Must-see October Events and Festivals in Japan

When it comes to seasonal sights, Japan is probably most closely associated with the ephemeral pale pink of cherry blossoms in the spring. But fall is another spectacular time of year for travelers interested in nature, cuisine, culture, and more. By October, temperatures in most parts of the country have cooled down, which means you can enjoy various outdoor events and festivals without worrying about finding shade or staying hydrated.

Consider checking out one of the following events during your trip to Japan, and find a hotel recommended by Rakuten Travel customers for maximum comfort.

Dates: October 9–10 annually

Takayama Matsuri takes place twice a year, in mid-April and mid-October. Known as one of Japan's three beautiful festivals, this autumn festival gives thanks for a good harvest. It is held on October 9 and 10 and centers on Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture.

A total of 11 hand-crafted floats with detailed carvings in metal and wood are paraded around town, each of them lit by dozens of lanterns. Some of the floats even have marionettes that puppeteers manipulate to the crowd's delight. The floats are also on view year-round at the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan.

Dates: October 12–13, 2024

Thousands of dancers take center stage in the bustling neighborhood of Ikebukuro during Tokyo Yosakoi. Yosakoi is the name of a Japanese dance that combines traditional choreography with lively music. Dancers use wooden clappers called naruko to infuse their performance with even more energy.

The Ikebukuro event is the conclusion to the Fukuro Matsuri, which celebrates the beginning of autumn with taiko drumming and a parade of mikoshi portable shrines. Tokyo Yosakoi is held at five different venues, and dozens of teams participate in the festivities. The dancers' exuberant cheers and colorful costumes provide a spectacular atmosphere in the heart of Tokyo that residents and tourists alike can enjoy.

Date: October 22 annually

Witness more than a thousand years of Japanese history unfold before your very eyes at Kyoto City’s Jidai Matsuri, held annually on October 22. The parade travels from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine and features around two thousand participants dressed in period-appropriate attire. Jidai Matsuri — “Festival of the Ages” in Japanese — was established in 1895 to honor Kyoto’s historical significance as the former capital of Japan.

The procession begins with the relatively recent Meiji Restoration of the late 19th century and then rewinds to the Enryaku period of the late eighth century. You can glimpse nobles, samurai, and political leaders from Japan’s storied past while steeping yourself in the cultural richness of Kyoto.

Dates: Third Sunday in October and the preceding Saturday annually

Explore regional craft heritage at the Bizen Pottery Festival in Okayama Prefecture in southern Honshu (main island of Japan), which takes place on the third Sunday and its preceding Saturday in October. Bizen ware, which has a distinctive appearance, traces its lineage to the Heian period (794–1185).

Unglazed and fired in a wood-burning kiln at high temperatures, Bizen ware has a natural elegance, and its appearance changes over time. At the pottery festival, visitors can admire the works of local artisans and purchase some unique items to take home. Tens of thousands of people attend each year, with exhibitions and other events enlivening the festival.

Dates: Two nights during September of the lunar calendar (usually October) 
*Dates not announced until a week or two prior.

The island of Miyakojima in Okinawa hosts the one-of-a-kind Paantu Festival in early October. Male villagers dress up as supernatural beings called paantu, covering themselves in mud and wearing wooden masks.

The paantu are thought to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, so the participants aim to get mud on everything — and everyone — in their path. This festival is a designated part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Okinawa and has been likened to other events, such as the Hindu celebration of Holi or Spain’s La Tomatina, for its messy and exhilarating spectacle.