10 Things to Do in Tokyo This Autumn

Autumn in Tokyo isn’t just a season; it’s a full-blown experience. Think golden ginkgo trees lining the streets, cozy layers of fashion perfection, the scent of roasted sweet potatoes drifting through the air, and the unmistakable buzz of festivals and fall flavors.

Whether you’re wandering through Tokyo’s gardens or heading out to Kyoto or Hokkaido, autumn brings together everything travelers love about Japan: culture, color, and comfort.

Here are 10 reasons why autumn is hands-down the best time to plan your Japan trip (plus one bonus reason locals secretly look forward to every year).

1. Eat Seasonal Foods

Japan’s autumn harvest season is a foodie’s dream come true. When the air cools, supermarket shelves (and restaurant menus) fill with aki no mikaku, the “flavors of fall.”

Must-try seasonal favorites include:

Sanma (秋刀魚 | Pacific saury): grilled and seasoned with a squeeze of lemon or grated daikon.
Kaki (柿 | Persimmons): juicy, honey-sweet, and even better when dried.
Budo (葡萄 | Grapes): especially the thick-skinned, sweet Kyohou and Shine Muscat varieties.
Satsuma imo (薩摩芋 | Sweet potatoes): roasted on street corners or served as daigaku imo, fried and drizzled in honey.
Kaki (柿 | Persimmons) — juicy, honey-sweet, and even better when dried.
Nashi (梨 | Japanese pears) — crisp, refreshing, and the perfect snack after sightseeing.
Kinoko (キノコ | Mushrooms): maitake, matsutake, nameko… each one earthy and delicious.

Pro Tip: Visit department store food halls (depachika) in Tokyo for a seasonal snack safari. You’ll find everything from sweet potato lattes to persimmon tarts.

2. Admire the Perfect Weather

After Tokyo’s humid summer, autumn feels like nature’s apology gift. The skies clear up into what locals call akibare (秋晴れ) , crisp, sunny days with bright blue skies.

It’s perfect weather for temple-hopping, park picnics, or long walks through neighborhoods like Yanaka or Nakameguro.

3. Celebrate Art & Culture Season

Autumn is Tokyo’s unofficial art season. Once the summer heat fades, the city’s cultural calendar kicks into high gear. Museum exhibitions, film festivals, and design fairs pop up everywhere.

Highlights include:

Tokyo International Film Festival (October 27-November 7): a must for movie lovers.
Tokyo Art Week (November 5–9): galleries across the city open their doors with special exhibits.
Design Festa (November 15–16): Japan’s biggest independent art market.

And don’t miss Culture Day (文化の日 (Bunka no Hi), celebrated every year on November 3. It’s a national holiday dedicated to art, learning, and creativity, when many museums and art galleries offer free admission or special events.

If you’re looking for more than just sightseeing, autumn is when Tokyo truly shows its creative soul.

4. Experience Fall Foliage Magic

Tokyo may not rival Kyoto for deep crimson maples, but it absolutely comes alive under golden ginkgo trees, the city’s official symbol. When these fan-shaped leaves turn bright yellow, Tokyo transforms into a glowing landscape of gold.

Top spots include Rikugien Garden, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Showa Kinen Park, plus Icho Namiki Avenue near Aoyama (above), where rows of ginkgo trees form a breathtaking golden tunnel.

Want to chase the color change across Japan?

October: Start in Hokkaido or Akita.
Early November: Head to Nikko, Karuizawa, or Kanazawa.
Late November: Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima.

Don’t forget your camera! This is peak “Japan postcard” season.

5. Dress Up In Fall Fashion

Japanese fall fashion deserves its own runway. Come September, you’ll spot everyone in cozy knits, ankle boots, berets, and rich hues like mustard, burgundy, and navy, even if it’s still 30°C!

Pack light but stylish. Think breathable layers. If you need a wardrobe update, Uniqlo and GU are your best friends.

6. Warm Up With Hot Drinks, Japanese-Style

Move over, Pumpkin Spice Latte. Japan’s hot drink season hits differently. From vending machines to cafes, you’ll find:

Hojicha lattes (roasted green tea perfection)
Matcha drinks (Instagram gold)
Yuzu teas (sweet and citrusy comfort)

Vending machines even switch to hot mode around November — perfect for warming your hands on the go.

7. Soak in An Onsen

When the chill sets in, there’s nothing like soaking in a hot spring surrounded by autumn leaves.

Try a ryokan (traditional inn) with a kashikiri buro (private bath). They’re perfect for families, couples, or anyone with tattoos. Hakone, Kusatsu, and Nikko are easy weekend getaways from Tokyo.

8. Attend Autumn Festivals & Local Events

Summer fireworks may be over, but autumn brings its own wave of festivals — minus the sweltering heat! From local shrine celebrations (matsuri) to art and food fairs, there’s always something happening in Tokyo’s neighborhoods.

If you’re visiting in October or November, check out:

Oeshiki Festival at Ikegami Honmonji (October 11-13)
Sumidagawa Street Jazz Festival (October 18-19)
Tokyo Ramen Festa (October 23- November 3)

It’s the perfect way to experience Tokyo’s culture and community beyond the usual sightseeing.

9. Bask in the Moonlight

Move over cherry blossoms — autumn has otsukimi (お月見), the moon-viewing festival. Families gather to admire the full moon, eat tsukimi dango (sweet rice dumplings), and give thanks for the harvest.

Even fast-food chains join the fun — try a Tsukimi Burger at McDonald’s (with an egg that looks like the full moon).

10. Celebrate Halloween, Japan-Style

Halloween isn’t traditionally Japanese, but Tokyo has made it its own.

Between the epic Disney Halloween celebrations (starting as early as September!) and Shibuya’s chaotic costume parade, spooky season in Japan is full of photo ops and sugar rushes.

If you’re traveling with kids, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea go all-out with seasonal decor, themed food, and limited-edition merch.

BONUS: Smell the Sweet Scent of Kinmokusei

Just when you think autumn couldn’t get any better, the air fills with the heavenly scent of kinmokusei (金木犀 | fragrant olive).

These tiny orange blossoms bloom across Tokyo in late September. It’s the true sign that fall has arrived. Take a walk through any quiet neighborhood, and you’ll catch their nostalgic, honey-sweet perfume.