Travelling to Japan in September: weather, festivals and must-see activities

September in Japan marks the transition between summer heat and fall softness. Although some regions still have high temperatures, others, such as Hokkaidō, already see the first shades of autumn. It is an ideal time to explore the country with fewer tourists, enjoy traditional festivals and attend major sporting events. However, typhoons can disrupt travel plans, making flexibility essential.

Climate and weather conditions in September

September is still hot in most of Japan, especially in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, where average temperatures range from 24 to 30°C. Evenings are beginning to refresh, announcing the gradual arrival of autumn.

Hokkaidō, on the other hand, already enjoys a cooler climate, with temperatures between 15 and 22°C. It is also the first region in the country where autumn colours can be admired in mid-September, especially in Daisetsuzan National Park.

The main drawback of September is the typhoon season, which peaks in early and mid-months. These tropical storms can cause heavy rains and disrupt transportation, including high-speed flights and trains. Plans B for outdoor activities are recommended and weather updates are monitored.

Less tourists and more serenity

With the end of the Japanese school holidays, September marks a marked decrease in the number of visitors to the main tourist attractions. The beaches, once crowded in August, become havens of tranquillity. Shirahama, in Wakayama Prefecture, and the seaside resorts of the Izu Peninsula remain excellent options to extend the summer with less people.

Similarly, Kyoto temples and shrines, which are often overcrowded in high season, find a more peaceful atmosphere, ideal for lovers of photography and cultural discoveries in complete peace.

Festivals and cultural events in September

Despite the late summer, September still offers many spectacular matsuri across the country.

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (Osaka)

Considered one of the most intense festivals in Japan, Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri features richly decorated wooden tanks, pushed at all speed into the streets of Osaka. This festival impresses with its energy and spectacular side, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

L-Owara Kaze no Bon (Toyama)

In a more poetic atmosphere, theOwara Kaze no Bon, in Toyama, is a dance festival where participants play traditional melancholic music. The streets of Yatsuo Machi, illuminated by lanterns, create an enchanting setting that transports the spectators to a Japanese Dantan.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai (Kamakura)

This festival, held at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, celebrates Yabusame, a discipline of horse archery. Time costumes, shintô rituals and cavalry demonstrations make this event a must for lovers of samurai traditions.

Aizu Matsuri (Fukushima)

This historic festival traces the great battles of the Fukushima region through parades of warriors in armor and fascinating reconstructions of the samurai era.

Sports and major events in September

Sumo tournament in Tokyo

The September Sumo Grand Tournament takes place in Tokyo’s Ryōgoku Kokugikan. This is one of six major competitions of the year, where the greatest wrestlers compete in a unique atmosphere. It is recommended to book your tickets in advance, as the places are very popular.

Baseball season

Baseball is a national sport in Japan. In September, the Nippon Professional Baseball League’s games were in full swing. Attending a game at Tokyo Dome or the Koshien Stadium of Osaka is an immersive experience thanks to the passionate fans who animate the stands.

Motor racing

Motorsport enthusiasts can go to the Suzuka circuit, which hosts high-level competitions, or the Twin Ring Motegi, another high-level motorsport venue in Japan.

Early autumn foliage and mountain hikes

Early in September, Hokkaidō and some mountainous areas of Japan saw the first autumn colours appear.

Daisetsuzan National Park is one of the first places to admire maples and larchs adorned with red and gold. The hikes around Mount Asahidake offer spectacular views.

In the centre of the country, the Japanese Alps region is also beginning to transform at the end of the month. The trails around Kamikōchi and Norikura Kōgen become particularly pleasant for walking.

Why choose September to travel to Japan?

• Less tourists: enjoy the iconic sites without the summer crowd.
• Pleasant climateAlthough warm to the south, the north and the mountains offer ideal temperatures for hiking.
• Traditional festivals: unique events such as the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri or the Aizu Matsuri.
• Sport opportunities: Sumo tournaments, baseball matches and car races.
• Nature in transition: possibility to combine beaches and first foliage of autumn.

Travelling to Japan in September, it is to discover a country between two seasons, where the diversity of landscapes and events allows a rich and varied experience. It is enough to be attentive to weather forecasts and to maintain some flexibility to avoid troubles related to typhoons.

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