds and learn about the legends and history of the sacred sword housed on the shrine's grounds that has made this sacred site a place of worship for nearly 2,000 years.
In the afternoon, visit the historic post town of Arimatsu, renowned for its 400-year-old tradition of Arimatsu Shibori. Stroll its preserved Edo-period streets and take part in a hands-on workshop, creating your own shibori-dyed souvenir with guidance from a local artisan.
This tour is perfect for travelers who want to discover the mythology, history, and traditional craftsmanship of Japan in an unforgettable day from Nagoya led by a professional guide.
Plan Your September Visit
Ready to discover Nagoya in September? Explore our seasonal tours and charters to experience the best the region has to offer.
Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Nagoya area, and other regional destinations. We can also arrange for both custom tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter.
Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going.
With door-to-door service, we can pick you up from where you are and take you to where you want to go anywhere in Central Japan and the neighboring regions.
For more information, please check our standard charter rates or contact us for a custom trip. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!
