What the weather is like in November
Late November is koyo peak in Kyoto — temple gardens are stunning. Cool, and much drier than October. Second only to cherry blossom season for popularity.
Against October, November runs 5°C cooler with 139mm less rain and 0.8 hours more sun a day.
These November averages are station normals for Tokyo (Kitanomaru Park) (Japan Meteorological Agency, via Wikipedia, 1991-2020); other parts of Japan vary. Full sources below.
Japan in November, on the ground
November is autumn-leaf season across most of Japan. The colour moves south from Hokkaido, reaching Tokyo and Kyoto in the second half of the month, and the days are clear, dry and mild, ideal for walking and temple visits.
Crowds and prices in November
Kyoto in late November is one of the busiest, most expensive places in Japan, with hotels booked months ahead. Elsewhere, November is comfortable and only moderately busy.
What to do in November
- Walk Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path or the Arashiyama hills early in the day, before the leaf crowds.
- Visit Nikko or Hakone for the leaves earlier in the month.
- See Shichi-Go-San on 15 November, when families take young children to shrines in their best clothes.
Before you book: Kyoto’s famous leaf spots are crowded at peak weekends; go at opening time or visit the smaller temples.
What to pack for Japan in November
- Layers — warm afternoons, cool evenings
- A mid-weight jacket
- A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella
What's on in November
- Autumn Leaves (Koyo) (Mountains, then Kyoto and Tokyo) — The autumn equivalent of cherry blossom season. Peak moves south from Hokkaido (early October) to Kyoto (late November) to southern Honshu (early December).
Is November the right month?
Japan's best month, April, is five months after November; the toughest, August, is three months before. If November does not fit, March is the closest month in the same best-season window. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Japan, or where else to go in November.
Where to stay in November
November is peak season in Japan, so prices are at their highest. Book early for the best choice of rooms. Every area is compared on airport access and price in our guide, best area to stay in Tokyo.
See hotels in Tokyo for 17–23 Nov 2026
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Before you go
Book the rest of your November trip
Tours and tickets
Day trips, attraction tickets and guided tours in Japan.
Browse Japan on KlookAirport transfer
A fixed-price car from your arrival airport to your hotel, booked before you land.
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An eSIM for Japan installs before you fly, so you have data when you land. Check your phone supports eSIM first.
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Frequently asked questions
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Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency: Tokyo (Kitanomaru Park), 1991-2020 · Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) · Japan Meteorological Corporation cherry blossom forecasts · Lonely Planet — Japan · Frommer's — Japan. Full provenance on the Japan guide.
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