Japan has countless events and festivals that take place all year round. We listed below the Japanese events and festivals October 2021 to help you plan your perfect itinerary! Before jumping down to the events and festivals let’s learn a little more about Japan’s weather and traditions for October.

The month of October offers the most comfortable weather in Japan, it is time for harvest festivals, autumn hikes and culture. In the Northern part of Japan the autumn leaves are at peak in October, it is the best time to visit the northerly part of the country.

Celebrating Harvest Festivals

Most of the harvest festivals are celebrated in October and Takayama Autumn is the most awaited harvest festival. Takayama Autumn festival is scheduled on October 9-10.

Halloween in Japan

Halloween events starts to kick off by the end of October in Japan, in Tokyo the bars and clubs hold costume events in time for the season.

Upcoming Japanese Events and Festivals

17th Kyoto Student Festival

Date: Oct. 13, 2021
Event Schedule: 11:00am – 7:30pm
Admission: Free

Kyoto

Ujicha Ceremony

Date: Oct. 7
Event Schedule: 9:00am
Admission: Free

Kyoto

Otsu Hikiyama Festival

Date: Oct. 6-7
Admission: Free

Shiga

Great Tug-of-War

Date: Oct. 7
Event Schedule: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Admission: Free

Okinawa

Osaka Mecha Happy Festival

Date: Oct. 8
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Admission: Free

Osaka

Osaka Kitchenware Street Festival

Date: Oct.8
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Admission: Free

Osaka

Nagasaki Kunchi Festival

Date: Oct.7 – 9
Event Schedule: 7:00am – 8:00pm
Admission: Free

Nagasaki

Takayama Autumn Festival

Date: Oct. 9 -10
Event Schedule: 7:00am – 8:00pm
Admission: Free

Gifu

Onomichi Lantern Festival

Date: Oct.13
Event Schedule: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Admission: Free

Hiroshima

Saiin Kasuga Shrine Festival

Date: Oct.13-14
Admission: Free

Kyoto

Nada no Kenka Festival

Date: Oct.14-15
Admission: Free

Hyogo

Shuki Taisai Grand Autumn Festival

Date: Oct.16-17
Admission: Free

Tochigi

Goryo Jinja Shrine Autumn Festival

Date: Oct.16-17
Admission: Free

Osaka

Kurama Fire Festival

Date: Oct.22
Event Schedule: 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Admission: Free

Kyoto

Jidai Matsuri: Kyoto’s Historical Parade

Date: Oct.26 (only in 2021)
Event Schedule: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Admission: Free

Kyoto

Miyazakijingu Festival

Date: Oct.26-27
Admission: Free

Miyazaki

Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios Japan

Date: Sept. 7 – Nov. 4, 2021
Event Schedule: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Osaka

Karuizawa Momiji Festival

Date: Sept.23-Nov.5
Admission: Free

Nagano

Saga Light Fantasy

Date: Late Oct. – Early Jan
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 11:59pm
Admission : Free

Saga

“Light of Versailles” Winter Illumination

Date: Late October – Late March
Admission : ¥1,000 (at the door)

Shizuoka

Events Information Source: Japan Cheapo Events