Experience autumn with the top 4 unique Japanese festivals in October

Autumn in Japan always attracts tourists, but October is even more special. Not only thanks to the pleasant weather and the brilliant red leaves everywhere, October is also the ideal time to participate in special festivals, from ancient traditional rituals to the vibrant modern atmosphere of Halloween. If you want to experience Japan tourism in October to the fullest, this is the time you cannot miss.

From Kyoto to Gifu, Saitama, Tokyo or Osaka, each festival has its own color and experience, helping you enjoy autumn nature while immersing yourself in Japanese culture.

1. Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto, October 22) – A journey back in history

Jidai Matsuri – Festival reenacting the history of the ancient capital of Kyoto in October. (Photo: Collected)

Jidai Matsuri is one of Japan's most famous festivals, taking place on October 22 in Kyoto. The event recreates 1,100 years of history of the ancient capital through a long procession of thousands of people wearing traditional costumes from the Heian, Edo and Meiji periods.

The highlight of the festival is its massive scale and meticulous preparation, creating a vivid picture of Japanese history. When participating, visitors can observe, take photos and visit the surrounding palaces, to experience the Japanese festival in October more fully.

2. Takayama Autumn Festival (Gifu, early October) – Gorgeous float dance

Takayama Autumn Festival – Japan's famous float festival in October. (Photo: Collected)

The Takayama Autumn Festival takes place in early October in the ancient city of Gifu and is one of the three biggest festivals in Japan. The highlight is the intricately carved floats (yatai) that sparkle under the lantern light at night.

The procession moves through the ancient streets, blending with traditional music, creating a majestic and lively scene. Participating in this event, you will experience the unique culture of the Land of the Rising Sun and travel to Japan in October in a memorable way.

3. Kawagoe Festival (Saitama, mid-October) – Colors of the old Edo streets

Kawagoe Festival – Japan's vibrant street festival in October. (Photo: Collected)

Kawagoe Festival is a long-standing street festival in Saitama, with over 360 years of history, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The festival takes place in mid-October, featuring giant floats (dashi) and traditional music performances.

The festival atmosphere is bustling as the floats move through the streets, exchanging music with each other. Visitors can join the crowd, enjoy street food and visit the old town of Kawagoe, to experience the full Japanese October festival.

4. Halloween in Tokyo and Osaka – Japan in modern colors

Halloween Shibuya – Japan's vibrant costume festival in October. (Photo: Collected)

Halloween in Japan, although imported, has become a prominent cultural phenomenon, especially among young people. Tokyo and Osaka are two prominent places where you can join costume parades and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere on the streets.

Shibuya (Tokyo) is the center of modern Halloween festivals, where thousands of young people dress up extremely creatively. In Osaka, Universal Studios Japan organizes unique Halloween events. This is a great opportunity to experience Japanese festivals in October, and at the same time fully explore Japan tourism in October.

October is the perfect time to explore Japan: you can admire the red leaves and enjoy the pleasant weather. At the same time, this is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique Japanese festivals in October. Plan now to have a complete, rich and memorable trip to Japan in October !

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/trai-nghiem-mua-thu-le-hoi-nhat-ban-thang-10-v17922.aspx