🗾 What's happening in Japan this month
Matsuri, hanabi, koyo, winter illuminations and hotaru in one calendar.
November · 12 events
Planning a trip around these events?
Stays near big events tend to go first, so check early.
🏮 Matsuri (2)
Karatsu Kunchi
Karatsu's grand autumn festival with 14 elaborate, lacquered floats (hikiyama) — some over 5m tall — pulled through the town. UNESCO-registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Tori-no-Ichi Rooster Market
Businesspeople and shopkeepers flock to Otori Shrine on the Rooster days of November to buy elaborate 'kumade' (bamboo rakes decorated with lucky charms) for the coming year's prosperity.
🎆 Hanabi (1)
🍁 Koyo (5)
Nikko National Park
One of Japan's most spectacular autumn spots. Brilliant reds and golds surround ornate UNESCO shrines and temples. The cedar-lined avenues turn golden in October.
Arashiyama
Kyoto's scenic western district blazes with autumn color. The hillsides along the Hozu River turn deep red and orange, complementing the bamboo groves and temples.
Kiyomizudera Temple
The iconic wooden stage of Kiyomizudera surrounded by fiery maple trees is one of Japan's most photographed autumn scenes. Night illuminations make it magical.
Lake Towada
A volcanic caldera lake surrounded by forests that turn vivid red and orange. The reflected colors on the still water create mirror-like reflections.
Korankei Valley
A narrow valley packed with over 4,000 maple trees. During the annual fall festival, the valley is illuminated at night, turning the gorge into a glowing sea of red.
✨ Winter (4)
Nabana no Sato Illumination
Japan's most spectacular winter illumination. Millions of LED lights create dazzling tunnels and landscape scenes across this botanical garden. The 'tunnel of light' is unmissable.
Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination
The flower park famous for wisteria transforms into a winter wonderland. Over 4 million lights recreate the famous wisteria blossoms in glowing light forms.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market
Germany-style Christmas market at Yokohama's historic Red Brick Warehouse. Wooden huts sell mulled wine, sausages, and ornaments, all lit by fairy lights against the brick facades.
Marunouchi Illumination (Tokyo)
1.2 km of Tokyo's Marunouchi Naka-dori decorated with 1.2 million champagne-gold LEDs. The most photographed illumination in central Tokyo, and free to walk.