Autumn in Japan 2025: Top 10 Festivals to Experience
- Unatoto
- Oct 20
- 5 min read
Autumn in Japan never fails to captivate the soul. Beyond the crimson leaves and the crisp breeze of early fall, this season is when the country adorns itself with a dazzling tapestry of cultural festivals. Each celebration tells a story through lights, sounds, flavors, and the deep sense of pride that has been passed down for centuries.
Join Unatoto Singapore as we explore the Top 10 Autumn Festivals in Japan 2025, a vibrant journey through tradition, nature, and emotion where every festival reflects the harmony between people and the changing seasons.
1. Zuiki Matsuri (Kyoto): A Thanksgiving for the Harvest
Date: October 1–5, 2025
Location: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto
Dating back to the 9th century, Zuiki Matsuri is held to express gratitude to the deity of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine for a bountiful harvest. During the five-day event, the shrine comes alive with processions of mikoshi portable shrines beautifully decorated with vegetables and grains symbolizing abundance.
One highlight is the graceful Yaotome Mai dance performed by local schoolgirls, offering blessings for good crops. The serene yet festive atmosphere immerses visitors in the timeless rhythm of ancient Autumn in Japan.
2. Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival (Fukushima): Light of Harvest and Peace
Date: First weekend of October
Location: Nihonmatsu Shrine, Fukushima
The Nihonmatsu Chochin Matsuri is one of Japan’s three great lantern festivals, with a history spanning nearly 400 years. At dusk, over 3,000 lanterns illuminate massive floats, bathing the streets in a golden glow.
Drums and flutes accompany the procession as it winds through the town, carrying prayers to the guardian deities Hachiman and Kumano. Under the shimmering lights, Autumn in Japan takes on a sacred, spiritual beauty.
3. Takayama Festival (Gifu): Where Craftsmanship Meets Celebration
Date: October 9–10, 2025
Location: Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, Gifu
Recognized as one of Japan’s most magnificent festivals, Takayama Matsuri feels like stepping into a living painting. Elaborate yatai floats adorned in gold leaf and lacquer parade through the streets, showcasing Gifu’s timeless artistry.
Locals in traditional attire pull the floats to the rhythm of taiko drums, while food stalls serve regional dishes and sake making this festival a true celebration of Autumn in Japan.
4. Kurama Fire Festival (Kyoto): Sacred Flames in the Mountains
Date: October 22, 2025
Location: Kurama Village, Kyoto
On one dramatic autumn night, the quiet mountain village of Kurama bursts into fiery brilliance. Hundreds of villagers carry massive torches to Yuki Shrine, reenacting a ritual from 940 AD to pray for safety and ward off misfortune.
As flames flicker through the forest and drums echo in unison, this fiery spectacle perfectly captures the spiritual essence of Autumn in Japan.
5. Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (Yamanashi): Colors of Serenity
Date: Late October to Late November 2025
Location: Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi
The Fuji Kawaguchiko Momiji Matsuri turns the area around Lake Kawaguchi into a sea of scarlet and gold. Visitors can stroll beneath maple canopies, sip green tea, and enjoy local delicacies while admiring Mount Fuji’s reflection on the lake.
When night falls, the illuminated Maple Corridor transforms into a dreamlike walkway, one of the most romantic sights during Autumn in Japan.
6. Karatsu Kunchi Festival (Saga): The Dance of Giant Floats
Date: November 2–4, 2025
Location: Karatsu City, Saga
Originating in the Edo period, Karatsu Kunchi celebrates gratitude after the harvest with an awe-inspiring parade of Hikiyama floats, massive sculptures of dragons, lions, and carp carved with masterful detail.
As thousands pull the floats through historic streets, the cheers, drums, and festive spirit embody the community pride that defines Autumn in Japan.
7. Saga International Balloon Fiesta: A Sky Full of Dreams
Date: November 1–5, 2025
Location: Kasegawa Riverside, Saga
Every morning, hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons rise into the sky at the Saga International Balloon Fiesta, Asia’s largest ballooning event. The sight of balloons glowing under the sunrise is a breathtaking celebration of Autumn in Japan, where the season’s clear skies meet creativity and joy.
8. Tori no Ichi Festival (Tokyo): Fortune and New Beginnings
Date: November 11 and 23, 2025
Location: Asakusa, Tokyo
Held on the “Day of the Rooster,” Tori no Ichi is Tokyo’s iconic festival for prosperity and success. Merchants and locals gather at Asakusa’s shrines to buy kumade bamboo rakes, charms believed to “rake in” good fortune.
Amid laughter, sizzling street food, and lively chants, the night market becomes a vivid reflection of Autumn in Japan, festive, hopeful, and full of energy.
9. Shikizakura Festival (Aichi): When Spring Meets Fall
Date: Mid-November to Early December 2025
Location: Obara, Aichi
In the town of Obara, the rare Shikizakura cherry trees bloom alongside fiery maples, blending spring and autumn in one mesmerizing scene. Around 10,000 cherry trees bloom during this season, painting the landscape in pink, red, and gold.
Visitors can enjoy taiko performances, regional food, and the breathtaking harmony of two seasons, a sight that defines the beauty of Autumn in Japan.
10. Chichibu Night Festival (Saitama): A Symphony of Lights
Date: December 2–3, 2025
Location: Chichibu Shrine, Saitama
Closing Japan’s autumn calendar, the Chichibu Yomatsuri is a UNESCO-recognized festival where massive lantern-lit floats parade through the streets. The finale, a grand fireworks display lights up the winter sky, marking the end of Autumn in Japan with brilliance and emotion.
Taste the Spirit of Autumn in Japan at Unatoto Singapore
Although located in the heart of Singapore, Unatoto Singapore brings you the feeling of stepping into a cozy food alley in Japan. From soft paper lanterns and vibrant cherry blossoms to vintage posters on the walls, every detail recreates the festive atmosphere of Japanese culture.
Stepping inside, you’ll be welcomed by cheerful calls of “Irasshaimase!” and the irresistible aroma of freshly grilled Unadon. The warm interior, featuring semi-private seating, evokes small eateries in Kyoto or Osaka, the kind that perfectly capture the warmth of Autumn in Japan.
A Japanese Autumn Experience Awaits
Amid the glow of lanterns and the soft hues of sakura, guests can savor Hitsumabushi, Eel Tamago Don, and other unagi specialties, each dish carrying the heart of Japanese tradition. Every meal at Unatoto Singapore is more than dining; it’s a celebration of the spirit of Autumn in Japan, brought to life in the heart of the city.
Whether you seek a comforting meal, a serene evening retreat, or simply a taste of Japanese autumn, Unatoto Singapore welcomes you with warmth, hospitality, and authentic flavors inspired by the Land of the Rising Sun.
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