How Japanese People Enjoy and Spend the Fall

The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival is a fall celebration said to have begun in 1703, during the middle of the Edo period, as a prayer for an abundant harvest. It has been passed down among the people of Kishiwada for approximately 300 years.
Centered around the former castle town of Kishiwada, each neighborhood pulls a large wooden festival float known as a danjiri.
The festival's main highlight is the yarimawashi. Around 500 people pull a danjiri weighing approximately 4 tons around a right-angle corner at full speed without slowing down.

Held since 1634, Nagasaki Kunchi is the fall grand festival of Suwa Shrine, home to Nagasaki's guardian deity.
For three days each year, from October 7 through 9, the entire city of Nagasaki takes on a festive atmosphere. The festival is said to have begun when two courtesans dedicated a traditional dance called komee to Suwa Shrine. Dances are still performed as offerings today, with highly original and dynamic presentations defining the festival.

This annual fall grand festival is held at Matsubara Hachiman Shrine in the Shirahama district of Himeji on October 14 and 15.
After members of the district assigned festival duties for that year purify themselves in the sea, three portable shrines are violently rammed into one another amid energetic chants in front of the worship hall and shrine gate.
The powerful scene makes it easy to understand why the event is called the “Fighting Festival.”
Its origins lie in a ritual known as hoe, in which captured creatures were released in accordance with the Buddhist principles of protecting living beings and forbidding the taking of life.
The festival was already mentioned in a geographical record from 1348 and gradually evolved into its present form over the centuries.

One of Kyoto's three major festivals alongside the Gion Festival and Aoi Festival, Jidai Matsuri is the grand festival of Heian Jingu Shrine and is held every year on October 22. It originated with celebrations held in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo. Its main highlight is a historical costume procession that moves backward through approximately 1,000 years of history, from the Meiji Restoration to the Enryaku era, when Heian-kyo was built.

The Kawagoe Festival is a fall tradition held every year on the third Saturday and Sunday of October.
Large crowds arrive from around the country, making this the liveliest time of the year in Kawagoe.
The festival has continued for more than 370 years. It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2005 and added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016, recognizing its long history and cultural significance.

Although the exact period varies by variety and region, the grape-picking season is relatively long, generally lasting from late July through early October.
Grapes come in a particularly diverse selection compared with other fruits, and Japan alone is said to grow between 50 and 60 varieties.
The greatest appeal of grape picking is the opportunity to sample multiple varieties, ranging from well-known grapes such as Kyoho and Shine Muscat to less common varieties such as Shinano Smile and Wink.
Picking the fruit yourself and savoring the sweet, fragrant grapes at their freshest is another essential part of the experience.
Because grapevines are low enough for children to reach, grape picking is also easy for families to enjoy. Experiences are available across Japan, from north to south, including in Yamagata, Nagano, Yamanashi, and Okayama prefectures.

Pear picking offers the chance to enjoy one of the fruits most closely associated with fall and is generally available from early August through around mid-November.
However, the timing and peak season vary by growing region and orchard, so check the details in advance if you want to taste the pears at their best.
The main appeal of pear picking is being able to eat freshly harvested, fully ripened pears on the spot.
Unlike those purchased in stores, pears left on the tree until immediately before harvest have had more time to develop. Their juiciness, aroma, and sweetness may surprise you.
Comparing varieties is also recommended, such as Kosui, known for its crisp texture, and Hosui, which offers a well-balanced combination of rich sweetness and moderate acidity.

Persimmon picking, which enters its main season from mid-October through early December, is an activity that lets you experience the deepening of fall.
In addition to picking and tasting fresh, sweet persimmons such as Fuyu and Saijo directly from the tree, you can admire the atmospheric scenery as the trees change color and become covered in orange fruit.
Persimmons may look similar in everyday life, but viewed up close, each tree and fruit differs in the way the fruit grows, the arrangement of the leaves, and the shades of color.
Taking the time to observe details that usually go unnoticed is another appeal of persimmon picking.

The main apple-picking season runs from early September through late November.
Each variety has a different peak season, from early varieties such as Tsugaru and Shinano Sweet to midseason varieties such as Jonagold and Shinsekai, and late-season varieties such as Fuji and Hokuto. This means each visit can bring a new discovery depending on when you go.
Apples are also photogenic, and the orchard's almost fairy-tale atmosphere can provide memorable vacation photos.

Shiitake mushrooms can generally be harvested throughout the year, but the best time for shiitake picking is during their peak season, from around mid-October through late November.
The chance to connect with nature and harvest large, thick mushrooms without bringing special equipment makes it a popular fall food-picking experience.
Some farms and facilities allow visitors to grill the mushrooms they pick on-site as part of a barbecue, giving them an especially satisfying flavor.
It can also be an excellent activity to share with family or friends.
For children, it is a valuable form of food education, offering the chance to learn how ingredients grow and develop a greater appreciation for food.

Fall is known as a season that stimulates the appetite and is often called the “season of hearty appetites” in Japan.
One reason is that appetites return after being suppressed by the summer heat. Another is that fall produces the most abundant agricultural harvest of the four seasons.
The natural instinct to eat more in preparation for the cold winter, maintaining body temperature and strength while storing energy, may also play a role.
The culture of enjoying fall flavors reflects Japan's distinctive seasonal awareness and food culture. Meals offer the chance to celebrate the harvest while experiencing the transition between seasons.
As the list below shows, many ingredients reach their peak in the fall, offering a wide range of dishes.
Dishes made with these ingredients, such as matsutake mushroom rice, salt-grilled Pacific saury, and simmered pumpkin, are particularly flavorful, so try them if you visit Japan during the fall.

The “season of reading” is another phrase that symbolizes fall in Japan.
As the name suggests, it refers to enjoying books, whether discovering new knowledge or becoming immersed in a story, during the cool and comfortable fall season.
The phrase is said to have ancient origins in a line from a poem composed around the eighth century by the Chinese poet Han Yu.
In Japan, the expression became widespread after novelist Natsume Soseki quoted the phrase “the lamplight is suitable for reading” in his novel “Sanshiro.”
Each year, the two-week period from October 27 through November 9 is also designated as Book Week, during which various events encourage people to read.

Fall is also called the “season of sports” because its comfortable weather is well suited to exercise.
The lower risk of heatstroke and injuries caused by severe cold also encourages physical activity.
The 1964 Tokyo Olympics are said to be the main reason the association between fall and sports became widespread.
Beginning in 1966, two years after the Tokyo Olympics, October 10, the date of the opening ceremony, was designated a national holiday known as Health and Sports Day. It is now called Sports Day and is observed on the second Monday of October.
October 10 was selected because statistical data showed a high probability of clear weather in Tokyo on that date.
This helped establish the idea of fall as the season of sports, leading to an increase in school athletic meets and other sporting events.

Nikko is located in northwestern Tochigi Prefecture, in the northern part of the Kanto region.
It is a popular destination filled with cultural heritage and scenic attractions, led by the Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a World Heritage Site.
Nikko is also known as one of Japan's three major fall foliage destinations and attracts many visitors when the leaves reach their peak.
Particularly memorable sights include the scenery viewed from the waters of Lake Chuzenji and the brilliant foliage surrounding Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which further highlights its magnificent architecture.
Renting a car and driving through the tunnel of colorful trees along Irohazaka Winding Road may feel like entering another world.
Nikko is especially rewarding in the fall, with hot springs and famous waterfalls scattered throughout its rich natural environment, as well as a wide selection of local food.
To learn more about Nikko's attractions, see the following article.

Located in the northeastern part of the Kanto region, Ibaraki Prefecture is a place where visitors can experience the appeal of fall with all five senses.
It is home to many nationally renowned natural attractions, including Kairakuen, one of Japan's three great gardens, and Fukuroda Falls, one of the country's three great waterfalls.
When these landscapes combine with colorful fall foliage, they create scenery striking enough to captivate anyone who sees it.
The prefecture also offers a wide range of fall flavors, including sweet potatoes, chestnuts, pears, and pumpkins, prepared in many different dishes.
The fields of kochia at Hitachi Seaside Park, one of Japan's largest national government parks, are also impressive. Cycling or walking through the park is an excellent way to experience the season.
Another advantage is the convenient access: Mito, the prefecture's central city, is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Tokyo metropolitan area by limited express train.
The following article introduces scenic attractions in Ibaraki Prefecture along with notable accommodations and souvenirs.

The Fuji Five Lakes area of Yamanashi is a resort region surrounding the five lakes at the foot of Mount Fuji.
It is also known for the entrance to the Yoshida Trail, a familiar route for first-time Mount Fuji climbers, and the popular Fuji-Q Highland amusement park.
The area's greatest appeal is the view of Mount Fuji as fall arrives.
The season begins earlier here than in central Tokyo, and the sight of Mount Fuji framed by colorful foliage has a beauty that words and photographs cannot fully convey.
The scenery also varies greatly, with each location revealing a different side of the mountain, so try viewing it from several places.
Lake Motosu, for example, offers views across exceptionally clear, tranquil waters, while Lake Shoji presents the sight of Mount Fuji reflected upside down on the calm surface, framed by colorful foliage along the shore.
The area is also ideal for relaxing while breathing fresh air and feeling the cool fall breeze.

Located in the northern part of the Kansai region, Kyoto Prefecture is one of Japan's internationally renowned destinations.
Although Kyoto offers different attractions in every season, its historic beauty stands out even more in the fall.
Brilliant foliage adds vivid color to Kyoto's historic streets, World Heritage Sites, and Important Cultural Properties, creating memorable scenery for all who visit.
The city's distinctive fall atmosphere cannot be reproduced anywhere else and is worth experiencing in person at least once.
The views from famous destinations such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Arashiyama are impressive, but there is also charm in everyday fall scenes found along an ordinary walking path or reflected in the window of a coffee shop.
Tasting seasonal flavors made with fresh Pacific saury, chestnuts, and Kyoto vegetables offers another way to experience the history of the city.
Also see the following article introducing classic attractions and traditional events that should not be missed when exploring the ancient capital of Kyoto.

Located south of central Sapporo, Jozankei is an area surrounded by lush nature and distinctive mountains.
It is also one of Hokkaido's leading fall foliage destinations, where the valleys along the Toyohira River and the surrounding mountains turn red and yellow.
Do not miss the combination of fall foliage with the Futami Jozan walking trail and Hoheikyo Dam.
Another attraction is the chance to view the scenery from different perspectives, whether taking an aerial ride on the Fall Foliage Gondola at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort or admiring it from the water during a canoeing experience.
The expansive scenery distinctive to Hokkaido is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Jozankei is also known as a hot spring resort.
Its high-quality natural spring water is mainly clear and colorless, offering a relaxing way to experience the blessings of the forest and land.
Footbaths, day-use facilities, and accommodations are available, so stop by to unwind after your journey.