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Updated: September 10, 2024

Best Things to Do and See in Tokyo in October

Is October a good time to visit Tokyo?

October is a very pleasant time of year to visit Tokyo. October features food shows, temple festivals, cultural arts events, film festivals, book festivals, and, of course, Halloween. It is a great month for experiencing many different faces of Tokyo. But best of all, perhaps, is the autumn foliage. Vibrant hues of gold and crimson can be enjoyed in October in the mountainous areas of western Tokyo.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in October?

The average temperature is around 18.9ºC (66°F) during the day. It can reach as high as 23.7 ºC (75°F) and as low as 14.7ºC (58°F). Temperatures gradually get cooler in the second half of the month. It is also good to be prepared for the occasional rainy day, and to be on the alert for typhoons. But the weather in October is generally not humid and the temperature is perfect for sightseeing and other outdoor activities. Carry a light jacket as it may get chilly at night. The mountainous areas of west Tokyo are a lot cooler than the central parts of the capital, so extra layers of clothing can help you enjoy Tokyo to the full.
Note: This guidance is based on meteorological data for 2023.

Best events, festivals, and other things to do in October

Autumn leaves in Tokyo

The best place in Tokyo for viewing autumn foliage in October is the Mt. Mitake area, which is less than a 2-hour train ride from central Tokyo. Visitors can enjoy the leaves' gold and crimson hues against a crystal-blue backdrop of the Tamagawa River. Take in the sight of the fall foliage reflected on Lake Okutama, or explore one of the many nearby walking paths.

 

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Open-air Noh Performances (Mori no Takigi Noh)

Shinjuku Gyoen hosts the annual Mori no Takigi Noh event sometime between September and October. This event features traditional performances of Noh drama and kyogen (Japanese comedy) in a spectacular garden setting. Flaming torches light the stage. The garden is kept open late for this event, allowing you a rare nighttime glimpse of Shinjuku Gyoen.

 

Tokyo Yosakoi

Tokyo Yosakoi is held in October as the second part of the Fukuro Matsuri festival, an Ikebukuro autumn tradition. During the event, over 5,000 dancers—split into more than 100 teams—gather from across Japan to show off their yosakoi dance routines, which are accompanied by energetic chanting. The finale on the last day, featuring all of the performers, is a must-see.

 

Meguro no Sanma Matsuri (Pacific Saury Festival)

This event—which is part of the larger Meguro Citizens' Festival—is all about Pacific saury ("sanma" in Japanese), a seasonal fish that heralds the arrival of autumn. These fish come from Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, a sister city of Meguro. They are charcoal-grilled, garnished with grated daikon and kabosu (a type of citrus fruit), and served for free (advance registration required). Meguro Citizens' Festival also features many food stalls selling local products from across the country. At the festival square you can enjoy bands and other performances. There is also the popular Kodomo no Hiroba area for families with young children.

 

Tokyo Ramen Festa 2024

Held at Komazawa Olympic Park from October 24 to November 4, the Tokyo Ramen Festa 2024 is one of Japan's largest outdoor events dedicated to ramen. Visitors can try many unique styles of ramen from all over Japan. The event offers the chance to experience local food cultures and learn about regional attractions from across the country.

 

Kanda Used Book Festival

The Kanda Used Book Festival is held annually in Jimbocho, Tokyo's "book town." Rows of bookshelves line Yasukuni-dori, the main street, while the Tokyo Antiquarian Book Hall hosts talk shows and special sales of rare books.

 

Tokyo International Film Festival

Tokyo International Film Festival is a big attraction for all film fans. Festival events include open-air screenings, screenings followed by Q&A sessions with cast and crew, and screenings with appearances by the actors. Seminars, symposiums, and workshops related to the film industry are also held.

©2023 TIFF

Halloween in Tokyo

In Ikebukuro, you can visit the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival, attended by tens of thousands of people dressed in their favorite manga and anime-inspired outfits, and more. Sanrio Puroland is hosting "PUROHALLOWEEN," a special event with the theme "Wizard / Immersive." You'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the variety of Halloween content they've prepared.

 © 2024 SANRIO CO., LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN
 ©Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival

 

Event on This Month

 

Calendar

January January in Tokyo speaks of traditions. Start the New Year in good spirits and head to a temple or shrine for Hatsumode on January 1 and pray like the locals do for peace and good health. Some begin their sojourn the night before on New Year's Eve to hear temple bells chime 108 times as the new year dawns, but Hatsumode is drawn out and takes place over 2-3 days.
February Tokyo's festival and event card is varied in February. Visit Tokyo at this time of year and you'll be witness to festivals and events that honor ume (plum blossoms), banish devils, celebrate the efforts of runners and see an unusual take on Valentine's Day—only men are supposed to receive chocolate.
March Temperatures and moods begin to thaw in March, the month heralding the start of spring. While cherry blossoms or sakura appear at month's end and are eagerly awaited, the rest of March offers much to see and do.
April April in Tokyo is blooming marvelous. Many of spring's events have a floral focus, with the highly anticipated Sakura or cherry blossom season reigning supreme. Join in the hanami or flower viewing parties all over the city.
May May festivals and events begin with the latter half of cluster of Golden Week holidays. Greenery or Arbor Day (May 4) sees entry fees waived in many of the cities parks and gardens, while Children's Day (May 5) heralds the arrival of brightly colored carp or koi streamers festooned around the city.
June Visit Tokyo in June, and the weather begins to get steamy. Rainy season arrives, but not all days are marked by wet weather. Embrace the increasing humidity with the official opening of Tokyo's many beer gardens and imbibe in a glass of your favorite ale. From the lofty heights of the beer garden atop Mt. Takao to the elegant surrounds of Meiji Kinenkan, you'll find a beer garden for every occasion.
July From the booming sound of fireworks lighting up the night sky to the soothing sounds of fuurin wind chimes tinkling in the breeze, July in Tokyo is a sensory experience. Festivals and events ranging from spectacular fireworks shows and ancestral bon odori rites to the sonic wizardry of summer music festivals that attract the best of domestic and international artists.
August August sees Tokyo at it’s hottest, but a continuing cascade of fireworks, traditional obon dances, multicolored tanabata lantern events, and the height of official water park and beach season all provide welcome distractions.
September September means sayonara, or goodbye, to the soaring heat of summer. Nights begin to cool and temperatures become more bearable, but these changes also see the occasional typhoon. Many of the city’s beer gardens remain open, however, a reminder that there’s still fun to be had outdoors yet.
October October, the height of autumn, is one of the best times of year to visit Tokyo. From ongoing traditional festivals to art and cultural soirees to culinary-focused events celebrating the bounty of the season—the city's event card is full.
November Visit November in Tokyo and shade yourself in hues of yellow, orange, red and golden brown. With seasonal foliage at its finest, the month sees the arrival of Koyo, or changing autumn leaves. Bask in the rich-jeweled tones of the season at Rikugien Gardens—at night the grounds are illuminated—or delight in the vibrant yellows of the city's numerous ginko trees.
December Tokyo is dazzling in December–literally–when the city lights up with illuminations. The dark nights are an ideal canvas for intricate and elaborate light displays and the illuminations are a signature winter sight.

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