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
Ujicha Ceremony
Date: Oct. 7
Event Schedule: 9:00am
Admission: Free
Otsu Hikiyama Festival
Date: Oct. 6-7
Admission: Free
Great Tug-of-War
Date: Oct. 7
Event Schedule: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Admission: Free
Osaka Mecha Happy Festival
Date: Oct. 8
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Admission: Free
Osaka Kitchenware Street Festival
Date: Oct.8
Event Schedule: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Admission: Free
Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
Date: Oct.7 – 9
Event Schedule: 7:00am – 8:00pm
Admission: Free
Takayama Autumn Festival
Date: Oct. 9 -10
Event Schedule: 7:00am – 8:00pm
Admission: Free
Onomichi Lantern Festival
Date: Oct.13
Event Schedule: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Admission: Free
Saiin Kasuga Shrine Festival
Date: Oct.13-14
Admission: Free
Nada no Kenka Festival
Date: Oct.14-15
Admission: Free
Shuki Taisai Grand Autumn Festival
Date: Oct.16-17
Admission: Free
Goryo Jinja Shrine Autumn Festival
Date: Oct.16-17
Admission: Free
Kurama Fire Festival
Date: Oct.22
Event Schedule: 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Admission: Free
Jidai Matsuri: Kyoto’s Historical Parade
Date: Oct.26 (only in 2021)
Event Schedule: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Admission: Free
Miyazakijingu Festival
Date: Oct.26-27
Admission: Free
Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios Japan
Date: Sept. 7 – Nov. 4, 2021
Event Schedule: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Karuizawa Momiji Festival
Date: Sept.23-Nov.5
Admission: Free
Saga Light Fantasy
Date: Late Oct. – Early Jan
Event Schedule: 5:00pm – 11:59pm
Admission : Free
“Light of Versailles” Winter Illumination
Date: Late October – Late March
Admission : ¥1,000 (at the door)
Events Information Source: Japan Cheapo Events
