Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 10:31 pm
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This post contains all my tips about visiting Japan in November.
Japan is a bucket-list destination for many people. What you hope to see or do there will determine the best time of year for you to visit. I recently had the chance to visit Japan in November. There were some pros and cons of visiting Japan in the fall, but overall I had a great time. I’ve put together this guide with all my tips on visiting Japan in November.
Weather in Japan in November
The weather in Japan in November will vary depending on which cities you are visiting. I visited in mid/late November, and went to Tokyo and Kyoto. The weather was pretty mild! Most days averaged a high of about 12-15°C, and there was a little bit of rain. The perfect temperature for long days of walking! Although I think this was slightly warmer than average November temperatures, if you are travelling to Tokyo or Kyoto in November, you can expect somewhat mild weather. Bring a light jacket and be prepared for rain (but of course check the forecast before your trip!).
Fall Foliage in Japan in November
One of the main perks of visiting Japan in the fall is the beautiful fall foliage. Japan has some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the world. It can be hard to time it perfectly, as the weather will vary year to year, meaning that leaves may not change at the same time predictably every year. However, if you are visiting Tokyo or Kyoto in late November, you should be able to see some beautiful foliage! When I arrived in Tokyo in mid November, the leaves were just beginning to change. By the end of the trip two weeks later, there were beautiful autumn colours everywhere!
Crowds in Japan in November
November is not the most popular time to visit Japan but you will still experience crowds. Especially in the big cities, which are very populated, there will always be crowds in the city centres. You need to be prepared to wait in lines, navigate through crowds, and fit in to packed trains.
I also found most tourist attractions in Japan pretty crowded in November. The popular temples in Kyoto were so crowded that it was often difficult to find a good spot to even take a photo. Tokyo Disneyland was very crowded, even on a weekday in November- most rides had wait times of at least an hour.
That being said, it was still worth visiting in my opinion- you just need a bit of patience! But if crowds are really unappealing to you, you may want to reconsider visiting Japan in November. Or, consider visiting smaller cities that are less populated and less popular with tourists.
Overall, I enjoyed visiting Japan in November. The fall foliage was absolutely stunning, and the weather was great. If I were to go to Japan during fall foliage season again, I would definitely visit smaller cities and try to avoid crowds. I hope this guide helps you decide if November is a good time to visit Japan for you. Happy travelling!
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