Japan’s Top Events in Autumn 2026

In autumn 2026, Japan will showcase its vibrant autumn foliage in various locations. Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaidō will be one of the earliest spots to witness the changing colors, with Ginsendai, located at 1,490 meters above sea level, standing out for its tapestry of overlapping colors formed by broadleaf and evergreen trees.

Meanwhile, Fukuoka's Hakozaki Shrine Hōjōya Festival, a Shintō ritual dating back over 1,000 years, will see priests and children release goldfish into the shrine's waters as part of an oracle-inspired tradition to atone for lives lost in war.

Kyoto's Fukuda Art Museum will host its first shunga (erotic art) exhibition, featuring one of the oldest shunga works, Chigo Sōshi, dating back to the early fourteenth century. Meanwhile, Habiro Agricultural Park Miharashi Farm in Ina, Nagano, will offer visitors the chance to pick grapes from September 12 to October 12 and harvest apples from early October to mid-November.

Takayama, Gifu, will retain its Edo-period atmosphere in the old town district, where the Autumn Takayama Festival will take place. This festival, held in honor of the Sakurayama Hachimangū Shrine, is known for its 11 gorgeously decorated festival floats crafted by local artisans. Highlights include performances by karakuri mechanical dolls, lion dances, a grand parade, and an evening procession with lantern-lit floats.

Shikoku's Niihama Taiko Festival, held for more than 1,000 years, will be another major event. Hundreds of men will parade through the streets carrying 54 huge, decorated floats weighing 3 tons each, culminating in the powerful collision of the floats. Meanwhile, Tokyo's Komazawa Olympic Park will host Japan's biggest ramen event, with 12 ramen shops from across the country participating, each serving bowls for ¥1,100.

The Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor in Yamanashi Prefecture will be a popular spot for autumn foliage, with around 150 maple trees lining the Nashikawa River. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Mount Fuji framed by red leaves during the peak viewing season from late October through mid-November. Finally, the Kibitsuhiko Shrine fire festival in Onomichi, Hiroshima, will see terraced demon gods roam the streets, letting out strange cries and chasing children, with parents pushing their children forward despite the frightening experience.