This Week in Japan

Week of October 17 - 25, 2026

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Kawagoe Matsuri - October 17-18, Kawagoe, Saitama: festival floats parade through the old merchant streets of Little Edo.

Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) - October 22, Kyoto: a historical costume procession from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine, with a rain date of October 23.

Kurama Fire Festival - October 22, Kurama, Kyoto: begins at 6:00 pm at Yuki Shrine.

IN THE NEWS

The latest official autumn leaves forecast expects red maple leaves in Sapporo around November 4, in Tokyo by November 28 and in Kyoto by December 11.

LOOKING AHEAD

The next autumn leaves forecast update is expected in early November, so now is a good time to start planning leaf-viewing trips. Festival times can change, so check official pages before you go.

Check back every week for the latest events, weather, and news from around Japan.