What the weather is like in November
Late November is koyo peak in Kyoto — temple gardens are stunning. Cool, dry, low rain. Second only to cherry blossom season for popularity.
Averages are five-year Open-Meteo (ERA5) figures for Tokyo; other parts of Japan vary. Full sources below.
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 is April; the toughest is August. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Japan.
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.
See Japan hotels for 12–18 Nov 2026
Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Nov 2026; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good time to visit Japan?
November scores 58/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Good" — which blends weather with crowds and price. November is one of the best months to visit Japan — strong conditions and the reason many travellers pick this window.
How warm is Japan in November?
Expect daytime highs around 17°C (63°F) and overnight lows near 9°C (48°F), with about 6 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Japan in November?
November sees roughly 100mm of rain — moderate rainfall; a packable rain layer helps.
What should I pack for Japan in November?
For November, pack: Layers — warm afternoons, cool evenings; A mid-weight jacket; A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella.
Sources
Every claim on this page is backed by an authoritative source. Atlas Ranger synthesizes data from multiple references so you can see exactly where each fact came from.
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Climate NormalsUsed for: Monthly temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and humidity averages (1991–2020)
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)Used for: Festival dates, peak-season tourist intel, official seasonal travel guidance
- Japan Meteorological Corporation cherry blossom forecastsUsed for: Cherry blossom typical-bloom dates, regional bloom progression
- Lonely Planet — JapanUsed for: Crowd patterns, when-to-go intel, seasonal recommendations
- Frommer's — JapanUsed for: Cross-reference for seasonal verdicts and shoulder-window guidance
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