Must-see Fall Festivals and Events in Japan 2026

Fall is arguably one of the best times of year to visit Japan. The landscapes boast gorgeous shades of autumn leaves (known as momiji or koyo in Japanese); fruits like persimmons, apples, and grapes come into season; and salmon, Pacific saury, and other fish are abundant and fresh.

Japan prides itself on the distinctive traits of each of the four seasons. Across the different prefectures, a host of exciting festivals and events take place in the fall, through which you can experience regional culture, try delicious foods, and make memories to last a lifetime. Here are just a few to consider when planning your trip to Japan.

Dates: September 11 – October 3, 2026

Throughout most of September, Hokkaido’s prefectural capital Sapporo hosts its annual Sapporo Autumn Fest in Odori Park. The event has been going on since 2008 and is attended by more than two million people annually. Food is the focus here, as Hokkaido is known for the quality of its ingredients and fall is the peak season for many goods. Try local specialties like venison and game meat; enjoy fresh dairy products; and indulge in beer, wine, and sake at the Autumn Fest. You can spend whole days exploring all the wonderful things on offer and getting into the festival spirit of kuidaore, which roughly translates to "eating your way through your wallet".

Dates: October 3–5, 2026

During the first weekend of October and the following Monday, the Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival takes place in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima Prefecture. Thousands of lanterns adorn floats that rise to 36 feet in height. The festival dates back to the Edo period (1603–1867), when the newly installed lord of Nihonmatsu Castle wanted to establish a Shinto festival to promote piety among his citizenry and earn the loyalty of the local community. After being blessed at a local shrine, the floats circulate through the streets along with celebrants who chant and play music to accompany them. Food stalls and other merriment further enliven the streets.

Dates: October 16–17 annually

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Tosho-gu Shrine is the burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), one of the great unifiers of Japan who established the Tokugawa shogunate and ushered in the Edo period. The Autumn Grand Festival, also known as Shuki Taisai, is a dramatic reenactment of Tokugawa’s divine spirit relocating to Tosho-gu Shrine in Nikko. The festival takes place on October 16 and 17 annually, featuring a thousand people dressed in samurai gear marching through the streets, archery demonstrations, horseback riding, and more. And Nikko, though quaintly rural, is easy to reach from Tokyo and explore with the all-inclusive Nikko Free Pass. Get a glimpse of Japanese history and warrior culture at this exciting event that pays respect to one of the country’s most powerful political leaders.

Dates: September 19–20, 2026

A danjiri is an ornate wooden float with stunningly detailed carvings of folkloric battles and historical episodes. The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival is one of the most famous of its kind in Japan and takes place in two parts in September and October each year. The September event is the more ostentatious of the two and features neighborhood teams racing their danjiri — weighing approximately 4 tons each — through the streets. This exciting festival was established in 1703 by the lord of Kishiwada Castle, and to this day, it draws the entire city out with its high energy.

Dates: October 16–18 annually

The Niihama Taiko Festival is one of the most significant celebrations on Shikoku, one of Japan’s southern islands. With a storied history of more than a millennium, the festival involves dozens of floats called taikodai being paraded through town while taiko drummers perform atop them. The festival takes place from October 16 to 18 each year, celebrating a bountiful autumn harvest. Don’t miss the local specialty of fuguzaku, a dish of pufferfish, scallions, and thread-sail filefish liver seasoned with spices and ponzu sauce.