Japan in November: weather forecast, autumn leaves, and what to pack

November works when you plan by week and elevation. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are jacket weather by day and cooler after dark; Nikko, Hakone and Hokkaido can be near freezing at night. Autumn colour usually appears first in northern Japan and mountain areas. It usually arrives later in lower-elevation cities farther south.

• 1–10 November: Tohoku, Nikko and the mountains; bring a warm layer for evenings and altitude.
• 11–20 November: Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and western Japan; book popular temples and trains early.
• 21–30 November: central Tokyo joins Kyoto at its fullest; city nights need a warmer coat.
• The 2026 public holidays are Tuesday 3 November and the 21–23 November long weekend.

What is the weather like in Japan in November?

Mild by day, cool at night, and mostly dry. The table shows 30-year averages from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) for the whole month. The Pacific side is the driest: Tokyo gets 96 mm of rain in November, less than half its October total of 235 mm. The Sea of Japan coast is wetter, and Kanazawa gets 251 mm.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, climate normals 1991–2020: average daily high and low, total rainfall and total sunshine for November.

What has changed since the 1991–2020 average?

The averages in this guide end in 2020. Since then, 2023, 2024 and 2025 have been Japan's three warmest years in JMA's national record; 2025 was 1.23°C above the 1991–2020 normal. That is a national annual measure, not a new November average for every city.

For a November trip, use the table as a starting range rather than a promise. Seven days before you fly, check the forecast for every place you plan to visit, especially a mountain day trip or the Sea of Japan coast. Use PeakYet's dated spot reports for leaves; weather averages cannot tell you whether a temple is at peak.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan annual mean temperature series, 1898–2025.

Early, mid and late November: how the weather and the leaves change

November cools fast. Tokyo loses about 4°C between the first ten days and the last ten, and Sapporo goes from autumn to winter. Autumn colour usually appears first in northern Japan and mountain areas. It usually arrives later in lower-elevation cities farther south. JMA publishes averages for each third of the month, and the table puts them next to where the leaves usually peak at the same time.

Weather: Japan Meteorological Agency, 10-day climate normals 1991–2020. Leaves: usual peak times from past years, as the sources report them (early, mid or late month). Timing shifts by a week or more in some years, so check the live map for leaves and the local weather forecast before you go.

Early November (1–10): the north and the mountains

This is the last chance for the north. Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada, Naruko Gorge, Lake Chuzenji in Nikko and Koyasan usually finish their peak in early November. Hirosaki Park and Chusonji in Hiraizumi usually last until mid-month. Nara Park and the Momiji Corridor at Lake Kawaguchiko begin.

Mid November (11–20): Kyoto, central and western Japan

Kyoto's temples start their peak, along with Minoo Park in Osaka, Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Korankei near Nagoya. In the west, Momijidani Park on Miyajima, Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, Takachiho Gorge and Akizuki in Fukuoka usually peak from mid to late November.

Late November (21–30): central Tokyo, and Kyoto at its fullest

Central Tokyo's gardens usually peak now: Rikugien, Koishikawa Korakuen and the ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien. Kyoto is usually at its fullest, with Kiyomizu-dera joining, and Kamakura starts. The season calendar shows when each prefecture usually peaks, week by week.

Tokyo in November: weather and autumn leaves

Tokyo in November is mild and sunny: 17°C (62°F) by day, 9°C (48°F) at night, 96 mm of rain and about 150 hours of sunshine over the month. A light jacket is enough by day. Bring something warmer for the evenings, especially late in the month.

Central Tokyo turns late. The ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien usually goes gold from mid-November to early December, and the maples at Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen usually peak from late November into December. For colour earlier in the month, take a day trip. Nikko usually peaks from mid-October to early November, the Momiji Corridor at Lake Kawaguchiko during November, and Mount Takao and Hakone from mid-November to early December.

Kyoto in November: weather and autumn leaves

Kyoto averages 17°C (63°F) by day and 8°C (47°F) at night in November, with 74 mm of rain. Late in the month, nights drop to about 6°C (44°F), and early-morning temple visits are cold.

Kyoto's famous temples usually peak from mid-November to early December. Eikando usually peaks from mid to late November. Tofukuji, Arashiyama and Ohara peak from mid-November to early December, and Kiyomizu-dera from late November to early December. Kurama and Kibune, in the hills north of the city, usually have colour all month.

Osaka and Nara in November

Osaka is the mildest of the big cities in November, at 18°C (64°F) by day and 10°C (50°F) at night, with 72 mm of rain. Minoo Park and Osaka Castle Park usually peak from mid-November to early December. Nara Park, a short train ride away, usually has colour from late October to early December.

Hokkaido and Okinawa in November

The two ends of Japan feel like different seasons. Sapporo averages 9°C (48°F) by day and 2°C (35°F) at night, and snow arrives: about 30 cm falls over the month, most of it in the second half. Most of Hokkaido's autumn leaves are over by then; Onuma Park in the south usually lasts into early November. Naha in Okinawa stays warm, at 25°C (77°F) by day and 20°C (69°F) at night.

Is Japan busy in November?

Yes, at the famous leaf spots. Kyoto is busiest at the end of the month, when the leaves peak. November also has two public holidays: Culture Day on Tuesday 3 November and Labour Thanksgiving Day on Monday 23 November. The second creates a long weekend from Saturday 21 to Monday 23 November, in the middle of Kyoto's usual peak. Book hotels and trains early for those dates.

What to wear in Japan in November

• Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and the west: layers and a light jacket in early November; a warmer coat by the last week, when nights drop to 6–8°C (44–47°F).
• Nikko, Hakone, Kamikochi and other mountains: a warm coat, hat and gloves. Oku-Nikko by Lake Chuzenji averages 0°C (32°F) at night.
• Hokkaido: winter clothes and shoes with grip. Sapporo averages 2°C (35°F) at night and about 30 cm of snow over the month.
• Kanazawa and the Sea of Japan coast: an umbrella. Kanazawa gets 251 mm of rain in November, more than twice Tokyo's.
• Everywhere: comfortable shoes you can slip off, for temples and traditional restaurants.

Planning your November trip with PeakYet

Add your travel dates on the PeakYet map to see where the leaves usually are on those days, and the chance that each city's official tree is at peak. Tap any spot for its latest report, with who made it and when. The season calendar shows every prefecture week by week.

Common questions about Japan in November

Is November a good time to visit Japan?

Yes. It is the main month for autumn leaves in most of the country, and the weather is mild and mostly dry. Tokyo gets about 150 hours of sunshine in November.

Is Japan cold in November?

Japan is cool in November. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka reach about 17°C (63°F) by day and 8–10°C (47–50°F) at night. The mountains and Hokkaido get close to freezing at night.

Do I need a coat in Japan in November?

In the cities, a light jacket is enough in early November. By the last week, nights in Tokyo and Kyoto drop to about 6–7°C (44–45°F), so bring a warmer coat. The mountains and Hokkaido need a winter coat.

Does it rain a lot in Japan in November?

November is fairly dry on the Pacific side. Tokyo gets 96 mm of rain and Kyoto 74 mm over the month. The Sea of Japan coast is wetter: Kanazawa gets 251 mm.

Does it snow in Japan in November?

In Hokkaido, yes. Sapporo averages about 30 cm of snowfall in November, most of it in the second half of the month. In Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, nights stay around 6–12°C (44–54°F) all month.

When do the autumn leaves peak in Japan in November?

It depends on where you are. The north and the mountains usually peak in early November, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and western Japan from mid-November, and central Tokyo in the last week of the month.

Where can I see autumn leaves in Japan in November?

Kyoto's temples, such as Eikando, Tofukuji and Kiyomizu-dera, are the best known. Others include Nara Park, Minoo Park near Osaka, Korankei near Nagoya, Miyajima, Lake Kawaguchiko and, in Tokyo, Rikugien and the Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue.