How Japanese People Enjoy and Spend the Fall Season

The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival is an autumn festival said to have begun in 1703 during the mid-Edo period as a prayer for a bountiful harvest, and it has been passed down among the people of Kishiwada for Approx. 300 years.
Centered around the Kishiwada Castle town, festival floats called danjiri are pulled through each neighborhood.
The highlight of the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival is, without question, yarimawashi, in which Approx. 500 pullers turn a danjiri weighing Approx. 4 tons sharply around a right-angle corner without slowing down.

An autumn grand festival of Suwa Shrine, the guardian shrine of Nagasaki, that has continued since 1634.
Every year from October 7 to October 9, the entire city of Nagasaki is filled with a festive atmosphere. It is said to have begun when two courtesans dedicated the yokyoku dance piece “Komee” before the deity of Suwa Shrine, and dance offerings are still made today. It is known for its creative and dynamic dedicatory dances.

An annual autumn grand festival held on October 14 and 15 at Matsubara Hachiman Shrine in Shirahama-cho, Himeji City.
After purifying themselves in the sea, the group from the district serving as that year’s host violently crashes three mikoshi together in front of the worship hall and the tower gate to the sound of chants.
The scene is so powerful that it fully lives up to the name “Fighting Festival.”
Its origins lie in a ritual called Hojoe, in which captured living creatures are released back into freedom, connected to Buddhist ideas of protecting living beings and prohibiting killing.
It was already mentioned in a regional record in 1348, and over time it gradually evolved into its present form.

One of Kyoto’s three major festivals alongside the Gion Festival and Aoi Matsuri, this is the grand festival of Heian Shrine held every year on October 22. Originating as part of the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo in 1895, its greatest highlight is a historical costume parade that introduces Approx. 1,000 years of history, from the Enryaku era when Heian-kyo was built to the Meiji Restoration, moving backward through the ages.

The Kawagoe Festival is a seasonal autumn tradition held every year on the third Saturday and Sunday of October.
Many people visit from all over, making the city of Kawagoe more lively than at any other time of year.
This festival, which has continued for over 370 years, was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2005 and was also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. Its long history and cultural value are among its defining features.

Although it varies by variety and region, the grape-picking season is relatively long, running from late July to early October.
Compared with other fruits, grapes offer a particularly wide lineup, with said to be 50 to 60 varieties in Japan alone.
The biggest appeal of grape picking is being able to try multiple varieties, from famous ones such as Kyoho and Shine Muscat to rarer kinds like Shinano Smile and Wink.
Picking freshly harvested grapes yourself and enjoying their sweet, fragrant flavor at peak freshness is part of the fun.
Another plus is that grapevines are small, so children can enjoy the experience too, and it can be experienced in a wide range of places from north to south, including Yamagata Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Yamanashi Station, and Okayama Prefecture.

Pear picking, where you can fully enjoy pears, one of the fruits most associated with fall, is mainly in season from early August to around mid-November.
However, timing varies depending on the growing area and the spot, and the peak season also differs, so be sure to check in advance if you want to enjoy them at their very best.
The biggest attraction of pear picking is being able to taste freshly harvested, perfectly ripe pears on the spot.
Unlike pears bought in stores, those that have continued storing nutrients until just before harvest are incredibly juicy, aromatic, and sweet, which may surprise you.
It is also recommended to compare varieties, such as Kosui, known for its crisp texture, and Hosui, prized for its rich sweetness balanced with just the right amount of tartness.

Persimmon picking, which comes fully into season from mid-October to early December, is an activity that lets you enjoy the deepening of fall.
Not only can you harvest and enjoy fresh, sweet persimmons such as Fuyu and Saijo directly from the tree, but the sight of persimmon trees turning orange with autumn leaves is also tasteful and beautiful.
Persimmons may seem similar in everyday life, but when viewed up close, each fruit has its own differences in how it grows, how the leaves are attached, and even in color.
Being able to closely observe these details that people do not usually notice is another appeal of persimmon picking.

Apple picking is mainly in season from early September to late November.
Because the best time to eat each variety differs, such as the early-season Tsugaru and Shinano Sweet, the mid-season Jonagold and Shinsekai, and the late-season Fuji and Hokuto, visiting at different times can lead to new discoveries.
Apples are also photogenic, and the almost fairy-tale-like atmosphere they create makes for memorable photos.

Shiitake mushrooms can basically be harvested all year round, but if you want to enjoy shiitake mushroom picking, the recommended time is around mid-October to late November, when they are in season.
It is popular as a fall food-harvesting activity because you can come empty-handed, enjoy nature, and harvest large, thick shiitake mushrooms.
Some farms and facilities even let you grill the shiitake mushrooms you pick on the spot as a barbecue, allowing you to enjoy their exceptional flavor.
Going with family or friends can make it an especially great activity.
It is also ideal for food education, helping children learn how ingredients grow and deepening their appreciation for food.

Fall, known as a season that stimulates the appetite, is called the “season of appetite” in Japan.
The reason is that appetites that dropped during the summer heat return, and it is also the time of year when agricultural harvests are at their most abundant among the four seasons.
It is also related to the instinctive tendency of living things to naturally feel hungrier in order to maintain body temperature and strength and store energy for the coming winter.
The culture of enjoying the flavors of fall reflects Japan’s unique sense of the seasons and food culture, and its appeal lies in being able to feel the changing season through meals while sharing in the joy of the harvest.
There are also many ingredients that come into season in fall, including the following, which gives rise to a wide variety of dishes.
Dishes made with these ingredients, such as matsutake mushroom rice, salt-grilled Pacific saury, and simmered pumpkin, are especially delicious, so be sure to try them when you visit Japan in fall.

“The season of reading” is another expression that symbolizes fall.
As the name suggests, it refers to enjoying reading, whether discovering new knowledge or immersing yourself in the world of stories, and it is associated with fall because the cool, comfortable season is well suited to it.
Its origins go back a long way, and it is said to have been inspired by a line from a Chinese poem written by the poet Han Yu around the 8th century.
In Japan, it later spread after the novelist Natsume Soseki quoted the phrase “the lamp is friendly for reading” in his book Sanshiro.
In addition, the two weeks from October 27 to November 9 are designated as Reading Week every year, during which various events are held to encourage reading.

Fall is also called the “season of sports,” again because it is such a comfortable time of year and ideal for exercise.
The lower risk of heatstroke and the reduced chance of injuries caused by the cold are also among the reasons people are more inclined to be active.
It is said that the Tokyo Olympics held in 1964 was the main reason why the idea of “fall = sports” became widespread.
Starting in 1966, two years after the Tokyo Olympics, October 10, the date of the opening ceremony, was established as a national holiday called Health and Sports Day, now Sports Day, observed on the second Monday of October.
October 10 was chosen because statistically Tokyo had a high chance of clear weather on that date.
This helped establish the idea of the “season of sports,” and sporting events such as school field days also became more common.

Nikko City is located in the northwestern part of Tochigi Prefecture, in the northern Kanto region.
It is a popular sightseeing destination with endless highlights, led by the World Heritage site Shrines and Temples of Nikko, along with many cultural assets and scenic spots.
Nikko’s autumn leaves are also known as one of Japan’s three great fall foliage destinations, and the area becomes crowded with many visitors during the best viewing season.
Among its highlights, the beautiful views from Lake Chuzenji and Nikko Toshogu Shrine, where magnificent architecture is further enhanced by vivid fall colors, are especially exceptional.
If you rent a car and drive through the tunnel of autumn leaves created by the trees along the Irohazaka road, you may feel as if you have wandered into another world.
With hot springs and famous waterfalls scattered through its rich natural setting, along with plenty of local gourmet food, sightseeing in Nikko City is especially recommended in fall.
If you want to learn more about Nikko’s appeal, be sure to check out this article as well.

Ibaraki Prefecture, located in the northeastern part of the Kanto region, is a place where you can fully experience the charms of fall through all five senses.
It is filled with some of Japan’s most famous natural spots, including Kairakuen, one of Japan’s three great gardens, and Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan’s three great waterfalls.
When these places are colored by autumn leaves, they create breathtaking scenery that captures the hearts of all who see it.
As for fall flavors, sweet potatoes, chestnuts, pears, and pumpkins are among the many ingredients you can enjoy in a variety of dishes.
The kochia fields spreading across Hitachi Seaside Park, one of Japan’s largest national parks, are also spectacular, and cycling or strolling there is another great way to experience autumn.
Another nice point is the easy access, with central Mito reachable from the Tokyo metropolitan area by limited express train in Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.
Along with tourist attractions in Ibaraki Prefecture where you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery, be sure to refer to this article introducing noteworthy accommodations and souvenirs as well.

The Yamanashi Fuji Five Lakes Area refers, as the name suggests, to the resort area located among the five lakes around Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture.
It is also known as the area with the Yoshida Route trailhead, famous as a beginner-friendly route for climbing Mt. Fuji, and the hugely popular amusement park Fuji-Q Highland.
The area’s greatest appeal is, above all, being able to see Mt. Fuji as it welcomes the arrival of fall.
The season starts earlier here than in central Tokyo, and Mt. Fuji viewed beyond autumn leaves has a beauty that words and photos cannot fully capture.
The scenery is also varied, with each spot offering a different expression, so be sure to enjoy it from a range of locations.
For example, Lake Motosu offers highly transparent water and views from a tranquil lakeside setting, while Lake Shoji lets you enjoy the reflection of Mt. Fuji on calm water together with autumn leaves along the shore.
It is also the perfect place to spend a relaxing time breathing fresh air in the cool autumn breeze.

Kyoto Prefecture, in the northern Kansai region, is one of Japan’s most celebrated sightseeing destinations.
Each season has its own charm, but Kyoto in fall stands out with an especially refined beauty.
Autumn leaves add dazzling color to Kyoto’s historic streets, as well as to its World Heritage sites and Important Cultural Properties, creating beautiful scenes for everyone to enjoy.
There is a special autumn atmosphere in Kyoto that cannot be created anywhere else, and it is something you should experience for yourself at least once.
The views from famous spots such as Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama are, of course, wonderful, but the everyday autumn scenery reflected in ordinary walking paths and cafés is equally charming.
If you enjoy fall flavors such as fresh Pacific saury, chestnuts, and Kyoto vegetables, you will be able to feel Kyoto’s history even more vividly.
Be sure to also check out this article introducing classic spots and traditional events you should not miss in order to fully enjoy the ancient capital of Kyoto.

Jozankei, located in the southern part of Sapporo City, is an area of lush nature and distinctive mountains.
It is also one of Hokkaido’s leading autumn foliage destinations, with the gorge along the Toyohira River and the surrounding mountains turning red and yellow.
The collaboration of autumn leaves with the Futami Jozan Trail and Hoheikyo Dam is a must-see.
Another appeal is being able to enjoy the scenery from many different perspectives, such as an aerial ride on the autumn foliage gondola at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort or from the water during a canoe experience.
The grand scale of the scenery, unique to vast Hokkaido, is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Jozankei is also known as a hot spring resort area.
Its spring water is mainly high-quality, natural, clear, and colorless, allowing visitors to enjoy the blessings of the forest and the land.
There are footbath spots, day-use facilities, and accommodations, so be sure to stop by and soothe your travel fatigue when you visit.